Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-15

or"eIs 10 the effect that the squadron
sho"io proceed to Santiago if he (the
commodore) was satisfied that the
Spanlards were not at Cienfueros bnt
he said, Commodore Schley had said.
am not satisfied that they are not
here. still believe they are here,
IL sa'lshed that the Spaniards were
AT Clenfuegos. why did Won leave
mere! asked Mr.. Hanna. "Recausa
OF McCalla's report from the insur-
gents on Shore
mat then. made it clear that the
epahiafds We're not there En-
tirely."
Describing the departure OF tba a,,-
ing squadron for Santiago the witness
said it was made after dark in or1,u
10 conceal its intentions and that the
i'sh's We're darkened for the same pur-
pose. The run on the night of the oath
Was he said. fairly good. The next
oay the weather was squally and
S'o'Ihy, with sea which was mod
crate to rough On the Goth the
weather moderated. but there was "a
'ols ana nasty sea. with the ships
roiiing a good deal. They had been
Compelled TO slow up in order to ac-
commodate the Eagle. the commodore
desiring to keep the fleet intact as it
was i'll column formation.
there was then, he said. considera BILE
talk on the part ~ the commodore
concerning the coal supply. he feeling
that II the then present expenditure
was to continue it would not continue
long. He was still especially concerned
about the Texas and had said to him
Captain Cook) that I'VE must keep
the ships in fighting trim" They had
consulted charts and talked over the
case. looking for a place fit for coal
ing. Finally. he said. they had hit
upon Gonaives bay and had decided to
lay course for that point
The idea he said. was that We
should proceed in the direction of San
tiaSo and that if we found the sea such
that we could coal, we would immedi-
ately institute the blockade but if not
practicable to do that. we would pro
coed TO Gonaives bay and coal there"
What, if anything. did you say to
the commodore after he started to-
ward Santiago" He started as soon
as he found the Texas had enough coal
My impression is that he said he
should go TO Santiago, that he found il
practicable to coal from GOLFERS and
there he should stay. If they got too
short of coal he would so to Govnlives
bay or try somewhere else"
What did you say to him ," Il think
| said: you decided wisely"
Did YOU say i congratulate YOU "
II don't recollcct. | may or may not
| think it was a subject of congratula-
ton.
capt. Cook related the particulars of
the meeting with the scout ships OF
Santiago and told of Captains Cotton
and Sigsbee coming on board. Speak
ing of Captain Sgsbee's visit. he to!i
of his bring the pilot NuneZ aboard but
Capt. Cook said that he had not at first
been inspired with confidence in that
individual. although he afterward
found that he was a reliable man.
Capt Cook related in some detail the
occurrences of May 2Gth. 9th and 18th.
including the rctrogradc movement from
a position south of Santiago on the even
ing of May 18th This period also covere
the meeting with the Harvard and the
scout boats ST. Paul. Minneapolis ana
Yale. Referring to the retrograde move
ment. Capt. Cook said that he had NOT
been consulted with reference to it. and
speaking of the visit on board the Brook
lyn of Capt. Sigsbee of the ST. Paul. he
said that officer had brought the Cuban
pilot NuneZ aboard. In reply TO an in
quiry from Commodore Schley as t.
whether he had information concerning
the Spaniards. Nunez had replied that h
had been up near the entrance Of san
tiago harbor and had seen nothing of tn.
Spanish fleet.
Il once, he said had an impression
that he said he knew nothing OF the
Spanish fleet, but | recolect now from
| conversation with him that that il what
ne said
Capt. Cook also related the details OF
the orders to the Yale to take the collier
Merrimac in tow because the collier WIS
disabled Coming to the incident OF May
y and the return movement to Santiago.
Mr.. Hanna asked: What took place II
delay the westerly movement there
The witness replied: at was the at
tcmpts to get the line to the Mcrrimac.
We Were waiting for the Yale to tax"
the Merrimac in tow.
Capt. Cook said that he and Admiral
Schley watched the weather closely and
on the evening of May - the weather
having moderated witness said that Ii"
remarked to Commodore Schey he be
lieved they could coal The commodore
the witness said, evidently thought So
himself and made signal for them 20
coai.
You say you told the commodore yol
believed the Texas could coal?''
Yes.
That was when?
The weather overhead had been good,
as | recollect it, for n hours. The sea
was good and quite moderate and | knew
the commodore wanted to get coal as
soon as he could. | spoke to him about
il at that time. think that at that time
he had given orders for the Texas and
Marblchead to coal He may have given
these to me. At any rate the signals
were made. The Marblehead commenced
coaling ut once Signal was made to the
Texas to coal and the answer came back
that she would try. That is. wig-wag.
They did try and succeeded in coaling.
Referring moment to this CONVERSE
ton, where were You when you had this
Il I'll van