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

form fairly correct estimate of the dis
lance between them?
The reply was: AT the time mentioned
smoke permitted me to see the Brooklyn
distinctly. You could not therefore SAY
what was the distance between the enc.
my and the Brooklyn just after tn,
Spanish fleet came out of the harbor'
Lieut.. Commander, Templin NJ Potts
who was navigator of the Massachus. It's
was called. He said that during III.
blockade of Santiago the distance ovserv-
ed by the flying squadron was from t.
=? miles from the mouth of the harbor
At CienfuesoS the distance was from to
miles with an Increase of these dis
tanceS at night.
The witness said that he had been on
the Massachusetts on May 81 the day OF
the bombardment OF the Colon, when
Commodore Schley had used that vessel
as his flagship.
Detailing Commodore Schley's CONVEX
Satlon on that occasion, the witness said.
When Commodore Schley came on board
| heard him say: Iiigginson, | am going
in with yoa and the Iowa and pot the
Colon with your big guns. | want to fire
deliberately. Admiral Sampson will be
here. tomorrow morning, and | wish To
destroy the Colon or words to that el-
feet.
After that there was a conversation
between Commodore SChley and the com
mandinS officer of the ship as TO when
we would go in and ii was determined
that we would allow the men to go to
dinner and go in afterward. which We did.
Later on. about | o'clock, | think, while
on the port bridge just abaft the pilu;
house. | was present at 4 conversation
between Commodore Schley and Capt.
HigEinson in which the question of whose
transport was to be fought was under
discussion. Commodore Schley asked
Capt. Higginson what position he intend
ed to take. He replied, i think the con
ming tower. Commodore Schley reple J.,
i think that is wisest
Shortly after this Commodore Schley
and his staff, the captain and myself
went down to the coming tower on the
forward l3-inch turret. Commodore
Schley. Commander Schroeder, | think
Commodore Schleys personal staff AMI
myself were standing as the ship was
steamtng in toward the entrance. Com
modore Schley said in my presence: Gen
tlemen. we are very conspicuous object;
here in white | think We had better
get out of this. Commodore Schley left
the forward l3-nch turret and took his
place on the small platform on the lee
side of the coming tower"
capt. Lemly- At what stage of the
action was this
AS we were steamng in toward the
entrance before We had turned to the
eastward.
Capt Lemly-"'Did You hear any further
conversation?
Il heard the conversation when Com
modore Schley was leaving the ship in
which he stated that he was satisfied
with the reconnaissance that he had made
in DRAWING the fire of the batteries.
Capt. Lcmly-. What was the bearing
and manner of Commodore Schley during
the engagement of May 51st to which
you have already REFEREED?
His bearing and manner was that of a
man who was suffering under extreme
mental excite mcnt: of one VINO had dis
agreeable duty To perform and performed
il reluctantly and tried to get through
with ii as soon as he could.
Mr. Rayner-"Who was the captain of
your ship he asked.
Francis J. Higginson.
II want to read You what Capt. tiis-
ginSon SAYS about Commodore Schley $
manner and bearing upon that occasion.
He says: His manner was that of Il
communicating chief He left a different
impression in your mind from what he
left in Capt. Higginson's mind, them
apparently"
Had Capt. Higginson opportunity to
observe him on that occasion"
Not as well as | did.
why was that"
"Becauac Capt HigGinson was in the
coming tower and was outside.
Did not Capt. HiScinSon have any
conversation with the commodore at that
time?'
From time TO time. yes.
What do you mean by mental excite
ment?"
II quoted conversations that | had The
first thing was the apparent anxiety of
Commodore Schley about using the con-
ming tower. Secondly, his stating that a
a distance of five TO six miles men stand
ing on the forward 1S-inch tlrrets were
conspicuous objects
Did the commodore use the coming
tower"
the coming tower. To the best of my
knowledge and belief he did not He
was outside the coming tower and be-
tween the coming tower and the heavy
plate that protects the manhoie IN the
coming tower Ny prcconccived idea Of
Commodore Schley previous to that occa-
sion was so entirely different from the
impression | received on that day. ! con-
cluded that he certainly was under ire
mendOuS mental STRAIN.
Have YOU ever been under any men
tai strain in time of battle!
Il have been scared.
Have you any other facts from which
you base your statement to the court
that he was laboring under mental eX
element. except the facts which YOU
have given?"
Yes. When Commodore Schey came
on board the Massachusetts he stated in
distinct terms that he was going in to
destroy the Colon. The Colon was not
destroyed When he left the ship he
called it reconnaissance drawing the
fire of the batteries and developing their
weakness or strength
DO YOU gather from that that he was
iaboring under great mental excitement
From that and from circumstances |
have already stated from my observation
of him from the time he came aboard the
ship until he left
Suppose YOU were made aware of the
fact that when he entered into that en-
gagement he was under the regulations
of the navy not TO engage shore batter
les if there was any danger of the shore
batteries Gripping the ships would you
say if you knew of that that he was still
under great mental Excitement"
II cannot answer that.
Capt. Lemy objected to the introduce
ton of the navy departments orders as
evidence. but the court decided that they'
could be put in.
Mr.. Rayner then asked concerning the