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

THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE"

"This, I believe, was the only bounty money awarded in the war with
Spain, and as the law has been repealed, probably the last bounty that will
ever be given to our Naval service."
Emory to the Commander-in-Chief:
"AT SEA, BLOCKADING, July 3, 1898.
"1. The following vessels beached, destroyed or warned since Sunday,
June 26th, since which time the Yosemite has been the only vessel blockading this port.
"2. Tuesday, June 28th, Spanish steamer between four and five thousand
tons displacement, name unknown, beached and apparently bilged in the
same position as run on shore and deserted.
"3. On Wednesday, June 29th, overhauled Spanish three-masted schooner
Joven Maria, about fifty tons displacement, laden with salt, brought to
near reefs. Old and unseaworthy-scuttled.
"4. Sunday, July 3rd, overhauled English steamer Gayo Blanco, of London
to Jamaica, but apparently entering San Juan. Warned, and warning entered on her register.
"5. Sunday, July 3rd, overhauled with difficulty English steamer H. M.
Pollock of London. Had sailed from Arecibo, a port a short distance to the
westward of this place, cleared for Port Medio Mundo on eastern end of
Island. Overhauled the vessel carefully and found her partially loaded with
a cargo of sugar. Have no doubt from the efforts of the vessel that she intended to go in to San Juan. Warned the master, and entered the warning
in log. When the Pollock was last seen she was hull down to the eastward of
San Juan Harbor."
"ON THE BLOCKADE, July 4, 1898.
"1. About 5:30 this morning, Morro Castle bearing about southeast mag.
seven miles, discovered smoke on the horizon close to the shore and bearing
about east by south. Steamed at full speed for the strange vessel, but before
bringing her within range of our guns she changed course from about east
to due south and entered the port under the protection of the heavy guns
of the New Sunk Battery. Approached as near as our exposed boilers would
permit, and made out the vessel to be a large steamer of the French Line,
showing French colours and unquestionably a French mail steamer.
"2. I feel confident of our overhauling the steamer if she comes out of
port in the daytime. Should she come out at night, however, she may get
to sea without being overhauled as the weather at night is squally and vision
greatly obscured.
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