The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-27
TESTIMONY IN DETAIL.
Reversal of Texas's Engines Again
Attested-SchIey Was Nervous

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.-Captain Wise
who commanded the scout ship Yale dur
ing the Spanish war, resumed the stand
when court opened and continued his mar
ration of the retrograde movement of the
flying squadron toward Key West on May
p. He first told of how the Yale had taken
the Merrimac in tow under direction of Ad-
miral Schley. He said the admiral had sig
nailed upon starting to ask if there was
coal enough to carry him TO Key West, to
which he had responded in the affirmative.
On the next day he had reported. in re-
sponse TO an inquiry that he had coal suf-
ficient for two days of full steaming and
for four days of moderate steaming. He
was then dispatched to Newport News, re-
porting to Admiral Sampson on the way.
He had told Admiral Sampson, he said,
that the flying squadron was about thirty
miles west of Santiago. In detailing the
trip westward toward Key West the wit
ness told of the breaking of the Yale's
hawser on the Merrimac. He said this had
caused delay
What was the dificulty?" asked Cap
tain Lemly.
Improper securing of hawser on the
Merrimac.'
WAS it due to the tempestuous weather
or not?''
Not at ALL
''Mr. Hanna read the following extract
from Admiral Schley's report of Feb. IS to
the committee on naval affairs in reference
to the letter from Secretary Long of Feb.
s. 1897 After having been informed by
the scouts commanded by such officers as
Sigsbee. Jewell and Wise, that, although
they had all been off Santiago bay for a
week. they had seen nothing of it 1.-THE
Spanish heet], and knew nothing of its
movements or whereabouts. etc.
He then asked Captain Wise if he had
made such communication to the ad-
mral
II did not was the response.
.'Did YOU give Admiral Schley any infor-
nation respecting the Spanish squadron
.Only through Captain Sigsbee," was the
response. | did not go on board the Brook
lyn at ALL 1 gave Captain Sigsbee all the
information l had
Had you been off Santiago for week.
81 was there from the morning of the 22d
until the evening of the 18th. when the fly
ing squadron arrived.
WISE SAW NO SHIPS.
Captain Wise was cross-examined on this
noint bv Mr. Raynor. He asked: From
the morning of the 22d until the arrival OF
the fiying squadron the evening OF the
18th YOU were trying TO get in touch with
the enemy and watching the harbor?"
Yes"
you saw nothing in there?'
Il could not see any harbor at all"
you could see around the corner OF Cay
SMITH
I'VE saw the masts Of a small vessel
| Could not distinguish what ii was"
You sent no one on shore TO try tC
| establish communications?
Not at all
Isn't the natural condition of the harbol
| such as TO make 1t impossible TO see
great distance up the harbor?"
You can only see a short distance up the
| harbor."
And there was nothing in sight what
ever, was there!
Nothing at all.
The witness had said that Captain Sigs
| bee had taken the dispatch beginning &c
| i'm touch with the enemy The court
| through Admiral Dewey. asked
Was il your duty or Captain Sigsbce'
| TO convey the information in the dlspatCf
| referred TO To Commodore Schley2"
| Il think il was Captain SigsbeeS 3. as hs
went Immediately on duty and / In
! tercepted by orders from the commodor,
| TO take the Merrimac In tow"
Mr. Hanna-Did you receive any inquiry
or did the commanding officer OF the fly
| ing squadron ask you for any information
| at any timey
' Mr.. Raynor read from a report made oil