The National tribune., 1903-07-02

Sampson sailed from Key West with the
squadron under his command, and in ex-
ecution of the Presidents order of April
II. at once established blockade Of the
northern coast Of Cuba from Bahia Honda
to Cardenas.1
The instructions to Admiral Sampson
were that he should make every effort
to capture or destroy the Spanish war YES
sells in West Indian waters, including the
small gunboats which were stationed along
the coast of Cuba. He was expressly di-
rected not to expose the squadron under
his command to the fire of the batteries
at Havana, Santiago or other strongly
fortified ports Of Cuba, or Porto Rico, as
it was deemed of prime Importance that
our vessels should not be risked to cap
lure or injury before the Spanish squad
ron had been met and defeated.
At the beginning of the war it was the
opinion of Admiral Sampson, urged
strenuously by him and concurred in by
Capts. Evans, Taylor and Chadwick, that
Il strong attack upon the batteries at Ha-
vana would compel the capitulation of
that place. but in view of the undesirable
ty of sending troops to Cuba, especially I'M
til the more formidable vessels of the
Spanish navy had been destroyed or cap
tured, this course was deemed to involve
risks which in the exercise of a wise dis
erection were judged inadvisable. 1t was
clear to the Department that our battle
ships should be exposed to no risk of de-
struction until they could meet those of
the enemy.
Information having been received that
a Spanish gunboat had been seen off the
New England coast, the Columbia and
Minneapolis were ordered from Hampton
Roads to make a cruise in the waters be-
tween Newport, II. l., and Eastport, Me-,
calling at different ports for the purpose
of reassuring the inhabitants of the cities
and towns in that section.
The fleet under command of Admiral
Sampson had become so large with the
additions of the auxiliary ships that it was
necessary to provide for division of the
many duties with which he was charged
| and two CommodOres were sent to serve
| under his orders, the senior, Commodore
Remey, to command the naval base at
Key West, and the junior, Commodore
Watson, to be given command afoat.
SECRET SERVICE ORGANIZED.
| Upon the withdrawal of our alta ches
| from Spain, it became very difficult to Sc.
cure information regarding the prospective
movements of the Spanish fleet, and a
secret service was organized in order to
keep the Department informed of the re
| sources, condition and plans of the Span
| ish naval forces. An officer was sent to
| Europe, who followed and reported the
movements of the naval force under Ad
| miral Camara, and another officer proceed
ed to Cadiz, reporting the strength of the
| Spanish vessels there, and later, to the
| West Indies for the same purpose. In
formation was also received from variety
Of other sources.
1t was exceedingly important to secure
early adyices as to the departure and des
| tina ton of the Spanish squadron under
Admiral Cervera. On April %, the De
partment was informed that it was prob
! able that part of the Spanish fotilla would
leave the CapeGode Verde Islands thai
night. The agent of the Department was
| authorized to, charter a steamer to follow
| the Spanish squadron and report the di
rection taken! On April % this agent re
ported that four cruisers and three de
strOyers had sailed, and on tho next day
this vessel returned to port and cabled
that the Spanish fiotilla when last seer
was continuing west at"full speed.
Steps were at1once taken to ascertain
at the earliest possible moment, the pres
ence Of these vessels on this side of thu
Atlantic, and the Harvard and st. Loui:
We're sent to sea under sealed orders, witt
Instructions to cruise to the eastward ol
the Windward Islands on certain line:
specifically laid down.
l
the length of time to remain on this duty
and the method of communicating will
! the Department in the event Of sghtn.
the Spanish fleet. The ships were required
to make at least 336 miles a day on tn,
trip from New York to the cruisin.
| grounds.
| Admiral Sampson was promptly inform
ed Of the sailing of Cervera's squadron
and Of it's strength, and given an Outlin,
20 -.
cies, such as the appearance of this flee
on the Atlantic coast of the United States
or their entry into San Juan or other part
in West Indian waters. -- -
On April 30, instructions were sent t,
cut the cable on the south coast of Cuba
On the next day the Yale was sent to Sc:
with instructions similar to those givel
the st. Louis and Harvard, to proceed t.
the Island Of Porto Rico and cruis
around that island.
On May 4, Admiral Sampson sailed cas-
from off Havana for the purpose of obser
vation, and, continuing in that direction
arrived at San Juan, Porto Rico, on th
10Th. His purpose in going to San Jual
was to make reconnaissance to ascertain
il the Spanish fleet was in that port. Find
ing that the Spanish squadron was no
there be bombarded the Notifications an,
turned westward again in order to cove
Havana and prevent any attempt to rails
the blockade. Telegrams were received
from the Harvard and st. Louis on tn
11th, stating that they had been unabl
to get any news OF the whereabouts o
the Spanish squadron. On the 18th tn
Harvard cabled from st. Pierre. Marti
nique, that the Spanish torpedo-boat de
stroyer Furor had arrived that day a
Fort de France, Martinique, and later de
parted, and that fleet of five large yes
sells had been seen off the coast, probabl
the Spanish.
CERvERA's SQUADRON.
|, This was the first information the De
partment had Of the whereabouts of Ad
miral Cervera's squadron. Early the mex
morning, May i3, Commodore Schley, a
. Fortress Monroe, Va, was instructed t
get ready for sea Immediately, and late
Charleston, s. @. The Minneapolis wa
ordered to proceed with all dispatch t
cruise between Monte Cristi, Haiti, an
Caicos Bank, Bahamas, and the st. Pau
was ordered to cruise between Moran
Point, Jamaica, and the west end o
Haiti. Admiral Sampson and the Nava
Station at Key West were informed of tn
sighting Of the Spanish squadron and o
the orders to the st. Paul and Minneapoli.
| and the importance Of keeping in touc
with the movements Of the Spanish wa
emphasized IG'
: On May "A, the Spanish squadron wa
reported at!ftheI Island OF Curacao. Th
= Naval Staten at Key West was prompt
given this information and instructed t
r-LI.