Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-29

I But. counter-mining would probably rem
| der these mines harmless, should II prove
| desirable for Commodore scnleys snips
\ to enter the harbor. Such STEPS now
| ever, is unlikely.
1t may be noted that since the COM
mencement OF naval operations the moral
effect OF mines has been great. This
condition promises TO continue. and VIII
probably mark future naval operations
TO greater extent than was ever ina
glned in the past.
BLOCKADE UNEvENTFuLs
The blockade of Northern Cuba con-
tinues uneventfui. and is apparently suc-'
cessful. The measures Of precaution which
Rear-Admiral Sampson adopted up to
yesterday to guard the eastern and west
ern passages did not retract from the
efficiency of the blockade. Now that the
element Of uncertainty regarding the
Spanish ships whereabouts Is almost en-
tirely removed, the ships which were
solely occupied In watching for the Span
iards have become an additional force for
the blockade, and without any inconve-
nient change of position.
sCHLEY REINFORCED.
Commodore Schley has been reinforced,
but his position was clearly 80 strong
that the reinforcement which he received
made no difference to the strong feet In
Northern Cuban waters
The rumors OF the sailing Of a second
Spanish squadron did not worry Rear
Admiral Sampson in the slightest degree.
His feelings on the subject were apparent
ly expressed recently when he said: II
am perfectly satisfied that we have bag
ged those fellows" Geferring to Admiral
Ceryera's ships.
ARMY READY TO MOVE
For the first time since the war has
been declared. the Admiral has been noti-
fed that the army is ready to move. This
Is good news to all naval officers. BY
great good fortune, no accident has oc-
Cured Of sufficient importance to render
any OF our ships utterly helpless.
During the weeks cruise OF the flagship
New York, from Matanzas toward the
eastern end of Cuba and back. there were
few incidents of interest. Everything CEN
tered in the news from Commodore
Schley, and disappointment was visible
in every face when 1t became generally
known that the Commodore was mistaken
in thinking he had Admiral Cervera bot
tied up at Clenfuegos, but this feeling
soon gave way to renewed enthusiasm
when news was received from Santiago
de Cuba. This really was more accepta- |
Bile than the reports from Cienfuegos,
for had Admiral Cervera succeeded in |
a landing at Cienfuegos, ne |
would most likely have been able 10 |
transport his alleged cargo Of arms and |
to Habana, while from |
de Cuba 1t will be almost i'm |
possible for him to do So
SHARP LOOKOUT.
The sharpest kind of lookout was kept. |
On Thursday and Friday the squadron's |
cruise was made in better weather than |
during the first part Of the week. The |
moon, too, lightened the work OF peering |
after the Spaniards, and chase last |
night was the only event worth recording. |
The New York had left the fleet far be-
hind, and was speeding toward Key |
West. with the Vesuvius as consort. |
AS the sun was going down a sail was |
sighted With foam swishing from her |
bows the flagship steamed toward the
strange sail. She was rapidly overtaken, |
and proved to be the bark Veronica |
Of Norway, from Apalachicola
for Queenstown, with lumber. The vessel |
was not detained.