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

THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE"

Medal," for men who were in Admiral Sampson's fleet; the
other, the "Congressional Medal," for service in the West
Indies campaign, 1898.
On June 29, the Spanish schooner "Joven Maria de Mayaguez" was intercepted and boarded. Abandoned by her crew
after our first shot, she was found to contain a load of salt,
also a cat, dog, pig, and fruit. Her sails were lowered and she
was left adrift. Various other ships, mostly British, were intercepted and upon investigation were allowed to proceed on
their way.
On July 4 (Independence Day), field games for the crew
were authorized and held on the forecastle, under the direction
of officers of the watch. These contests excited keen interest,
since the prizes offered were principally bottles of beer, cooled
in the sea, because we had no refrigerating plant or ice storage.
On July 15, the "Yosemite" was relieved of blockade duty
by the U. S. S. "New Orleans," which delivered to us sixteen
bags of mail. We proceeded to St. Thomas, Danish West Indies,
coaled ship, and took on other supplies. Shore leave was granted and each sailor was given twenty dollars on his pay-roll
account. Some extraordinary stories are told in regard to the
actions of some of the sailors on leave, as they capered "high,
wide, and handsome." It is stated that one man in his excess
of enjoyment at being on land, bought a load of hay which
happened to be on the street. Another enthusiast purchased a
colored baby from its mother's arms and then hired the latter
to carry the child around with him for the remainder of the
day.
The "Yosemite" was ordered to join Admiral Watson's
fleet, then under orders to sail for Spain. She returned to
Hampton Roads, July 22, thence to Newport News on July
28. Admiral Sampson's victory at Santiago caused Spain to
sue for peace on July 26; the protocol was signed on August
10, and hostilities were suspended.
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