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Fighting in Cuban Waters
Fighting in Cuban Waters

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Fighting in Cuban Waters
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.
The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.
Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.
For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.
One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Fighting in Cuban Waters

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.
Line 2
The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.
Line 3
Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.
Line 4
For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.
Line 5
One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.”

All words in this reading · 84

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

Admiral

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

BAY

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

Brooklyn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

Castine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

Cervera

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

chapter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

CIENFUEGOS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

coast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

collier

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

Cuba

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

Cuban

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

days

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

de

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

Department

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

direct

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

eastern

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

eastward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

extremities

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

Flying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

followed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

hours

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

Iowa

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

Key

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

later

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

lying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

Massachusetts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

mentioned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

Merrimac

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

midway

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

miles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

movements

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

Navy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

previous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

report

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One report had it that Admiral Cervera was at Cienfuegos, another that he was at Santiago de Cuba, many miles to the eastward.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

SANTIAGO

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

satisfied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

Scorpion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

set

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

several

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

size

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

small

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

somewhere

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

south

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

Spanish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

Squadron

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

Texas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

together

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

town

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.

trying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

twenty-four

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

watch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

watching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

waters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For several days the Navy Department had been watching, or trying to watch, the movements of the Spanish squadron, satisfied at last that it was somewhere in Cuban waters.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The _Brooklyn_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Scorpion_ left together, and were followed, twenty-four hours later, by the _Iowa_, mentioned in the previous chapter, and by the _Castine_ and the collier _Merrimac_.

West

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY From Key West the Flying Squadron set sail direct for Cienfuegos.

western

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cienfuegos is a town of good size lying on a small bay on the south coast of Cuba, about midway between the eastern and western extremities.