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

THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE"

arrived at Port Royal about 9 o'clock and exchanged salutes with the
garrison and H. M. S. "Urgent" after which she steamed up the harbour
and anchored.
We understand that Messrs. Lascelles De Mercado & Co., have the provisioning of her.
Shortly after anchoring one of the officers accompanied by the Pilot
came off in one of the ship's boats and waited on Consul Dent who went
back with them to the boat. The Consul was in conference with the Captain
all the forenoon.
It appears that the "Yosemite" left the American fleet at Santiago six
days ago and since then has been cruising around. Probably it was in consequence of the communications Consul Dent sent to his Government with
respect to the movements of the "Purisima Concepci6n" that the "Yosemite" found herself in these seas, just about the time when the "Purisima
Concepci6n" went out. The "Purisima Concepci6n," as is stated in another
paragraph, left Kingston at 2 o'clock yesterday morning, and Port Royal
at 5, taking primarily a southerly course, and soon after steering westward.
The "Yosemite" happened to be coming to Kingston from the eastward
and consequently saw nothing of her quarry. The sailors of the warship,
who were questioned as to whether they had seen the "Purisima" were
quite confident that she would be captured inasmuch as there was another
auxiliary cruiser, the "Prairie," awaiting the "Concepci6n" on the westerly
course. Questioned as to what they had seen, the sailors said that everything
was quiet at Santiago when they left. Sampson and Schley were both there;
but there was no bombarding, the policy adopted by the Commanders
evidently being to starve the city into subjection. The same boats that have
been there since the commencement of the blockade were still there, some
12 or 14 in number. There were six Spanish ships inside the harbour.
Mr. Dent paid his official visit to the vessel in the afternoon and was
saluted with seven guns.
We understand that the American auxiliary cruiser "Yosemite" will
take coal (under the neutrality provisions) at the Atlas wharf.
Saturday, June 18, 1898
The "Yosemite"
The United States auxiliary cruiser "Yosemite" was in the stream at
anchor yesterday morning repairing her machinery. On Thursday an officer
Page seventy