The herald., 1898-10-24
Set Forth in the Report Made by
Admiral Sampson
THE Two MONTHS NAVAL CAMPAIGN
Which Was Crowned With Complete Success by the De-
srucion Of the Spanish Squadron Under Command
of Admiral Cervera July Third

shown. The squadron was tos cruise gener-
ally to the eastward in the day and west
ward during the night. In one of his dis
patches the admiral complains that his
movements are greatly hampered by monl-
tors constituting the principal force under
his command.
On May 23d. as shown by the report, Com
modore Schley expressed the belief that the
Spaniards We're at Cienfuegos. On the 9th
the admiral sent word to Schley directing
him to proceed with all possible speed to
Santiago, because of information received
that the Spaniards were there. At the
same time orders were sent to have the col
lier Sterling dispatched to Santiago, with
an expression of opinion that the commodore
should use it to obstruct the channel at the
narrowest part leading into the harbor. The
details of the plan were left to the commo,
utmost confidence in his ability to carry
this plan to successful conclusion and ear
nestly wished him good luck"
SAMPSON WAS SURE
Sampson apparently felt certain of tho
presence of the Spaniards at Santiago and
urged that the harbor must be blockaded at
all hazards. Schley in the meantime had
proceeded to Santiago, although it appears
not the same day Admiral Sampson ex-
pected. At one time Commodore Schley
contemplated going to Key West with the
squadron, Dut CnlS was aDauuOneu. Inc
injuries to his collier having been tempor-
arily repaired and the necessity for trip
to Key West being avoided, Santiago was
then blockaded. The admiral congratulated
the commodore upon his success and direct
ed him to maintain close blockade at all
hazards, and especially at night.
Then follow kilograms from Schley, show
ing that he had recognized the enemy in
port; and from Secretary Long to Schley,
pointing out that the most absolutely urgent
thing was to know positively whether the
Spanish division was in the harbor. If it
was, an immediate army and navy movement
was to be made. In one dispatch the secrc-
tary said it would be discreditable to the
navy if the presence of the Spanish fleet was
! not ascertained Immediately, The commo-
dore's dispatch evidently had not been re-
| ceived at the department when Secretary
Longs kilograms were sent. Meantime Ad-
miral Sampson had made arrangements to
proceed to Santiago with number of his
vessels. He arrived there June 1st.
SANTIAGO HISTORY
Then follows historical resume Of the do
ings of the fleet while off Santiago, of the
bombardments of the forts, of the taking of
the lower bay at Guantanamo by the Marble
head and the Yankee, copies Of memoranda
regarding methods of blockading, kilograms
bearing on the proposed army movement at
| t1dIltldSO, cVCs, anu PleCbiCdiy Oil VI WAiCa
is told in official kilograms.
On June Sth the Admiral urged upon the
department, as he had previously done, to
expedite the arrival of the troops for Santi-
ago, the difficulty of blockading the Spanish
ships daily increasing. On June 10th dis
patch was received, showing that the army
expedition was temporarily stopped because
of the reported observation of additional
| Spanish vessels in American waters. In q
memorandum dated June 18th the admiral
says; ITh. oh;of d..;r., .a.;n :.
call the attention of commanding officers to
the position occupied by the blockading
fleet, especially during the daytime, and
it is now directed that all ships keep with
in distance of the entrance of Santiago
of four miles, and this distance must not be
exceeded.
"If the vessel is coaling or is otherwise re-
| strcted in her movements, she must never
thless keep within this distance. If at any
time the flagship makes signal which is not
visible to any vessel, such vessel must at
once approach the flagship or the repeating
vessel to a point where she can read the
signals.
Disregard Of these directions, which have
already been given under this head, has led
to endless confusion. Many times during the
day the fleet is so scattered that it would be
perfectly possible for the enemy to come
out of the harbor and meet with very little
opposition.
attention will be given this ORDER
SHAFTER'S ARRIVAL
The admiral reproduces the order of battle
incidental to the landing of Skaters army
corps June 22d. In this order the following
occurs:
"The attention of the commanding officers
of all vessels engaged in blockading Santi-
ago de Cuba is earnestly called to the neces-
sity Of the utmost vigilance from this time
forward, both as to maintaining stations and
readiness for action, and to keeping close
watch upon the harbor mouth. If the
Spanish admiral ever intends to attempt to
escape, that attempt will be made soon."
The admiral here remarks that much
trouble was expected in landing on account
of the wandering proclivities of some of the
transports, which had to be locked up. The
progress of Decentralization was rendered
somewhat. difficult by heavy sea, the
had been stationed there, owing to stiff
blow off the coast Of Jamaica. 1t appears
that, according to dispatch to Secretary
Long, dated June 26, the channel of Santi.
ago not having been obstructed by the sink.
ing of the Merrimac, Admiral Sampson was
preparing torpedo attack to hasten the
destruction of the Spanish vessels, although
ue TcSTctleQ ICSoltiiis W tAio lucJLOQ OC'
cause of difficulties and the small chance Of
success. He would not do this, he said, were
the present force to be kept there, as it
} would insure capture which would ter.
inmate the war.
(The above telegram sent by the ad.
miral is explained by reference to the pro-
posed detachment of some of our heavy ships
for service abroad-the proposed expedi.
tion to the Spanish coast. A dispatch from
Secretary Long shows that this expedition
was to consist Of the Iowa, Oregon, Newark,
Yosemite, Yankee and Dixie, and they were
to go to the Azores for orders. The colliers
were to join the fleet at the Azores.)
SKATERS ATTACK
On June 30th the admiral received COM
munication from Major Gen. Shafter an
nouncing that he expected to attack Santi.
ago the following morning, and asking that
he (Sampson) lombard the forts at Aqua
dores in support Of regiment of infantry,
and make such demonstration as he thought
proper at the harbor's mouth, SO as to keep
as many of the enemy there as possible.
This request was complied with. and ON July