Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-26

brought the hrst detailed account Ot
the bombardment Of San Juan de Porto
Rico, capital of the Island of Porto
Rico, by portion of the fleet under
the command Of Rear Admiral Sampson
on May 18th last. The American war
ships sustained only trivial injury and
lost only one man killed.
After the engagement the north end
Of MORO Castle was in ruins the Cabrus
Island fort was silenced and the San
Carlos battery was damaged.
No shots were aimed at the city aud
1t is not known whether any damage
was done there. Spaniards at ST.
Thomas claim that schoohouse was
struck and that the master and his
pupils were killed. But this is not
thought likely to be true, as the bonn
bardment tooK place early in the morn
ing, and the school children are not
likely to have been in the building at
the time.
The plans of the Notifications, fur
nished to the fleet were very mis-
leading. 1t was known that the
Spanish forts had recently heen
strengthened with new guns, but other
facts developed which showed mis-
calculations were made by those who
drew up the plans. Refugees at ST.
Thomas told the correspondents who
touched there after the engagement
that Spaniards thought the forts at
San Juan de Porto Rico were stronger
than the forts of Havana.
TO DESTROY SPANS FLEET.
The United States feet left Key
West ON May Sd, to Intercept and
destroy" the Spanish fleet which had
left the Cape Verbs Islands. This was
the only information the United States
Navy Department ami Admiral SRmp
son had on the subject.
Our warships proceeded slowly east.
ward, and on May 8th were of Cape
HaYtien, Republic of Hayti. Attempts
were made there to obtain information
regarding the whereabouts OF the
Spaniards, but no definite information
was obtained.
Early in the morning of May 18th
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS ships ap.
preached San Juan de Porto Rico, the
American Consul at Cape Haytien
having informed the Admiral that he
had heard report that l3 Spanish
warships had been seen heading fol
Porto Rico.
The city of San Juan de Porto Rice
is SITUATED in a long, narrow pocket
A tongue OF high land separates it from
the ocean. The entrance OF the harbo
is sasily defended. and the Hame cat
be said OF the headlands of loft,
Cabras Island, which lies in the throa
OF the passage. These headlands hav
heen fortified by the SpRniarda, bu
tneY did not prove iE any way danger
oussto our warships.
The town of San Juan de Porto Ric
is on the ocean eide of the bay, and i
the rear Of the town rise high hills
To reach the city ships must pass tn
MORO Castle Notifications and the bal
terry of San Carlos. situated on
prumoutory at the east entrance of th
harhor. Besides, they must pass tb
Canuelo Battery. On Cabras Islanc
The track on the forts was planne
so that our warships could be in
position to meet the Spanish vssss
should the latter emerge from til
harbor.
The following is the official plan
action issued to the American feet;
SIMPSONS PLAN OF BATTLE.
1.-THE squadron will pass near Salui
Point and then steer about east,
pass Just outside the reefs off Cahr
Island. The column ia TO be form,
as follows:
1.-THE Iowa, flag; Indiana, New Yor
Amphitrits and Terror. The Detrc
is to go ahead of the Iowa, dista
1000 yards. The Wampatuck, to Ike
on the Iowa's starboard bow, dista
500 yards. The Detroit and Wamp
tuck to sound constantly after land
closed, and to Immediately signal il
fathoms or lass ia obtained, showing
night red light over the stern and
daytime red flag aft.
The Montgomery to remain in t
rear of the column, stopping outHi
of the fire from Mcrro, and on |
lookout for torpedoboat destroyers.
Fort Canuelu fires she ia to silence
The Porter will take station under I
\ cover of the Iowa, on the port Hit
The Niagara to remain westward,
Salinas Point.
while approaching, sharp look,
10 to be kept on the coast betwt
Salinas Point and Cabras leland
torpsdoboat destroyers. When ii
Cabras Island, one-half mile to
mile, the Detroit will rapidly GROSS
mouth of the harbor and lie close un
Moro, to the westward, screened fl
the fire of Morru's western battery.
the old guns ON the north side of NJ
are opened she is to silence tn
These two cruisers are to keep on
lookout, especially for Spanish iorpt
boat destroyers coming out Of the
Dor.
THE Porter, when the action beg
will cross the hsrbor mouth behind
Iowa and get close under the eli
the eastward Of the Detroit, and
pedo any Spanish cruiser trying to
out of the harbor, but she ia not tc
tack destroyers.
1.-THE Wampatnck will tow one of
boats, with it's mast shipped, flyi
red flag, aId having boats ancho
board the tug, SO arranged that she
stop the boat and anchor at the
time. She lie to anchor the boa
about ten fathoms, with Fort Can
and the western END of Cabraa Is
in range.
"Thers will be two objects for at
the batteries upon Moro and
men -ofwar. If it is clear that Spa
vessels are lying in port, fire is t,
opened upon them so sUon as the!
discernible over Cabras Island,
motions of the flagship being foil,
10 this regard. If it should be-
evident, however, that neutral me
war are in the line of fire, fla
truce will probably be sent in b
the vessels are opened. The Port
to hold herself in readiness for
service.
Care must be taken to avoid q
ing the hospitals on Cabras Island
it becomes necessary to silence
Moro batteries, a portion of tht
will be directed with this object.
hn 81, -, -.