Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13
SONSCHLEY CONTROVERSIAL FACTS


Brooklyn lay west of the Texas. Her
first move after starting to engage the
Spanish vessels was to describe a
loop from left to right, which loop en-
abled her to use her guns on both
sides and which also returned her to-
her original position and on a parallel
course with the one taken by the
Spaniards during their fight.
Dangerous Work.
1t has been claimed that Admiral
Schley in taking this loop exposed the
Texas to great danger of being rom
med by him, that he told his own cap
tain and the navigator of his vessel
that the Texas must take care of her.
self when his attention was called to
her danger, and that, tactically at
least. his loop" was dangerous and
uncalled for proceeding.
schley's Report.
This may be true. 1t does not how
ever account for the fact that the
Brooklyn was hit oftener than any 9TH
er American vessel, that she suffered
the only loss of life, that she was the
first in the fight, and, with the Oregon.
last to quit. Schley's official report to
Sampson of his part in the battle
states:
81 congratulate you most sincerely
upon this great victory to the squadron
under your command and l am glad
that had an opportunity to contribute
in the least to victory that seems big
enough for all of u.s. From Captain
Eulate of the Vizcaya and the second
in command of the Colon Commander
Cortreras. l learned that the Spanish
admirals scheme was to concentrate
all fire for while on the Brooklyn, and
the Vizcaya TO ram her in hopes that II
they could destroy her the chance OF
escape would be increased, as it was
supposed she was the swiftest ship OF
your squadron"
SchIey's Statement.
Admiral Schley has always main
tanned that his loop prevented the Viz
caya from ramming him, that he divin-
ed the intention to so attack him, that
he expected his vessel to be sunk, but
took the brunt of the fighting, believ-
ing that he could check the Spaniards
until the entire American squadron
had closed in. The Brooklyn was in
action from $50 o'clock in the morning
until after o'clock in the afternoon.
The New York was not in the fight.
The Oregon was the only other vessel
that euualed the Brooklyn's record for
length Of engagement
Ignores SchIey.
In his official report Admiral Samp-
son did not mention the name of Adj
miral Schley The partisans of Adj
miral Schley picked this report to
4 %lof ,rY.ca
attention to the operations of an insig-
niticant captain after the battle was
over than it did to the fine work of the
Brooklyn, Oregon and Texas. 1t was
commented upon from one end OF the
country to the other that Admiral
Sampsn had deliberately ignored
Schley at a moment when the latter
had fought and won one of the great
est naval battles of modern times.
Added Enmty.
The continued hostility of the naval
cabnl at Washington to Schley and re-
newed evidence that the Navy Depart
ntent did not regard him with favor
added fuel to the flames. Neither Dew
cr nor Schley had ever been favorites
of the naval cabal. Each had won a
great victory, no matter what the tao
tics were, 1t was inevitable that the
dispute should go into politics, and fin
ally find Judgement in the naval his
} tor of Clerk Maclay, in which Admiral
Schley is charged with disobedience of
) orders, with being a coward caitiff,
and liar. AS Maclay Is directly I'M
der the control of the influences most
hostile to Schley, and his history was
Improved by Admiral Sampson, Schley's
friends Immediately took up the
Echarges, with the result that board
OF inquiry was demanded by Admiral
Schley and ordered by the Secretary
of the Navy.
SIMPSONS Health Impaired.
Admiral Sampson has never been a
strong man. There is no question but
| that chagrin over his absence at the
battle of Santiago and enlightenment
through his dispute with Admiral
Schley has marked his entire future
l life and health. Both men through
i the bitterness of the fight have been
e deprived of congressional honors due
+ each. The navy has been filled witt
: pickering and disputing that will take
years to efface.
Admiral Schley cannot be court-mar
a tailed, but if the finding of the boart
S of inquiry is against him he will b
officially under cloud for the rest o
' his days. If the finding should be TO
5 him he will be vindicated and thu
e greatest censure will fall upon the
e Navy Department The inquiry. vii
n probably occupy two months and leat
: to a general airing of the alleged in
k efficient manner in which the Navy
Department cared for the squadrons
e sent to sea in May, 1S9S.-Chicago
L Record-Herald.