Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-10-13
The Investigation Board Says He Gave Some Orders, but They
 We're Unnecessary.
DUE CREDIT GIVEN
 THREE BATTLESHIPs.
The Oregon, Texas and Iowa Were tho Vessels That Destroyed the Fleet. Wainwright Not Mentioned
 In the Report

New York, Oct. l3-Although the American fleet in the battle off Santiago on July 3 obeyed the general ordere of Rear Admiral Sampson, given in ad- vance to meet just such an emergency, it*w was essentially ecaptain's fight T This is the substance of tho report of tho naval board which has been investigat- ing disputed points in the battle. Rear Admiral Sampson was not present.. and the two orders signal1ed by Schley, "close in" and engage the enemy" did no good and were unnecessary, for the ships had already closed in and were engaging the enemy when the orders were run up. The full text of the re. port must, come from Washington, but many interesting points were obtained from the nayyyard after the board, which had been in session on the Brook. lyn, finally adjourned.
 The board finds in Q more general way that each ship in tho fleet knew exactly what to do ehould Gzera como out and did 1t when he came out. Each captain fought his ship on plans pre- pared and orders given by Sampson Even had Schley directed the movement of the fleet in the battle, which 1t was unnecessary, they would have been ex- ecuted because of the preparation made by Sampson and within his general or ders.
 The findings of the board is summa- rized ss follows;
 l. The battle was fought and won upon plans prepared by Rear Admiral Sampson
 2. The direction of tho movement of ships done by Schley during the battle was inconsiderable
 a The New York had no active part in the fight
 1. The Brooklyn was pot engaged at so close quarters as has been reported by the first report. On an average she was two miles away from the enemy
 8. The brunt of the lighting was borne by the Oregon, Texas and Iowa
 6. The New York was about nine miles from the Colon when that ship surrendered, qnd between four and five miles from the nearest sister ships en. gagged (from which signal distance is talsen.)
 ?. Tho average range of the ships most engaged was about mile and half
 s. No American ship at any tjme dur ing the battle was within Q mile of an unsurrendered ship.
 The New York the board finds, did nothing to affect tho issue of the battle. When the Colon's flag came down the New York was nearly 10 miles to the eastward Sampson was near Siboney, where he heard the firing and turned about and came back as fast as forced dranght could bring him. The New York was further in shore than any of tho 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 torpedo boat destroyer She did not reach the Colon until three QudIlcIb Oi ftil ilHul tpltC4 tbO OAN6Oh and Brooklyn and l5 minutes after the Texas reached there.
 At the time of the hottest fighting (between 10 and 10: 15 O. m.) the Brooklyn was in line with the Oregon. but three-quarters of mile farther out to sea. The Oregon at that time was pouring fire into the Marin Teresa The Oquendo was about 5000 yards distant, with the Texas and Town half mile to the rear of her.
 According to the testimony the Brook lyn was lying farther out to sea than any of the American ships. She headed in at once and when about 2000 yards from the Maria Teresa, which was lead ing the Spanish fleet out, she turned to the eastward, then doubled southward to sea for a short distance Schley thep followed parallel course with the Spau- iards, keeping up running 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 surrendered. The issues of the battle, the board laarra xvara not affected bv any sipnals