The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-04

Washington, October 2.-An interest
ing turn was given to the Schley court
of inquiry today by the introduction of
the first witness in Admiral Schley's
behalf. This was Lieutenant James J.
Doyle, who was q watch officer on
board the flagship Brooklyn during the
war with Spain.
The fact that Lieutenant Doyle was
put on the stand does not mean that
the navy department has concluded the
presentation OF its side of the case.
Mr.. Doyle was called by the depart
ment but as it also had been the pur-
pose of Admiral Schley to summon
him. advantage was taken of his pres
ence on the stand to question him as
an original witness for the applicant"
He was under examination by Mr.
Rayner in the interest of the admiral
when the court adjourned for the day.
Before undergoing examination at
Mr.. Rayner's hands Lieutenant Doyle,
at Captain Lemly's request, explained
his part in the battle Of July 3rd and
his original entry in the ships log con-
corning the famous loop and his alter.
alton of that entry, because he subse-
quently discovered that his first entry
had been erroneous.
Admiral Evans. Captain Sigsbee and
Correspondent Dieuaide were all re-
called for the purpose of correcting
their testimony as given yesterday AM
all made additional statements.
TESTIMONY OF THE VIXENS
COMMANDER.
Lieutenant Commander Alexander NJ.
Sharp, who commanded the converted
yacht Vixen was the first witness of
the day. He said that the weather on
the cruise from Cienfuegos to Santiago
had been squally, but that it had not
been sufficiently bad to interfere with
the speed of the Vixen.
Describing the service of the Vixen
during the siege Of Santiago under
Commodore Schley, Commander Sharp
said that he had been placed on picket
duty. He was about two miles from
the shore, he said, and probably three
miles from the mouth of the harbor.
Mr.. Hanna: Gould you have seen a
vessel undertaking to pass out near the
shore under those conditions?"
Commander Sharp: IF she had shown
no lights and made no noise do not
believe we could"
Commander Sharp told of going
aboard the Brooklyn with Lieutenant
Harlow's notes and Of discussion con-
corning the question whether the
Brooklyn made a turn to port or star
board.
Captain Parker questioned Comman-
der Sharp concerning the notes made
Of the battle Of July 3rd by Lieuten-
ant Harlow, on board the Vixen.
This report has occasioned no little
| controversy, it being claimed by some
| of Admiral Schley's friends that after
| the copy OF the notes was delivered to
| Admiral (then Commodore) Schley by
| Commander Sharp. the original notes
| were changed somewhat.
| The witness said that he had taken a
| carbon copy TO the commodore after
the battle.
DO these notes state the truth Of
| the battle as you saw ft?" asked Cap
| tain Parker and the witness replied:
These are Lieutenant Harlow's
notes. He took them and / am not
| prepared to say yes or no whether they
are absolutely correct in every partic-
ular or not.
| Commander Sharp said in response to
| questions by Mr.. Rayner that one OF
| the results Of the bonbardment OF the
Colon had been to develop the Spanish
shore batteries.
Mr. Rayner then asked do you re-
collect a conversation with Commodore
! Schley after the Colcn reconnaissance
IN the presence Of Lieutenant Harlow
in which the commodore remarked
that his purpose had been TO develop
the strength OF those batteries"
IT really do not remember" was the
response. 'I wish I could"
On redirect examination Captain
Len1fy brought out the fact as TO the
charge in the Harlow notes.
Commander Sharp said: When I W.
writing my report OF the action OF Jui.
3rd said to Lieutenant Harlow, I de-
sire 2 copy OF your notes taken during
the action TO accompany my report 10
the admiral His reply, as near as
now remember IL, was: Those notes
were taken for the representative of
newspaper on board the Brooklyn, and