Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long
TELEGRAM
Playa de Este, July 10, 1898.
the “Oregon”, “Massachusetts”, “Dixie”, and Commodore Watson1 in the “Newark” are here. Have not been able to communicate with the “Yosemite” but a squadron going that way can communicate with her and order her to fill with coal and provisions at Santiago, without causing delay at that point. Squadron can leave in two days. No reply has been received to my suggestion that “New Orleans” should join Watson’s squadron.2 I suggest that Watson’s squadron should assemble at San Juan Porto Rico instead of Mole St. Nicolas.
SAMPSON.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 80, Entry 194, vol. 1, p. 266. Addressed before opening: “Secretary of Navy,/Washington.”
Footnote 1: Commo. John C. Watson, Commander, Eastern Squadron.
Footnote 2: On 7 July, Sampson wrote to Secretary Long that New Orleans was available for the Eastern Squadron. He also suggested that the Massachusetts be used instead of the Iowa, because the Massachusetts was “in a most efficient condition.” Ibid., 257
