The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-22
THE VOYAGE FROM TAMPA.
Every Precautlon was Taken and the
Trim was Made without Incident.


WITH THE u. S. TRANSPORT SHIPS
OFF SANTIAGO De CUBA. Monday.
June W.-Noon.-VIA THE MOLE ST.
NICHOLAS, HAYTl, Tuesday. June IL
/ A. M.-The feet Of United states trans
ports. having on board 1890 men under
the command Of General shafter. arrived
off Santiago de Cuba at noon to-day. DC
ing exactly six days out from Fort TAM
sa. The army OF invasion left EgmOnt
Key at noon on Tuesday. June 18th. con-
vowed by the United States warships In
,diana, Castine. Helena. Annapolis. Ban
croft, Morrill, and Hornet. The passage
was necessarily slow, as two big water
barges and the schooner stevens, also
used Tor water, had TO be towed.
REINFORCEMENTS.
At Rebecca Shoals Lighthouse. the fleet
was Joined by the United States warships
Detroit, Manning, Osceoii, wasp ana Er-
lesson.
When the transport feet left Port Tam
pa, IL was the intention OF those in au-
thOriiy to take the western course.
around Cape Antonio. but later IT was
decided 10 go via The Florida straits. that
being a shorter distance. After the heet
got into the rough waters of the straits
the transports were formed into three
lines about 100 yards apart. while six
hundred yards separated the ships
IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE.
The easily advancing transports pre-
scented very impressive spectacle.
stretching FOR miles over the blue waters.
IL was one OF the largest fleets ever
gathered together. the grim looking men
ol-war lowering Ike watchd0gs on the
outskirts Of the human freighted ships.
At night every precaution was taken
TO guard against any possible attack. No
lights were allowed on the transports.
and the gunboats in the direction Of the
shore We're doubled in number while at
frequent intervals the shifting search
lights swept the waters in the direction
Of cuba in search OF hostile vessels.
40 ENEMY SEEN.
Throughout the voyage not one Span
ish gunboat or sign OF an enemy was
seen.
On Friday the conveying fleet OF war
ships was reinforced by the Montgomery
and Porter off Puerto Principe. The voy-
age throughout was tedious and unin-
teresting. To the weary soldiers life on
board the transports is as unwarlike as
a journey on a fruiter
The spectacle OF transferring the sick
at sea was presented on Saturday. For
four hours the fleet lay 10 while the
ships boats carried fourteen patients to
hospital ship Olivette. In the rough
waters Of the Bahama channel this work
for the little boats was quite difficult,
and the hosting Of the limp forms TO the
rolling deck Of the Oliyette seemed dan
gerous But It was accomplished in
safety.
LITTLE SICKNESS.
The weather throughout the voyage was
excellent and consequently there was
very little suffering from seasickness.
But fourteen cases of typhoid fevp and
some measles developed, the former be-
ing especially on the boats which carried
horses and mules. Surgeons. however
say the health Of the men is unexpect-
eddy good.
The first sight OF land was obtained
I'm the vicinity Of Santiago de Cuba, ana
when the topmasts of the blockading
ships were seen they sent a thrill OF en-
thusiasm through the soldiers and they
are now eagerly awaiting the landing In
Cuba.
CONFIDENT or VICTORY.
The men seem confident OF swift and
easy victory but they seem rather to
hope for hard fighting.
The heat and long confinement In the
his OF the transports have told very
severely upon the horses and mules and
many Of them died during the last days
OF the voyage.