The Washington times., 1901-10-10


Commodore Schley said there. in my
hearing and presence. Gentlemen, we are
conspicuous objects here, in white; !
think we had better get out of this.
Q-What was then said?
A-Commodore Schley left and took his
place on the side of the coming tower.
Q-h what stage of the engagement
WAS that?
A-When we were standing in about
six miles off the mouth OF the harbor.
Q-Had you already passed the harbor
At was while we were standing in.
besore we had turned to the eastward.
Odd you hear any further conversa-
tion?
InodoFe Schley was leaving the MaSsa-
chusetts, in which he stated that he was
satisfied with the reconnaissance we had
made.
Q,-Can you state what ranges were
given for firing on the batteries from the
Massachusetts that day.
AZ A-Ges, ] determined the ranges my
self The first range was 1890 yards.
CAT what distance was the Massa-
chJRetts directed to engage the batteries?
A-At 1000 yards A signal to that
effect was made shortly after Commo-
dore Sckiey came on board the Massa-
chusetts.
(Which vessel led?
A-The Massac chusetts.
DIN what position were the other
two vessels-the Iowa and the New Or
leans?
a.
SchIey gave the order for a range of 5000
yards / saw that shot fired and noticed
that il fell 500 yards short. The next
range was $500 yards At the end of that
run we started back, and we got to
the opening fire was again opened at a
range of l0001 yards The shot from the
batteries struck me as being small, with
the exception Of one. One shot struck
near the port turret of the Massachusetts,
oYer our head. Shortly after that Com
modoTe Schley gave the order: Put your
helm astarboard ana get out of this!'
QSHow many times did you pass the
mouth of the port back and forth?
A.-Once each way-from west to east
and from east to west.
Q.-Do you know Of any injury being
done on the Massachusetts by the firing
of that day2
A-None at all
Mr.. Potts told of the coaling of the
Massachusetts at sea. She received her
coal from May 10. when she left Key
West. to July 3 from collier. Then Cap
tain Lemly asked question that aroused
great interest
Schley Greatly Excited.
Il ask you what was the bearing and
manner of Commodore sehley during the
engagement with the Colon on May S1?''
he said.
Mr Potts answered slowly and deliber-
ately: His bearing and manner were
those of a man who was suffering under
had disagreeable duty to perform and
was performing il reluctantly and tried
to get through with it as soon as he
could"
That's all. sir" said Captain Lemly
Mr. Rayners ss-rNamination began
with Mr.. Potts last answer. he read to
the witness the testimony of the com
mander of The Massachusetts, Admiral
Higginson, that Schleys bearing and
manner were those OF a COmmandsr-in-
chief You differ, then, from Captain
Higginson. that Commodore Schloy
manner Was that of a commandment
cbief?' suggested Mr.. Rayner.
Yes; have given my impression said
MIR. Potts.
Didn't Captain Higginson have as good
an opportunity 30 see him as you did,
No; not as wei as ! did, because Cap
tain HiggiusOR was inside the coming
tower and l was outside"
What do you mean by saving that
Commodore Schley showed signs Of men
tai anXiety2
The first that / observed was his ap-
parent anxiety TO get into the coming
tower: then his remark while standing on
the turret that We were consG icuOus OBJ
5ects- My observation Of Commodore
SchleY previous TO that occasion had been
so different that I was impressed with
the change in his manner.
Have you ever been under any mental
strain in time OF battle?"
I've been scared said the witness
and the audience Eiggled.
Have you any other facts to show that
Commodore ScEley was suffering under
Yes. When he came abroad the
Massachusetts Commodore Schiey said
he was going In to destroy the Colon.
The Colon was not destroyed. When
the engagement was finished he said II
was a reconnaissance
Mr. Rayner asked the witness If the
fact that orders had been issued by the
Navy Department that SHIPS must not be
exposed 10 shore batteries were known
10 him. he would still maintain that Com
pressing the bonbardment but Captain
Lemly objected to bringing in reference
10 this order unless Commodore Srtiey
could be corrected with it After some
argument Captain Lemly said he had no
objection 70 the presentation of this or
der in evidence if it were accompanied
10y the orders modifying it. Mr.. Rayner
protested that Commodore Schley did not
know Of these additional orders
The Court retired. and upon returning
admiral Dewey announced that the first
order would be admitted
Concerning the Cienfuegos blockade Mr.
Potts said that Schley's ships were much
farther out a night than in the dag. They
were about four miles of shore in the
day. i should say. he said that we
moved out four or five miles during the
night
'.Beyond the distance maintained during
Yes: beyond the distance during the
day. making eight or nine miles of shore
al night.
Rough for small Vessels.
OF the progress Of the Flying Squadron
from Cienfuegos Mr.. Potts said that on
the 18th Of Nay there was dirty weather
squally and rainy, with short and lumpy
sea. It was rough for small vessels. Con-
cerning the night blockade at Santiago
the witness confirmed the statements Of
Lieutenant Bristol that the bloekading
ships in patroliing, did go west of Ca
banas-nnre than mile west-and that
they went about the same distance east
OF Aguadores He said he was quite GER
tain Of this, despite the statement Of Cap
tain Folger that Cabanas and AqUadores
were the limits Of the blockade.
Coming back 10 the firing on the Colon.
the witness was asked who else was with
Commodore SchIey when he made the re-
mark that they were conspicuous objects
Mr.. Potts answered that Commander
schroeder. the executive officer OF the
Massachusetts, and Lieutenants Sears and
" els, Of Commodore Schley's staff We're
there He did not see Commodore Schley
go into the coming tower, he said In the
opinion of the witness the batteries at
Santiago were so weak that they were
no menace TO armored ships and such yes
sels could have safely passed within range
of the batteries.
The Court then asked some questions.
With their answers they follow:
Q.-Did you determine the positions OF
the Massachusetts on the mornings Of the
18th, 9Th, 5Gth. and 3lst of May, or either
OF them?
Al did.
Q.-What was the direction Of the pre-
Yailing wind Oh the south OF Cuba during
the month OF May?
A.-EasteTly.
Lieut.. Edward p. Leiper, who served on
the New Orleans in the Spanish war.
told OF the blockade of Santiago and the
firing at the Colon. When the Massachus-