Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-04-27
NAVAL SITUATION.
Actions and Movements Of War
Vessels Since the War with
Spain Began.

New York. April 24-Since the wal
with Spain has begun the United States
naval forces have established strict
blockade of Cuban ports and have cap
tured seven Spanish vessels. The prizes
are:
April 22-steamer Buena Ventura, by
cruiser Nashville off Sand Key, Fla
April 22-Steamer Pedro by cruiser New
York, off Cuban coast, near Havana.
April Publishing schooner, by torpedo
boat Ericsson under guns of MORO Castle
April 23-Schooner Mathide, by torpedo
boat Porter, under guns of COjimar battery
April 23-Steamer Miguel Joyer, by gun,
boat Helena. $50 miles southwest of Key
April 24-Steamer Catalina by cruiser
Detroit twelve miles from Havana.
April 24-Steamer Saturnina, by revenue
cutter WinOna, off Biloxi, Miss.
All these vessels have been or will be
taken to Key West, except the Saturnina.
which was taken to Ship Island, Miss.
The Spanish steamers Panama. from
New York, and Alfonso XII. from Spain.
both bound for Cuba, are likely to be cap
tured by American WarshiDs within a few
days. Spain has made no seizures of
American vessels, as far as known.
Since the beginning Of the war, the only
movement Of the Spanish navy that has
been reported has been the departure of
the torped0-bOat destroyer Audaz from
Queenstown for Spain, her departure be-
ing compelled by the English neutrality
proclamation. For the same reason the
United States Asiatic squadron has be-
gun TO leave Hong Kong.
The North Atlantic squadron is enforc-
ing the blockade of Cuba and the flying
squadron remains at Hampton Roads, ex-
cept the Minneapolis and Columbia, which
nave gone to sea, on a mission known on
ly TO the naval authorities. The cruisers
San Francisco and New Orleans are at
the Brooklyn navy-yard and may sail to-
morrow to join the flying squadron.
Every day adds several vessels to the aux
Hilary fleet.
The battleship Oregon and the gunbOat
Marietta are coming up along the east
coast of South America and will probably
touch at Rio Janeiro in a few days. The
dynamite cruiser NicthprOy, just pur-
chased from Brazil, is still at Rio Janeiro
The nawly-purchased cruiser Topeka is at
sea on the way from Portsmouth to New
York and the tOrpedo-boat Somers is still
at Portsmouth, but ready for sea. The
steamer Paris, for whose safety no alarm
is now felt will arrive in New York be-
fore the middle of the week.
New York. April 25.-It is learned on
excellent authority that the primary cause
of the departure of the Minneapolis and
Columbia from Hampton Roads was for
the purpose of ascertaining the where
abOuts of the Spanish men-Of-war which,
1t was thought might have left st. IN
cent. The commanders of the Mime
apOlis and Columbia are instructed to
capture any Spanish merchantmen which
they might chance to meet on their cruise.
Since their departure the navy depart
ment has learned from an official source
at st. Vincent that the report of the de-
parture of any of the Spanish vessels
was erroneous.
As to the length of time the cruisers
will remain at sea, the officials are silent.
but it is generally understood that they
Will not return to port without having
some prizes to show.