The Worcester spy., 1898-10-12

battle fought over and over again, as
on chess board by the members,
showing the positions Of all the ships
on both sides in the entire engageme ent,
the main discussion, as far as could be
learned in the navy yard was in re-
gard to the Brooklyn and the New
York. According to the testimony, the
brooklyn was lying further out to sea
than any of the American ships. She
headed in st once and, when about 2O00
yards from the Maria Teresa, which
was leading the Spanish fleet out, abe
turned to the eastward, then doubled
southwark to sea for a short distance
Schley then followed a parallel course
with the Spaniards, keeping up run
ming fight; He was we'll outside the
course of the other American vessels
and in the lead He kept this position.
an average distance of about two miles
from the Colon, until that ship surren-
dered
The issues of the battle. the board
learned, was not affected by any sig-
nails that Schley made from his flag
snip. The Oregon dashed out from
the very beginning of the engagement,
until the fight ended.
The New York. the board finds. did
nothing to affect the issue of the bait
tie. When the Colon's flag came down.
the New York was nearly 10 miles to
the eastward
Sampson, on the New York. was near
Siboney, where he heard the firing and
turned about and came back as fast as
forced draught could bring him. Tha
New York was further in shore than
any of the other vessels, but too far
away to assist any in the destruction
of the Spanish fleet
All she did was to fire two shots at
long range at a torpedo boat DESTROYER.
She did not reach the Colon until three
quarters of an hour after the Oregon
and Brooklyn, and Is minutes after
the Texas reached there. The Texas
signalled the Vixen and the Vixen the
New York. but the New York did not
answer.
At the time of the hottest fighting
(between 10 and 10.1 a. m.), the Brook
lyn was in line with the Oregon, but
three quarters of a mile further out to
sea. The Oregon at that time was
pouring fire in the Maria Teresa The
Oouendo was about 5000 yards distant,
with the Texas and Iowa q half-mile
to the rear of her.
The elaborate chart prepared by the
board shows the positions of the ships
at the times mentioned here.
$50 a. m, when Cervera came out,
$50, when the torpedo boat destroyers
appeared; lO.15 a. m.t when the Maria
Teresa turned to run ashore; 1920 a.
m, when the Quendo turned to run
ashore; 1890 a. m. when the Furor blew
upI 11.05 a, m, when the Vizcaya
turned to run ashore; 1.15 p. M. when
the Colon surrendered.
The navigators Of the ships were Sc
lected for the board because they bet
ter than amy others knew the positions
of the ships in the fight. The naviga-
tor is the actual sailing master. He is
on the bridge nearly all the time of a
battle, and 1t is his business to know
just what the ship Is doing and to keep
an accurate record Of her movements.
The board was made up as followsi
Lieut.. Commander Richard Wainwright
of the Gloucester, presiding officer;
Lieut.. Samuel p. Comley Of the In
diana, Lieut.. Lewis C. Heilner Of the
Texas. Lieut.. William H. SchuetzA OF
the Iowa, Lieut.. Albon c. Hodgson Of
the Brooklyn, Lieut. William A Allen
of the Oregon and Lieut.. Edward p.
Capehart Of the New York.