The herald., 1898-10-24
Associated Press Special Wire.

Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.-The navy de.
partment has made public that portion OF
Admiral Sampson's report covering the
conduct of the fleet under his command, in
its operations in the West Indies for about
two months prior to the destruction OF Ad-
miral Cervera' S ships on July 8. 1t is made
up largely of official dispatches and the
movements of the fleet, with explanations
and comment by the admiral. The report
is dated August 3, on the flagship New York,
and begins with statement Of the determi-
nation reached by the navy department to
send a squad on to the Windward Passage
for the purpose of observation because Of in
formation received of the sailing on April
% of Admiral Cervera's squadron from the
Cape Verde islands.
MONITORS IN THE WAY
On the voyage eastward from the naval
base at Key West, which began May 4, Ad-
miral Sampson reports there was expert
enced endless trouble and delay because
of the inefficiency of the two monitors ac.
companying the other ships, which had
to be taken in tow. Their coal supply was
so small that it was evident that they must
either frequently coal or be towed. The
admiral says:
Had the sea been rough, or had the enemy
would have been in a much better position
for an engagement had the monitors been
elsewhere. Subsequently, when engaging
the batteries of San Juan it was evident that
their shooting was very bad. Owing ito the
quick rolling of these vessels, even in very
moderate sea, they were unable to shoot
with any degree of accuracy
NEWS OF CERvERA
Among the kilograms received by the ad-
miral from the department at Washington
when off Cape Haytien was the following:
"WASHINGTON, D. c., May 6.-Do not
risk or SO cripple your vessels against fortl
fications as to prevent them from soon after
wards successfully fighting the Spanish heet
composed of Pelayo, Carlos V, Oquendo, VIZ
caya, Maria Teresa, Cristobal Colon, foul
deep sea torpedo boats, if they should ap
pear on this side. LONG.
SEARCH FOR THE SHIPS
On May 8 there was consultation OF
board the flagship and the admiral say
that he decided to stand on to the eastward
as far as San Juan, Porto Rico, on the chance
of finding the Spanish squadron in that port
where, if they were not successful in de
stroying it, it could at least be blockade
and held. The squadron arrived off Sal
Juan on the morning Of the 18th, and tn
bombardment of the place ensued. Re
garding his action at this place, the ad
miral says:
"It was clear to my mind that the squad
ron would not have any great difficulty il
forcing the surrender of the place, but th'
fact that we should be held several days il
completing arrangements for holding it
that part of our force would have to be lef
to await the arrival of troops to garrison it
that the movements of the Spanish squadron
our main objective point, were still un
known; that the flying squadron was still
north, and not in a position to render an
aid; that Havana, Cervera's natural objec
tive point, was thus open to entry by such
force as his, while we were thousand mile
distant, made our immediate movement to
ward Havana operative.
'I thus reluctantly gave up the projec
against San Juan and stood westward TO
Havana"
Several kilograms are here presented base'
on reports that Cervera's squadron had re
turned to Cadiz, and they had in view ''t
return and capture San Juan, leisure t
do so, and occupy the place, being as
sured in the event of Admiral Cervera' $ fail
ure to cross the Atlantic"
THE FLEET LOCATED
Shortly after news was received that tn
Spanish fleet had appeared off Curacao AM
the squadron, under orders from the de
partment, proceeded to Key West, to whicl
place the flying squadron under CommC
dore (now admiraD Schley had already beel
ordered.
Arrangements were then hurriedly mad
and the flying squadron, augmented b.
the other vessels under Commodore Schley
was sent off Cienfuegos, where it was be
lieved the enemy would go, in which cas-
an effort was to be made to engage and car
ture him. Sampson was given the .choic
either of the command of the blockadin
squadron off Havana or at Cienfuegos
Schley in either case to remain with hi
own squadron.
From messages received by the admira
from the department about May 20th it ar
pears that reports had reached the Unite
States that the Spanish fleet was at SAINT
ago, so the department advised Sampson
send word Immediately to Schley to procee
to that place, leaving one small vessel o1
Cienfuegos.
ORDERS FOR SCHLEY
On May 2lst instructions were gotten b
Sampson for Commodore Schley and sen
sibility of the Spanish feet being at SAINT
"UNiTEfD STATES FLAGSHIP NEv
YORK, First Rate, Key West, Fla, Ma
22-Sir: Spanish squadron probably at Sar
tiago de Cuba-four ships and three tel
pedO DOaC OeSCrOyerS. II you are SatlSne
that they are not at Cienfuegos, procee
with all dispatch, but cautiously, to SAINT
ago de Cuba, and if the enemy is ther
blockade him in port. You will probabl
find it necessary to establish communicate
with some of the nhabitants-fshermen c
others-to learn definitely that the ships al
in port, it being. impossible to see into
from the outside"
The admiral said he felt much concerne
as to the delivery Of these orders and ser
duplicate by the Hawk with an additions
memorandum. The admiral suggested tina
if the information did not reach Comnlt
dore Schley before daylight of May 23d, t
mask the real direction. He adds:
'Follow the Spanish squadron, whateve
direction they take"
THE ORDER OF BATTLE
The admiral, off Havana, gives copies c
orders of battle which were to be followe
in the event that Cervera left Santiago O
the approach of Schley's fleet from Cienfue
gos and attempted to cruise around til
coast to Havana, in which case the Havan
squadron would. attempt to intercept hir
by going east about 200 miles beyond tn
junction Of Santa Rem and Nicholas char
ne!s. Strict orders were given for screenin