The San Francisco call., 1901-10-31


during the battle given the signal to follow the
flag, Admiral Schley replied:
Il think have kept my mouth pretty close
on all these subjects and do not recall speaking
of this incident. distinctly recolect giving the
signal and that it was flying for two minutes -.
D1d the Brooklyn stand in and attempt to
sink the Spanish fleet in the channel?''
1 started in at first to help the other vessels
and to have them help me. 1 felt if we could
stop the Spaniards the battleships could go in
would get away
Continuing he said in reply to questions he
within mile to mile and i:au baIf of the the
mouth of the harbor and within range of
twelve TO fourteen minutes the flagship had
been within range of less than 2OG0 yards
from the Spanish ships. They looked very
when the Spanish ships succeeded in get
ting out of the harbor without being sunk, in
accordance with orders. what alternative was
there but to chase them?
There was no alternative-no other course
was open, but much depended upon the char
octer of the chase. Whether it made in
me proper way and was effective was one
blockade would have been another thing.
The admiral said in reply to questions, that
while several of the vessels had failed to join
IN the chase, leaving the work after the sink
ing of the Teresa and the Oquendo to the
Brooklyn and the Oregon, this because
they could not follow at the pace set by the
Spaniards. At this point Captain Lemly intro
duced the following paragraph from Admiral
Schley's report dated Guantanamo. July 13,
''since reaching this place and holding con-
versation with several of the captains viz:
Captain Eulate of the yiscaya. and the second
in command of the Colon Commander Contre-
ras have ave Learned ga that the Spanish ami admiEsIs
on the Brooklyn and the Viscaya to ram her
in hopes that if they could destroy her the
chances of escape would be greater. as it was
supposed she was the swftest ship of the
squadron. This explains the heavy fire men
toned and the Vscayas action in the earlier
movements of the action. This purpose was
promptly defeated by the fact that all the
and opened an irresistibly furious O and terrific
fire upon the eneray's squadron as it
ing out of the harbor. "
Admiral Schley identified this paragraph as
a part of his report.
Famous Loop Once More.
The witness said that before the helm of
the Brooklyn swung hard aport in order
to make the loop. the helm put alternate
the movements of # the enemy enemy S ships
1T was difficult" he said, Ito say at this
time whether they meant to go between tile
Texas and the Brooklyn or the other way
You stated in your examination Athat in
making the turn you did not see the Etarboard
II did say so absolutely
Admiral Schey, in response to a question,
sal ! he never heard of the Texas incident until
two months after the battle. He had been
under the impression until later that the star
board engine of the Brooklyn was backed TO
facilitate the turn. He recollected distinctly
that he warned Captain Cook the enemy
Tfe was closely Questioned as to the % order rider
which went below Ito. stand by to ram
In answer to a question he said he supposed
the captain had given the order. He was not
certain. His attention was called to a letter
iantic la Station. in which the admiral Was oot
ed as saying that the turn was made to avoid
the last attempt of the Vscaya to ram, but
as the letter could not be produced at the
tention was next directed to his letter to the
Senate, in which he. said the turn was made
to avoid blanketing the fire of his own ships
and also to. his statement in examination In
chief that he had not turned to port because to
gerous proximity to the enemy's vessels and
exposed her to possible torpedo attack or ram
ming. :.
Now" said Captain Lemly there appear
to be three reasons why you made the turn.
..As / already stated in my direct testimony.
there is another very much more important
reason which you have not asked and that was
the ship might continue in the action and beat
the enemy as we did. That was the controlling
Have YOU stated that?'' asked Captain
Lemly.
The witness replied:
II never stated that because I thought it
was evident. 1 stated it for three or four
sons we could perhaps conjure up about it,
have them in mind. 1 have stated in relation
to the Senate document that the matter was
prepared very hurriedly. and here stated the
general purposes the movement was intended to
sons in mind at the timer
Probably all of them and others
The Judge advocate then took up Admiral
Schley's report of the battle made to the de-
partment. dated Guantanamo Bay, July 6. 1898.
ments made therein, attention being called to
the statement that after the Viscaya struck
her colors the signal was made to cease firing
and the following sentence: THE Oregon hay-
ing proved vastly faster than the other battle
ships she and the Brooklyn, together with the
Texas and another vessel, which proved to be
your flagship, continued westward in pursuit
of the Colon which had run close inshore evil
IDENTIFY seeking some good spot to beach if she
should fail to elude her pursuers'
Yes replied Admiral Schley ,"and 1 can
explain the whole thing If you will admit
preliminary report that was returned"
IT have no objection to your preliminary re-
not sent
ut was sent and returned
Captain Lemly-I think I have a right to
continue now and not have them insert other
evidence at this time.
Mr.. Raynor-I differ with you on that 1
think when witness is asked question
Admiral Dewey-The court has ruled it out
because II was not sent. A good many uues-
tions have been asked. You might ask some
more.
Mr.. Raynor-It is not quite three days and
Captain Lemly-I do not want to answer that.
Mr.. Raynor-I want to read this report
Papers Are Ruled Out.
it had better be drawn out in some other way
We have ruled out all papers not sent
Mr.. Raynor-This was sent. This Is not the
report that was sent to the telegraph office
Captain Lenly and Mr. Raynor continued the
discussion for some time. The judge advocate
charged that Mr.. Raynors purpose was to in
terfere with the cross-examination. Admiral
Dewey finally put end to the discussion by
saying that if there was no objection to bring
ing in the report at another time it could be