The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-16

fire steady and especially at time when
the ships were doubled on each other, as
for instance the Colon passed from third
to first place inside of the other ships.
He spoke to me number of times ask
ing me IL | could not edge in on them,
recollect that distinctly, because l
was anxiuos to keep a straight course
believing we gained by that, and that we
had them at all times under an easy
range. We had their range completely
and our shots were landing. Theirs were
not
COOL. BRAVE, ENTHUSIASTIC.
'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 to this date?"
81 cannot imagine any conduct in battle
more admirable. He was cool, brave and
enthusiastic, from the beginning to the
or' ~ tho action"
Mr.. Rayner: what damage or injury
was done to the Brooklyn on the day
of the battle by the Spanish ships?''
BROOKLYN STRUCK 20 TINES
twenty times. She had the marks Of
some forty injuries but examination
showed twenty shot holes. She was in
such a condition at the end of that bat
tie that so far as the ship herself was
concerned she was ready for action again.
She was not materially injured. The most
injury was done by shot that entered
the midship compartment, and tore things
up pretty badly. There were shots
through the smokestack that might have
interfered with her draught.'
sCHLEY IN THE THICK OF 1T.
Mr.. Rayner: "Was Commodore Schley's
position on the Brooklyn on the day of
tho battle, one of danger?'
Eyes as much as any one on board. He
was in the operation all the time"
BY the court: How far was the Colon
from the Brooklyn when the turn to star
board was completed?"
1.-TWO thousand yards or $500 yards"
Captain Cook then withdrew and cross
examination of Lieut.. Sears was continued
by Mr.. Hanna.
SEVERAL SIGNALS BY SCHLEY.
The court asked number of ques-
tions of the witness, which, with the
answers were as follows:
WAS any boat sent from the squad
ron to examine the shore at Cienfue-
gos with the view to ascertaining the
practicability of landing?''
mot to my knowledge
What orders, if any, were signalled
TO the squadron by the Brooklyn from
the time the Spanish squadron appear
ed coming out until the Colon ran
ashore?"
THE prescribed signal was that the
Spanish fleet was escaping. The signal
was clear ship for action the next sig
nal was close in There was a signal
when the viscaya was hopelessly out
of it for the Oregon to cease firing. The
next signal was to the Oregon to open
fire with 13-inch guns. There were Sig
nails then made between the Oregon and
Brooklyn"
Were these signals answered and
these orders obeyed by the ships of the
squadron"
THE orders were obeyed. I do not
know whether the signals We're answer
ed or not"
WAS any examination of the coast
east and west of Cicnfuegos made with
view to finding place where the Tex
as might be protected from the sea
while coalin@?''
mo"
What orders were issued by Com
modore Schley regarding the blockade
at Cienfuegos?"
II kno wof no ORDERS
"At the time the Brooklyn turned to
starboard was her distance from the
Texas more or less than what is known
as distance when ships are in column"
1T was not far from that distance"
ORDERED TO FIRE ON COLON.
IVA snot signal made May 81, which
stated the object of the engagement on
that day?'
II do not recollect it."
"Have you as flag lieutenant any re-
collection of the signal timed 11:20 a. M,
Massachusetts, flagship, to the squad
ROM"
The witness recalled such signal,
which he read as follows:
'The Massachusetts and New Orleans
and Iowa will go in after dinner to a
distance of 1000 yards and fire at the
Cristobal Colon with eight, twelve and
thirteen inch guns. Speed ten knots"
The Judge Advocate: do you know
which Of the vessels on July 3rd first
hoisted the signal enemy escaping?'"
Il do not know of my own observa-
tion.s The report was the Iowa got it up
first
That was the alarm signal to be
hoisted, not as an order but as general
alarm Of warning to the fieet?''
That was in the orders of the COM
manderin chief"
ALWAYS READY FOR ACTION.
Were not the ships practically cleared
for action all the time they were on the
blockade? ?"
Practically, but there were some
things left to be done always
do you knew whether the Brooklyn
crossed the bow Of the Texas?'
''She did not
By the court: Ibid the vessels close up
July in obedience to the signal made
from the Brooklyn or was there stand
ing order for them to closeup in case the
enemy was seen attempting to escape? p
There was standing order that if the
enemy attempted to escape the squadron