Both from a political and a military point of view the blockade of Cuba was the first step for the American government to take, and the surest and quickest means of bringing things to an issue. Cuba was the point in dispute between the United States and Spain, and a blockade would result in one of two things--the surrender of the island or the despatch of a Spanish naval force to its relief. The Navy Department had very little apprehension of an attack on our coast, as no squadron could hope to be in condition after crossing the Atlantic for offensive operations without coaling, and the only places where Spain could coal were in the West Indies. The public, however, took a different view of the situation, and no little alarm was felt in the Eastern cities. A few coast-defence guns of modern pattern would have relieved the department of the necessity of protecting the coast, and enabled it to concentrate the whole fighting force around Cuba. To meet popular demands, however, a Northern Patrol Squadron was organized April 20th, under command of Commodore Howell, to cover the New England coast; and a more formidable Flying Squadron, under Commodore Schley, was assembled at Hampton Roads, and kept there until the appearance of the Spanish fleet in the West Indies. The main squadron was stationed at Key West under Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson, who had just been promoted to that grade, and given command of the entire naval force in North Atlantic waters. His appointment over the heads of Schley and other officers of superior rank and longer service created a great deal of criticism, although he was everywhere conceded to be one of the most efficient and progressive officers of the new navy.[274] One hundred and twenty-eight ships [steam merchantmen, revenue-cutters, light-house tenders, yachts, and ocean liners] were added to the navy, and the government yards were kept busy transforming them. To man these ships the number of enlisted men was raised from 12,500 to 24,123, and a number of new officers appointed.[275] The heavy fighting force consisted of four first-class battle-ships, the _Indiana_, _Iowa_, _Massachusetts_, and _Oregon_; one second-class battle-ship, the _Texas_; and two armored cruisers, the _Brooklyn_ and the _New York_. As against these seven armored ships Spain had five armored cruisers of modern construction and of greater reputed speed than any of ours except the _Brooklyn_ and the _New York_, and one battle-ship of the _Indiana_ type. Spain had further a type of vessel unknown to our navy and greatly feared by us--namely, torpedo-boat destroyers, such as the _Furor_, _Pluton_, and _Terror_. It was popularly supposed that the Spanish navy was somewhat superior to the American.