Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-01

ing ana dtNttolmtnt ndu hlouSnt II 20 Il
point OF high efficiency, which resulted in
the unparalleled victories at Manila and
Santiagu-N ictorieS which have given the
names of our naval commanders world
wide fame. ana added an additional page
20 the glorious naval history of our coun-
try
1t is not possible in the snace OF an
annual report tu state in detail the opera
lions of the Navy i'm the recent war. or do
justice to the conspicuous gullantry Of its
officers ana men.
THE WAR.
Throughout the year Of 1877 the vessels
on the North Atlantic Station were husily
engaged i'm forcing the observance OF our
neutrality laws. ami the department. cN-
crcisrd all possible vigilance and activity
in that regard. At the same time the con-
ditiCn of affairs in cuba and the conSc-
oucnces to the United States and Spain
made II evident that war might come he
tween them.
ON JANUARY ~ the Maine was ordered
to havana Cuba. This was the first visit
If vessel Ct the United States Navy to
any port in Cuba for several years. al
though the necessity NJ protecting Ameri-
can interests made the presence of our
flag in Cuban ports desirable.
ON February l.. at 80 J.. m, this Noble
hattie ship was blown NJ in Havana har-
hor. and two hundred and siNty-siN lives
wcr, lost. The news Of this appalling cat
ing dispatch frcm the commanding Of
hcer.
Havana. February Is. 1895.
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington. e.,
e:
Maine blown up in Havana harbor at
~, tonight. and destroyed. Many wound
I'd and Doubtless mere killed or drowned.
Wounded ana others ON board Spanish
man-nf-Nar ami Ward Line steamer. Send
licht-housc tenders from Key Nest for
crew and the few pieces of equipment
above. No one has clothing other than
that upon him. Public opinion should he
suspended Until further report. All Off
cials believed 10 b. saved. Jenkins and
Merritt not Yet accounted fer. Many
Spanish Ollie, RS including rcpr' natives
Of General Blanco. now with me to express
, sympathy.
SIGSBEE.
This iudicious telegram did much to SCI
! cure in the hubble mind a diSgaSslonate
Wow of the disaster. 4 board of inquiry
appointed To report to the department the
cause of tn explosion. proceeded t. Ha-
ivana and began its Investigation Fcbru-
! AIRY n.
After an exhaustive examination Of the
wreck. and after taking the testimony oi
witnesses and Of experts thu board re-
ported IN III, .lst Of March that the Maine
had been destroyed 10y the eypl sion Of \
slh-ma rinr mine" but that ii was Unah bic
To fix the responsibility upon any person
or persons. 1t WAS evident that the cause
/ o' the disaster must have been from III,
4 outside.
Meantime the commander in chief of tn,
/ Eurorcin station was instructed 10 at
tach the Albany and New Orleans-thcr
T l.. fs..
sovcrnmont-to his command. and bring
the latter the other being unfinished, Il
the United States. The commander in
chief Of the Asatic squadron was order
eel To- assemble his squadron at HougEong
Tho Olympia, under orders at that time 10
san Francisco. was retained on the Asia;ic
station. The oregon was ordered to pro-
coed from l;rcmC rton. Wash. TO san Fran
cisco and prepare for long voyage.
! Commanders in chief Of stations wer,
ordered to husband ammunition and t.
! Keep their vessels hlled with the host Goa
/ nhi,.iuable. EnliStmvuts even in exc, -
81 III established quota, We're ordered
to I'LL the compliments Of men Tor III,
Columbia. Minneapolis. Niantonlmth, an
other vessels. The North Atlantic fleet
was greatly strengthened. ana vessel.
were concentrated in the neighborhoud Of
Key West. Tho Flying Squadron was
orGanizel. under command Of CommoiCr /,
w. : SChlCy, and stationed AT FnrtGcS'
Monroe for the protection OF any poin
on the coast which might be menaccd h,
a Spanish feet
! The commander in chief OF the Asinii,
station and the commander i'm chief # IN,
North Atlantic station had be.n engage,
In thoroughly preparing the units Of thc!
commands FOR the test Of war. The squad
runs, ships officers, crews Were in admir-
able condition and training. had been TO
months engaged in tactical mancuN-rs aui
gunnery practice. and were Strengthens,
Icy the addition Of the auxiliary vessels a
rapidly as converted. The bureaus of III
department had, by wise fors thought pre-
pared them with every facility in the Wa,
Of men, supplies, ammunition. informa
ton. and drills. and as early as April l.
four weeks before Admiral CcrVcra's fee
reached Cuban waters, tho Navy Of III
United States was ready for the outbreal
of hostilitics. The North Atlantic flee
at Key West covered Cuba: III" Flyinj
Squadron at Hampton Roads stood read
TO defend cur Cwn coast, or 10 thr,atcl
that Of Spain. and the Asatic squadron
IT Iiongkong only awaited information
of the outbreak of hOstilites.
In order To provide for the protection
Of the Atlantic coast between the cape
Of the Delaware and Bar Harhor. Main,
the Northern Patrol Squadron was organ
lied, and was placed under the comman
Cf Commodore ]. \. Howell ON April =
This squadron consisted Of the san Fran
cisco magshipD, Prairie, Dixie. Yanka,
land Yosemite. AT various times there wer