The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-09-24
IBRoOKLYNS
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-. FAMOUS LOOP

the destruction OF the Spanish fleet
In the harbor OF Santiago. on July
3. 1893, as described by the nayl-
eating officer Of the Texas was the
dramatic feature OF to.days pro-
ceedings 10 the schley court OF IN
curry. Scarcely secondary in IN
terest and importance was the as
surance given by Admiral schlevs
counsel Of their purpose to bring
Admiral Sampson into the case by
showing that the blockade main
tanned by Schley was precisely
sim,lar to that of the commander.
in-chief when the latter arrived.
They also said that they would
prove that Schley obeyed orders III
course hat led him to avoid de-
cisive engagement with the cruiser
Cristobal Colon.
Lieutenant Commander Heilner.
navigator Of the Texas, gave a
graphic portrayal of'the manoeavre
Of Admiral Schley' flagship, and
said he considered that the Texas
was 10 greater danger when the
BROOKLYN crossed her bows than at
any other time during the battle. A
curious feature OF his testimony was
a statement that the Brooklyn was
within 100 and $50 yards OF the
Texas when she passed in front OF
the battleship. Notwithstanding
the chart which he assisted in pre-.
pairing showed that the two ships.
were never within 600 yards OF
each other during the entire en-
gaeement. This chart. liellner
said, was inaccurate, and he only
consented to it as compromise.
When Admiral Dewey called the
court to order this morning there
was q somewhat larger attendance
on the part Of the general pubic
than heretofore. but there were
were fewer distinguished person.
ages occupying the reserved seats:
~ Lieutenant Commander l.. t.
Heilner was next called. and alter
harrating the voy age OF the f1eet
from Cientuegos to Santiago as other
witnesses was asked 10 describe
the battle Of July 3, and said:
"rhe Texas had been heading
about east when the enemy was
seen coming out Of Santiago. Leu:
tenant Bristol. who was ottlcer OF
the deck at the time rang TO 20
ahead full speed and put helm hard
to starboard to make a turn. When
L got on deck he informed me OF
what had happened, and | sent
him below and assumed charge OF
the deck. Captain philip told me
that he had eased the helm until
he could find out which way the
ships were gong, and he also rang
hall speed. suggested full speed
He said the battery was not ready
Itold him it would be ready be-
fore the ship was in position to hTe
and then he said, '!All right. and
rang full speed. When the second
OF the enemv's ships followed the
frat to the westward he put the
helm hard 10 starboard.
II made several reports 10 nm
about the Brooklyn regarding her
Signals. He said; Never mind.
also referred 10 Tie way Thought
the Brooklyn was standing up t
the tight-very nicely. The cap
tain said; Oh, crackle. Never
mind the Brooklyn You look on
for this ship. SO said: All right
captain, wall look at the Brook
lyn no more, and turned my bacl
looking on the starOoatd beam al
the ships getting out. After We
sheered around TO the westwar d
the captain sang olt through thi
Gig hit hole to slow, then stop, and
sad"Captain, they will get ava.
from u.s.. He did not answer me
and the said, My Lord. captain
we are ont of the fight. lie SAID
Look al the Brooklyn.
81 turned around and right abe a
0. us this big gray ship loomed GU
OF the smoke. We were steamlni
with heavy helm and steered by
US. and went to sea, about -OO
yards. should say, and then On
westward.
"As soon as the Brooklyn rIcaro
us we rang to 90 ahead and startc
up forced draft again. After tht
we simply followed on as fast as "
could on II line that was Just insid
the line where the Oregon was Ell
gaging the ships.
'Just before this turn Of the BrooI
lyn the Iowa and the Oregon we
both close to us ON our starbuaI
helm. We continued the chase III
l Loo lnt