Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-08-01


way from Maine to Florida, came
: definite information that the Spanish
fleet, having completed a leisurely
voyage across the Atlantic, had put in
at the port of Curacao, TAR down in the
Caribbean sea, to coal and clear the
vessels of an accumulation OF sea-
r weeds. Immediately, the , Flying
squadron was despatched to seek its
: foe. Before it arrived at Key West,
; news came that the Spanish fleet had
left Curacao, going in the direction of
Cuba. At this time, Sampson, with
the fighting vessels of his fleet. was
moving back to Key West and Havana
after futile trip to san Juan, Porto
Rico, whittier he went in quest of
Cervera's squadron. 1t was given to
Schley and his squadron to find and
rout the willy Spaniard. All the
operations in Cuba depended on this.
No step could be taken toward an
invasion until it was effected. 1t was
a most serious and important task.
The experts figured that Ceryera
would try to make one Of the ports
on the southern coast of Cuba first,
either Cienfuegos or Santiago, further
east Schley was directed to pass
around the western point OF Cuba and
cruise along in search of the Spaniard, |
making all speed. If he did not find |
the enemy at Cienfuegos, he was to
proceed to Santiago. /
Schley started on his mission,
Before he arrived at Cienfuegos, the
navy department learned that Cervera's
fleet was at Santiago and FASTENED to
notify Schley. The word reached him
off Cienfuegos. Here began what is
charged as his "reprehensible con
Duct He fingered several days
without taking effective steps to learn
that Ceryera was not within the closed
hagbor. Even after directed to hasten
to Santiago he delayed his departure I
many hours. At last he started and
the department was counting
confidently on receiving early news Of
the blockade of Santiago harbor and .
the Spanish fleet, when it was thrown
into CONSERVATION by despatch from
Schley, Much to be regretted cannot !
obey orders. Must return to Key !
West to COAL
1t transpired that Schley had {
reached Santiago and engaged in a {
long-range bombardment with the !
shore batteries and one OF the Spanish I
war vessels moored inside had then
and started on return c
trip to Key West, leaving the enemy |
at liberty to come out, if he saw tit. 4
After proceeding some distance, {
Schley evidently reconsidered and, q
having coaled some of his vessels from Q
returned to the blockade, I
being spurred by imperative orders. i
He instituted plan for guarding the r
narbor entrance and remained In $
several days until Sampson g
reached the scene, having come with =
his squadron around Cuba's eastern i
End. n
Admiral Sampson made radical t
improvements in the blockade.
practically sealing the doom OF the
opaniards inside, for whom no h
venue Of escape was lett open. This \
continued Until the day OF the "
battle. 1t happened that G
that Admiral Sampson had a.
eft the line OF blockade in his flagship d
o confer with Gen. Shafter at Siboney. N n
He was out of firing range when the "
spanish fleet, emerging from the "
larbor, turned in the opposite direction a
N an effort to escape along the shore :
All the American vessels closed in h,
1t once. The Brooklyn, Commodore i
>chley's flagship, was on the extreme al
eft and nearest the path of the fleeing T,
enemy As the Brooklyn approached, v
IN obedience to orders said TO have u
been given by Schley, it swerved K
from its course, going to the right and =
making a loop to the seaward, so that C,
.or time it turned tail to the enemy. -
Il made almost a circle. coming about al
On course parallel to the enemy, but :,
further away, BY this movement, it c.
left a temporary way OF escape open o. q
to the spanish vessels, getting out of
heir way. 1t also ran so near to the a
Texas, the next ship in line, that the W
latter was compelled to stop and had a. 4.
its fire blanketed tor a time It is A
alleged that Schley told the navigating y
officer OF the Brooklyn that they were "
getting too near the enemy and. the 9
officer suggesting that the turn q