Sampson, William Thomas (1840-1902), an American naval officer, became involved in a dispute over the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War in 1898. In April, he commanded the North Atlantic Squadron, which tried to stop the Spanish fleet from entering Santiago de Cuba, a Cuban port. But the Spaniards slipped into Santiago, and Sampson blockaded the port. On July 3, the Spanish fleet, under Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete, left the safety of the port and was destroyed in battle.
Sampson and his flagship had left the squadron to meet with army commanders when the Battle of Santiago began. He quickly returned to his ships. But because Commodore Winfield Schley gave the first orders and played a leading role in the battle, newspapers credited him with the victory. A public quarrel occurred over which officer was responsible for the victory. A naval court of inquiry criticized Schley, but neither Congress nor the public rewarded Sampson’s performance.
Sampson was born on Feb. 9, 1840, in Palmyra, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1861 at the head of his class. He died on May 6, 1902.
