Commodore George C. Remey, Commandant, Key West Naval Base, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long
TELEGRAM
Key West, May 31, 1898.
I have made the following arrangements to convoy transports to Santiago: the Annapolis has gone to Tampa, having instructions to arrange to convoy transports, rendezvousing off Tortugas.1 The Castine, Helena and Hornet will leave for Tampa. I do not think it advisable to send any more vessels to Tampa; difficult to coal. At Tortugas the following are to join transports; The Bancroft, Indiana, Vesuvius, Manning, Wompatuck, Scorpion, Osceola, Captain Taylor1 taking command. These ships are now getting ready here and will join convoy with full bunkers. Some minor changes may be necessary and I may be able to add more vessels to convoy which are available. I will keep advised of what progress has been made at Tampa.
REMEY.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 80, Entry 194, vol. 1, p. 148. Addressed below close: “Secnav,/Washington.”
Footnote 1: The orders are in Remey to Capt. John J. Hunker, 30 May 1898, DNA M625, roll 230. The rendezvous was to be “ten miles to the westward of Dry Tortugas.”
Footnote 2: Capt. Henry C. Taylor.
