The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1901-10-17


pecial look at the Viscaya with that in
mind, and my Judgment confirmed the
stadimeter. I said to the commodore:
4 think we are about our tactical di-
ameter from that ship now and he
said, I think so, too, or we are Then
the order was, hard aport.' I ann not
positive who gave that order, think
the commodore said, hard aport,' and
Captain Cook said, it is aport.' The
helm was kept aport and the ship
swung rapidly on her turning circle.
/. When the order was given, hard
aport,' looked at the next vessel in
our fleet-the Texas-and in my judg-
and as we turned we passed we'll clear
of her. After the turn WAS corr nj q" nf
we found ourselves abreast or perhaps
Spanish ship, with slowly converg-
The smoke at this time was very
plain sight and occasionally we could
afterward the smoke lifted to the rear
and I saw the Oregon coming toward
us and also cot .mc-nentary glimpse
Of the remainder Of our fleet and the
whole Spanish feet. I saw the tor
pedo boats and sent one Of the CON-
modore's orderlies to the after guns
to notify them that they might look
out. At that time saw the Vixen on
our port side, which gave me feeling
of satisfaction that she would also
protect us from torpedo attack. The
course of the battle was continued on
these lines with varying distances. It
is my impression we held very
straight course. The navigator was
trying to maintain this course to keep
our guns to bear to the best range.
After about 10 to 20 minutes we were
very hotly engaged with these three
vessels. The Oregon was astern Of us
and the Texas astern of her. The Wis
caya began to blaze up, flames would
rise and subside and she turned in to.
ward shore. Shortly, previous to this,
she had made what appeared to us, a
change in her helm, SO as to bring her
out toward the Brooklyn. '-
Attempt to Ram the Brooklyn.
1T was taken by us to mean an at.
tempt to ram us. The Brooklyn's helm
was handled to give the ship sheer
toward her. This she did, think,
twice. When we were engaged on the
beam of the Viscaya, the Colon had
passed inside of the Viscaya, firing,
but gradually drawing away. We
were increasing our speed as rapidly
as the fires could be forced and after
the Viscaya had gone in, we continued
the chase after the Colon.
after we began to gain on the Co
Ion the commodore directed the Ore
gon to try her guns at her. Then the
Oregon and Brooklyn fired deliberate
ly at the Colon. After our fire she be.
gan to waver in toward the shore. She
fired occasionally at us, rather rapidly
at first, and then it became weaker.
She was close into shore at that time
and at lis hauled down her flag"
When Mr.. Sears had concluded his
description of the battle Mr.. Rayner
asked him II Commodore Schley had
given him dispatch to be sent to the
navy department, making report Of
the battle. Witness replied in the af.
firmative. Admiral Dewey then asked
II this dispatch had been sent and was
informed by Mr.. Rayner that it had
not been forwarded to the department
although 1t had been taken to the ca.
BILE. Office. The court decided that as
the dispatch had not reached the de.
partment it could not appear.
In reply to question Commander
Sears said he had been with Commo.
dore Schley in Ave engagements all
told. He was then asked as to the
bearing Of that oficer under fire and
replied: Ss.4
His bearing to me was q model for
anybody. worthy Of emulation at all
times. Under fire his faculties, II It
was possible, seemed to be clearer and
more in his possession than at any
other time. Y s3! s33s
Judge Advocate Lemly conducted
the cross-examination OF the witness
but no new points were brought out. Il
CAPTAIN Cook Recalled.