Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-02
SicsBEE's MEMORY
Continued from page ~

II want to call your attention to the
report Of Capt. McCalla of the Marble
head, on page 426 of the appendix,
which says: Commodore Schley OK
planned TO the commanding officers that
in case the Spanish ships came out he
wished to concentrate the batteries of
all our ships on a portion of those of
the enemy This was not explained
as a tactical concentration of our
whole force on part of the enemy
but as division of our whole fire on
several OF the enemy's ships. During
the time the commanding officers were
on board the flagship Captain Evans,
asked Commodore Schley il it was his
intention to steam at the cnemy's ships
in case they should start to come out.
Commodore Schlcy answered: Ger
tainly,' and added words Indicative of
his intention To attack them as they
came out of the narrows.
Il rccollcct ii perfect
lis that IA correct statomcnt?'
THAT is correct
so there was a plan of battle ar
ranged by Commodore Schley. wa
there not
There is nothing there To indicate il
ficm what YOU have read.
Was not that the same order that
was afterward given by the comman-
der-in-chicf. substantially: Close in
toward harhor entrance and attack
them"
You have not read anything about
indicating any plan of battle"
Mr.. Rayner-'I wan; to read you
two reports. your report of the en-
gagement 81 the Spanish squadron and
/ would like you To tell me whether
there is any conflict between them.
and if there is. which one of these
statements in your judgment now is
ccrrect?"
tReading) After having passed at
1885 the Oquendo and Maria Teresa,
on fire and ashore. this vessel contin-
ued to chase and fire on the Viscaya
until 1896. when signal to cease firing
was sounded on board it having been
discovered that the Viscaya had struck
Ter colors.
THAT was at 1896 IN your report
Now ! want TO read from the report of
the COMMUNICATIVE chief.
(Reading) The ViSCaya was soon
set on fire and at Ills she turned in
SHORE anu was DtdCHeu al <tSSeIduOTtS,
Is miles from Santiago. burning fierce
~ etc.
Which of these is correct? If there
is conflict between the commander
in-chief at the time the Viscaya went
ashore and your report yours at 1896
and his at 11.15. it becomes material
point to US which one of these spec:fi-
cations is correct
THE time given in that report of
mine was furnished by the navigator
and executive officer of the ship. l, of
course. did not take the time
Mr.. Rayner then questioned the wit
ness as to the speed the Iowa was
making when the Oquendo and the
Maria Teresa went ashore. with intent
10 show that the admirars official re-
ports and his present statements as to
speed were not consistent.
Mr.. Rayner's point was that the Off
Ciai report showed according to meas
urements. the Iowa had made eight
miles in half an hour. but the admiral
said that while this might be true ac-
Cording to the land measurements. it
must be borne in mind that he was
running Il course at sea. His ship was
going as fast as she could be made to
sc and he thought her speed was
about 9ta knots an hour.
While before CienfucgOS or on the
way to Santiago did you have any or
ders for battle?" asked Mr.. Hanna
No" responded the witness. I'VE
steered in column with fankers on
each side
Had you any instructions as to
what to do in case the enemy should
appear"
We had not
Thomas NJ. Dicnaidc. a newspaper cor
respondent. who was on board the Texas
during the Santag" campaign. was then
called. He said he was on the bridge,
with Capt Philip from the beginning of
the battle of Santiago until the chase Of
the Colon began. He had made notes of
the battle at the time and from thcm lie
read. today. When he first saw the
Brooklyn with reference to the Texas
she was off the port bow of the Texas
at right angles to the latters course and
show that Capt. Philip ordered stop both
engines. helm hard starboard." His next
entry reads: "Brooflyn-Close shave"
To Admiral Dewey witness said he did
not hear Capt. Philip give any order to
back the engines. When witness went
around the lee side of the coming tower
to see why the Texas stopped Capt Phil
Up said to him: Loot at that fellow 60
ing out to sea.
The witness was then excused until to-
morrow, when he was asked to bring his
newspaper report of the engagement into
court.
Capt Charles d. Sigsbee, who COM
manded the scout ship St. Paul during
the spanish war. was next called He
SAID that in obedience to orders from
capt. Wise, who was his commandin.
omcer. he had proceeded to the vicinity
OF santiago. arriving there on the 21st
HE told of taking aboard the Cuban nj
iot Nunez and said that he did not have
great confidence in that individual. His
INSTRUCTIONS were to report to CommO-
dore Schley that the SPANISH SQUADRON,
probaDiy was in Santiago harbor. He fell
IN with the flying squadron on the even
ing OF May 26. the squadron then heinr
~ or 20 miles south OF Santiago He had
reported to Commodore Schiey that he
knew nothing positively about the
spanish fleet. He was then asked If no
mad expressed his belief to Commodors
Schiey that Cervera's fleet was not in
me harhor as reported later nv Commn.
core Schley. a controversy arose over
tne admissibilty of the question and Tho
couIt TOOK a recess for luncheon hefora
receiving the reply OF the witness
men the court reconvened after Inn
cneon capt. Sigsbee resumed Me III
mony Mr. Hanna repeated his nnest,o,,
askea before recess, quoting from Ad,r;'
a. SSnley report of Feb. Is, Issa the
sentence reading: After baviro .ne
assured by Sgsbee that he did not hsi,e.,,