Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-28
Capt. McCalla Of Marblehead Tes-
titles Regarding the Block.
ade and Fight at Santiago.
Bombardment Of the Colon Was
Not Effective Because Out
Of Range.
Admiral Schley Gave Orders Re.
sarding Plan Of Battle When
Ships Appeared.

Washington, Sept. 2S.-Today's S session
cf the schley court Of inquiry began
with recall of yesterdays witnesses
for the purpose of correcting mistakes
in their testimony. Capt. McCalla, who
commanded the Marblehead during the
war, continued his testimony. In reply
to questions by Hanna, McCalla said as
far as he knew there were no vessels as
signed for duty engaging the batteries
on May 81: that there were no shoals or
other obstacles of any kind which would
have prevented battleships approaching
Santiago harbor close enough to have
been within easy range of the Colon;
that no battleships went within range of
the Colon. He said he was so situated
that he observed all shots fired from the
fleet, all falling short but one; that the
American ships engaged In the Colon
bcmbardment steamed in distance of
about two miles. McCalla testified at
some length concerning the weather and
sea of May rs. He said there would have
been no difficulty in coaling on the 9th.
as the sea was smooth.
Witness said he had been present
during the conference of commanding
officers on the Brooklyn while the fleet
Was off Santiago May 90 Describing
what took place he said:
"The commanding officers were or
dered on board the Brooklyn May 20. 1t
was with regard to the work of the
blockade. I can only remember one
specific thing which took place at the
close, and that was that Capt. Evans
asked Schley if the Spanish ships came
out IL he was going in for them. He
said Certainly Then he arranged for
"a subdivision of fire from the ships un-
der his command on the Spanish ships
should they come out"
Hanna: Prior to that conference,
May 29, had you at any time received
definite instructions respecting the or
der of battle or mode OF procedure
which the fleet should follow in case
The Sssf saanisa vessels should suddenly an
e IL do not treme1uber.'. - s-s'z'
Did you have any further conversa-
ton with Schley?"
II had conversation with him in his
cabin after the battle of Santiago. Dur
ing the visit schley read me what / un-
derstood to be part of his official report
of the battle. After he had finished I
said: Commodore, you remember after
the battle of Lake Erie there was an un-
fortunate controversy. hope there will
be none after the battle of Santiago, be-
cause there is glory enough for every
body
McCalla said that when the flying
squadron encountered the scout ships to
the south of Santiago on May 26 they
were east of direct line south. If they
kad continued as they were then going"
he said, "they would have struck the
coast of Hayti and not Santiago"
Relating to the particulars Of the
blockade of Santiago before June l.. Nc
Gala said the Marblehead and Vixen
had at night occupied positions inside
the large ships, about two miles from
the shore line, and that the line was
easily discernible. On cross-examina-
tion witness said he had failed to exc
cute the order from Remey, delivered
while he was in command off Cienfue-
gos, directing that all except the SMALL
est vessels be withdrawn. He had, he
said, failed to leave the small vessels
there.
Did you do that on your own respon-
chtlttv2D