The herald., 1898-06-04

the massachusetts, Iowa ana NEW OTledHS,
to develop Notifications with their charac-
ter. The fire was returned without delay
by the heavy batteries to the east and to
the west, large callbre, long ranges. The
range was 1000 yards. Reconnaissance de-
veloped the presence of the Spanish squad
ron lying behind the island near the upper
fort, as they fired over the hill at random.
Quite satisfied the Spanish fleet is here.
SCHLEY.
Not Real Battle
WASHINGTON, June 3.-At the Navy
Department this morning the Tuesday
demonstration by the squadron at San
tiago was evidently regarded as not be-
ing more than a reconnaissance. In view
Of the fact that the Spaniards are known
to have made considerable additions to the
defenses of Santiago since the outbreak of
the war, it would become absolutely nee
essary for a naval commander, before en-
tering upon general engagement, to take
steps to learn for himself, and beyond ques-
tion, just what defenses he must overcome
to succeed in his attack. Otherwise the
whole plan of the engagement, carefully
drawn in advance, might be overthrown
suddenly in the midst of an attack by the
unexpected fire from some heavy battery
whose whereabouts were unknown to the
attacking force. The naval officers today
are giving out the impression that the at
tack on Santiago is to be deferred until the
troops arrive from Florida. If this be so
then nothing can be expected in the way
of an engagement for some days to come,
for it was stated at the War Department to-
day that no troops have yet boarded the
transports and several days will be re-
ouired to make the passage from Tampa to
Santiago.
The attention of naval officers had been
attracted to the positions In the harbor oc-
cupied by the Spanish flagship Cristobal
Colon and the Reina Mercedes. Lying in
the narrowest part of the channel, the
ships, when in danger of capture, might be
scuttled and thus absolutely prevent the
entrance of the American ships. This would
also prevent the egress of the Spanish ves-
sells, yet it would tend to make the re-
duction of Santiago an extremely diff
cult task, and one requiring a long time,
for the Spanish ironclads lying in the har-
Dor could be counted upon to easily repel
an attack coming from the land side until
such time as the troops managed to secure
the support of heavy artillery.
Cincinnati at Hampton Roads is explained
at the Navy Department by the statement
that her boilers are to be retubed. The
Cincinnati has had q good deal Of hard
service since she was last overhauled, in
cluding two years work in the Mediter-
ranean. She was ordered north to have her
boilers repaired month ago, but the ex-
ecution of the order was delayed because
there was need Of the ship up to this time.
About twenty days should suffice to COM
plete the repairs.
Applied the Test
ON BOARD THE FLAGSHIP BROOK
LYN. OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, May
81, via Port Antonio. jamaica June l.
Commodore Schley determined to test the
batteries of Santiago today and ascertain
their location and capacity. At 10 o'clock
he transferred his flag to the Massachusetts,
and went on board that ship. At Ills o'clock
the Massachusetts signaled the Iowa and
the New Orleans to form column and fol-
low. course due east was followed until
the ships were about 1000 yards from the
shore and then circling until they headed
due west they passed, starboard side on, by
the forts. The heavy 13-inch guns of the
Massachusetts and the 12-inch guns of the
Iowa were ordered to open on the Cristobal
Colon, which was about 1000 to 1000 yards
inside the Moro, while the New Orleans
large calibre guns were to open on the
forts, so as to draw their fire. The narrow
ness of the harbor entrance and the speed
of the ships, which made ten knots, allowed
the Cristobal Colon to be target only for
a few minutes. In that time, 1t is believed,
she was hit twice, but was not seriously
damaged. The entire set of forts, some six
In number, opened fire and the object of the
expedition was attained.
Some of the modern guns, with smokeless
powder were aimed we'll. but of all the shots
fired not one old any damage to Commodore
Schley's ships.
The Cristobal Colon replied to the fire,
but her shots fell short
The American ships fired not more than
four rounds from their heavy guns, con-
sumng in all fifteen minutes for the fire.
The Spaniards fired more than 100 rounds
keeping up the fire when the ships were
fully two miles out of their range.
During the action Commodore Schley oc-
cupied a position near the forward 13-inch
turrets of the Massachusetts and watched
the shells go whistlng by as the ships got
in the line of fire of the batteries, as un-
concernedly as though in no danger in
them.
At $3.50 o'clock the Commodore was back
on the Brooklyn.
1t is evident that the Spaniards have for
titled Santiago carefully and well. There
are number of modern guns there, evi-
IDENTIFY of English or French make, and they
use smokeless powder, which makes it
difficult to locate them. 1t will take a
heavy bombardment to dislodge the bat
teries and the Spanish fleet.
Sigsbee in Port
NEW YORK, June 3.-The United States
auxiliary cruiser St. Paul. Captain Sgsbee
commanding, came into port early today.
Captain Sigsbee went ashore and thence