Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1901-12-19
gine broken down.

In Haytl.
Commodore Schley made no effort to
ascertain whether the Spanish squad
left said harbor entirely unguarded
from p. m. of May 20 to 5 p. m. of
May 27, and guarded only by the scout
st. Paul from s p. IN, May 27, until
about p. m. of May 2s.
The flying squadron arrived off the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba, seven
miles south of MORO at p. IN. May 2s
and established a blockade.
The distance from Cienfuegos to San
tiago is 315 miles. Commodore Schely
did not proceed with all dispatch from
Clenfuegos to Santiago de Cuba.
Early on the morning of May 90 the
Cristobal Colon and other vessels of
the Spanish squadron were discovered
at anchor in the harbor of Santiago,
about l.2oo yards from the entrance.
No attempt was made by Commodore
Schley on May 80 or May 80 to capture
or destroy these Spanish vessels.
At 7:45 p. IN. May 20, Commodore
Schley changed the course of the flying
squadron to the westward and signaled
to his squadron, Destination Key
West, via south side of Cuba, and Yu-
catan channel, as soon as collier is
ready; speed, nine knots"
The squadron proceeded westward
eighteen miles; stopped at 1l:15 p. m.
(the tow lines of the collier having
parted), drifted until $40 p. m. May
81, resumed it's westward course for
twenty-three miles, stopped again at
tbs p. m. and drifted until p. m. of
May 20.
At 9:30 a. IN. May 81, the Harvard
joined the flying squadron, and her
commanding officer delivered to Com
modore Schley the following dispatch,
dated May %, addressed by the depart,
ment to the Harvard at st. Nicholas
mole, Hayti:
Proceed at once and inform Schley
and also the senior officer present off
Santiago de Cuba as follows: All de-
partment's information indicates that
Spanish division is still at Santiago de
Cuba. The department looks to you
to ascertain facts: and that the enemy,
if therein, does not leave without de-
cisive action. Cubans familiar with
Santiago de Cuba say that there is
landing place five nautical miles west
from mouth of harbor, and that the in
surgents probably will be found, and
not Spanish From the surrounding
heights can see every vessel In the
port. AS soon as ascertained notify
the department whether enemy Is
there. Could not squadron and also
Harvard coal from Merrimac, leeward
Cape Cruz, Cuba; Gonaives, Hayti chan
mel or Mole Hayti? The department
will send coal Immediately to Mole
Hayti. Report without delay situation
at Santiago de Cuba"
The dispatch was answered by Com
modore Schley about noon. May 27a
follows: Received dispatch of May 26,
delivered by Harvard off Santiago de
Cuba. Merrimac's engine Is disabled
and she is helpless; am obliged to have
her towed to Key West Have been
absolutely unable to coal the Texas,
Marblehead, Vixen and Brooklyn from
collier, owing to very rough seas and
boisterous weather since leaving Key
West. Brooklyn is the only one in
squadron having more than sufficient
coal to reach Key West. Impossible to
remain off Santiago in the present
state of coal on account of squadron.
Not possible to coal leeward of Cape
Cruz in summer owing to the south
west winds. Harvard just reports to
me she has only coal enough to reach
Jamaica, and she will proceed to Port
Royal; also reports only small vessels
could coal at Gonaives or Mole Hayti.
Minneapolis has only coal enough to
reach Key West and the same of
Yale, which will tow Merrimac. 1t Is
to be regretted that the departments
orders cannot be obeyed earnestly, as
we have all striven to that end. l am
forced to return to Key West via Yuea-
tan passage for coal, Can ascertain
nothing Ineligible of the enemy. Sent
Eagle to Port Antonio yesterday, as
she has only twenty-seven tons on
board. Will leave st. Paul here. Will
require $500 tons of coal at Key West.
The Spanish squadron was discov-
cred to be in the entrance to Santiago
harbor. steaming out about 9:30 a. m.
July 8, 1898.
The Brooklyn at that time was head
ing to the westward of north, about
6, 300 yards S. w. u s. from the Moro,
which was practically ner blocking
position.
Large vessels coming out of the har-
Dor of Santiago were obliged to head
about S. w. by s and the Spanish ves-
sells, therefore, in steaming ont until
clear of the shoal to the westward,
were obliged TO head directly for the
position of the Brooklyn. When clear
of this shoal the Spanish vessels turned
in succession to the westward and
took course nearly parallel to the
land,
In view of the length of time which
has elapsed since the occurrence of the
events of the Santiago campaign, the
court recommends that no further pro-
ceedings be had in the premises.