It was a great personal misfortune that he happened to be absent from the front of Santiago when the Spanish fleet made its venture, but it must not be forgotten that, in anticipation of such action, he had planned the battle that was fought by the American ships.
[Illustration: VIEW OF CHARLESTON HARBOR, SHOWING THE SUNKEN VESSELS.] Winfield Scott Schley was born in Frederick, Md., October 9, 1839, and was graduated from the Naval Academy at the beginning of the Civil War.
After brief service on the storeship _Potomac_ he was promoted to master in 1861, and served on the _Winona_, of the West Gulf blockading squadron, 1862-63.

He there gained a taste of real war and performed a number of exploits which proved his coolness and daring.

He received honorable mention for his services in the engagements which led to the capture of Port Hudson.

He was commissioned lieutenant in July, 1862, and was executive officer of the _Wateree_ from 1864 to 1865, having been made lieutenant commander in July, 1866, after which he spent three years again at the Naval Academy, serving as instructor of modern languages.
Admiral Schley has done brilliant service outside of what is generally considered the routine duty of his profession.

When he was in Eastern waters in 1864 he landed 100 men, who protected the American consulate when threatened during a native insurrection among the natives of the Chin-Chi Islands.