Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-06-03
StorlliDg Of the Forts at San Juan
Accurate Description of the Naval Victory at Porto
RiCO'S Capital.

! Early in the morning Of May II Rear
Admiral SIMPSONS ships approached
San Juan, the American consul at cape
Haytien having informed the admiral
that he had heard report that thirteen
Spanish warships had been seen head
ing for Puerto Rico.
SIMPSONS Plan OF Action.
The attack on the forts was planned
so that our warships could be in po-
sition to meet the Spanish vessels
should they emerge from the harbor.
The following is the official plan OF
action issued to the American fleet:
"The squadron will pass near Sail
mas Point. and then steer about east
to pass just outside the reefs OF Cabras
island. The column is to be formed as
follows:
1.-THE Iowa, flagship; Indiana, New
York, Alnphitrite, and Terror. Inc
Detroit is to 60 ahead of the Iowa, dis
tant one thousand yards. The Wam-
patuck to keep to the Iowa's starbcard
bow, distant five hundred yards. The
Detroit and Wampatuch to sound con-
stantly, after land is closer, and to i'm
mediately signal if ten fathoms or less
is obtained, showing at night a red
light over the stern and at daytime a
red flag aft. The Montgomery to re-
main in the rear Of the column, stop
ping outside of the fire from MORO
and on the lookout for torpedo boat
destroyers. If Fort Canuelo fires she
Is to be silenced. The Porter will take
station under cover Of the Iowa on the
port side. The Niagara to remain
westward, off Salinas Point. While
approaching a sharp lookout is to be
kept on the coast between Salinas
Point and Cabras island for torpedo
boat destroyers. When near Cabras
island, one-half to one mile, the Detroit
will rapidly cross the mouth of the
harbor and be close under MORO to the
westward, screened from the fire OF
Morro's westward battery. If the old
guns on the north side of Moro fire it
is to silence them. These two cruisers
are to keep on the lookout especially
for Spanish torpedo boat destroyers
coming out of the harbor. The Por-
ter, when the action begins, will cross
the harbor mouth behind the Iowa and
close under the cliff to the eastward Of
the Detroit and torpedo any Spanish
cruiser boats trying to get out o. the
harbor, but it is not to attack Destroy
ot,,of will 0f
its boats with its mast shipped, flying
a red flag, and having boats anchor
on board the tug so arranged that it
can stop the boat and anchor at the
same time. 1t is to anchor the boat
in about ten fathoms, with Fort Cam
uelo and the western end of Cabras is
land in range. There will be two OBJ
tects for attack, the batteries en- the
Moro and the men-of-war. II it is
clear that Spanish vessels are lying i'll
port fire is to be opened on them as
soon as they are discernible over Ca
bras island, the motions Of the flagship
being followed in this regard. If it
should become evident, however, that
neutral men-of-war are in the line Of
fire flag of truce will probably be sent
in before the vessels are opened. The
Porter is to hold itself in readiness for
this service.
Orders to Spare Hospitals.
Care must be taken to avoid strik-
ing the hospitals on Cabras island. If
it becomes necessary to silence the
Moro batteries a portion of the fire
will be directed with this object. But
the PRINCIPAL object is to dstroy the
ships. After passing the harbor mouth
the Iowa will turn little to starboard
toward the town, and will then turn
with starboard helm and again pass
to port, and after passing Cabras is
land to the westward, it will turn again
with starboard helm and pass as at
| first. Should this plan be changed and
| it be decided to hold the ships in front
of the entrance the signal 'Stop!' will
be made at the proper time. The In
diana, New York, and monitors will
follow the motions Of the flagship and
remain in column. The course after
| L OH Cuuue1O ID UlOls3hL llilO louSC
with the west end Of Cabras island will
be east by south. Should nightfall
come with the port in the enemy S
hands and the ships inside, the cruisers
will take up positions just outside the
harbor, the Montgomery to the east
ward and the Detroit to the westward,
with their batteries ready and the men
at the guns. They will sho" no lights.
The other ships in succession VIII
sweep the entrance of the haroor ana
the channel leading into the anchorage
with searchlights to keep the torpedo
boat destroyers from coming out. In
case the enemy should attempt to es-
cape from the Port fire is to he concen-
trated on the leading ship. Should the
attempt be made at night the search
lights in use are to be turned on Its
bridge and coming tower and are to Ee
held there"
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