The story of the U.S.S. "Yosemite" in 1898, compiled from available records by Joseph S. Stringham.

THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE"

"U. S. S. Yosemite
"PORTO RICO BLOCKADE, July 1, 1898.
"Captain Sigsbee having changed his plans, the St. Paul sailed north
about 1 P. M., June 26th, and the Yosemite continued the blockade alone,
although there should have been at least a half dozen ships. On Monday
overhauled a small sailing vessel under the guns of the shore
batteries. They did not open on us. The master of the ship seemed to be a
deserving man with his little all, which was probably the savings of a lifetime represented by his cargo, a few tons of bad wine, besides which he
behaved courageously in not lowering his Spanish flag. Let him go with
directions to give my compliments to the Governor and Commanding General, and to say to them that I would call later."
The next day Emory had an engagement with the Isabel II and two gunboats which came out of the harbour of San Juan to the rescue of the
Antonio Lopez, a blockade runner which the Yosemite had driven on the
beach to the westward of the Morro.
Lieutenant Truman Newberry was the officer of the deck in the morning
watch when a ship was sighted to the northward and westward at daylight
coming out of the mist and rain about four thousand yards distant. The
Yosemite at the time was slowly circling about five miles to the northward
and westward of the Morro Castle. General quarters was at once sounded,
and the Yosemite headed for the stranger at full speed, and as soon as she
got within easy range opened fire with her five-inch guns.
The steamer headed in shore which was about three miles distant, but
the Yosemite headed closer in to cut her off, seeing which the steamer deliberately beached herself about six miles from the Morro.
The Yosemite worked her way in as close as the reefs permitted, and was
pouring in a heavy fire of shell and shrapnel, when she turned to engage a
Spanish cruiser, which proved to be the Isabel II, and also two gunboats
which approached at full speed to drive her off.
During this time the Yosemite was under fire from the Morro and the
water batteries, and although their projectiles went over and close to the
Yosemite none struck the ship.
The Yosemite headed for the Spanish vessels and drove them back under
the guns of the Castle. In the meantime a torpedo boat came out, and
under a heavy fire from the Yosemite succeeded in getting under the lee
of the beached steamer upon which the Yosemite reopened fire, and continued until she was set on fire by the bursting shell.
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