Lieutenant Commander Daniel Delehanty to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Station
U.S.S. Suwanee,
Off Santiago de Cuba,
June 29, 1898.
Sir:-
This forenoon I stood in close to Morro1 and the batteries east and west, and obtained a close distinct view of the emplacements and guns mounted, a sketch of which made by Ensign Gilpin is herewith enclosed for your information.2
West Battery.
In this battery there are three large guns at the east and in emplacements. These guns are trained to the S'd. On the west end there are two guns which I judge to be about 5" calibre and are protected by turtle back shields.3 These guns train to the S'd + W'd and are very probably ship's guns.
East Battery.
In this battery there are three large guns on the west end in emplacements. I should judge these guns to be six or eight inch calibre. They are trained to about WSW. In the centre of this battery are two four or five inch guns in emplacements. These guns are trained to the S'd.
The east end of this battery is protected by a large well constructed breastwork, running in the general direction of east + west and North and South.
Very respectfully,
Lieut. Cmdr. U.S.N.,
Commanding.
Source Note: L, DNA, RG 313, Entry 48. Addressed below close: ”Rear Admiral W. T. Sampson, U.S.N./Commanding U.S. Naval Forces, North Atlantic Station.” At top right center stamped: “RECEIVED/FLAG-SHIP N.A. STATION,/JUN 28 1898.” Docketed on separate sheet: “U.S.S. Suwanee,/Off Santiago de Cuba, Cuba,/June 29, 1898./Delehanty, D. Lieut. Cmdr. U.S.N./Report position of guns/mounted in batteries at/entrance of harbor of Santiago/de Cuba./Two (2) inclosures/sketches of batteries.” Handdrawn diagrams of the east and west batteries included on separate sheets.
Footnote 1: “Morro” refers to a promontory or rounded hill, or fort.
Footnote 2: Ens. Charles E. Gilpin.
Footnote 3: A “turtle back shield” is a protective covering for the gunner.
