The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-08-01
INCIDENTS LEADING To
COURT OF INQUIRY

Rear Admiral Schley's course began
with the departure of the flying
squadron from Key West on May Is,
1898. II was then supposed that
Admiral Cervera was making for
Cienfuegas. and Schley was sent 10
that seaport 10 SEQ if the Spanish
feet was there He arrived on May +
%
one OF the charges against Rear F.
Admiral Schley IL that he delayed 1
too long at Cienfuegos. without I
learning whether the Spanish feet was
really there
He started after dark on May ~
with the flying squadron for Santa
go. He says i'll his report that much
rough weather was encountered, and
that. as the Eagle was unable to
keep up with the remainder of the
squadron. progress was delayed.
1t is charged that the run to san
tiago was unnecessarily slow. and was
an indication of cowardice.
Schley's force arrived OFF Santiago
on May 2e, where he was Joined by
the Yale, the Minneapolis and the st.
Paul In his report Rear Admiral
Schley says that the coal supply of
these three vessels was very much re-
duced He signaled to the fleet TO
proceed TO Key West by way OF the
Yucatan Passage.
This signal is made the basis of
charge that Schley was seeking to
evade the Spanish fleet.
Secretary Long sent a dispatch to
Schley dwelling upon the Importance
OF learning definitely whether the
Spanish fleet was in Santiago harbOr.
Schley cabled the department on
Nav 2S that he regretted he could
not obey the order, as it was neces-
sary for him to proceed to Key West
for coal.
AS TIMIDITY.
1t was found possible to coal the
squadron after it had proceeded
about twenty-five miles westward.
Having accomplished this, Schley or
dered the vessels to return to Santa
go. which they did, reaching there
on May %, and taking a position
from four TO twelve miles OFF shore.
On May 81. Schley went aboard
the Massachusetts, which with the
New Orleans and the Iowa, steamed
| in to q distance of about :, 700 yards
from the shore and fired at the Girls
tobal Colon for about seven minutes
This bombardment at longe range
has been cited by Schley's opponents
as an evidence of timidity. Rear Ad
miral Sampson arrived and took
command on June /. The blockade
was then kept up until July 3, wher
Admiral Cervera sought to save hi'
feet by a dash to the open sea.
On the morning Of that day Real
Admiral Sampson, on the New 1orl
had left for Siboney, where he was to
meet General Shafter The New 1orl
was twelve miles away when thu
Spanish feet came into view.
In the absence of the flagship
Schley was in command of the fleet
and it was this fact that started tn
entire controversy.
: WHAT Is MEANT AY THE ''BROOkYN' g
Schley was on board the Brooklyn
which. while very swift, was equippe'
with comparatively light armor
The Infanta Maria Teresa heade'
toward her and Schley ordered he
to be turned in the direction Opposit
to that taken by the Spanish feet
thus making a loop from left to RICH
while the Spanish ships were turning
:. in the opposite direction as the.
emerged from the harbOr. In max
[ ing this turn. the Brooklyn crosse
{ the bows OF the Texas.
r When Rear Admiral Schley's atter
& ton was called to danger OF coll
: sion, he is reported to have said tina
: the Texas might look out for herself
q Rear Admiral Scbley has explain
) ed that he made the loop because b
II wished to avoid being rammed b.
f. the Maria Teresa. Admirable Gel
d vera said that it was his purpose.
J. possible, to put the Brooklyn out {
. ontinn