Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-04
THE CITY OF SANTIAGO.
Brief Description of It's Appearance
and Its HarbOr.

Ahu AtB ndEOOr.
Any one who has steamed into the har-
Dor of Santiago can well understand that
dozen fleets might lie there for months
completely lost to the outside world, so far
as it was possible to ascertain their loca-
ton by cruising off the entrance.
VeiaSquez, when he fixed upon the site
for the ancient capital Of Cuba, twenty
two years after the discovery of the new
world, displayed sound Judgment. He
quickly recognized the great natural ad-
vantages afforded by the harbor as safe
refuge and secure hiding place. From the
open sea neither harbor nor city is visible.
The entrance itself cannot be discerned,
except at close quarters. and no skipper
Is mad enough to attempt to make his way
In by night. 1t was usual to lie off for
daylight and in the event OF two or more
thus waiting all kinds of tricks were re-
sorted to in order to get to the entrance
first, since only one could safely pass in at
a time. through the narrow channel 1870
yards wide. beneath the frowning walls
OF MORO. Pedrodela Rosca, as far back
1910, built this fortress. Adjoining the
MORO was a small fertilization resembling
a star in shape and known at La Betteria
de la Estrella, while on the mountain op-
posite was La Socapa Castle, which was
not until recently of much consequence as
q defense.
Before one reaches Cayo Smith, a little
island once held by the British used by
the residents OF santiago IN prosperous
times as a Watering place two more bat
teries were mounted on the east side of
the channel. Perched on the shore of n
tiny bay under the guns of the forts was
the cable hut of the three companies
French, Cuba Submarine and West India
and Panama-represented in Santiago. On
a point further down the harbor, where
1t is necessary for vessels to make d sharp
curve, tug sometimes being utilized to
push around the ships bow, was the Punta
Gorda battery.
After passing this spot it is somewhat
easier sailing. The bay opens to a width
of two miles, and the remainder of the
six miles, which is the distance from end
to end, can be performed at a speed faster
than the slow and cautious movement nee
essary to pass the tortuous channel and
avoid the shoals. Just at the entrance to
the bay is small island known as lisa de
Ratoneo (the Isle of Rats, on which some
time ago was building used as q powder
magazine. where the explosives since util-
lied In mining the harbor and it's ap-
proaches We're stored. 1t seems improba-
Bile, however, that any quantity of explo-
sives would be there now There were no
forts on tho western side Of the harbor
but nearly opposite the city is the coal
depot and a convalescent hospital. To the
east IS a modern fort Of masonry, Punta
Blanca, and at spots in the city, like the
market place, commanding the harbor
guns were mounted.
The city is built on a hill, and presents
q picturesque appearance from the harbor.
On close inspection, however, the build
ings do not realize the expectations one
might have formed, being far inferior,
enthusiastically and otherwise to those of
Havana. while the streets and sanitary
conditions generally are wretched
Mountains surround the city on three
sides. those to the westward affording
magnificent base of attack, but the diff
culties OF transporting artillery were i'm
merse. What roads there are have been
allowed to fall into shocking disrepair, and
ordinary ha rda nh
In making descent upon the city. There
is wharf at Baiquiri, few miles west of
Santiago, where the iron ore is loaded and
where the American troops made the land
ing This might be point suited for max
ing an effective landing, and the railroad.
being close at hand, could be put to good
use.
If the harbor has been forced, the bat
teries silenced and fleet defeated. the can
ture of the city will be matter attended
with slight trouble