The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-19

OK BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT, DAUNTLESs. KEY
WEST. FLA, May 1S.-The Dauntess,
dispatch boat OF the Associated Press,
arrived here this mDrnng and brought
one OF the first detailed account OF the
bombardment of san Juan dc Porso Rico,
by a portion or the feet under the COM
mand Of Rear Admiral Sampson on May
le,h, last.
The American warshlps sustained only
trivial injury and lost only one man kill
ed After the engagement the north end
OF Moro Castle was In ruins, the Ca
bras Island Fort was silenced and the
San Carlos battery was damaged. No
shots were aimed at the city, and II II
not known whether any damage was done
there. Spaniards al 81. Thomas claim
that a school house was struck and that
the master and his pupils were killed.
but this is not believed to be true. as
the bombardment took place early In the
morning and the school children are not
likeIy 20 have been in the building at
the time.
MISLEADING PLANS.
The plans OF the fortlhcauons furnished
10 the fleet were very misleading. IL was
known that the Spanish forts had re-
Gently been strengthened with new guns.
but other facts developed which showed
miscalculatlons were made by those who
drew up the plans Refugees In 81
Thomas told the correspondents who
touched there after the engagement that
the Spaniards thought the forts at San
Juan were stronger than the forts Of
Havana.
The United States feet left Key West
on May 81 TO intercept and destroy the
Spanish feet which hId left the Caps
Verde Islands. This was the only infor-
nation the Navy Department and Ad-
mini Sampson had on the subject.
Our warships proceeded slowly eastward
and on May sth, were of Cape Haytien,
Republic OF Hayti. Attempts were made.
there TO obtain Information regarding
the whereabouts OF the Spaniards. but no
definite knowledge was obtained.
Early IN the morning OF May 18th. Rear
Admiral Simpsons ships approached San
Juan, the American consul AZ Cape Hay
tien having Informed the Admiral OF
report that thirteen Spanish warslilps
had been seen heading for Poro Rico.
The city OF San Juan is situated IN a
long narrow pocket. A tongue OF highland
separates IL from the ocean. The en-
trance OF the harbOr Is easily defended
and the same can be said OF the head,
lands OF lofty Cabras Island. which lies
in the throat of the passage. These
headlands have been fortified by thu
Spanilrds. but they did not prove in any
way dangerous to our warsh!ps. san
Juan is on the ocean side Of the bay
and In the rear Of the town, rise high
hills. To reach tho city. ships uus<
pass tho Moro Castle fortihcations and
the battery Of San Carlos, situated on q
promonotory at the east entrance Of ths
harbor. Beside. they must pass tha
Canuelo battery. on cabras island.
PLANNING THE ATTACK.
The attack on the forts was planned
so that our warships could be In posi-
ton 10 met the Spanish vessels should
they emerge from the harbor.
Admiral SIMPSONS order OF attach
directed the Detroit and Wampafuck To
move ahead and continue sounding. while
the feet was near the shore. The Iine
OF battle was as follows: The Iowa, flag
ship; Indiana, New York. Amphitrite and
error The Montgomery was directed to
remain in the rear OF the column. stop
ping outside OF thu hre from Moro
and on the lookout for torpedo boas de-
stroyers. IL Fort Canuelo fired she was
70 silence H.
There were two objects OF attack-ths
batteries on MORO and the spanish fieek
the principal point being To destroy the
ships A sharp watch was TO be kept toe
torpedo-boat destroyers.
The fleet assembled OF San Juan aboou
| 4 o'clock on Thursday last and prepared
for battle. stripping the decks and get.
frg the gans, ammunition and appliances
H. handling the woeaded. rea4y.
Rear Admiral sampson had traasfarIc1
scontinued on seycasa Taxcl- ~