The times., 1898-10-24

I1heI.
The report gives in fun the order of
cruising and orders of battle TO the Amer
ican feet off Havana, where Sampson at
one time expected to meet the Spanish
ships. This is shown by the following i'm
portant order. promulgated by Admiral
Sampson on May %:
1t is possible that the vessels of this squadron
now off Havana will meet the Spanish ships,
consisting Of the Cristobal Colon, Vizcaya,
oquendo, Nara Teresa, and one torpedo boat de
stroyer. These vessels are supposed to be now in
Santiago de Cuba, where they are taking coal
and provisions The squadron of Commodore
Schley viii probably leave Cienfuegos tomorrow
morning, bound east. in pursuit of the Spanish
ships, and il is anticipated that they will leave
Santiago de Cuba the same day that Comm0.
dorc Sciley leaves Cicnfuegos reach Havana
by the north coast of Cuba, in which case the
blockadine squadron off Havana will attempt TO
intercept them hy going east about 200 miles be.
yOnd the junction Of Santaren and Nicholas chan
ncls. 1t appears TO be possible that If these ships
come toward Havana from that direction they can
be intercepted and brought to action.
The order OF battle will be follows subject
to such notifications as may appear advantageous
at the time:
Owing 10 the superior speed of the Spanish YES
sels have decided 10 form the ships in enc
column, heading 10 the eastward on the asSump-
tion that the enemy will he proceeding to the
westward in column. The New York, Indiana.
fHfltan. ana sildntonofnOh VIII be the fouT itau-
ing vessels. These will be followed by the cruisers
Of the hlockading squadron, the idea being that
the heavy ships should first meet the enemy and
the fre Of the cruisers be brought into play after
the damage inflicted by the larger ships.
The armored ships, after passing the rear OF
the Spanish squadron will turn in succession by
using the staTboard port helm, as the case may
require. turning toward the enemy. II is believed
that the fire of the cruisers, following that Of
the armorcd ships. will ombarrass the Spanish
vessels that the armOred vessels can turn, as be-
fore stated, and double on the en2mys rear.
The ships designated will assemble twelve
miles northeast Of MORO al early daylight Mon
day, the 23d instant; thence they Will proceed IN
three columns TO the eastward in the order OF
cruising designated. (See plan l, first order OF
crlEisiEg)
The Now Orleans will act as scout on the
staibosrd hand, the Montgomery on the port the
Wasp ahead 80
When the enemy heaves in sight the vessels will
proceed TO the eastward to meet them. Mhlle
50 doing they will be formed in column. flrst
order of hatile.)
The attention of commanding officers is called
to the necessity of stopping, these vessels.
In the first order Of battle the two torpedo
boats will take station on the onslde OF tIs
New Orleans Detroit, and, if there be thlrd
il will take its place on the offside of the
Machias They will take advantage OF any OPP
portunity to torpedo an enemy's ship
While the Nizcaya. Maria Teresa, and oquendo
have strong protection on barbettcs and water
vulnerable to even 6-pounders. Fire should be
concentrated on the center part OF these sniIs
lust above water line. In case of Crstobal Coioh
her belt and harbettc armor is inferior To that
al the other ships. but her protection elsewhere
extends over larger area. None OF TINS ariior ~
face hardened.
Elaborate Instructions Given
Following the above order elaborate in
structions are given by Admiral Sampson,
nefI
ces, and giving a third order of battle in
the expectation of meeting the enemy in
that vicinity, also what signal lights
should be displayed upon the appearance
of the Spanish squadron or the capture
of any American patrol vessel.
The first positive information that Ger
vera's ships were at Santiago is described
as follows in the report:
AT p. m, May 26 the Vesuvius was sent to
Key West with the following dispatches for the
commanding officers of the Yale, Minneapolis, and
ST. Paul:
spanish squadron is at Santiago. If schley
has not arrived there, go Cientuegos and inform
him."
On May q. the New Orleans was given
orders 10 proceed with best dispatch to
Santiago with the collier Sterling. with
the following orders:
L. 5. Flagship New York.
S Nicholas Channel May %, 1895
Sir: You will proceed to Santiago de Cuba to
convoy the collier Sterling
You will communicate with Commodore Schley
and direct him TO remain on the blockade of San
tiago at all hazards. assuming that the Spanish
vessels in that port
Tell him that ! desire that he should use the
collier Sterling TO ohstruct the channel at its
narrowest part leading into this harbor Inform
him that | believe that il would be perfectly
TO infn a
drop all her anchors. allow her TO swing across
the channel, then sink he, either by opening
the valves or whatever means may be best in
his judgment.
Inform Commodore Schley that the details o,
this plan are left 10 his judgment. In the
meantime he must exercise the utmost care that
none Of the vessels already in the port are al
lowed TO escape, and say TO the commodore
that | have the utmost confidence in his ability
10 carry this plan to a successful conclusion, and
earnestly wish him good luck.
Very respectfully
W. T. SAMPSON
Rear Admiral L. s N
Commander-in-Chief, L. 5. Naval Force, North
Atlantic Station.
Commanding Officer, L. s. s New Orleans.
This order shows it was Sampson's in
tention that the collier Sterling was to
have been used in ''bottling" the entrance
of Santiago harbor instead of the Merri-
mac.
Order to Pursue Ceryera-
May 2s, the following telegram was sent
in cipher to Commodore Schley:
The New Orleans will meet you off Santiago
May 20 with important dispatches. The Spanish
squadron must be blockaded at all hazards I'm
mediate communication with persons on shore
must be entered upon. You must be sure of
the Spanish squadron being in port. ! suggest
communicating with Spansh-American Company
pier at Baiquiri Bay, at a distance of fifteen
miles east of Santiago de Cuba. One collier for
you left yesterday; shall send as soon as possible
another. II Spanish squadron has left Santiago
immediate pursuit must be made.
The following was sent to the depart
ment:
Referring to telegram. Bisca orders TO 20 San
tiago; is satisfied Spanish squadron was not in
port; sent in Marblehcad. and duplicate
with explanatory memorandum later on 2lst by
Hawk, to make sure Of early arrival; copies of
these dispatches are forwarded by mail. Schley,
not being satisfied that Spanish squadron not
in port, did not go. The department has his
dispatch dated May "a, sent through Remey.
stating his intention Of leaving May 25 | do
not understand this delay until next day. Cipher
message will follow.
About a. m Sampson received the fol-
lowing telegram from the department.:
II the Spanish division is proved to be in
Santiago de Cuba, it is the intention of the de-
partment TO make descent Immediately upon that
port with 10000 men, United States troops land
ing eight nautical miles east of That port. You
will be expected to convoy transports. probably
fifteen or twenty, going in person and taking
with you the New York and Indiana and the
Oregon and as many smaller vessels with good
batteries as possibly be gathered. to guard
against possible attack by Spanish torpedo boat
destroyers. etc. The blockade off Havana will be
sufficiently provided for during the movement
with the monitors and some small vessels. After
arrival off Santiago de Cuba every small vessel