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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Henry C. Taylor to Major General William R. Shafter

U.S.S. Indiana. 1st Rate.

At Sea, June 17, 1898.

Sir:-

     I have the honor to state that from the experience of the last twenty-four hours, I believe the time saved by dividing the Convoy, taking into account the time for selecting the vessels and organizing them afresh, would not be sufficient to justify this separation.1 A few vessels will at any speed drop behind owing to temporary difficulties with engines. I have detailed naval vessels to look out for such transports and it is my intention to slow down when we have passed Lobos Cay and emerged from the narrow passage of the Old Bahama Channel. I am, General, with much respect,

H.C. Taylor

Captain U.S. Navy.

Source Note: LS, DLC-MSS, Papers of William R. Shafter, roll 3. Addressed after close: “To/Major General WR Shafter, U.S.Army.”

Footnote 1: The proposal was to divide the convoy into faster and slower ships. See: Shafter to Taylor, 17 June 1898. Taylor provided a summary of his actions as convoy escort commander; see: Taylor to William T. Sampson, 1 July 1898.

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