Intelligence Memorandum from Lieutenant William S. Sims, United States Naval Attaché in Paris
[Extract]
Translation of Cablegram
From Paris,
Recd Washington, July 16/98.
Bureau of Navigation.
Special agent at Madrid reports that the Spanish Naval authorities are discussing a plan to divide Camara’s1 squadron, thus forcing division of the United States squadron; definite decision will not be made until Camara’s return.
Orotava, Canary Islands, near Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, lightly defended. Could be taken easily. La Luz, three miles from Palma, Canary Islands, is being hastily fortified to protect deposit of coal. A battery of four twenty-four centimetre guns is being installed at Santa Cruz de Teneriffe.
SIMS.
---oo0oo---
Translation of Cablegram
From Paris,
Recd Washington, July 18/98.
Bureau of Navigation.
From Special Agent at Barcelona:
Audaz, Osado, Proserpina, have arrived at Port Mahon, Minorca; Pelayo is expected.
Camara’s fleet will be concentrated at Cartagena.
Gijon, Spain, being fortified; eight modern guns will be mounted upon Mount St. Catherine, and various points of the bay.
SIMS.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 80, Entry 194, vol. 1, pp. 294-95.
Footnote 1: Vice Adm. Manuel de la Cámara y Libermoore.
