Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-12

Cervera's squadron, so at 10 a, m
Schley cabled to Washington that thu
Spantayds were undoubtedly there. The
Colon continuing to occupy its position
within view of the American ships. or
the morning of the 31st Schley, or
board the Massachusetts with the Lowe
and the New Orleans, exchanged shot.
with her and the forts at a range Of
about 1000 yards.
The next day, June /, Sampson ar
rived and took command, finding
Schley's squadron to the westward OF
the harbor mouth. Immediately upon
the union of these two forces a close
blockade was established. and Gordon
was drawn about the harbor entrance
with cruisers and battleships in semi
circle in front of it and double line of
smaller vessels and boats inside these.
Thus the harbor of Santiago, in which
Cervera had been definitely located, was
watched constantly, powerful search
lights being turned upon 1t at night No
effort was relaxed during the weary
month that followed to prevent the es-
cape of the enemy, and Sampson pro-
mulgated in standing orders a plan of
attack by which our vessels were to
close in upon any of the Spaniards COM
ing out.
On June occurred the sinking of the
Merrimac at the harbor entrance of
Santiago in order to prevent if possible
the escape of Cervera's fleet. On June Z
the Marblehead and the Yankee took
possession OF the lower bay of Guam
tanamo as harbor of refuge for the
fleet in coaling, etc, and the marines
were the first to land as invaders on the
soil of Cuba. On the 18th Sampson was
advised that thirty transports with
troops would be sent from Tampa, Fla,
and convoy was provided for them.
thru the Bahama channel. The disem-
barkation of troops was commenced on
the morning of the 22d of June at Bal
quiri to the eastward of MORO Castle.
Sampson had sent his chief of staff to
communicate with General Shafter, but
as the latter was lnsistent that the navy
should more actively cooperate by
Smelling the forts, MORO Castle, and, If
possible, the city of Santiago, an inter-
view was arranged between the two
commanders to take place on the Sd of
July.
1t was while Sampson. in the New
York, was fastening toward Siboney
that Cervera made his attempt to es-
cape. The New York had reached a
point about four mile east of her block
aiding station and about seven miles
from MORO Castle when the Spanish
squadron was espied steaming out of
the narrow CHANNEL leading from San
tiago's harbor tothe open sea. The flag
n fr,r diof FOL,
and steamed in the direction of the es-
Gaping fleet, flying the signal to close in
and attack the enemy. This. however,
the ships on blockade had already done.
When the Spanish ships were first
sighted, all the blockading vessels We're
in semi-clrcle in the following order:
The Indiana, the Oregon, the Iowa, the
Texas and the Brooklyn. the last ramed
being farther to the eastward than any
of the other ships. The Massachusetts,
had gone to Guantanamo for coal, the
torpedo boat Ericsson was in company
with the flagship and the Gloucester
and Vixen lay close to land, to the east
ward and westward, respectively, of the |
channel.
One of the most important of the pre-
cepts in the court of inquiry investiga-
ton deals with the so-called loop of
the Brooklyn. Captain F. A. Cook, OF
the Brooklyn, says in his official report:
I'VE opened fire on the leading ship in
five minutes from the discovery. The
port battery was first engaged as we
stood with port helm to head off the
leading ship and gave them raking fire
at about l500 yards range. The enemy
to the westward to close into the
land. We then wore around to star
board bringing the starboard battery
into action. The enemy Rugged the shore
to the westward"
This was the since famous "loop"
which now plays so conspicuous part
in the controversy. since different mo-
tives for this maneuver are ascribed to
Schley.
schley explained this maneuver by
stating that he wished to avoid being
by the approaching Maria
Teresa, and also that he did not wish to
blanket the fire of his other chips.
A prominent officer, Lieutenant Com
mander Hodgson. who was on the
bridge at the time, is accredited with
having asked Schley when the order to
port the helm was given, You mean
mo. I mean port" Schley
is said to have replied. But we will
run down the Texas the officer is al
legged to have demonstrated Let the
Texas look out for herself" 10 the re-
toinder said to have been made by
Schley In a recent interview Lieuten-
ant Commander Hodgson is alleged to
have remarked: ITO my personal know
ledge the helm was kept hard aport
during the whole time of turning the
loop until eased up to parallel the
course of the Vizcaya, then about $500
yards away on the starboard bow. Asl
the Brooklyn's tactical diameter is only