EXHIBIT 1. Commander McCalla, U. S. N., to the Secretary of the Navy. Sir: U.S. S. Marblehead, 3d Rate, Off Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898. Having found out the location of the cables leading from the south and west into the cable house, near the light-house at the entrance to Cienfuegos Harbor, I prepared to cut them. The arrival of the collier Saturn, with the Windom, and the departure of the steamer Adula with refugees from Cienfuegos yesterday placed me in a position where I could make the attempt to cut the cable, severing communication with Havana. For this purpose Lieutenant Southerland was directed to leave the station off Cienfuegos with the Eagle sometime last night and steam to the westward, where the cable is laid in shallow water near the light-ship off Diego Perez Rey. He was directed to cut the cable, burn the light-ship mentioned above, and to destroy the light-house off Piedras Rey. Lieut. C. McR. Winslow was placed in command of the steam launches and sailing launches from the Nashville and Marblehead, with Lieut. E. A. Anderson second in command. The four boats were to be used to drag for and to cut the cables off Cienfuegos under the protection of the guns of the Nashville and Marblehead. The details were carefully explained to Commander Maynard and Lieutenant Winslow and the attempt was made this morning. An infantry and cavalry force posted about the cable house was driven from their position by the guns of the Nashville and Marblehead, and the four launches then dragged for and succeeded in cutting the cables leading to the south and to the west. The cable house was destroyed by the guns. Two cables were cut and a small one was found inshore, but before this could be cut the fire from the infantry with, evidently, a Maxim gun, was so severe as to compel the boats to withdraw, as they were within 150 yards of the enemy. The enemy was so sheltered toward the last by the gullies and ravines that the fire from the ships could not keep down their fire entirely. The enemy, having concealed themselves in the light-house and opened fire on the boats, the light-house was destroyed. I regret very much to announce that the following officers and men were wounded: Patrick Regan, private marine, fatally, and has since died. Herman W. Kuchneister, private marine, shot through jaw, probably fatally. Harry Henrickson, seaman, shot through liver, probably fatally. Ernest Suntzenich, apprentice, first class, fracture of right leg. John J. Doran, boatswain's mate, second class, gunshot wound, right buttock. Robert Volz, seaman, Nashville, severely wounded. John Davis, gunner's mate, third class, wound, right leg. William Levery, apprentice, first class, wounded left leg, very slight. Lieutenant Winslow, slight wound of hand. I can not speak in too high terms of the officers and men engaged in the four boats in cutting the cables. Their work was performed with the utmost coolness and intrepidity under most trying circumstances, and I shall later have the honor to call especial attention to their conduct. I have directed the captain of the Windom to return at the earliest practical moment. Very respectfully, B. H. MCCALLA, Commander, U.S. N., Commanding, and Senior Officer Present. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Navy Department, Washington, D. C. EXHIBIT 2. Lieutenant Helm, U. S. N. to the Commander in Chief, U. S. Naval Sir: Force. U. S. S. HORNET, Off Cape Cruz, Cuba, July 1, 1898. In compliance with United States Navy Regulations, paragraph No. 437, I have the honor to report as follows: Yesterday morning, in obedience to instructions from Lieut. Lucien Young, U. S. N., commanding U. S. S. Hist, and then senior officer present off Cape Cruz, the Hornet proceeded in rear of Hist and Wompatuck to the northward and eastward for the purpose of making a reconnoissance of the cays, etc., as far as Manzanillo. Arriving off Nequero Bay, a small Spanish gunboat was sighted coming from behind one of the cays. The Hist and Hornet headed in for her and were fired on by musketry from woods of cay. Both ships proceeded as far in as their draft would permit and opened fire on woods and gunboat. The musketry fire was soon silenced. The gunboat headed along shore, firing on us all the time. Several shots from both ships were observed to strike her, and she was run in behind a point and apparently beached, perhaps blown up. The Spanish flag was conspicuous till near the end, when it could not be seen. The Hornet fired fortyseven 6-pounder shells and about one hundred rounds from rifles. Proceeding on to Manzanillo, the three vessels entered harbor in original order. Some five to six armed