The details of the plan were left to the Commodore’s judgment, as he (Sampson) had “the utmost confidence in his ability to carry this plan to a successful conclusion, and earnestly wished him good luck.”

Sampson apparently felt certain of the presence of the Spaniards at Santiago and urged that the harbor must be blockaded at all hazards.  Schley in the meantime had proceeded to Santiago, although it appears not the same day Admiral Sampson expected.

At one time Commodore Schley contemplated going to Key West with the squadron for coal, but this was abandoned, his collier having been temporarily repaired, and the necessity for a trip to Key West being avoided Santiago was then blockaded.

Admiral Sampson arrived at Santiago June 1st.  June 8 the Admiral urged upon the department, as he had previously done, to expedite the arrival of the troops for Santiago, the difficulty of blockading the Spanish ships daily increasing.

In a memorandum dated June 15, the Admiral says: 

“The Commander-in-Chief desires again to call the attention of the commanding officers to the positions occupied by the blockading fleet, especially during the daytime, and it is now directed that all ships keep within a distance of the entrance to Santiago of four miles, and this distance must not be exceeded.

“If the vessel is coaling or is otherwise restricted in its movements it must nevertheless keep within this distance.  If at any time the flagship makes signal which is not visible to any vessel, such vessel must at once approach the flagship or retreating vessel to a point where it can read the signal.

“Disregard of the directions which have already been given on this head has led to endless confusion.  Many times during the day the fleet is so scattered that it would be perfectly possible for the enemy to come out of the harbor and meet with little opposition.

“The Commander-in-Chief hopes that strict attention will be given this order.”

In the order of battle incidental to the landing of Shafter’s army corps June 22, when ships were sent to shell the beach and cover the landing of the men” the following occurs: 

“The attention of commanding officers of all vessels engaged in blockading Santiago de Cuba is earnestly called to the necessity of the utmost vigilance from this time forward, both as to maintaining stations and readiness for action and as to keeping a close watch upon the harbor mouth.  If the Spanish Admiral ever intends to attempt to escape that attempt will be made soon.”

The Admiral says trouble was experienced in the landing of Shafter’s army on account of the wandering proclivities of some of the transports.  The progress of the disembarkation was rendered somewhat difficult by a heavy sea, the heaviest during the three weeks the fleet had been stationed there, owing to a stiff blow off the coast of Jamaica.