The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-11
Stand.

w J. NS-
Commander Hodgson today again oc-
cupied the greater part of the time o.
the Schley court of inquiry as a wit
ness. He was followed on the stand
by Captain W. w. Folger, formerly
chief OF the bureau of ordnance of the
navy department.. but commander Of
the New Orleans during the Spanish
war. Lieutenant Dyson also was re-
called to add some details to his former
testimony concerning the coal supply of
the American fleet during the Santiago
blockade.
The reading of the Schley-Hodgson
correspondence was concluded when
court opened. Mr.. Rayner began his
cross examination by asking Mr.. Hodg-
son whether the Marblehead had hail
ed the Brooklyn when the two vessels
passed each other as the Brooklyn was
on her way TO Cienfuegos. The witness
replied in the negative. The examina-
ton then turned upon events o
Cienfuegos.
Commander Hodgson said that he had
seen the lights on the shore at Cienfue-
Cos, which were afterward determined
to be signals, but he had supposed they
were signals between different branches
of the Spanish forces on shore. He
added that when Captain McCalla ar
rived with information as to the mean
ing of the signals, he was Immediately
dispatched to the shore to m
cate with the insurgents.
Mr.. Rayner asked: How far were
you off during this blockade of Santa
GO from the MORO during the day and
night of May 2Sth, 29th, Goth and 31st?"
In esponse the witness said: Ear
ly in the day time our habitual position
was about six miles. In the night I
think we teamed up and down in front
of the harbor, a distance of about six
miles," He stated that the picket boats,
the M~arblehead and the Vixen, were
inside the line of the fleet. about mid
way between the line and the shore line.
BROOKLYN DID ALL SHE COULD.
The witness then, in esponse to a re-
quest from Mr.. Rayner, continued his
description of the naval battle of July
3rd.
In this connection he said: ""The
Brooklyn did all she could. She got
into action just as quick as steam could
carry her there. We commenced firing
as soon as the first gun on the port
bow would bear, and we kept the port
battery firing until she turned with port
helm through the arc, using the after
guns until we got all the starboard
guns to bear. We got arOun as quick
" as we could with port helm until we
almost paralleled the course of the
leading Spanish vessel, when the helm
was eased the ship steered a course
parallel with the Viscaya.
FIGHTING r SPANISH YES
Sells AT ONE IME
THE three Spanish vessels we were
then ngaged with were the Viscaya,
tn Colon and the Oquendo. We CON
tlnued in that direction, when 1 remark
ed to Captain Cook that it seemed rath-
er lonely for us out there. He was in
the coming tower. He asked 'Why?'
1 said that we were all alone with three
Spanish vessels and it seemed that it
upon us to knock them out.
He stepped out of the coming tower and
exclaimed to me, What's that off our
starboard quarter I looked in that
direction and saw the heavy bow OF q
ship and said: 1t must be the Oregon
and he remarked God bless h Ore
gon!'
THE Oregon was at that time about.
1 should say, four or i've hundred yards
of our starboard quarter at full speed.
After passing the Viscaya, we
steamed ahead n ceased firing. The
men were allowed to come out of the
turrets one at a time to get a breath
ing spell. although Of course, all guns
We're manned and everything ready.
but the gaining pon the Colon was
very Slow, in fact she gained appar-
emily IN us. This was about 11:15
the Viscaya stood in for Acer-
readeros. The chase was continued
then after the Colon Il knew it must
hA cfD ~ -
began to gain.
Il remember at one time telling Com
modore Schley that it was within about
thirteen thousand yards and my recol
lection is he told some n to signal the
Oregon to try one of her railroad
trains. AT any rate, shortly afterwarG
the oregon fired one of her 13-incf
shells which fell short. Then we tried
with S-inch shells and they fell short
The Oregon was signalling to us the
fall of our shot and we signalled to hel
the fall of her shot. We continued oc'
casionally to fire. the Oregon with hel
Is and S-inch guns and we with our s.
inch guns. I remember seeing one o.
the 13-inch shells of the Oregon fal
Well ahead of the Colon and n of oul
S-inch shells apparently fell in shore Of
the Colon.
cat that time the Colon ported he
helm hard aport. Previously to thi:
SAC Adu O1lCu z CI o1ASC VI I"A@'
apparently seeking a soft spot on shore
She fired her lee gun and hauled down
her flag. I pulled out my watch. L
was exactly lis. We then ceased firing
n slowed down and orders were giver
to get out a boat.
1.-THE captain was ordered to go or
board to make terms with or tell thu
terms to the commanding officer of The
Colon. On account Of steam having
been cut off and there being som
trouble with the a we were some lit
tie time getting the boat out. In the
meantime we had slowed and as rapid
~ as could be accomplished one of the
cutters was finally gotten out and g
crew put in. Captain Cook went in the
boat and boarded h Colon. I think
he probably had a mile and a half pull
At any rate we had our guns trained
on the Colon all this time in case OF
treachery or any act OF that kind on keI
part. Although / saw her throwing
hrQnQh locks nvorha~rI + l;I not INC