The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-20
Left Harbor. Unguarded.

Left Harbor Unguarded.
Commodore Schley made no effort
to ascertain whether the Spanish
squadron was in the harbor of San
tiago; he left said harbor entirely un-
guarded from 6 p. m. of May 26 to
p. m. of May q, and guarded only by
the scout st. Paul from 5 p. M, May 81,
until about 6 p. m. of May %.
The flying squadron arrived off the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba, seven
miles south of the MORO, at p. m,
May 26, and established a blockade.
The distance from Cienfuegos to San
tiago Is 315 miles. Commodore Schley
did not proceed with all dispatch
from Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba.
Early on the morning of May 29 the
Cristobal Colon and other vessels of
| the Spanish squadron were discovered
at anchor in the harbor of Santiago,
about 1000 yards from the entrance.
No attempt was made by Commodore
Schley on May 90 or on May 80 to
capture or destroy the Spanish yes
sells. At 1880 p. m, May 80, the
cruiser New Orleans and the collier
Sterling iQined the-dXing squadron.
AT ~. 90 d. M, May 81, Commodore
Schley shifted his flag to the Massa.
chusetts. At 11:10 a. m. the flagship
Massachusetts signalled: "The Mas
sachusetts, New Orleans and Iowa
will go in after dinner to a distance
OF 1000 yards and fire at Cristobal
Colon with s, II and 13-inch guns.
Speed about 10 knots"
At 1880 p. M, the three vessels des-
| ignated steamed in column towards
| the entrance to the harbor of Santiago,
heading to the eastward, at about 10
knots speed. The ships passed the
harbor entrance about 1000 yards dis
! tant from the MORO, firing at the Co.
Ion, and the shore batteries with
ranges varying from 1000 yards to
5000 yards. Ali projectiles fell short.
When the ships had passed to the
eastward Of the entrance the flagship
| turned off shore, followed in success
sion by the other ships, repassed the
entrance and fired as before, but with
ranges varying from 5000 yards to
900 yards. Some of these projectiles
fell near the Colon. The fire was re-
turned by the ships in the harbor and
by the land batteries, but no large
guns were used by the batteries. Sew
eral projectileS passed over our YES
sells, but no injuries were sustained.
The flying squadron did not with
draw at night from the entrance to
Santiago harbor to a distance at sea.
The blockade was maintained at an
average distance of about six or seven
miles from the harbor entrance during
the day and probably somewhat near.
er during the night. Two vessels per-
formed picket duty at night, two miles
| inside of the line of vessels.
The Battle of Santiago.
The Spanish squadron was discov-
cred to be in the entrance to Santiago
barber steamng out about $50 a. M:
July 3, 1893. The Brooklyn at that
time was heading to the westward of
north, about $500 yards west, three
quarters south, from the MORO, which
was practically her blockading posi-
ton. Large vessels coming out Of the
harbor of Santiago were obliged to
hold about southwest by south, and the
| Spanish vessels, therefore, in steaming
out, until clear of the shoal to the
westward, were obliged to head di-
rectly for the position of the Brooklyn.
When clear of the shoal the Spanish
vessels turned in succession to the
westward and took course nearly
parallel to the land.
The Brooklyn stood towards the
Spanish vessels with varying helm
fired one shot from her forward turret
at $500 yards range, which proved
short and then engaged with her port
battery. When about 1 400 yards dis
tant from the leading Spanish ship.
the Teresa, the Brooklyn turned to
starboard, with her helm hard aport,
and continued SO to turn until she
headed to the westward, parallel to
the course of the Spanish ships. The
commanding officer of the Brooklyn
put the helm hard aport and at almost
the same instant Commodore Schley
gave the order Hard aport!" When
the Brooklyn's helm was put hard
aport the Teresa was about 1 400 yards
to the eastward of north from the
Brooklyn, and the Vzcaya was to the
eastward of the Teresa and the Colon
was to the eastward of the Vizcaya.
When the Brooklyn completed the
turn and was heading TO the westward,
parallel to the course of the ViZcaya,
the Vizcaya and the Colon were about
2,400 yards to the northwaTd and west
ward of the Brooklyn. The turn of the
Brooklyn was toward the Texas. The
Texas stopped and backed her engines
On July 8, 1898, about the time the
Brooklyn began her turn to starboard,
conversation regarding the proXim-
ity of the Texas took place between
Commodore Schley and Lieutenant H,
C. Hodgson. Admiral Schley caused
to be published in daily newspaper
a letter addressed to him by Lieutep-
ant Commander A. G.. HodgSon, dated
June II, 1899, in which Lieutenant
Commander Hodgson said: "The col.
loquy published in the New York Sun
and alleged to have taken place be
tween you and me ON the day of the
battle off Santiago, July 3, 1898, never
occurred" Admiral Schley did not
have published the other letters of
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson in re-
gard to this matter.
opinion of the Court.
Commodore Schley, in command of
the flying squadron, should have pro-
ceeded with utmost dispatch off Glen
fuegos and should have maintained a
close blockade of that port.
He should have endeavOred on May
% at Cienfuegos to obtain information
regarding the Spanish squadron by
communicating with the insurgents at
the place designated in the memoran-
dunn delivered to him at 8:15 a. M. of
that date.
He should have proceeded from
Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba with
ell dispatch and should have disposed
bis vessels with view of intercept
Ing the enemy in any attempt to pass
the flying squadron.
He should not have delayed the
squadron for the Eagle.