The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1898-11-18

Antonio, the admiral took measures to
cover Havana from the eastward and
westward, Notwithstanding the fact
that his movements were greatly ham.
pered by monitors.
News Received From Schley.
1t was on Lay 26 that the admiral
first heard from Commodore Schley aft
er that officers departure from Key
West. He announced his arrival on May
81 at Cienfuegos and said that on May
90 he was within 1000 yards of the en-
trance to the harbor, but was unable to
learn whether the Spanish fleet was
there or not. Expect the difficulty
here,'' he stated, "will be to coal from
colliers in the constant heavy swell.
Other problem easy compared to this
one SO far from base. -
A dispatch from the commanding Off
Ger of the Harvard stated that, although
Santiago and San Juan had been recon-
noitered, no trace of the Spanish fleet
had been found. The admiral sent
dispatch stating that the Spanish feet
was positively at Santiago and directed
the Harvard to go to Cienfuegos and in-
form Commodore Schley, if he were not
at the former point. During the even
ing on May 26 the admiral received let
ters from Rear Admiral Schley dated
May 23. These are his most impo1 tant
statements:
In reply to your letter No. 8 would state
that am by no means satisfied that the Span
ish squadron is not at Cienfuegos. The large
amount of smoke in the harbor would i'm
dicate the presence of a number of vessels, and
under such circumstances it would seem to be
extremely unwise to chase up probo billty at
Santiago de Cuba, reported via Havana, no
doubt as ruse.
shall therefore remain off this port with
this squadron, availing myself of every oppor-
tunity for coaling and keeping it ready for any
emergency.
am further satisfied that the destination of
the Spanish squadron is either Cienfuegos or
Havana. This point, being in communication
with Havana, would be better for their pur-
we ought to be very careful how we receive
information from Havana, which is no doubt
sent ont for the purpose Of misleading us.
Commodore Schley stated he learned
from the steamer Adula that she had
left Santiago on May 1s, and that night
she saw the lights of seven vessels seven
miles to the southwark of Santiago. A
cablegram received on May 10 reported
the Spanish fleet at Santiago, and on
May 90 it was reported to have gone.
Believed They Were at Cienfuegos.
CHOW, ON May 81, continued Com
modore Schley, "when about 40 miles
southwest of this port, l heard from the
bridge of this vessel firing Of guns to-
ward Cienfuegos, which I interpreted
as welcome to the Spanish feet, and
the news this morning by the Adula
convinces me that the feet is here. The
latest bulletin from Jamaica, received
this morning. asserts that the fleet had
left Santiago. think have them here
almost to certainty"
The commanding officer Of the Hawk,
Lieutenant Hood, who brought the dis
patches from Commodore Schley, stated
that, Notwithstanding the confidence of
Commodo Schley, "a good number of
officers do not believe the Spaniards are
there at all, though they can only sur
mise.
Admiral Sampson took prompt ac-
tion. The Wasp was at once sent with
orders to Commodore Schley to proceed
with all dispatch to Santiago, adding,
"If on arrival there you receive positive
information of the Spanish ships hav.
ing gone, you will follow them in pur.
suit" On the same day the admiral
received this dispatch from Commodore
Schley, dated May "a, showing he wal
then still at Cienfuegos:
Coaling off Cienfuegos is very uncertain. On,
collier not sufficient for the work when it il
possible to coal. In great need of two more
for the squadron. thoroughly equipped witt
hoisting engines, buckets, ETC., fer utmost dis
patch. The Sterling, not having hoisting en-
CINE, would not be useful. Recommend tina
| she discharge cargo at Key Vest would sug
gest quality must be equal to best Pocahonta
coal for this work. Every collier should carr,
several thousand gallons of oil and three O.
| four compressed bales as tenders to proven
accidents. l have communicated with insur
gents today and have supplied ammunition
and dynamite, also clothing. Have ascertain
ed that the Spanish fleet is not here, and will
move eastward tomorrow, communicating
with you from Nicholas mole. On account o
short coal supply in ships, cannot blockad
| them if in Santiago.
1 1 Sldll prOc6eQ tO1uOTrOW kSOtllD Oil SttutldSO
being embarrassed, however, by the Texas
| short coal supply and her inability to coal Il
| the open sea. shall not be able to remain OF
that port on account of general short coal sup
ply of the squadron, will proceed to tn
vicinity of Nicholas mole, where the water
smooth, and can coal Texas and other ship
with what may remain in collier. Will com
municate with you from Nicholas mole.
Wanted to Block the HarbOr.
The admiral determined to procee,
to Key West to coal, and if authorize,
by the department proceed to Santiago
Before doing SO, however, he sent th
New Orleans with the collier Sterling
Ito Santiago with instructions to Com
modore Schley to remain on the block
ade at all hazards and "to use the Ste1
ling to obstruct the channel at its Ear
rowest part leading into the harbor.
The order continued:
Inform him that / believe that it would b
perfectly practicable TO steam this vessel int
position and drop all her anchors, allow her t
swing across the channel, then sink her
Opening the valves or whatever means may I
best in his Judgment.
| Inform Commodore Schley that the detail
Of this plan are left to his Judgment. In tn
meantime he must exercise the utmost cal
that none of the vessels already in the port
allowed to escape, and say to the commodol
that have the utmost confidence in his abiht
10 carry this plan to successful concluslo
and earnestly wish him good luck.
Commodore Schley was also informe
that the New Orleans would meet hin
'The Spanish squadron, he was tolt
Unjust be blockaded at all hazards. Yo
must be sure of the Spanish squadro
being in port. If Spanish squadron b;
left Santiago, immediate pursuit mu
be made.''
! 1t was ON May % that the admir
| 6rst heard from Secretary Long of IL
, intention to send 10, 900 men to SAINT
! ago to aid in the capture of the Spani:
fleet, and informing him that he wcul