Evening star., 1901-10-28
CROSS EXAM | N { D
Continued from First Page.)

in the squadron we made against the cur
rent about much speed as the squadron
as a unit could.
Q. What was your speed between
Charleston and Key West? A. do not re-
call that. 1 think we prescribed speed OF
about twelve knots. After left Charles
ton some of the ships, think the Massa-
chusetts, complained about too much speed,
but the conditions there were different. We
did not have a two or two and a half knot
current. I could make speed of ten or
twelve knots according to the revolutions
of the engine, but the current might re-
duce that speed to eight or nine knots.
Q. am referring to the speed set at Key
West-it was twelve knots, was 1t not? A.
Yes. But do not think we made anything
like that.
Q. What was the speed set for between
Key West and Cienfuegos? A. could not
recollect that unless I saw the log book.
I could not recall 1t.
The Judge advocate referred to the log
book of the Massachusetts in regard to the
speed that that vessel was making. A
signal from the Massachusetts, in relation
to the steaming powers Of the vessel with
the boilers then on was read. and the wit
ness said the signal probably referred to
the use of coal. The signal showed that
they were making ten knots.
@. (By the judge advocate): There was
difference of two knots between Charleston
and Key West and between Key West and
Cienfuegos. A. Apparently, yes.
Q. Your orders to proceed to C1enfuegos
instructed you to proceed with the least
possible delay, did they not? A. do not
recall that any ships that Joined me after
ward did very much better.
O. What speed was the Scorpion capable
of? A. That would depend upon the
weather. She took fire from her electrical
apparatus or from her boilers, do not re-
call which, during that trip.
Q. Capt Chester came on board May ~!
A. The day after we left Key West.
Q. Why did you not take him with the
Cincinnati with your fleet instead of delay
;,,r frnr D ,nti m
your orders were to proceed with the least
possible delay? A. 1t was necessary to as
certain from him what his Information
was. We did not know where he had been
or what his orders were.
A reference to the log of the Scorpion
showed that the fire the witness had spoken
of was caused by the electrical apparatus,
but the fire did not occur during the period
of delay referred to by the judge advocate.
The judge advocate read from the log OF
the Scorpion showing that on the 21st of
May at 2:45 p.m the Brooklyn had slowed
down to four and one-half knots lie
wanted that explained.
The witness said that they slowed down
until midnight because they could not nave
arrived at Cienfuegos before daylight. and
he preferred to steam slowly because going
faster would have answered no purpose.
He assumed that they steamed slowly
until midnight.
The Meeting With the Marb1ehead.
He said that when he sighted the Marble
head in the Yucatan channel he did not
know that vessel was from Cienfuegos until
he communicated with it.
Being asked why he did not communicate
personally with the Marblehead instead of
through the Eagle and Scorpion as was
done, he said that he assumed that the COM
manding officer of the Marblehead, Capt.
McCalla, if he had any important 1nforma-
tion would give it to him, as it was his DUTY
to communicate any fact of Importance to
him.
Asked if it was the duty of the junior off,
Ger to communicate to his senior without
the order of the senior officer, he replied
that it unquestionably was the duty of the
junior to volunteer any information that he
had. He said that Capt Chester when he
met him knew nothing about the situation
at Cienfuegos. His talk with him was
chiefly in regard to coaling as Capt. Ches-
ter had been cruising in West Indian waters
and the witness wanted all the information
in regard to coaling. Capt. Chester had told
him that his own coal supply was so low
that he would have to replenish it in a day
or two. e..-.. .-r..,.
81 told him. said the witness, referring to
his conversation with Capt. Chester, that
l was not authorized to take him with me
and make his vessel part of my squadron.
and If he would be obliged to return almost
Immediately for coal he would do no good
there"
The witness said that Captain Chester
had not informed him in regard to any in
formation that Captain McCalla had given.
referring to the situation at Cienfuegos
He did not think he even mentioned the
name of Captain McCalla in that converSa-
| tion.
Asked if he could indicate the source of
his information in regard to the gunboats
reported at CienfuegoS, the witness sa id
| that he had heard that from some Cuban
| gentlemen with whom he had conversed
| at Key West.
| Conversation With Sampson.
| The witness was questioned at further
| length in regard to his conversation with
! Admiral Sampson at Key West before the
! flying squadron left for Cienfuegos and in
| which conversation he was given instruc-
| tons in relation to his duties. He said that
| the orders given him to proceed were as
| he had detailed in his examination in chief.
| He said they talked of a great many sub
| jects. Admiral Sampson showed him orders
| about the two commands on the north and
| south sides of Cuba, and the witness asked
| the admiral which of these two he would
| select. and the admiral said he would take
| the north the Havana squadron. They
! then talked Of the orders of the Secretary
| relating to the Spanish fleet and its where
| abouts, and spoke Of Notifications on the
| coast of Cuba, and Admiral Sampson in
| formed him that there were guns of the
Krupp type in use there. His impression
| from what Admiral Sampson said was that
| the coast was heavily fortified
| He stated" the witness said. that the
| instructions were that the battle ships
| should not be risked by any engagement
| with the shore batteries until the fleet of
| Cervera had been met. l think l re-
| member why that order was given, be-
| cause
| The judge advocate-'I don't think we
| want that. You did not give the order"
| The wftness-'I had something to do with
| that matter"
| Capt Parker-"Lets settle this matter
before we go any further. The witness has
| right to his statement"
| The ildPa adyOCate-"I want TO ask
| whether you did"
| Capt. Parker-'I think he has right to
| give what he knows about the issuing Of
| that order"
| Statement Ruled Out.
| The judge advocate objected and finally
| Admiral Dewey said that they did not care
| to have that anyway.
| The judge advocate again questioned Ad-
| miral Schley in regard to his conversation
with Admiral Sampson on board the flag
| ship New York at Key West. A number Of
| questions were asked to discover the length
| of his interview with Admiral Sampson and
| he said that 1t lasted three-quarters OF an