Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-20

WASHINGTON, June 19-The occur
,.rces ON the bridge of the Brooklyn
during the battle Of July Sd having been
Tic subject OF "a controversy in the news
u.rers. the Navy Department recently
undertook an investigation of the various
allegations. Lieutenant Commander
uodeson and Licutenart-Commander
Hoilue~ who have figured in the con-
troversy. were both called on for eXpla-
nations off the uttounces attributed TO
tsem and the former was directed to
-.oorr for examination on this point 10
esy-rt7 Chadwick. 40 Boston. The de-
par,ucrt has Iow given out for publca-
ton Captain Chadwicks report Of the
matter
It ls not yet determined whether or not
tn. answer of Lieutenant-C Commander
Hlu.r viii be made public at this time.
C.run Chadwick's report is as follows:
United states Steamship New York,
Boston. Mass. June Il. 1S99--Sir: In ODE
.,.ce 10 your order OF the 18th in
slant. have to report the following as
OIL. statement by acknowledgements
Hodsson of the conversation between
Ee4r-Admiral schley and himself during
,lc action Of July 3. 1888.
DIDN'T SAY you MEAN STAR
BOARD"
He stated as follows: AS we were
approaching the Spanish ships, i heard
Admiral schley say port or starboard
several times 20 Captain Cook in the con-
ming tower. the Admiral being on the
platform surrounding the coming tower.
i had been on the bridge above, and was
just coming down 20 report the position
u the ships. when l heard the Admiral
says. Hard a-port." The Maria Teresa
uls then hauling abaft our port beam
he Brooklyn was heading about north
asst. / told the Admiral. or. at least,
suggested 10 him, that the Texas was
80 close 10 our starboard hand. and
t..l turning 10 statboard would brinG Us
,1 close 10 her. 1 don't know that l
.sad the word collision" / did not say,
YOU mean starb0ard.' l intended nm
Oh understand there was danger of run
.re into the Texas He said "Au right,
u. words to that effect. l cannot repeat
verbatim. When i knew he was going
g, tuu TO starboard 1 suggested backing
90. s-alboard engine in order TO make a
circle and give the Texas
".. berth, but ne decided against that,
O.. D. .t 4slug the speed of the turn. He
Old a9, -ay. that 1 know Of, I'VE are near
.- --a 10 them che SpaNardD already
la. ly thing ! gathered from what he
t.. vas that IL We turned TO port We
..-.I get SO close that We should expose
-- meant torpedo-boats. and replied TO
I'm that l had not seen them.
DIDN'T MEAN TO DENY COLLOQUY.
Commander Hodgson states
iLat he did not intend TO convey
.a bis note of denial seat at the request
% Admiral Schley and published in the |
Washington Post. the idea that no such !
.oquy took place He states regarding |
t..- as follows:
Admiral Schley wrote me, enclosing |
Oh EDITORIAL from New York paper OF |
jane l-u asking me TO write denial |
%. WL4t he phrased AN Oft-repeated |
cs.umrv" lie said ne mad no recollcc-
loa ., my such conversation. / wrote |
lengthy letter OF explanation. giving |
a. re.oIection of the conversation as
l..rE possible. Admiral Schiey wrote
ue saying: There is much in your let
ID 4 SNOAlN not IKE 10 NHtf oS *
would provoke assault upon you. which
u r not like 10 happen What ! want
9. -,.H u.s. that the dialogue did not Oc-
. then wrote a denial OF the col
4.r certainly not intending to say that
i9 % coloQuy did occur. but that ii did
occur as printed, as. at the same
m. / sent with this another eXplana-
.. letter, explaining 20 Admiral Schley
the letter Of denial was a denial of
c0lloquy BIS IL appeared IN print, and
tt had told The correspondent Of the
..r that the substance of the CONVEX
s...1 was correct. In writing the letter
! shed 70 refute the fact OF any con-
''...rsy existing al a critical stage Of
'L. battle. IL 0hc letter. was denial
-t- words as they stood in the pub
-t.l article. a denial of their literal
r.ctucss and not denial Of the SUBJ
.llul correctness Of The statement
so copy OF THE LETTER.
"A copy of the letter has not been re-
4 -4 by him. lie had rough draft
t.. has been mslaid.
.L.e1t,nant-C Commander Hodgson APP
..s bis signature as q voucher for the
Gacy with which the foregoing is
..u.
Very respectfully,
IL T.. CHADWICK,
Captain United States Navy.
"a. g. Hodgson. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS