Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-06-02

Admiral SIMPSONS ships approached
San Juan, the American consul at Cape
Haytien having informed the admiral
that he had heard report that thirteen
Spanish warships had been seen head
ing for Puerto RICO.
sampson's Plan of Action.
The attack on the forts was planned
90 that our warships could be In po-
sition to meet the Spanish vessels
should they emerge from the harbor.
The following is the official plan OF
action issued to the American neet:
1.-THE squadron will pass near Sail
mas Point. and then steer about east
to pass just outside the reefs OF Cabras
island. The column is to be formed az
follows:
"The Iowa. flagship: Indiana. New
York. Amphitrite. and Terror. The
Detroit is to go ahead Of the Iowa. dis
tant one thousand yards. The Wam-
patuck to keep to the Iown's starbcard
bow, distant five hundred yards. The
Detroit and Wampatuck to sound con-
stantly. after land is closer, and to i'm
mediately signal II ten fathoms or less
is obtained. showing at nisht a red
light over the stern and at daytime q
red flag aft. The Montgomery to re-
main In the rear Of the column, stop
ping outside OF the fire from Moro
and on the lookout for torpedo boat
destroyers. II Fort Canuelo fires she
is to be silenced. The Porter will take
station under cover OF the Iowa on the
port side. The Niagara to remain
westward. of Salinas Point. While
approaching a sharp lookout Is to be
kept on the coast between Salinas
Point and Cabras island for torpedo
boat destroyers. When near Cabras
island. one-half to one mile. the Detroit
will rapidly cross the mouth OF the
harbor and be close under Moro to the
westward. screened from the fire OF
Morro's westward battery. II the old
guns on the north side OF Moro fire II
Is to silence them. Thee two cruisers
are to keep on the lookout especially
for Spanish torpedo toat dsstroyers
coming out OF the barber. The Por-
ter, when the action begins. will cross
the harbor mouth bchird the Iowa end
close under the cliff to the eastward CT
the Detroit and torpedo any Spanish
cruiser boats trying to get out OF the
ers. The Wamrn:uck will tcw one OF
its boats with rs mast shipDei, flying
y red flag. and having n toat's anchor
on board the tug SO arranged that It
can stop the beat and anchor at the
same time. 1t is to anchor the boat
in about ten fathoms. with Fort Can
uelo and the western end Of Cabras is
land in range. There will be two OBJ
1ects for attack. the batteries en- thu
Moro and the mcn-of-war. II It Is
clear that Spanich vessels are lying in
port fire is to be opened on them as
soon as they are discernible over Ca
bras island, the motions OF the flagship
being followed in this regard. II 1t
should become evident, however. that
neutral mcn-of-war are in he line of
fire a flag OF truce Will probably be sent
in before the vessels are opened. The
Porter is to hold its;lf in readiness for
this service.
Orders to Spare Ho,pitaIs.
"Care must be taken to avoid s.rik-
ing the hospitals on Cabras island. II
It becomes necessary to silence the
Moro batteries a portion Of the fire
will be directed with this OBJECT. But
the principal object is to dstroy the
ships. After passing the harbor mouth
the Iowa will turn little to starboard
toward the town, and will then turn
with starboard helm and again pass
to port, and after passing Cabras is
land to the westward, 1t will tu:n again
with a starboard helm and rass as at
Irst. Should this plan be changed and
It be decided to hold the ships in front
Of the entrance the signal Stop! will
be made at the proper time. The In
diana, New York, and monitors will
follow the motions Of the flagship and
remain in column. Tho course after
Fort Carueio is brought into range
with the west end Of Cabras island will
be east by south. Should night'all
come with the port in the enemy's
hands and the SHIPS inside, the cruisers
will take up positions just side the
harbor, the Montgomery to the east
ward and the Detroit to the westward.
with their batteries ready AID the men
at the guns. They will show no lights.
The other ships in succession Will
sweep the entrance CT the harsor ana
the channel leading into the anchorage
with searchlights to keep the torpedo
boat destroyers from coming out. In
case the enemy should attempt to es-
cape from the Fort fire Is to be cen en-
trated on the leading ship. Should the
attempt be made at night the search-
lights in use are to be turned on It's
bridge and coming tower and are to ce
held there" ''