The herald., 1898-07-28

schemes of maintaining an effective block
ade of Santiago de Cuba at night. which
have been advanced, have decided upon
the following, which will be maintained
until further orders:
The weather permitting, three picket
launches, detailed from the ships Of the
squadron each evening, will occupy posi-
tons one mile from the Moro; one to the
eastward, one to the westward aud one at
the harbor entrance. On circle drawn
within radius Of two miles from the
Moro will be stationed three vessels-the
Vixen, to the westward. from one-half to
one mile from shore; the Suwanee, south OF
MORO, and the Dolphin to the eastward,
between one-half mile and one mile from
the shore. The remaining vessels will re-
tain the positions already occupied; but
they will take especial care to keep within
a four-mile circle.
All vessels may turn their engines when
ever desirable to keep them in readiness for
immediate use. and while so doing may
turn in a small circle, but without losing
proper bearing or distance.
The signal for the enemy will be two red
lights fired in succession. II the enemy is
a torpedo boat, these two red lights will be
IOllOWM ny d Bro0l NBHt.
would call attention to the absolute ne
cessity OF a close blockade Of this port,
especially at night and in bad weather. In
the day time, IL clear, the distance SHALL
not be greater than six miles. At night, or
in thick weather, not more than four miles
The end to be attained justiflee the risk of
torpedo attack and that risk must be taken.
The escape of the Spanish vessels at this
juncture would be a serious blow to our
prestige and prevent a speedy end of the
war.
During the dark hours of the night,
searchpghts will be used as follows:
The Iowa, Oregon and Massachusetts will
take turns OF two hours each-from dark
to p. M. and from p. m. to 10 p. M. etc.
in keeping one searchlight directly on the
harbor entrance, maintaining carefully
during that time, their blockaddng posi-
tons. Should a vessels light fail, the next
in order will at once take up the duty.
The picket launch and vidette stationed
south of the Moro will move to one side or
the other sufficiently to get clear of the
beam of light. The vessels on each flank
the Brooklyn and the Texas on the west
ern side, the New York and the New Or
leans on the eastern side. will take two
hours in turn in using one searchlight from
time to time on the coast line, swinging it
toward the MORO, but avoiding that illuml-
nation of the fianking videttes on the in
side line. The light should never be turned
Off more than five minutes at time.
From time to time the horizon will be
swept.
Attention Is called to bad and careless
handling of searchhghts. Last night some
of the lights were kept high In the air and
again were swept rapidly from side to side.
Under such circumstances a searchlight
Is worse than useless. The beams must be
directed to the horizon and must be moved
very steadily and slowly. Not less than
three minutes should be employed in
sweeping through an area Of ninety de-
grees. The best way to discover a torpedo
boat Ii by its smoke. and even then, this
will not be seen unless the light in very
we'll handled.
while blockading the Spanish feet in
sankdago Dc Cubs vessels will hereafter