Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-16

general feeling that the ships of the
enemy might have gotten out of the
harbor at Santiago and gone to the
westward. In that event 1t was felt
that the Yucatan channel route would
be the better. The impression that
Cervera had left Santiago. he said, had
been created by information received
from the Adula. but he could not now
recall just what that information was.
The witness sand that the feet under
Commodore Schley never had been
withdrawn from Santiago to distance
out at sea at night. AS rule, the
ships were further inside at night than
during the day. The ships never had
gone farther off than six miles. On
one occasion. the GOLFERS hao been sent
25 miles away.
The court asked a number of ques
tons of the witness which with the an
swers were as follows:
Were you present when Captain
Cotton delivered dispatches to Commo-
dore Schley, off Cienfuegos?"
81 met the captain at the gangway,
but whether he gave the dispatches to
the commodore then | cannot say"
III you heard those dispatches read,
or read them yourself, please state their
purpose"
THE dispatch he brough think con-
tanned the most positive information
we had had that the enemy were in
Santiago. | remember that dispatch
as being the first information Of any
positiveness that we had had since
leaving Cienfuegos. | could identify
the dispatch If saw it,
did you hear any conversation that
may have taken place between Commo-
dore Schley and Captain Cotton? If
so please give it."
II did not
WAS any boat sent from the squad
ron to examine the shore at Cienfuegos
with the view to the ascertaining the
practicability of landing"
Not to my knowledge"
What orders, il any, We're signaled
to the squadron by the Brooklyn from
the time the Spanish squadron appear
ed coming out until the Colon ran
ashore?"
The prescribed signal was that the
Spanish feet was escaping. The next
signal was Clear ship for action the
next signal was Close in There was
signal when the viscaya was hope
lessly out of it for the Oregon to cease
firing. The next signal was to the
Oregon to open fire with 13-inch guns.
There were signals then made between
the Oregon and Brooklyn. When the
Oregon would fire we would notify her
of the fall of her shells. When we
fired the Oregon notified us. Then.
upon the approach of the New York,
when she was observed, signal was
made | think to the Texas, to be re-
peated, notifying the commander-in-
chief that we had won a great VIC
tory
Were these signals answered and
these orders obeyed by the ships of the
squadron"
The orders we're obeyed. do not
know whether the signals were an
swered or not. | could not see. Later
signals. those that dad nothing to do
with the squadron at the end Of the
battle were all answered"
WAS any examination of the coast
east and west of Cienfuegos made with
view to finding place where the
Texas might be protected from the sea
while coaling?'
No"
Ibid you observe smoke in the har-
| Dor of Cienfuegos? If so, describe it. y
Il do not recollect any smoke at
Cienfuegos.
What orders were issued by Com
| modore Schley regarding the blockade
of Cienfuegos?"
II know of no orders"
What signals we're made to the 1y-
| ing squadron by Commodore Schley on
May 31st regarding the movement OF
the ships?'
The range at which we were to fire
was signalled. also the speed. do not
| recollect whether Cease fre,' was made
or not"
did the Teresa turn TO the westward
before the Brooklyn commenced her
| turn to starboard?"
"The Brooklyn was forging ahead.
gaining speed, and as ! stated in my
recollection OF that event. the helm was
eased. The Teresa before she turned to
westward appeared to move herself to
keen her ram toward us. It is my I'M
/ pression that Captain Cook kept our
vessel that way The helm was only
very slightly aport or eased up, and
! sometimes a little starboard. That was
INV observation. l did not hear any Or
ders. They were given out OF my hear
| ing"
"Did you observe the turn OF the
BROOKLYN from the time the helm was
-, ..or+ until aha headed to the