The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-10-10
QUESTIONS SCHLEY's REPORT
OF CIENFUEGOS BLOCKADE.

Mr.. Rayner began his examination of
Lieutenant Bristol with questions concern
ing the accuracy of the stadimeter for the
measurement OF distances at sea He asked
if he would rather trust his own visual
observation for n 49D-yard range than the
instrument. The witness stated that tho
stadlmeter was more accurate for dis
tances below 400 yards Than above that
distance. At that distance he would make
several observations for confirmation Of
visual observation. THE error" he said.
became greater the greater the dis
tance."
Lieutenant Bristol was also questioned by
Mr.. Rayner concerning the distance out Of
the blockading ships at C!cnfuesos, but he
declined to change his estimate of yester-
day that 1t was from eight to ten miles dis
tance from the harbor.
Mr. Rayner gaid: Il will read you Com
modore Schleys report to the blockade
OFF Cienfuegos. He says: A line of blockade
was established about four miles of shore
and at night an inshore line was main
tained consisting variously of the Scorpion,
Dupont and Castine. the la.st-naIned vessel
arriving on the I'D. conveying the Merri-
mac II you are right, the Commodore has
stated what has not occurred when he
says: a line Of blockade was established
about four miles off shore a Cienfucgos.'
That Is not a carrect statement of tho
Commodore's. f. IT,
The statements l make are what l
thought and what l believe to be right L
do not question other peoples words
Now. refresh your recollection with an
official report. The statements you have
made are that during the daytime the
fnttv
SIX to ten miles and during the night from
eight TO ten miles Without questioning
either Commodore Schley or yourself, when
| read his official report do you still stand
on your statement OF six to ten miles,
IT have to stand by M statement.
Mr. Rayner also interrogated Lieutenant
Bristol concerning his estimate, made soon
after the arrival of the fleet of Santiago.
that the Spanish shore batteries amounted
10 but little. He had said yesterday that
tho elevation of these batteries was from
l5o TO 2o feet. Mr. Rayner produced a
chart to show that the MORO battery was
20 feet above the water line and the
Zocapa battery go feet
..Now. then asked Ifr. Rayner. ''are you
| as positive about the distance you gave
here as In other cases in which you have
| given distauces?'
| IT will stand to my statement. / had not
| seen the chart when / prepared my state
| ment-"
| ADMIRAL DEWEY WANTS
FACTS, NOT OPINIONS.
| Nr Rayner asked the witness whether
| there had been any menace to any of the
| American shins on July from the shore
| batteries. Lieutenant Bristol replied that
| there was danger to the Gloucester because
that vessel was unarIned. He said that he
did not consider the New York in danger
| Mr. Rayner then read from n report by
Secretary Long, SAYING that on that day the
| New York had sustained the undivided fire
Of the shore batteries. do you still say
in view OK that statement that the shore
batteries did not amount to anything
You asked my opinion" the witness re-
piled. and / have given 1t TO you"
Admiral Dewey: I'VE don't want opin-
IONS
made measurements from his chart to show
Spanish ships during the fight of Santiago
The reply was:
THE distance of the Oquendo from the
Brooklyn. taken from the chart just before
the turn. is 1900 yards. the Maria Teresa j.
lo0 yards. Taken from the chart. when the
Maria Teresa and Oouendo we're about I,
run ashore, which Is practically the neares
point, the Oquendo was $50 yards from tn'
Brooklyn and the Maria Teresa 3.W
yards"
Quoting Lieutenant Commander Hodgson
statement that the shortest range of tn
Brookyrs guns in the battle was l,p
yards, and her greatest 2.5o9 yards and re
ferr!ng to the fact that number Of IN IN
Spanish ships. Mr.. Rayner asked numbe
OF questions for the purpose OF showinl
that II the distance was as great as IN
] chart ehSNs and the guns were set for tn