The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-27
HarbOr Mouth at Santiago Has
Not Been Closed.
w arships Could Have Gone In
or Out at Any Time.
VESUVIUs TRIES 1T.
Passes the Merrimac Wreck
and RecOnnOitres.
The Collier Was Sunk Too Far
From the Entrance.

New York, June PA special to the
Herald from Port Antonio says: 1t has
remained for the staunch dynamite
cruiser Vesuvius to demonstrate that
the entrance to Santiago harbor was
not completely blocked by the sinking
of the Merrimac.
While poking her nose about the en-
trance to the harbor a few nights ago,
the VesUvius discovered ample room
in which to pass the wreck of the Mer-
rimac. She went in. made observations
along the inner harbor and then came
back TO sea, getting around the wreck
ed collier without difficulty.
This rather surprising information
came out in the course of a conversa-
ton in which Admiral Sampson and
Captain Chadwick discussed the stu
alton from a naval standpoint.
At length Captain Chadwick made
the surprising statement that it was a
question whether the Merrimac had
been properly sunk. He said he feared
Lieutenant Hobson and his plucky men
had taken the vessel too far into the
harbor before sinking her.
AS the collier now lies, it is said the
channel is comparatively free of OBJ
struction. Such is the opinion of men
on the Vesuvius and their opinion is
based on experience. Not only did the
dynamite cruiser pass the wreck while
reconnOitering about the outer forts.
the other night. but it gave to Admiral
Sampson news which resulted in a
closer examination of the wreck as it
now lies
It has been ascertafned that two
battIeships can enter the harbOr
abreast, one passing to the right and
the other to the left of the Merrimac
wreck This is an opportunity that will
be of great advantage to Admiral
sampson when the final attack on San
tiagO begins.
Lieutenant Hobson and men are still
In communication with the fleet. There
is little prospect that they will be ex-
changed before the attack on Santiago
is made.
MOrrO Abandoned.
Port Antonio. June 27.-(Copyright
1898, by James Gordon Bennett )-Mor-
TO castle, the most formidable defense
about Santiago harbor, has been aban-
doned by the Spaniards.
BY this flight the enemy has left the
entrance to the harbor at Admiral
Simpsons mercy.
1t will now be the simplest task for
Admiral Sampson, wi, such vessels
in his fleet as he deems necessary for
the work, to enter the harbor, attack
Admiral Cervera's fleet and assist Cen
tiOn of the city of Santiago.
News that the Spaniards had aban-
doned MOrrO was received with great
surprise on board the American war
ships. Admiral Sampson has been ready
for a week to smash their last remain
ing fortifcation at the entrance to the
hsrbOr.
MORO long has possessed some of the
heaviest guns and most modern equip
1nent to be encountered at any point on
the Cuban coast. 1t is thought by Ad-
miral Sampson to be probably the most
difficult to silence of any of Santiago's
defenses.
1t stands in a commanding position
on a great bluff at the eastern side of
the harbOr, and the American gunners
anticipated some trouble in getting a
good range at first.
Now that the Spaniards have desert
ed the castle the American fleet is like
ly to have little shooting to do until
it gets within range of Cervera's ships
There has been much rivalry between
the gunners on the American warshipS
each being anxious to get a chance at
MORO when Admiral Sampson decided
to reduce the fortification.
In the three bombardments that have
taken place all of the American gunners
were explicitly ordered not to hit the
castle They smashed Spanish guns
to the right and left, and an Occa Sional
shell, despite the admiraPs Instructions
went scurrying in the direction of Nor
ro. 1t was struck several times during
the bonn 5ardment on Monday. June 8.
when our gunners did destructive work
for three hours all about the entrance
to the harbor.
When he ordered q second lombard
ment of Santiago's defenses, q few days
later, Admiral Sampson was even more
explicit in his instructions about Morro.
So positively did he warn his men not
to hit MORO that not a particle of a
shell scratched the castle.
BY abandoning Morro al this junct-
ure, the American officers believe the
Spaniards have shown that they did
not intend to resist our fleet when the
final advance into the harbor began
They apparently were completely un-
nerved by the terrible destruction done
by the dynamite guns of the Vesuvius
about the fortifcations across the har-
bor from Morro and used Hobson and
his men as a shield as long as they
could with safety to themselves.
1t has been known to Admiral Samp-
son for nearly a week that the Spanish
gunners have not dared to sleep in
Morro at night. They have been aban-
doning their guns at sunset, returning
to the Qualifications early in the morn
ing.
Neither Admiral Sampson nor any
of his officers expected the Spaniards to
desert Morro entirely. 1t looks, they
think. as if the enemy intended to mass
all of it's guns and men in Santiago as
one last desperate stand against the
American and Cuban forces.