The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-30
A DRAG IN INQUIRY.
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officer present off Santiago, all depart
ment's information indicates Spanish
division is still at Santiago whether
you did not, with this dispatch in your
possession from the department signal,
Destination Key West without con-
sulting the commanding officers of the
several vessels composing your squad
ROM"
why He Sailed Away.
II did not get that dispatch until the
9th of May, although dated the 25th
at Washington, and did hoist the sig
nal afterward for the reason, as I stat
ed little while ago. that the infor-
nation in my possession at that time
from Capt. Sigsbee, the positive asser-
tion that the Spanish squadron was
not there, supported by the testimony
of NInez that they could not get in on
account of certain difficulties of
draught and narrowness of channel,
considered then that / had to act on
my own responsibility. / did not call
the commanding officers on board, for,
as / stated In my direct testimony,
was always ready to assume the re-
sponsibility for any movement that
might involve censure rather than
throwing myself back upon anybody
else. That was the motive and reason
for this action"
The Admiral said that he had in his
possession the departments communi-
cation of May rs on May 27, when he
had again signalled, indicating a pur-
pose to go to Key West.
IN reply 10 questions as to why he
did not coal the Brooklyn on May 27
Admiral Schley said that 1t was on ac-
count Of the motion OF the ship, add
ing that she did not need coal at that
time.
He said in reply to a question as to
why ne had telegraphed that Admiral
Sampson would relieve him when he
went TO coal, that he did not want to
leave Santiago unblockaded He also
stated that his reason for not having
Wise and Jewell come on board the
Erooklyn was that Sigsbee had sup
posedly given all the information they
possessed. He also said that he had
practically blockaded Santiago for the
FIRST time on the evening of May 2S
and that in view of the information
he received he considered this a com.
pliance with the departments order
Of May 23.
After discussion of dispatches receiv-
ed during the first few days after the
arriv al Of the Flying Squadron Off
Santiago. In the course of which Ad-
miral Schley said 1t had not been his
he had not found the Spanish fleet
there, Capt. Lemly said:
schIey Feigned Disorder.
You have stated that off Cienfuegos
the formation during the day was
such as to feign disorder as an invita-
ton to the spaniards to come out"
Yes" replied the admiral, Il meant
we were not in column steaming."
Did YOU pursue this same plan af-
ter arriving at Santiago and after
learning that the Spanish feet was
there?"
'In the daytime, yes. While we re-
tained a semblance OF formation we
were always close to each other.
mean we were not steaming in front OF
the harbor as we did at night"
Then you did adopt the same ruse"
"Yes. generally"
Did you discuss with any OF your
captains your plan of battle as outlined
manner OF changing from column to
line of battle?"
Il do not really remember the full
extent of the discussion, but 1t was a
general explanation OF the plan. II
we were in column or line of battle
before the harbor and the enemy
should appear a wheel would bring US
in directly for them and another wheel
would bring US east or west II they
turned east or west. That occurred to
me as a very faclle and mobile move
mont."
At this point Admiral Schley COM
planned Of sensitiveness In his throat
and the court adjourned