The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-20
HODCSON'S
STATEMENT.
HeiIner Tells What He Heard
In the Brooklyn's Cabin.
SCHLEY ORDERED TO PORT"
Asked the Commodore II He Didn't Mean 10
Give Order 10 StaThoard.
THE ANSWER WAS AN EMPHATIC ONE.
SuhisJ Alleged 70 havo Said Damn the Texas, ist
Her Look Out for Herself LATEST Phase.
Of Controversy.
Asked the Commodore II He Didn't Mean 10
Give Order 10 Starhoard.
THE ANSWER WAS AN EMPHATIC ONE.

Washington, June 2o.-Following the
statement of Lieut.. Commander Hodg-
son respecting the events that occurred
on the bridge of the Brooklyn, July 8,
the Navy Department today made pub
lie the following report by Capt. Chad
wick of his examination of Lieut.. Com
mander Heilner:
u. S. S. New York,
Boston, June IL, 9,1S99
Sir:--In obedience to the orders of the
secretary OF the navy, have the honor
TO make the following report of an ex-
animation OF Lieut.. Commander He'll
ner with respect to a conversation that
occurred with Rear Admiral Schley and
Lieut.. Commander Hodgson, reporting
the act OF July 3, 1898.
Lieut.. Heilner states as follows:
AT one OF the early sessions of the
board on ships positions during the act
ION OF July 3rd, / strongly expressed
my doubts as TO the Brooklyn's posi-
ton before making the loop as laid
down by Mr. Hodgson; several other
navigators. Mr.. Comfy and Mr.. Schuetz
/ know sided with me. Mr.. Hodgson
on this paiSicular occasion walked up
and down the port side of the cabin
or the Brooklyn IN which the board was
sitting. 1t is my opinion that Mr.. Hodg-
son claimed that the Brooklyn was 100
yards from the leading Spanish ship
when the turn was made. The board,
think, put IL later at 400 yards.
Mr.. Hodgson told me that he felt
certain they were closer than 400 yards
and that their stadimeter gave 500
yards. He said: We were so close
that Schley gave the order hard a.
port,~ said TO him: You mean star
board do you not?" The commodore
said: mo, l mean port: we are close
enough TO them now" Mr.. Hodgson
then said he called attention to the
position of the Texas and told the COM
modore he thought there was danger of
running her down. The commodore re-
piled: Damn the Texas: let her look
out for herself This conversation was
repeated To me on several occasions
Everything / say now was contain
ed in Mr.. Hodgson's statement. The
words may have been little dierent.
He may have said don't you mean
starboard, commodore instead of the
first phraseology; heI certainly said 'wo
are near enough TO them now,' and also
damn the Texas; let her look out for
herself. -
He repeated this conversation to me
at least three times during the sessions
or the board, because every time a dis
cussion arose l recurred to the position
given by him. which did not think cor
rect. L placed no dependence on any OBJ
servetion by stadimeter or sextant dur
ing gun fire. My experience was that
during the action, / could not get n
single observation by the stadimeter on
which ] could place any confidence,
though / was using two stadimeters.
and had man in the coming tower
with cleaning material, whose duty was
TO try to keep the glasses clean. With
the utmost care. this could not be done.
4rfn ta a
coat, but II was OF no use. ] mention
this as a reason for the doubts which
brought up the discussion.
The report as published was practi-
cally the conversation as repeated to
me-"
Lieut. Com. Heilner appends his sig
nature as an attestation OF the correct
ness OF the foregoing as herewith given.
(SignedD Very respectfully
II. Il. CHADWICK. Captain. u &. n.
l.. c. HEILNER. Lieut.. Com. II. s. ~.
To the chief.