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Newspaper
Aberdeen Herald
Location
Aberdeen, Washington, United States of America
Date
Jun 16, 1898
Page
7
A garbled fragment mentions naval service and a battle, with unclear references to ports and operations. The readable parts imply a discussion about wartime actions and a personnel note, but specifics are missing.
The report notes transport ships and troops mobilizing for a possible invasion, with Western powers ready to move. A fleet carries ships under 1,400 ton capacity toward ports as a display of force amid ongoing World’s Fair coverage and shifting maritime readiness.
The report says Rear-Admiral Sampsons and Commodore Schley press the assault on Cuban defenses near Santiago de Cuba. The collier Merrimac is sunk to block the harbor entrance as gunboats and fleet cover a possible land and sea seizure of Eastern Cuba, including Guantanamo harbor with deep water.
The text describes siege guns and roads to Santiago, noting Guantanamo as a key supply base for the U S navy and army. The Marblehead silenced batteries at 4,000 yards, a Spanish gunboat fled, and ships Oregon Marblehead and Yankee control the harbor awaiting marines. Navy crews express readiness for invasion as the army moves forward.
Washington reports the first official confirmation of the Guantanamo engagement. Admiral Sampson notes no landing was stated, while the Marblehead is said to hold the lower bay. On June 7 vessels entered at dawn and drove Spanish gunboats into the inner harbor.
The United States steamer Monterey and her coal consort Brutus were sighted heading toward San Diego. They arrived off the harbor at 3 PM and separated with the Brutus anchoring near Coronado island while the Monterey dropped anchor at 4 PM. Paymaster Rogers said they came in for coal and water and would sail tomorrow afternoon for Honolulu.
Madrid reports Germany plans to propose a conference meeting to tackle the Philippines issue. A Havana dispatch notes the Spanish torpedo-boat destroyer Terror is in Puerto Rican waters.
The steamer Kodiak reports the ship Sterling ran aground on a reef in the Nusheyok river about 65 miles from the mouth. Crew and passengers were landed at Karluk. The Sterling sailed from San Francisco April 27 carrying 175 passengers, 160 of whom were Chinese, with supplies for Southern Alaska cannneries.
Lieutenant Sharp obtains insurgent map showing Cristobal Colon Vizcaya Almirante Oquendo Marin Teresa and Reina Mercedes inside the harbor near Blanco battery with three torpedo boats. Schley and Sampson push blockade while Santiago braces for siege amid scant supplies and 6000 poorly fed Spanish troops.
The War Department and censor seal troop movements leaving Florida under command of General Shafter. Rumors of a mysterious Cuban warship circulate. officials deem the craft harmless launches and vow removal if needed. Sampson’s fleet may secure safe conduct for the army. Philadelphia reports secret service finding coal shipments to Spanish agents. prosecutions loom for local brokers. An 1812 28-pound shot was unearthed near Alexandria, Virginia.
From OMF Santiago Jamaica June 11 a Spanish torpedo-boat attack aimed at the Furor or Pluton was thwarted by the New York and New Orleans. Torpedoes were found afloat, one sank, the other recovered, and the destroyer believed to have escaped under cover of darkness. The crews of the flagship and the port area observed the engagement with heavy guns firing briefly before ceasing.
Four suspicious vessels believed to be Spanish warships chased by a gunboat off Havana after last sighting in Nicholas Channel eighty miles from the city. A government tug carried messages to Commodore Watson as a British cruiserTalbot may have been among the vessels.
Madrid reports war weariness pushing Spain toward an honorable peace, while in Singapore Kling women are described as tortured for religious purposes with lances through tongues lips and cheeks and eyes thrust out as crowds water their faces. Sir Charles Mitchell arrives in Vancouver bearing news of the Straits Settlements governor’s visit with Lady Mitchell.
June 10 reports from Cape Haytien describe a heavy bombardment by five American ships on Caimanera fortifications in Guantanamo Bay. Spanish fire resisted briefly as inhabitants reportedly fled to hills. Spaniards vow final stand. there is fear of landing attempts. Cables to Santiago were cut and Dolp hin saluted at Mole St Nicholas.
Washington dispatch says 27 000 men sailed from Tampa at noon for Santiago. Infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineers total 27 regiments with 21 600 infantry. ships Indiana and Helena carry the force under General Shafter. Manila report notes insurgents said to have captured the city. consul Wildman doubts fall but expects landing by Saturday. Also brief antelope shooting affray left Murdock McKay wounded.
A barge laden with war supplies and crew of five sank last Saturday night between Norfolk and Charleston while in tow of the steamer Leonidas das. The pair were en route to Key West when a gale tore the hawsers, leaving the barge iron and schooner rigged to go down in rough seas off North Carolina. The captain and crew were reportedly unable to reach port, and the loss was relayed by the pilot boat R. H. Cowan. Five men were later rescued off a drifting barge near Hatteras and landed in Baltimore aboard the steamer William Lawrence.
The 12th census bill was unanimously approved by the Senate after a three day debate. It creates a census director, an assistant, and five experts to prepare for 1900 enumeration with civil service exam provisions defeated 14 to 331. Adjourning notes and Hawaiian annexation figures marked the day.
Lieutenant Henry Whitney of the Fourth United States artillery arrived in New York aboard the Ardenrose after penetrating Spanish territory in Cuba and Porto Rico. He reports 5,000 volunteers and 4,000 troops around San Juan with scarce food and low pay, aiding a forthcoming war department assessment of island defenses.
The United States files suit in circuit court against the Southern and Central Pacific railways and the Metropolitan Trust Company of New York to recover 17988 dollars claimed on 7195 acres of land northwest of Sacramento. Preparations to invite bond offers for Spanish War funding are nearly complete in Washington. Brigadier General Sumner is appointed permanent commander of the Colorado Department in Denver.
New York June 10 The auxiliary cruiser St Paul sailed at noon today under sealed orders. She has taken aboard nearly 5 000 tons of coal and 25 000 gallons of water.
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