The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-26
SECRETARY OF NAVY.
Annual Report of Hon. John d.
Long.
How the Afsasrs az saas Navy We're Con
dncted During the War.
Navy Department.
Washington, November 10, 1898.

Navy has, LOT tn0 IA ,,.,,,,,,,eo
test of war. Years Of patient. persistent
training and development had orougn9 IL
80 point of high efficiency, wnich
rssu ted in the unparalleled vicporles a.
Manila and San iago-vlctorles "nion
have given the names of our naVai oo.us
manders worln- wide fame, ana aoueu III
additional page to the glorious Ia '"l
history of our country
1t is not possible in the space OF an an
nual report to state in detail the opera
tions OF the Navy in the recent war, OF ~
justice to the conspicuous gallantry OF its
officers and men. Only "a brief summary
of the appendices which accompany thls
report can be given.
THE WAR.
IhroEehout the year 1857 the vessels on
the North Atlantic Station were buslly
engaged in enforcing the observance oil
our neutrality laws, and the Department.
exercised all possible vigilance and
activity in that regard. At the same
time HE condition of affairs in Cuba ana
the consequences to the United States
and Spain made 1t evident that war
might come between them.
The Department. recognizing this fact,
on the 18th of January last directsd tn g
commander in chief OF the European
Station to retain those Inea whoS5 terms
of enlistment were about to expire. u he
HeIepa, then on her way to the ASIatic
rtation, was directed to proceed to Lisbon
and there await further oraers. The COM
mander In chief of the South Atlantic
Station was informed of the critical con
dition of affairs in Cuba, and was directed
to procsed with the Cincinnati and
Castine from hontevideo to Para on the
north coast of Brazil.
On January "a the Maine was ordered
10, Lo0 IN no 1rSf
visit of a vessel of the United States
Navy to any port in Cuba for several
years although the necessity OF protecb-
Ing American interests made the
presence of our flag in Cuban ports
desirable.
On February 10, at $40 p M, this
nolle battle ship was blown up In
Havana Harbor, and two hundred and
sixty six lives were lost. A board or III
curry, appointed to report to the Depart
meut the cause of the explosion, proceed
ed 60 Havana and began its investigation
February ~.
after an exhaustive examination of the
wreck, and after taking the testimony OF
witnesses and of experts, the board re-
ported on the 2lst of March that the
Maine had been destroyed by the explo-
sion of submarine mine, but that 1t was
unable to Tx the responsibility upon any
person or arsons.. 1t was evident that
the cause of the disaster must have bean
from the outside.
Meantime the commander initch1ef OF
the European Station was instructed 10
attach the Albany and New Orleans
then purchased In England of the
brazilian Govefnment-to his command.
and bring the latter, the other being un-
finished, to the United States. The COM
mandsr in Chief of the Asiatic Squadron
was ordered to assemble his squadron at
Hongkong. The Olympia. under orders
at that time TO San Francisco, was re-
Oregon was ordered to proceed from
Bremerton, WASH, to San Francisco and
prepare for q long voyage.
Commanders in Chief of stations were
ordered to husband ammunition and to
keep their vessels filled with the best coal
obtainable. Enlistmen:s, even in excess
of the established quota, were ordered, to
fill the compliments of men for the
Columbia, Minneapolis Miantonomoh,
and other vessels. The North Atlantic
ri ct was greatly strengthened, and YES
sells were concentrated in the neighbor-
hood of Key West. The Flying Squadron
was organized, under command of Com.
modore W, 5. Schley, and stationed at
Fortress Monroe for the protection of any
point on the coast which might be
menaced by Spanish fleet.
On the 9th of March Congress passed
the emergency bill appropriating % ,000,-
900 for national defense, and the Depart
ment at once took atsps TO secure aux
Hilary vessels.
On the 10Th of March the Oregon left
San francisco for Callao, Peru. From
Callao she proceeded to Valparaiso, then
to Sandy Point Patagonia, and arrived
at Rio Janiero. on April so, at which
point the Department advised the COM
manding officer of the declaration of war
and of the sailing OF the Spanish fleet
from the Caps de Verde Islands Oh April
29. She arrived off Jupiter Inlet, Florida,
on the oath day OF May, in good condition
and ready for service, and WAS ordered to
Key West where after coaling, she took
her place with the blockading squadron
and became a part Of the command of
Admiral Sampson.
In order to provide for tire protection of
the Atlantic coast between the capes of
the Delaware and Bar Harbor, Maine,
the Northern Patrol Squadron was or.
ganized, and was placed under the COM
mand of Commodore j. A. Howell on
Arril 20. This squadron consisted of
the San Francisco (aagship), Prairie,
Dixie, Yankee, and Yosemite. At various
times there were also attached to it the
Columbia, Minneapolis, Badger, and
Southery.
On April 81 Congress declared war
RohlIEctl, III Ul tnb
North a Atlantic Fleet. which had been en-
gagged during the five or six preceding
M onths in gnnnery and tactical practice
off Florida. was at once ordered to
blockade that part of the northern coast
of Cuba extending from Cardenas to
Bahia Honda. At g. 30 a. m. on April 20
the admiral sailed on that errand.
ASIATIC SQUADRON.
On the gath of April the following
telegram was sent by the Department. TO
Commodore Dewey, in command of the
A static Sqaardop:
Washington. April "a, 1883.
Dewey, Hongkong:
War has commenced betw sen the
u nited States and Spain. Proceed at
once to the Philippine Islands Com
mence operations at once, particularly
against the Spanish feet. You must
capture vessels or destroy. Use utmost
endeavors.
LONG.
On the 9th this squadron, composed OF
the Olypnis (faR), Baltimore, kaleigh'
Petrol, Concord, Boston, and McCulloch.
sailed from Mrs bay, China.
On the morning of May / it entered the
harbor OF Manila. successfully passing the
forts and mine defenses guarding the en-