New-York tribune., 1901-10-16


be coal base TO keep the ships coaled.
made some remark concerning the weather coadi-
tions-that thought they would be more favorable
later He said: Until they are. and until I am
able to coal from the collier. must keep within
striking distance of coal said that recognized
that he felt the responsibility else could
and that 1t was serious question. He answered
that he recognized that fact but that he must act
in accordance with his judgment. whether right or
wrong; that personal consideration was OF no ac-
count when the safety OF the fleet was to be con-
sidered. That is about all I recollect."
WAS anything further said at any other time on
this subject between you and the Commodore?"
Not except what 1 have stated in regard to the
fact of having got coal aboard the Texas
Can you state whether this conversation TOOK
place before or after the signal made regarding
the coaling of the Texas
This conversation took place if my memory
serves me right between and o'clock on the
evening Of May &C. after the signal had been made
that we were to return to Key West.
when did the conversation between you and the
Commodore take place with regard to coaling the
Texas?'
That was on the evening of the 27th
QUESTIONS BY THE COURT
The court asked the witness the following ques-
tiens
"yy-bat INSTRUCTIONS did YOU receive from Commo-
dore schley regarding the movement Of the BROOK
lvn after It was discovered that Cerveras squadron
was coming out OF the harbor Of Santiago!
he
was made and when went forward the snip was
waving toward the enemy. Everything had peeh
connected in the coming tower, ana ne WAS at ms
most or the place he had elected to stand WHICH
I was near the coming tower 10 De III easy W O
rnuncation with me 1 do not recollect any speclhc
Instructions We were standing for the enemy
t.Please repeat any conversation that TOOK place
between Commodore Schley and yourseh from t.ie
time the Spanish squadron came out uhui 'ne
Brooklyn was steadied on her westerly course III
the chase"
.1Ja several times spoke of the position Of the
enemv Al one time he spoke of the turning OF
one Of the ships from the line. saw it-the
ytscava I think-turn out and then turn in again
He spoke of that He said TO me at one uhe 10
look out for the torpedoes or torpedo boats-tor-
nedo boats think I know at that time that the
executive officer had come from below ana
turned to him and said Look out for the TORPEDO
boats or torpedo attack He said Aye. aye SIT
and left me- have no recollection Of seeing theIn
7 did not concern myself much about them Then
there was the conversation as TO putting the helm
aport which have already stated. He spoke ire
quently during the action about cauuohlhB
the men the batteries TO fire steadily and slowly
not 10 lose their shots. He called out huhlper OF
times loud enough be heard in the turret anu
70 he heard on the lower deck by the men manning
the auxiliary batteries. TO fire steady, especially at
the time when the ships were doubled on each
other as for instance. tho Colon passed from
third TO first place inside OF the other ships. He
a
could not edge IN on them 1 recolIect that DIS
tinctly because I was anxious 20 keep straight
and steady course, believing we gained by that
and had them at all times under an easy range
We had their range completely and our shots were
landing. Theirs not"
please state what was the conduct and bearing
of Commodore Schley during the battle OF July g.
The answer TO this question previously given by
you does not refer specifically 10 this date"
IT cannot imagine any conduct In battle more ad-
mrabe. He was COOL brave and enthusiastic from
the beginning 20 tho end OF the action
COMMANDER SEARS HEARD AGAIN.
Captain Cook then withdrew. and Lieutenant
Commander Sears continued his evidence under
cross-examination. Mr Hanna asked especially
concerning tho meeting OF the Flying Squadron
with Captain McCalla when the squadron was on
its way 10 Cienfuegos but the witness could not
recall any conversation with Commodore Schley
relating TO that occurrence Instructions
given Immediately after Captain McCala's re-
port that the Spaniards were not at Cienfuegos TO
proceed Santiago He had not heard that the
commodore had other intentions than 20 depart
forthwith, and knew nothing OF an alleged letter
written on that date by Commodore schley say
ing that he would not sail until the 18th, the next
day.
Mr. Hanna asked why the Yucatan Channel,
rather than the Windward Passage, had been
selected in making the retrograde movement. The
witness replied that in his opinion the selection
had been made because OF the general feeling that
the ships OF the enemy might have got out OF the
harbor OF Santiago and gone 10 the westward. In
that event It felt that the Yucatan Channel
route would be the better. Tho feet under Com
modore Schley never had been withdrawn from
Santiago TO distance out at at night. AS
rule the ships further inside at night than in
the day. The ships never had gone further off than
six miles.
The court asked a number OF questions OF the
witness which. with the answers. follows:
Were you present when Captain Cotton delivered
dispatches to Commodore Schley off Cienfuegos?'
IT met the captain at the gangway. but whether
he gave the dispatches 10 the Commodore then
cannot say"
III you heard those dispatches read. read them
yourself, please state their purport2"
The dispatch he brought think. contained the
most positive information had had that the
enemy in Santiago. l remember that dispatch
being the first information OF any positiveness
that We had had since leaving Cienfuegos. I could
identify the dispatch II I it."
sCHLEY's ORDERS FOR BATTLE.
What orders If any signaIIed 10 the
squadron by the Brooklyn from the time the
Spanish squadron appeared coming out until the
Colon ashore?'
The prescribed signal was that the Spanish fleet
was escaping. The next signal was Clear ship
for action; the next signal Close in There
was signal when the Vizcaya hopelessly out
of II for the Oregon TO firing The next sig
nal was to the Oregon TO open fire with 13-nch
guns. There were signals then made between the
Oregon and the Brooklyn. When the Oregon would
fire would notify her of the fall of her shells.
When fired the Oregon notified Then upon
the approach OF the New-York when she OBJ
served signal was made, think. to the Texas to
be repeated notifying the commander-in-ch chief that
had great victory"
Were these signals answered and these orders
obeyed by the ships OF the squadron"
1.-THE orders obeyed do not know whether
the signals answered or not. I could not see
Iat hat had