The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-10
WATCHING sPANIARDs.
Admiral Sampson Prepared, to Give
Them Another Lesson.

Admiral sampson Prepared! to Give
Them Another Lesson.
Copyright 1885, by the Associated Press.)
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Sunday.
June 5, p. m, on board the Associated
Press Dispatch boat Dauntless, Kingston,
Jamaica, June 6. 9:45 g. m.-Admiral Samp-
son is determined that the work for which
Lieutenant Hobson staked his life shall~not
be undone and upon the first suspicion that
the Spaniards are endeavoring to raise or
blow up the wreck of the Merrimac, which
now bars the entrance to the prison of the
Spanish feet. the batteries and forts will
be bombarded and reduced to ruins. Neither
will he permit any more guns to be mounted
in the batteries which command the en-
trance. In the event of bombardment Moro
Castle alone probably will escape. Built
of stone, 1t could no more withstand the
projectiles of the heavy guns of the fleet
than pine boards could resist the impact Of
Krag-JGrgenSon bullets. Its walls would
crumble like mortar if our guns were di-
rected against Ii. But 1t is now an inv;olate
fortress because it holds the heroes of the
Merrimac
With polite exterior the Spanish admiral
informed Admiral Sampson of this resort to
old and barbarous thirteenth century de-
Tense. He, too, would use his prisoners of
war to shield himself on Saturday afternoon
when several suspicious small boats were
reported as having been seen lowering about
the wreck of the Merrimac. Admiral
Sampson instantly ordered the ships of the
fleet cleared for action, with the intention
of driving the Spaniards off and incidentally
of administering punishment to the fort
and batteries as warning against a sim
liar attempt in the future. Four battle
ships in pyramdal formation, with the flag
ships New York and Brooklyn on the TANKS,
moved in to within 1900 yards of Moro. On
the way in one of the thirteen-inch guns of
the Texas was prematurely discharged at
a range of 5000 yards and fell short. Find
ing by observation that the report of an
attempt being made to destroy the wreck
Of the Merrimac was incorrect, the flagship
hoisted the signal TO- at the masthead and
the ships of the fleet withdrew to their re-
spective stations. Not a shot was fired
from the shore although our ships were in
easy range.
Following is Rear Admiral Sampson's or
der of battle, and it is believed it will be
closely followed when the full lombard
ORDER Notwithstanding New
York, off Santiago de Cuba. June 4, 1898:
Texas, Massachusetts, Iowa and Oregon
Will take position four thousand yards from
Eistrella point and opposite the entrance to
Inc Bay OF Santiago, in the order named
from west to east, in such position as to
be able to observe the wreck of the Merri-
mac. They will fire upon any parties which
may be seen working about it. If fire be
opened by the batteries it will be returned
and an endeavor be made to destroy them.
The senior officers of the aboVe-named ships
will have charge of carrying out these in
structions.
In case of opening fire upon the batteries
the Brooklyn, Marbiehead and Vixen will
take an entilading position 1900 yards to the
westward of the entrance and well in shore.
The New York, New Orleans and Yankee
viii take similar position to the eastward.
They will engage the batteries at the same
time with the battle ships.
Firing directly upon Moro Castle will be
avoided, as our men from the Merrimac are
confined there. The battle ships will take
the above positions when signaled to do so
by the commander-in-c hief. and will occupy
them until signaled to withdraw, when the
blockading stations will be resumed. The
Following signals will be Professionally en-
ployed: 49, the battle ships take positions
assigned above; 49, battle ships withdraw
and resume bockadng stations. Very re-
spectfully, w T. SAMPSON
Rear Admiral. United States Navy.
Communicating hief of the United States
naval force, North Atlantic Station"