THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 312 was a British steamer, the Rcstormel, laden with coal, and though there was not any actual blockade of Santiago proclaimed, the fact that her cargo was contraband of war destined for the Spanish fleetmade her a good prize. The Restormcl had been chartered to deliver her cargo at San Juan. Then her destination was changed to Curacoa, wdiere she was to meet Cervera. When she arrived there the fleet had gone, and the Spanish Consul sent her on to Santiago. The fact that she was makingfor the port when captured was taken to be an indication that Cervera really was there. From himself in the battleshipMassachusetts. Then came the new armoured cruiser, the New Orleans. Evans in the Iowa brought up the rear. Coming in to a range of four miles, the five ships steamed past the entrance,then turned and repassed it at closer range, firing all the while at the batteriesand at the Cristobal Colon, of which they caught a brief view as they passed the narrowopening in the cliffs. The batteries of Morro and Socapa answered them. The Colon openedwith her quick-firers, and a heavy battery at Punta Gorda sent its shells out to sea over the intervening hill. Consul Ramsden, THE U.S. BATTLESHIP " TEXA: Jamaica came news that a British merchant steamer, the Adula,had seen the fleet entering the port, and Schley felt that all these indications confirmed the original report from Madrid. On Friday, May 27th, he concentrated his squadron off Santiago.

who watchedthe fight from thelook-out station, thus describes the briefengagement:— "At 2.30p.m. firing began, and we began to see shells falling around the Maria Teresa, Oquendo,and Vizcaxa,moored in Cajuma Bay. None touched the ships,but on falling into the bay they raised a column of water about fortyfeet high,just like a water-spout. Firing lasted from half-past two until ten minutes past three, when it ceased. It seems that five of the American ships came up to the entrance of the harbour, with another transatlantic boat accompanying them, the other vessels remaining a mile or so further off. They fired through the entrance at the Cristobal Colon, which waslying in Gaspar Inlet and was visible, and also tired shells over the hills at the outerships which they On the following day he wasable to telegraph to Washington that, although he had no personalknowledge as yet of the fact, the information he had collected made him certain at last that Cervera was in the harbour. On the Tuesday, the last day of the month, he determined to make a reconnaissance in force, draw the fire of the batteries, andperhaps induce the enemy's cruisers to show themselves. A little after 2 p.m. he approached the entrance with five of his most powerful ships. He led the way