Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-11-30
Sampson and Sch1ey.


The report shows that the Flying squad
ron," under Schley, was ordered to Glen
fuegos upon notice that Cervera's squad
ron had been seen off Curacao. But on
May ~ the department, having heard that
Cervera was at Santiago, advised Samp
son to order Schley to proceed off that
port. On the Goth Sampson received from
Schley letter dated The 23d stating that
he was not satisfied that the Spanish
squadron was not at Cienfuegos and that
he would therefore remain off that point
with his squadron The next day Schley
was infol med that Ceryera had been in
Santiago from the 10th to the 25th, and
he was directed TO proceed with all dis
patch to that pert. At this time he tele-
graphed Sampson. under date of the Oath
that coaling off Cienfuegos was very un-
certain; that the Spanish fleet was not in
Cienfuegos; that he would go eastward on
the 25th, but chat on account of short coal
supply he could not blockade if Cervera
was in Santiago, but would go to Nicho,
las Mole to communicate. Upon receiving
this information Sampson decided to go tC
Key West for coal ut once, and, if author
lied, to proceed to Santiago in person
Schley left Cienfuegos on the 24th and
stopped on the following day twenty miles
southeast of Santiago to repair the col
lier Merrmac. At 1870 p. m. he signaiec
to the squadron: Destination Key Nes'
via south side of Cuba and 1ucatan chan'
mel as soon as collier is ready speed nine
knots" After steaming to the westward
until 11:20 p. M, the squadron again
stopped to make repairs to the tale Inc
report then continues:
On the morning of the 9th the Harvard
from Mole St Nicholas, delivered 10 Cohi-
modore schley the following dispatch:
Washington ID. G. May 20, iS9o.- ai +,
ward. St Nicholas Mole, Hayti: Proceed at
once and inform Schley and also the senior
officer present off Santiago as follows; an
departments information indicates spanish
division is still at Santiago the depart,
ment looks to you TO ascertain lac's aLu
that the enemy if therein does not leave
without n decisive action. Cubans 1amlliar
with Santiago say that there are landing
places five or six nautical miles west from
the mouth of harbor and that there insuf-
gents probably will be found and not the
Spanish From the surrounding heights you
can see every vessel in port. As soon as
ascertained notify the department whether
the enemy is there. Could not squadron and
also Harvard coal from the Mefrlhac zee
ward off Cape Cruz, Gonaives channel, or
Mole, HAITI The department will send coal
Immediately to Mole. Report without delay
situation at Santiago. LONG"
AT IL a. M, two hours after receiving this
dispatch from the department, Commodore
Schley signaled to the squadron: Can you
fetch into the port of Key West with coal
remaining? Report by signal"
At noon the Harvard left, carrying his
reply to the departments dispatch, as fol-
lows:
livingston, May 2S 1898. -sccreiary Navy,
Washington D. G. Merrimac en-
gines disabled; is heavy; am obliged to have
towed to Key West. Have been unable alb
solutely to coal the Texas, Marblehead, yix-
en- Brooklyn from collier, owing to very
rough sea- Bad weather since leaving Key
West The Brooklyn alone has more than
sufficient coal to proceed to Key West; can
not remain off Santiago In present state
squadron coal account Impossible to coal
leeward of Cape Cruz in the summer, all
owing to southwesterly winds. Much
to be regretted, cannot obey orders of de-
partment. Have striven earnestly; forced
to proceed for coal to Key West by way OF
Yucatan passage. Cannot ascertain any.
thing respecting enemy positive
Very difficult to tow collier, to get cable to
hold. SCHLEY."
Later in the day, the squadron meantime
having again moved westward, the signal
stop" WIS made to the flying squadron
after which the Texas and Marblehead went
alongside the Merrimac and coaled. The
squadron was at that time distant about
forty miles to the southwark and westward