vessels, drawn up in column, were observed, also numerous soldiers on shore at many points apparently manning field batteries, and others with rifles. The Hornet opened fire on all as soon as in position, and some three or four 6-pounder shots were observed to strike gunboats. When opposite center of lines afloat and ashore and shells were striking thick and fast all around, our main steam pipe was cut by a shell and the whole inside of vessel filled with hot steam. Notwithstanding the then helpless condition of ship the fire of the battery was not slackened, the men passing ammunition through the steam, and soon a 6-pounder shell was seen to strike and sink one of the small gunboats. Ensign Earle, Chief Yeoman Pierce, Chief Master-at-Arms Smith, and several others seing her go down stern first. Another 6-pounder shell was seen to strike a second gunboat, apparently silencing her fire. While firing toward shore with starboard battery a small sloop loaded with soldiers sailed up on port side and opened fire on us with rifles. A shot from port 6-pounder struck her fairly amidships and sent her to the bottom. The Hornet was then drifting near shoals. The Wompatuck turned, came alongside, and towed Hornet out of action, following lead of senior officer present. The Wompatuck and Hornet all the time firing every gun that would bear on enemy. Lieut. Carl Jungen, U. S. N., commanding Wompatuck, cannot be given too much credit for this performance. The Hornet fired one hundred and sixty-two 6-pounder shells, ninety-three 47-millimeter, and one hundred seventy-four I-pounders, and about four hundred rounds of rifle ammunition. All of our gun captains being expert shots, I think the Spaniards know where some of it landed. The Hornet was struck many times-once through bulwarks, hatch combing, and steam pipe, once in after deck house, once starboard quarter, twice through bridge screen, and several times on armor belt by ricochet or expended shells. F. Madsen, fireman, first class; S. Bakke, fireman, second class; and P. Griffin, oiler, were scalded; Bakke seriously. Madsen has his feet and legs badly scalded; Griffin's arm slightly. Otherwise there were no casualties, though a shell struck ammunition box under one of the gun captains, and a shell passed through bridge screen between Ensign Earle and myself, who were not 3 feet apart, and equally near men at wheel. The Hornet was short 1 officer and 6 men, who had been sent to Key West in prizes. Ensign Fewel had charge of the battery, Ensign Earle conned ship. I cannot mention others without mentioning all. All are deserving of praise. The Wompatuck, in coming alongside, smashed a boat and rail slightly, I deeming it better to let boat go than take men from guns to rig in. Our light bulwarks and deck houses are dilapidated from concussion of our own guns. I estimate that Hornet was in action about forty-five minutes. Her steam pipe was cut about ten minutes after action began, but used her battery to the end of the fight. Very respectfully, J. M. HELM, Lieutenant, U. S. N., Commanding. REAR-ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON, U. S. N., Commander in Chief U. S. Naval Force, EXHIBIT 3. The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State. No. 471. Sir: AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, July 26th, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that the Foreign Office has received a communication from the Cuba Sub-Marine Telegraph Company stating that they are greatly alarmed at rumours which have reached them to the effect that (1) their cable from Cienfuegos to Batabano was cut in May last by our forces; (2) that on the 11th instant another cable belonging to the Company, viz., that from Manzanillo to Santa Cruz, was cut and the severed ends were towed apart for a couple of miles and (3) that our Government is in possession of their cables at Santiago and will not allow any communication to pass over them so that they are closed for the international business. The matter has been referred to me by the Foreign Office in a friendly and unofficial manner with the request that I would inquire into the truth of these rumours and would suggest that perhaps our Government would consider the mitigation of loss to the Company as far as may be possible consistently with the belligerent operations now going on. It is not suggested that we were not justified in cutting these cables as an act of war nor are the informal representations which have been made to me to be in anywise considered as a protest against our having done so. I have the honour to transmit herewith a memorandum which I have received from the Foreign Office relative to a request which |