Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-27
SIMPSONS REPORT.

L,
The detailed reports of Rear-Admral
Sampson and Commodore Schley on
the destruction ofthe Spanish squadron
off Santiago have been made public.
They add no new facts to the accounts
of the naval engagement previously
published. Admiral Sampson states
that his flagship, the New York, was
seven miles from the entrance to the
harbor of Santiago when the Spanish
vessels emerged, and consequently he
was unable TO take an active part in
the fight. "The signal was made sim
ultaneously from several vessels" says
Admiral Sampson, "Enemy's ships es-
gaping" land general quarters was
sounded. Fire was opened probably
within eight minutes by the vessels
whose guns commanded the entrance.
The New York turned about and steam
ed for the escaping fleet, flying the sig
nal, close in toward harbor entrance
and attack vessels She was
not at any time" Admiral Sampson
states, "wlthin the range of the heavy
Spanish ships, and her only part in the
fighting was to receive the undivided
fire from the forts in passing the harbor
entrance, and to fire Il few shots at one
of the destroyers."
He regards the victory over the Span
sh squadron las the successful finish of
several weeks of arduous and close
blockade" and in his description of the
manner in which the blockade was
maintained shows that it WAS as i'm.
possible for Admiral Cervera to escape
by night as it was by day. Admiral
Sampson speaks in high terms of the
work of the Brooklyn and the Oregon,
the former being Commodore Schley's
flagship. He says 1.-THE Brooklyn's
westerly blockading position gave her
en- advantage in the chase Of the Girls
tobal Colon, which she maintained to
the end, and she employed her fine
batteries with telling effect" 1.-The
method of escape attempted by the
Spaniards," declared Admiral Samp-
son, removed all tactical doubts or
difficulties and made plain the duty of
every United States vessel to close in,
Immediately engage and pursue. This
was promptly and effectively done,
The object of the blockade of Ger
vera's squadron was fully accomplished
and each individual bore well his part
in it, the commodore in command OF
the second division, the captains Of
ships, their officers and men,"
In his report to Admiral Sampson
Commodore Schley says that signal
was made from the Iowa when the
Spanish squadron began to leava the
harbor OF Santiago, but the movement
of the enemy had been discovered from
the Brooklyn at the same moment.
Signal was accordingly made by
the Brooklyn to the western d.
vision as prescribed in the Admiral's
general orders, and there was an i'm
mediate and rapid movement forward
by the squadron and general engage
ment beginning ut LOO yards and
varying to 5000 until the Vizcaya was
destroyed. Commodore Schley gives q
description of the pursuit of the Viz
csya and Cristobal Colon, but refraius
from assuming much credit for the fine
work of his flagship. Commodore
Schley commends to the Admiral "for
such action as you may deem proper
the gallantry and dashing courage, the
promp5 decision and skillful handling
of their respective vessels by Captain
Philip, Captain Evans, Captain Clark.
aud. especially, of Captain Cook, my
chief OF staff, who was directly under
my personal observation, and whose
GOODNESS, promptness and courage were
of the highest order"
In concluding his report to Admiral
Sampson, Commodore Schley says: Il
congratulate you most sincerely upon
this great victory of the squadron I'M
der your command, and / am glad that
! had On opportunity to contribute in
the least to victory that seems pig
enough for US all"