The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1901-09-27
The Proceedings Of the schley
Naval Court of Inquiry.
commandeS Bates Admitted the on
ciaI steam Log Contains No
Record Of the signal to Re-
verse the Engines.


eourt itself, asking witness to give
his opinion concerning point under
The witness was lir.
Adm. HigginSon. who participated in
the Santiago campaign as captain of
the battleship Massachusetts. This
vessel at ono time was a part of the
flying squadron. commanded by Com
modore Schley. and the court asked
him TO state whether all possible
measures were taken TO capture or
destroy the Spanish vessel, Cristobal
Colon as IL lay In Santiago hnrbor
from May "a to June /, 1898. Counsel
for Adm. Schley objected to the ques.
tion on the ground Tat a reply
would involve an opinion and not
u statement of facts. Judge Advo-
cate LcmIy admitted that the pre-
cedcnts were against questions of
this character. and the court with
drew this intcrrogatory.
II Is generally admitted that this
decision will have the effect OF ma
terinllly shortening the term Of tbs
court, rs will also the courts mani
fest intention TO cut out irrelevant
questions and all hearsay testimony.
Ia several cases the witnesses wcre
ndmonished 10 relate only events
coming within their own observation.
Adm Dewey showed himself prompt
snd methodicol presiding officer He
called the court TO order exactly
a, the designated hour, and adjourned
il Just as promptly Al o'clock.
Tho witnesses Friday were Rr. Adm.
Hlgginson. who commanded the but-
tleship Massachusetts, during the
Spanish war; Capt. C NJ. Chester. who
commanded the cruiser ClncInnaii;
Maj. Thomas N. Wood, of the marine
corps. who commanded the maritcs
on the Massachusetts,. and Comnan.
der Giles Il. Herber, who was execu.
tive officer OF the Texas. the latter
being on the stand when the court
adjourned. The attendance OF the
public was small.
Capt Lemly introduced as evidence
copy OF the senate document re-
latlng 10 the Sampson.Schley contro-
versy. together with photographic
Office charts showing the scenes of the
campaign.
Now | win offer" said Capt lem
~, "a chart showing the positions
OF the vessels off Santiago"
II object" spoke up Capt Parker
Of Sehlcy's counsel, quickly. "lh'
chart is grossly incorrect 1t place
the coast line six miles further soutl
und four miles further vest thar
| u Is In fact"
The chart doea not prove any
thing" explained Capt. Lcn,ly u
is not put as evidence, but for ref
ureuce."
Capt. Lemly. tho Judge ndvocat
general, then read the order of IN
navy department, appointing Adm
HamsRy to be member of the court
Il ask you. Adm. schley. Il yo
hive any objection to any member o
this court" said Capt. LemlN
II have not" replied Adm, Schley
| Capt, Lcmly then swore In the mem
bers OF the court. the three heudln
forward, and each graspIng n sUal
Bible,
Capt, Lemly was himself sworn i
BY Adm. Dewey. and in turn admin
istered the oath to the clerk and re
, porter of the court
Washington, Sept, 23.-Thc test
mony at Saturdays session of tn
/ schley court of inquiry was unfayol
, able 10 the admiral.
Capt, Harber repeated his stat,
ments thot the seq was not too roug
To coal OF sOntlago, and declared II
only signals observed off CienfuegS
Z before proceeding TO Santiago wer
b he thought. between the SPANS
a forces,
a Commander SchroedCr, who w
/. executive officer Of the battlesh
Massachusetts at that time, corro)
GRATED most Of Capt, HarbeT's test
nony, lie declared that during u
bombardnent Of the Colon the Anne
: clan ships inlght have gone In close
. lie also testified that Adm, Schle
= al that tiua had given orders
y get away, saying, lets get out
this
Washington, Sept. sl,-The Pa
played by the bhttleship Texas
!. the naval battle of Santiago July
= 1905, In which the Spanish fleet und
y Adm. Cervera was sunk, was the ba'
:. !. OF the greater part of Mondays pr
: ceedines in the schiey naval cou
Of inquiry. OF the four witnesses c
amined during the day, three h
been officers oh board the Texas dl
"A ing the battle and two OF them we
/. new witnesses. They were Comma
A der George {, Heilper, who was nj
=. igNtoF nf the Texas and Command
Alex, n, Bates. who was the chief {
glncrr on that battlcship. Comma
der liarbeE. executive officer and I
chief surviving officer OF the 81
sr since the death OF Capt. Philip, "
10 recalled. The fourth witness W
IA Commander Seaton Schroeder, exc,
ID tive oilicer ON the Massachusetts, a
n now governor Of the islapd OF Qua
K. The testimony several times duri
the day WAS somewhat exciting, a
II was especially SO when Command
II.,,lnar daa,rihnl th, hnttlp the nj