The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1901-12-16
Destroyer of the Spanish Fleet Con-
demned and Convicted.
RECOMMENDS MERCY
The Court Finds Him Guilty on Eleven
Counts, but Says He Deserves
Consideration for Long Ser.
vice-Rayner Chagrined.

court OF inquiry. There are two re-
ports, Admiral Benham and Ramsey
concur N the first. which Is signed by
Admiral Dewey also as a matter of
form, Admiral Dewey makes a separate
report, although he agrees with the
finding Of the facts subscribed to by
the other. The majority report con-
demns Admiral Schley on IL points.
while Admiral Dewey sustains him in
most particulars.
The finding of the court is as fol-
lows;
Commodore Schley, ip command OF
the flying squadron. should have pro-
ceeded with utmost dispatch off Glen
fugoes and should have maintained
close blockade at that port.
He should have eudeavored on May
% at Cienfuegoes to obtain informa-
tion regarding the Spanish squadron
by communicating with the insurgents
at the place designed in the memoran-
dunn delivysed to him at SIS q. m,
of that date.
He should have proceeded from Glen
fuegoes dc Cuba with all dispatch and
should have disposed Of his vessels
with view of interrupting the enemy
in any attempt to pass tho flying
squadron.
He should not have delayed the
squadron for the Eagle.
He should not have made the retro.
grade turn westward with his squad
ron.
He should have promptly obeyed the
orders of the department. May 25. He
should have endeavored to capture or
destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor
near the entrance of Santiago harbor
on May 90 and 80.
He did not do his utmost with the
force under his command to capture
or destroy the Colon and other vessels
of the enemy which he attacked on
May 81,
BY commencing the engagement on
July 8 with the port battery and turn
ing the Brooklyn around with port
helm, Comm odore Schley caused her to
lose distance and position with the
Spanish vessels, especially with the
Viscaya and Colon.
The turn Of the Brooklyn to star
board was made to avoid getting her
into dangerous proximity to the Span
fish vessels. The turn was made toward
the Texas and caused that vessel to
stop and back her engines to avoid
possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieut..
Commander A. G. Hodgson III publish
ing only a part Of the correspondence
which passed between them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in con-
nection with the events OF the Santiago
campaign prior 10 June /. 1898. was
characterized by vacillation, dilatori-
ness and lack of enterprise.
His official reports regarding the
coal supply and the coaling facilities
of the flying squadron Were inaccurate
and misleading.
His conduct during the battle of July
was self-possesscd and he encour-
aged in his own person his subordinate
officers and men to fight courageously
Following the above Is Admiral
Dawny's opinion. sustaining several
points in Schley:s faver, II reads:
In the opinion of the undersigned
| the passage from Key West to Glen
! fucgos was made by the flying squad
ron with all possible dispatch. Com.
| modore having i'll view the Importance
! of arriving off Cienfuegos with as
much coal as possible IN the ships
| hunkerS:
The blockade of Cienfueges was eff.
| fective.
Commodore Schley in permitting the
| steamer Ndnla to enter the port OF
| Cienfucgos expected to ohtatn infor,
nation concerning the Spanish squad
ron from her when she came out.
The passage from Cienfncgos TO a
| point about twenty-two miles south of
| Santiago was made with as much dis
! patch as was possible while keeping
the squadron a unit.
The blockade of Santiago was cffcc
| tive.
Commodore Schley was the senior
! officer of our squadron off Santiago
when the Spanish squadran attempted
/ to escape on the morning of July Bird
1898. He was in absolute command
+ and is entitled to the credit due to
such commanding officer for the glori
Gus victory which resulted in the to
tai destruction of the Spanish ships.
The following is the recommends
| tion of the court;