The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-19
THE FLYING SQUADRON
Report Of Admiral Schley Is Made
Public.
TENDING THE SPANIARDS
Operations OF he Squadron on Cen-
fueeos and Santiaeo-Dinicuity OF
Coaling-schiey Had Cervera
In q Trap.


partment to-day made public a report
from Admiral Schley. covering tha;
part of the operations and movements
of the flying squadron from its sailing
from Key West for Cienfuegos up 90.
but not including. the first lombard
ment. The report is as follows:
Flying Squadron. L.. :. Flagship
Brooklyn. of Santiago de Cuba. May
30, 1ses-Sir: i have the honor TO re-
port hat the squadron sailed from Key
West on the morning of the 18th in
slant for C~ienfuegos. Cuba. in obedi-
ence to orr RS from Rear Admiral
Sampson. ln company with the flag
ship were the Massachusetts,. Texa
and Scorpion. En- route passed the
Marblehead. Nashville and Wasp. COM
municating with the last named YES
sci. on Cape Antonio communicated
with the Cincinnati and Vesuvius,
scouting.
Second-On the morning Of the ed in
slant the squadron stood I'm for the en-
pfrance OF Cienfuegos harbor to econ
hotter. and later In the day passed the
entrance twice. close in. As l had heard
the firing of guns on the previous
afternoon in the direction of the port.
ana rs tntFt was toDflutfdDlt SfflOht
observed In the harbor. i was led TO
believe that the Spanish squadron may
have arrived there. That day the Du-
pont Joined me with dispatches from
Admiral Sampson. directing that the
blackade Of Cienfuegos be preserved
and the Scorpion be sent To
cate with the Minneapolis and Harvard
on Santiago. Also on this day the Iowa
t5oined the squadron.
Third-A line of blockade was estab-
lished about four miles on shore and
yat night an inshore line was main
tained. consisting v%ariously OF the
scorpion, Dupont and Castine. the last
named vessel arriving on the 23d. con-
voying the Merrimac.
Fourth-Also on the 23d instant the
Hawk arrived with dispatches from
Admiral Sampson. directing me To
move eastward with the squadron to
Santiago. IL satisfied that the enemy's
vessels were not i'm Cienfuegos. Not be-
ing satisfied at this time that they
were not there, I held my position. be-
ing further strengthened In my opin-
ION by the captain of the British
teamer Adula that when he left King
ston a cablegram had been received on
che Thursdav preceding my arrival of
Cienfuegos. stating that the Spanish
squadron had sailed from Santiago.
Fffth-The Iowa. Castine Du-
pont took coal from the collier ON that
oHt, the iowa Particularly nttuinE
coal. as she had sailed from Key West
TO join this squadron before complet-
ing loading and consequently was con-
siderably short.
sixth-On the Path instant the Mar
blehead. Vixen and Eagle Joined the
squadron and the Marblehead and
Eagle were Immediately sent to com
municate with the insurgents to the
westward of Cienfuegos n to furnish
them with ammunition. clothing and
dynamite. Upon Commander McCalls
return in the course OF the afternoon.
he reported TO me that he had btained
Information that the Spanish squadron
was not in Cienfuegos. Dispatches
were at once sent by the Dupont to
Admiral Sampson and TO Commodore
Remey of the department, indicating
that the squadron would make toward
Santiago de Cubs
Seventh-Great difficulty has been
experienced in coaling the Texas on
account OF her projecting sponsors. In
n seaway whatever, N only under
the most favorable conditions can she
90 alongside n collier. In anything
more unfavorable than absolutely
smooth water there Is great danger of
injury either to the Texas herself OF
the collier. In this connection the adj
vantage OF a tumble home to the side
Is very marked. insuring great freedom
from accidents due to projections on the
ships side.
Eighth-After dark on the evening OF
the 24th the squadron stood TO sea. 10
the eastward, with the Brooklyn. Mas
sachusette. Iowa n Texas In column
natural order: the Ma~rblehead. Vixen
and Eagle on he outer fank and the
collier inshore Of the battleship. The
Castine was left at Cienfuegos to no.
tify the Scorpion on her return, should
she not be sighted by us. TO proceed TO
Key West in company.
Ninth-The run 10 Santiago was
marked by rain and rough weather 20
such an extent that the Eagle was I'M
able to keep up a speed OF 40 or SIS
knots. and fell behind so much as to
seriously delay the squadron. which
was forced TO slow to speed of from
four TO five knots for her 20 regain
and hold her position. As this rough
head sea continued with no apparent
prospect OF abating and as the Eagle
coal supply was becoming dangerouly
low. h was sent 10 Port Antonio for
coal with directions to make the best
OF her way back to Key West.
Tenth-on arriving OF Santiago tire
collier Merrimac was disabled by the
breaking Of her immediate pressure
valve steam and the cracking OF the
~stuffing box. This served as a further
embarrassment TO the squadron and n
source of considerable anxiety. as. with
the weather. conditions that had pre-
vailed since leaving ~Cienfuegos. IL APP
peared absolutely necessary TO abandon
the position OF Santiago and seek n
place where the vessels could be coal
ed and the golfers machinery repair
ed.
E~leventh-On Santiago. the ST. Paul.
Yale n Minneapolis were sighted and
communicated with. The Minneapolis
reported that she had only sufficient
coal q reach Key West and that her
rrDNhfnary WA In had condition Tho
coal supply OF the other two scouts was
also much reduced. Arrangements
were at once made. whereby the Yale
was to tow the collier and. as the pros
pect did not seem favorable for re-
plenishing the meager coal supply OF
the other vessels. the squadron stood TO
the westward. towing the collier. The