The Somerset reporter., 1901-12-19
The Schley Case.
Report OF Court OF INQUIRY.

The most prolonged, interesting and
important naval tribunal ever held in
this country came to close Friday, hav-
ing in open and secret session lasted
three months short one week, when Sec
rotary Long was handed the findings of
the court of inquiry which inquired into
the conduct of Rear Admiral Schley dur
ing the Santiago campaign.
For seven weeks the court heard test-
mony and for fully month it delibera.
ted upon the mass of evidence, finally
reaching the conclusions announced Fri
day. The result was complete surprise
aud it Is probable that no prophecy has
approached the truth.
Instead of one report there are two.
Both are signed by George Dewey, pres
ident, and by Sam. C. LemlY as Judge
advocate. This is form said to be rec
ognized in all courts of inquiry, the sig
nature of the other members not being
necessary.
But it is explained that Admiral Dewey
signed the second report, minority re-
port, to express his qualification of or
dissent from the views expressed by the
court, comprising beside himself Admir-
ais Bennam and Ramsay, in the first re-
port.
1t is said at the Navy Department that
there will be no further proceedings in
this celebrated case on the departments
initiative.
Secretary Long and Judge Advocate
Lemley positively declined to discuss the
findings in any phase.
Following are the opinions which of
themselves are brief:
OPINION.
Commodore Schley in command of the
fl wing squadron should have proceeded
with utmost dispatch off Cienfuegos and
should have maintained close blockade
of that port. He should have endeavor-
ed on May %, at Cenfuegos, to obtain
information regarding the Spanish squad
ron by communicating with the insur-
gents, at the place designated in the
memorandum delivered to him at S.15 a.
M of that date.
He should have proceeded from Glen
fuegos TO Santiago de Cuba with all dis
patch and should have disposed his YES
sells with view of intercepting the
enemy in any attempt to pass the flying
squadron.
He should not have delayed the squad.
ron for the Eagle.
Should not have made the retrograde
turn westward with his squadron.
He should have promptly obeyed the
Navy Departments order of May %.
He should have endeavored to capture
or destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor
near the entrance Of Santiago harbor OF
MAY 20 and 30.
He did not do his utmost with the
force under his command to capture oil
destroy the Colon and other vessels oil
the enemy which he attacked on May
81.
BY commencing the engagement or
July with the port battery and turning
the Brooklyn around with port helm
Commod Schley caused her to lost
distance and position with the Spanish
vessels-especially with the Vizcaya ant
Colon.
The turn of the Brooklyn to starboarC
was made to avoid getting her into dan
gerous proximity to the Spanish vessels
The turn was made towards the Texas
and caused that vessel to stop and Il
back her engines to avoid possible coils
ion.
Admiral Schley did Injustice to Lieut.
Commander A. c. Hodgson in publish
ing only portion Of the correspondence
which passed between them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in con
nection with the events Of the Santiago
campaign prior to June l, 1898, was char
acterized by vacilliation, dilatoriness ant
lack of enterprise. His official reports
regarding the coal supply and the coal
ing facilities of the Flying Squadron
were inaccurate and misleading.
His conduct during the battle of Jul.
was self-possessed and he encouraged, IL
his own person, his subordinate officer
and men to fight courageuusly.
George Dewey, Admiral U. S. N, Presi
dent.
Sam. c. Lemley, Judge Advocate Gener
al, U. S. N, Judge Advocate.