The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-25


court - inauIfy convened at the navy
yard at II o'clock today there was general
comment upon the fact that the seat
which had been Occupied from the begin
ning OF the sittlngs by Judge Jere Wilson
was vacant
lie had endeared himself not only to the
members OF the court but To all persons
about the court and sorrow was shown
on every countenance.
Comment upon his sudden taking of
was very general throughout the court
room. The business of the court. how
ever, was promptly resumed at the usual
hour
The wall back OF the court was adorned
today with a chart on a large scale show
ing the ground site OF the battle OF San
iago on July g. The southern coast OF
cuba I'm the Vicinity of Santiago was
plainly marked aud the points al which
the Spanish ships went 10 the bottom or
TO the shore were all indicated N plain
lettering.
There we're also on hand a number OF
transparent charts. which had been pre-
pared over night and whic. were intend
ed 10 illustrate various phases OF the SAN
tiago campaign
The first witness called today was Mr..
A a. t'laNtou the machinist ON board
the Texas who had begun his testimony
wheI the sitting court were so ahtup,S
terminated yesterday morning by the
death OF Judge Wilson.
Before Mr. Clsxton took the stand,
Commander Heilner was recalled 10 make
,arious verbal corrections la the official
-opy Of his testimony.
ORDERS TO ENGINE ROOM.
MIR. Claxton said that on July 3. 1898
he bad been on duty I'm the engine room
NJ. sl.t.. ,.rtt, had
called Tor fun speed ahead esrly Ia the
morning which had within an hour after
the beginning OF the action. been changed
10 'fuil speed astern. To his knowl-
edge there had been no signal for the re-
,ersal OF the engines. He said that he
had been excused from service In the en-
einf room. but still he knew that the en-
snes were reversed for about two min
utcs
What was the next change made In the
Indicator of the port engine of the
Texas he was asked.
Full speed ahead
What was the next after that?'
There was no other order given for
some time afterward.'
swhen was further signal received by
the Indicator. and what was the signal
WHEN CHANGE WAS MADE.
''witbin the frat hour OF the engage
speed astern.'
.'can you give an estimate OF the time
when the signal WAS given for full speed
astern and how long after the beginning
OF the action
~ couid say within the first hour
was there any other signal given dur
inG that watch within your knowledge
for ihe port engines 10 reverse
There was none 10 my knowledge.
You were on duty I'm the port engine
room throughout that day, were you
rot-r
Where elise were YOU on duty, II any
where at the timer
Il was excused for time on account
OF the heat"
"As matter Of fact were tho engines
reversed"
ADMIRAL COTTON CALLED.
Rear Admiral Cotton now commando
ant of the Norfolk navy yard. and who
commanded the auxiliary cruiser IIar-
ward during the spanish war. was the
next witness rIe told Of meeting the
nyine squadron under Commodore schley
OF Santiago on MAY q. 1895 and said that
IN that date Ne had delivered dispa tches
- the commodore from Admiral Samp-
son and the navy department
He had. he said boarded the Brooklyn
then moderate and ne had no difficulty in
going aboard the Brooklyn from his
boat lie had worn his sword
What conversation took place between
Yourself and Admiral schey2" asked
Captain I.emiey.
III will be impossible FOR me 20 state
the entire conversation" the witness re-
Piled II was on board. generally speak
ing from about half past ten to about
noon. The conversation naturally cover
- very wide range the most import
ant part Of which was. az course relative
Z, The dispstches 7 had delivered"
"Nhai was said about me dispatches q"
y delievered To- Commodore Schley the
original cipher I'm which the dispatches
had been received hy me a. ST Nicholas
Mole together With The translation of
those dispa tcles made hv Lieutenant
Besll % the Harvard 7 handed them
personally 10 him iu his cabin in The or
der of their date lie received thcm read
them and commented IN a general wav
upon their nurpori sopke ~ tho dini-
Guilty he had had IN getting coal on board
his ships while at CienfueRos and sub
seouen,ly 10 The date Of which nm
speaking MAY 21 and said u had been
an almost imnossibiliiv 10 get on board
on account ~ The weather
THE QUESTION or coat
''rre questioned me relative to the prac-
ficabiiiy ~ cosiing ships at 81 Nicholas
Mole and Corslyes channel AS 10 81
Nicholas Mole. 7 said. There IL no oies-
ton the sms'i ships can coal there As 10
Gcnaires channel. J know ~ no reason
why you shoHid not b able 20 coal there
The commodore nnadf some remarks
about my statements the lanerss~ ~
which Do not recail hnt 30 askedN NYnr
How shoui The large ships ~ ~ Nlsh.
las Nolc7 J said 'ron can't coal ,onr
rig ships there.
~ had special reference N my reply 70