 After the outbreak of the Spanish – American War the Flying Squadron steamed to Key West . There Schley met with Rear Admiral Sampson , who had just returned from the bombardment of San Juan , Puerto Rico . They discussed the possible locations of the Spanish squadron under Admiral Cervera , and Schley was sent to the harbor of Cienfuegos , Cuba to look for Cervera . Schley arrived off Cienfuegos on 22 May and took several days to establish that Cervera 's ships were not in the harbor . The squadron then proceeded to Santiago de Cuba , the only other port on the southern coast of Cuba large enough for the Spanish ships , arriving after several delays on 29 May . On arrival , the Spanish cruiser Cristóbal Colón was visible from outside the harbor entrance , confirming that the Spanish fleet was in the harbor . Schley blockaded the harbor and informed Sampson , who arrived with his own squadron on 1 June and assumed overall command . 
