Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-02
PREPARING FOR ACTION
Admiral Sampson Evidently Getting Ready to
Attack Havana.
MOVEMENT MAY COME ON TUESDAY.


On board the Associated Press Dis
patch boat Dauntless, via Key West,
Fla, May .. copyrighted by the As
ISOLATED Press.)-A demonstration by
the feet OFF the const of Cuba is hard
ly expected today. but It Is understood
Il movement has been planned.
A bowling gale ia now blowing and
the sea is running high.
There was long conference on board
the flagship New York yesterday be-
tween Rear Admiral Sampson, Captain
Evans, of the Iowa, captain Taylor
Of the Indiana, and Captain Chadwick
of the New York. the purpose of which
could not be ascertained.
Early yesterday morning the New
York steamed to the west
ward past Havana, which was
In plain view from the vessel, and
picked up the Indiana and then the
ships abroad. Tugs were then sent out,
calling in other vessels of the fleet in
that vicinity. and at noon the following
ships were lying off the batteries west
of Havuna, and within eight milesNof
the shore; The flagship New York; the
battleships Iowa, and indiana; the
cruisers Detroit and Marbhead; the
gunboats Castine, Mayfiower, Hornet
and Mangrove, and the tugs Osceola,
Wampatock and recumseh.
There were also four newspaper dis
patch boats in close proximity, all the
vessels being within n radius of one
thousand yards and plainly visible
from the shore. There was every indi-
cation that concerted movement of
some kind was In contemplation, and
those on the flagship who were ignorant
of the objects of the conference con-
fdently expected that the recent bonn
bardment of the Spanish batteries at
Matanzas and the firing upon troop
Of Spanish cavalry at Cabanas were To
be repeated upon the formidable bat
teries near Havana. The weather con-
ditions. however, were anything but
favorable for an attack, for forty
knot gale was blowing and the waves
were tremendous. Even the big bat
tleships were unsteady. the smaller
vessels being tossed about like shells
with every wave.
But after the ships had remained in
this position for several hours II be-
came evident that no immediate move
ment was contemplated.
The flagship finally drew away from
the others and steamed slowly past
MORO Castle without Incident.
The. remainder of the fleet then
opened out and returned to their var
ious stations along the coast.
News OF the engagements between
the United States and Spanish fleets al
Manila had not yet reached the Cuban
blockading squadron but they probably
will he advised OF 1t this morning by
vessels which left here during last
night.
FLEET ON THE WATCH.
on Board the Flagship New York.
of Havana, May l, p. m, via Key
West, Fla, May 2.-tCopyright, 1898,
by the Associated ress)-The block
ade OF Havana continues. The United
States fleet at this hour is concentrat-
ed somewhat. lying about ten miles on
MORO castle. The cruiser Montgome-
ry and the tug Osceola have just ar
rived from Key West.
The Iowa, Indiana, Detroit and May
flower are lying close to the flagship
New York. The Mayflower is going
hack to Key West.
The weather is fine and stlfY breeze
is blowing. Captains Evans and Tay-
lor came on board the flagship during
the day and had q consultation with
Rear Admiral Sampson and Capt
Chadwick.
The British steamer Strathdee, Capt
Currie, from Progress to Sangua la
Grande. In ballast. was made to heavt
to at 1880 this morning after two shots
had been fired from the flagship.
The Strathdee was boarded, proved
her Identity and was allowed to pro-
coed as Sagua Ia Grande is not q
blockaded point.
Captain Currle said he was stopped
twice before during the night