Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-10-24
THE MEN UFH Id S(HLtY'
ImpoI,a1. Evidence Given Before
Court Of Inquiry.
COMMANDER EVER BRAVE.

Ses " ~
COMMANDER EVER BRAVE. |
Oregon Onicer's story-Lieutenant Com
mander Nicholson Said the Texas Was
Never Nearer Than One Mile to the
Brooklyn During the Battle.
Washington, d. c., Oct 21.-Rear
Admiral Schley won several vic
tories at the court of inquiry today,
as the men of his ship stood loyalty by
him and testified to facts which not
only go long way toward removing
any stigma that has been placed upon
his name, but also gave several hard
jolts to the case the department has
attempted to make out against him.
The Navy department itself was placed
in an unenviable position by develop
ments which show it sent Lieutenant
Ward Of the Navigation bureau to dis
cuss the events of the Santiago cam
paign with Rear Admiral Schley's wit
nesses, and today attempted to use
these conversations in impeachnig the
testimony of the witnesses. The
Judge Advocate and consequently the
department were trapped in an effort
made to suppress the facts 1t Is their
duty to bring out. Some time ago Ma
chinist Claxton of the Texas testified
| that he had hold of the throttle of
the port engine of the Texas when the
loop was made by the Brooklyn. He
testified that the port engine had been
! reversed and the engine stopped. Chief
! Machinist J. L. Hanley OF the Texas
today testified that Claxton had charge
Of the air pumps on the day of the
battle and that Hanley-was at the
throttle of the port engine of the Texas
during the entire battle. Hanley swore
that the port engine of the Texas was
not reversed and that 1t did not stop.
This testimony is important as it
seems to dispose of the claim that the
1 exas mad Brooklyn were in danger of
collision when the loop was made by
the Brooklyn.
Oregon omcer Describes Battle.
Lieutenant Commander Nicholson,
the executive officer of the Oregon,
which, together with the Brooklyn,
practically destroyed the Spanish feet,
was one of the most interesting wit
uesses of the day. he, like the other
officers of the feet, told the story OF
the battle. He said the Texas was
| ne - har y,atla 20 "a
Brooklyn and that there was no dan.
ger of the two vessels coiliding. In
common with all the officers who really
did the fighting on July 8, Nicholson
said the Oregon and the Brooklyn were
close together during the entire bat
tie. Lieutenant Commander Nicholson
said when the Spaniards came out OF
the harbor the first thing he did was
to look for the flagship New York, but
that vessel had left the squadron and
could be seen several miles in the dis
lance. He told his story in the same
modest manner that has characterized
the men who were on the ships which
did the real fighting. He provoked 8
smile throughout the courtroom wher
he said that during the chase of the
Colon Captain Clark let half. the crew
go to dinner.
Thirty Shells Strike Brooklyn.
Ships Carpenter Warford of the
Brooklyn told of the injuries received
by the Brooklyn, saying that thirty
shells had struck the ship, to say moth
ing of the fragments. He saw Schley
during the entire battle The commo-
dore was on the platform outside the
coming tower. Warford said o.
Schley's bearing: "He impressed me
as being brave and fearless officer.
Schley gave encouragement to the
men, according to this witness, by say
ing: Give them h, my DULLES,
and well done, my bullies." There
was great danger of the Brooklyn be
ing rammed by the Spanish ships, ac,
cOrding to the witness, who said hi
received orders TO close the water-tight
doors and to stand by to RAM" This
order was given before the Brooklyn
made the loop, and when the ships o.
the Spanish squadron were sailing di
lSCI loI Tic icduiuS AMERICAN snip
Lieut.. Thomas p. Carter, the past as
sistant engineer Of the Brooklyn, TOLD
Of the conditions existing in engine
rooms at the beginning of the battle.
schley Praised by Surgeon.
Passed Assistant Surgeon De VallI
of the Brooklyn said Schleys conduc
on the day of the battle was all tina
could be desired or expected. H,
seemed to know what he was about
and had perfect control of himself"
Grewsome Story Is Told.
Lieutenant Ryan, assistant enginee
OF the Brooklyn, who stood two fee
from Yeoman Ellis when the latte
was killed, said Schley's conduct dur
ing the battle was admirable. In des
, cribing the death OF Ellis Lieutenan
Ryan said Ellis had a stadimeter il
his hand, was taking ranges, and wa
I Gazing them out. Suddenly a shel
/ from the Colon struck Ellis, carryin,
5 off his head. The body fell to tn