Step 2 of 14 · Wednesday 17 October 1962

Longer-range sites found

New U-2 photos show sites near Guanajay built for R-14 (SS-5) intermediate-range missiles. Their reach of about 4,000 km would cover most of the continental United States.

• IRBM sites are under construction; the missiles themselves are still at sea.
• US forces start moving toward Florida and the south-east.

On the map

Ship positions are approximate and show the situation of the day, not exact tracks.

All days

1. 16 OctKennedy sees the U-2 photos
2. 17 OctLonger-range sites found
3. 18 OctGromyko meets Kennedy
4. 19 OctThe Joint Chiefs push for an air strike
5. 20 OctKennedy picks the blockade
6. 21 OctThe quarantine force sails
7. 22 OctKennedy tells the world
8. 23 OctThe quarantine is signed
9. 24 OctEyeball to eyeball
10. 25 OctThe first ship is let through
11. 26 OctThe Marucla is boarded
12. 27 OctBlack Saturday
13. 28 OctKhrushchev backs down
14. 20 NovThe quarantine ends