Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-10

when the Maria Teresa and Oduendo were
about to run ashore. which is practically
the nearest point, the Oquendo was z'oOV
yards from the Brooklyn and the Maria
Teresa 5000 yards"
Rear Admiral Taylor was then called.
In reply TO a question from the judge
advocate as to whether he had observed
the position OF the Brooklyn at the time
OF the beginning of the battle, he said:
Just before the beginning OF the bat
tie did, and on two occasions thereaf-
ter" 49,. fr-+ at- t-
when the battle had been on about ten
or fifteen minutes my attention was at
tracted to the Brooklyn by my signal of
ficer, Captain Damson He said to me that
the Brooklyn must be injured or words to
that effect, as she was dropping out of
action. observed the Brooklyn heading
apparently about south or off shore The
Texas was apparently lying still in. the
water. did not see whether she was
backing or not The distance between
those two ships was impossible for me
TO see as they were too nearly in line
for me 10 Judge OF the distance between
them. 1 simply observed that there was
bunch of ships ahead Of me, not more than
a few minutes later my attention was
again turned TO the Brooklyn. She had
then proceeded distance not over two
miles and not under mile from the time
l had seen her first and the second time
1 saw her, as near as j could figure out
one and a half miles to seward OF our
column of battle Afterwards she passed
into the thick smoke which was lying IN
patches about took no further notice
OF her. on these two occasions, however,
my recollection is very plain and the dis
lance very near to what I stated
Judge advocate. ibid you see Cervera's
vessels when they came out Of Santiago
harbor?"
'tYes. sir
what direction did they take first af-
ter getting out and how far outside the
month Of the harbor were they when they
changed their direction?"
Their change appeared gradual, porting
their helms as they cleared the mouth or
the harbor and proceeding perhaps with
changes OF course OF one or two points
at time until they were In line parallel
with the shore"
%Did you observe whether there was
any attempt on the part Of any of these
vessels to ram any Of the vessels Of the
American squadron
81 observed that there was no such at
tempt
when the Judge advocate had concur
ded hts interrogatories Mr.. Raynor began
his cross examination with an effort to
Introduce certain signals which had pass
ed between the Indiana and Admiral
Sanpsor's flagship, the New York, in the
early morning of July g. 1898, Captain
Lemley made immediate objection ana
Mr.. Raynor presented an earnest plea TO
be allowed to read the signals He was
not permitted at that time to do so. but
IL is understood that the signals which ne
desired to introduce as having been sent
from the New York to the Indiana were at
6:15 a. m. on that day and was an inYi7
tation from the flagship TO accompany
her to Siboney while the response. was a
deciination TO do so. The admiraFs invi-
tation as wig wagged by Captain Chad
we'll was as follows:
@The ADMIRAL wishes to know If you
viii Join him this morning in going to see
General Shafter?"
Captain Taylor replied at S:Sl: work
| aboardship. previously going on, prevents
me from going with you today"
Mr.. Raynor contended that the signals
were among the most important occur
renees during the day.
Captain Lemley replied that under pre-
yious rulings OF the court the reading OF
| signals was clearly inadmissible. He how
ever agreed that he would consult with
Mr.. Raynor. and that IL after this CONSUL
tation the question including the reading
of the signals should appear proper, Adj
miral Taylor could be recalled and the
question asked. .
At the afternoon session of the court
Admiral Taylor said that on the morning
Of the battle of July g. the Indiana had
signalled:
THE enemy Is escaping"
The Indiana was, he said, at that time
always cleared for action lie had. he
said. personally seen the Brooklyn while
on her southern detour commonly known
as the loop. The witness recounted the
signals made by the Indiana during the
battle. He also had seen signals from
other ships during the battle, but he did
not recall what they were.
Mr.. Raynor also questioned the witness
as to the relative value of stadimeter
and the sextant in ascertaining distances
at sea He said he regarded the stadi-
meter accurate to the extent that Il is
/ used.
BY the court: WAS the Indiana in such
position with reference to the Brooklyn
and the enemy's ships just after they
cleared the entrance OF the harbor that
| you could form fairly correct estimate
of the distance between them?"
The reply was:
''At the time mentioned there was but
two occasions when the smoke permitted
me to see the Brooklyn distinctly. I
could not therefore say what was the
/ difference between the enemy and the
Brooklyn just after the Spanish feet came
out OF the harbor."