The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-26
Admiral SchIey Continuing His
Narrative Told How American
Fleet Sank Admiral Cervera's
Squadron
EXPLAINED HISTORICAL
LOOP MADE BY BROOK YIN
Large Crowd Was Present to
Hear the Testimony and Once
There Was an Attempt to
Cheer-AdmiraPs Words Plain
and Precise

Washington, Oct. 25.-When the
Schley court of inquiry adjourned to-
day. Admiral Schley had not com
pleted his testimony. He took the
stand about II 80 o'clock, after former
witnesses had been recalled for the
purpose of making corrections and adj
ditions to their testimony, and con-
tinued his statement until the court
adjourned at $40 o'clock p. m.
This adjournment, 20 minutes in ad-
vance of the usual time, was due to
the fact that the sadmiral's throat had
become sensitive as result of his
continuous talking yesterday and to-
day. He had made complaint to the
court of the condition of his throat
Immediately after concluding his re-
cital of the story Of the battle off
Santiago, and Admiral Dewey, who
himself evidently had noticed the diff
nculty, responded by showing a will
lngness to adjourn the court.
Mr.. Rayner, however, expressed a
desire to proceed, saying that he had a
number of questions which he wished
to ask, and Admiral Schley assented to
his counsePs suggestion
A quarter of an hour later, Admiral
Dewey himself renewed the request for
an adjournment, and all consented, the
court adjourning until Monday at IL
o'clock.
The day was notable one. By large
odds the largest crowd that has yet at
tended any of the sessions was present,
and deep interest was manifested
throughout the proceedings.
Long before the beginning of the
morning session all the seats reserved
for visitors in the court room were oc-
cupied, and the greatest portion of the
space in the rear of these seats was
filled with men and women standing.
They not only stood upon the floor, but
upon windowsills and tables, and even
the rude elevator machinery in that
portion of the hall was occupied by
men.
On only one occasion was there any
effort at applause, and this was sup
pressed before it had reached any mag
nitude.
The chief event of the day was the
admirals narration of the events of
July 8, when the American fleet sent
Cervera's squadron to the bottom of
the sea, or to the beach.
He told the story Of this historical
event in plain words and in unaffected
style, but the narrative was straight
forward and to the point, indicating
close familiarity with all the phases Of
that battle. He said that the Brooklyn
for a time sustained the fire of all four
Of the Spanish ships, and also the fire
of the Spanish land batteries.
Explaining the historical turn of his
own flagship, the Brooklyn, the admiral
said that she cid not approach to with
in less than 900 yards of the Texas, and
that he never considered that vessel
in the least danger. He also stated, in
response to an Interrogation from Mr..
Mr. Rayner that he never. during the
battle, engaged in any colloquy with
Lieut.. Hodgson and that he did not use
the expression attributed to him by
Hodgson. This refers to the alleged
charged with having said: Damn the
Texas"
Admiral Schley also gave the details
of the reconnaissance Of May 81, when
the Spanish ship, -Cristobal Colan, was
bombarded. In this connection he de-
MED the statements attributed to him
by Commander Potts Of the battleship
Massachusetts.
Preceding the adjournment of the
court today, the question Of calling Adj
niral Sampson to the stand was re-
vived by Judge Advocate Lemley, who
reminded Mr.. Rayner that he (Mr. Ray
ner) had suggested some time ago that
he desired the admiral called.
Capt. Lemley said he was prepared
tn issue the summons If called upon to
do so. but Mr.. Rayner responded that
the incident which had seemed to de-
mand the admirals attention had
dwindled into comparative insignifi-
canoe. and he added that 1t was
well understood the condition Of
Admiral SIMPSONS health was such
that he could not be asked to appear
upon the witness stand.
AS Admiral Schley left the court
room today he was given quite an ova-
ton. A large number of persons had
halted outside the courtroom door and
many insisted on shaking hands with
him. The assemblage escorted him
up the hill from the gunner's workshop
in which the court sits, to the outer
gates Of the navy yard.
The family trade is what we are after
and we deserve it. Your table and your
medicine chest both need US. Alas
W. rnff