New-York tribune., 1901-10-15


cided to lay course for that point The idea
he said. was that should proceed in the direc-
ton Of Santiago. and that if found the sea
such that we could coal, would Immediately in
stitute the blockade. but If not practicable do
that we would proceed TO Gonaives Bay and coal
there"
What did you say him.
I think said: You decided wisely
Did you say I congratulate you'?'
I don't recOIlect l may may not think
it was a subject Of congratulation."
THE START FOR KEY WEST.
Captain Cook related in some detail the occur
rences Of May 26, y and 2S including the retro
grade movement from position south Of Santiago
toward Key West and the return OF the feet TO the
neighoorhood OF Santiago on the evening Of May
2S This period also covered the meeting with the
Harvard and the scouts St Paul, Minneapolis and
Yale. Referring to the retrograde movement Cap
tain Cook said that he had been consulted with
reference to it. and, speaking of the visit board
the Brooklyn Of Captain Sigsbee of the st. Paul,
he said that officer had brought the Cuban pilot
Nunez aboard. IN reply TO inquiry from Com
modore schley as 10 whether he had information
concerning the Spaniards, NuneZ had replied that
he had been up near the entrance of Santiago Har-
Dor and had seen nothing Of the Spanish fleet Il
once" he said, had impression that he said
he knew nothing Of the Spanish fleet, but recol-
lect now. from conversation with him. that that Is
what he said"
Captain Cook also related the details Of the orders
TO the Yale TO take the collier Merrimac in tow be-
cause the collier disabled. Coming to the in
cident Of May q and the return movement 10 San
dago, Mr.. Hanna asked: What took place TO de-
lay the westerly movement there?'
The witness replied: Tt was the attempts 10 get
the line TO the Merrimac. We were waiting for the
Yale 10 take the Merriuac in tow"
Captain Cook said that he and Admiral Schley
watched the weather closely, and on the evening Of
May q. the weather having moderated he remarked
TO Commodore, Schley he believed they could coal
The Commodore evidently thought himself. and
made signal for them to coal.
You say you told the Commodore you believed
the Texas could coal?''
Yes"
THAT was when?"
THE weather overhead had been good, as
recollect It for twenty-four hours. The was
good and quite moderate. and knew the Com
motore wanted TO get coal soon as he could
spoke 10 him about IT that time. 7 think that
at that tine he had given orders for the Texas and
the Marblehead 10 coal He may have given these
TO me. AT any rate the signals were made The
Marblehead commenced coaIing at once Signal
was made 10 the Texas. That was the only ship
we were particularly anxious about and 7 pre-
sumed they were watching the weather. too. but
they did not ask. so the Texas was signaIled to
coal and the answer came back that she would Try.
That is wtg-wag They did try and succeeded In
coaling-
ORDER TO COAL THE TEXAS.
Q-Reterr1ng moment TO this conversation or
report whatever IS was what were the circuul-
stances? Where were you when you had this con-
versation. and. as nearly you state II, what
did you say TO Commodore Schley about the coaling
conditions?
1T g perfectly informal conversation We
several times had talked about IL perhaps on deck
and perhaps IN his cabin At this particular time
have reference TO, Il along toward evening.
We found that the repairs 10 the collier were such
that she could steam with her own power there
was no difficulty about handling her The sea was
very much smoother very moderate. and I simply
said 70 him I thought the weather such
could coal, but he had evidently come TO the same
conclusion because he had given the order"
Was that order 10 coal the Texas given before
or after that conversation
II really cannot say. 7 would not Ike to say he
controlled by anything said because 7 know
that his anxiety was greater than my own. He had
the responsibility and 7 did The only socitude
was about the Sponsors Of the Texas-whether she
would be able 10 lie alongside the Merrimac. The
Merrtmac was quiet and able 70 keep up with such
they had. and they commenced coaIlng-
They signaIed that they getting coal on board
ard conditions changed At once"
so that when the sea became smooth on the
evening OF the 27th''-
Y did not say smooth satG the sea was better
There was always long swell there"
This matter OF coaling ships At sea Is not a very
easy matter under any conditions. Is IT, Captain. so
far you know
NO think not Our experience changed our
opinions good deal, but I must say that IN All
coaling down there 7 never did see as bad sea as
we had there We never had anything Ike II after
ward according TO my recollection. a sea that was
90 troublesome FOR a collier 10 90 alongside"
ION what dateT'
.'The 18th. The 24l-. DO not think It was prec-
ticable 10 coal II a bad day. The next day
and up TO the 9Th there was a bad sea. I think
possibly II the Texas had attempted the trial little
before on the 27th she could not have done So"
why was the circular blockade not adopted ~
Mr.. Hanna asked
There are many forms Of blockade. and have
nothing but praise FOR the circular blockade" re-
piled the witness, but the idea 20 get the
Spaniards 70 come out and 10 have cur ships NOV
ing and ready for action"
What your orders OF battle from May % 10
June I7'
I'VE DID not have any The feet was always IN
condition for action
do you call that battle order7'
1T IS possible TO have an order for battle II you
know just what conditions you are going to meet.
The idea with 10 be able 10 fight the Spanish
feet whenever We should meet it, I think that was
understood by all I certainly so understood IT.
If the feet had come of the harbor previous
10 June what would you have done?"
We would have obeyed the orders Of the com
manding officer"
Were the fighting ships always in order for
battIeY"
7 always supposed they were; the Brooklyn was
always in excellent order"
BATTLE OF JULY DESCRIBED.
General interest was manifested throughout the
courtroom when Mr. Hanna began his inquiries
about the battle Of July He asked Were you on
deck when the fleet came out Of Santiago Harbor
July 81 When were they first sighted?"
The reply was in the negative Captain Cook said
he then in the cabin.
The question was: How did you first learn
the feet coming out?"
"I heard the executive officer call out: Clear ship
for action and 5 I had given directions to have
the ship ready for inspection knew at once some