The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-14

Spanish vessels WITH varying QGlfD, uTeI
one shot from her forward turret at
$500 yards range, which proved short,
and then engaged with her port battery.
When about 1,400 yards distant from
the feading Spanish ship, the Teresa,
her helm hard aport, and continued to
turn until she headed to the westward
parallel to the course of the Spanish
ships. The commanding officer of the
Brooklyn put the helm hard aport and
at almost the same instant Commodore
Schley gave the order hard aport.'
When the Brooklyn's helm was put
hard apOrt the Teresa was about / 400
yards to the eastward of north from the
Brooklyn, the izcaya was to the east
ward of the Teresa and the Colon was
to the eastward of the Vizcaya. When
the Brooklyn completed the turn and
was heading to the westward, parallel to
the course of the Vizcaya, the Vizcaya
and the Colon were about 2, 400 yards to
the nOrthward and westward of the
Brooklyn.
The turn of the Brooklyn was toward
the Texas The Texas stopped and
backed her engines.
On July 3, 1898, about the time the
Brooklyn began her turn to starboard,
a conversation regarding the proximity
Of the Texas took place between Com
modore Schley and Lieut.. A. c. Hodg-
son.
THAT TALK WITH HODGSON.
Admiral Schley caused to be published
IN daily paper letter addressed to
a. -.
son, dated June IL, 1899, in which
Lieut.. Hodgson said:
The colloquy published in the New
YORK Sun and alleged to have taken
place between you and me on the day of
the battle of Santiago, July 3, 1898, never
occurred"
Admiral Schley did not have pub
HShed the other letters of Lieut. Com
mander Hodgson in regard to this let
ter.
OPINION.
The turn of the Brooklyn to starboard
was made to avoid getting her into dan
gerous proximity to the Spanish vessels.
and caused that vessel to Stop and back
her engines to avoid possible collision. Ad-
Commander a. c. Hodgson in publishing
only portion of the correspondence
which passed between them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in connec-
ton with the events of the Santiago cam
terfzed by vaciIlation diliatoriness and
lack of enterprise.
supply and the coaling facilities of the
flying squadron were inaccurate and mis-
His conduct during the battle of July
was self possessed and he encouraged. in
his own person, his subordinate officers
GEORGE DEWEY,
SAMUEL c. LEMLY.
Judge Advocate General q. s. N, Judge
DEWEY'S DISSENTING REPORT.
passage from io Kew West uh to cenfueg es
was made by the flying squadron with all
possible dispatch, Commodore Schley hav-
ing in view the Importance of arriving off
C1enfuegos with as much coal as possible
in the ships bunkers-
The blockade of Cienfuegos was effec-
tive.
Commodore Schley, in permitting tho
steamer Adula to enter the port of Glen
fuegos, expected to obtain information
her when she came out
The passage from CienfuegOS to a point
about Y miles south of Santiago was
made with as much dispatch was pos
The blockade of Santiago was effective
Commodore Schley was the senior Off
Ger Of the squadron off Santiago when
the Spanish squadron attempted to
cape on the morning of July 3, 1898. He
was in absolute command and is entitled
to the credit due to such commanding Of
ficers for the glorious victory which
suited in the total destruction of the
Spanish ships.
GEORGE DEWEY
Admiral u. S. N.
SAMUEL c. LEMLY.
Judge Advocate General U. S. N, Judge
Recommendations.
In view of the length of time which has
elapsed since the occurrence of the events
of the Santiago campaign. the court
recommends no further proceedings to be
had in the premises.
Admiral U. S. N, President.
SAMUEL c. LEMLY,
Judge Advocate General U. S. N, Judge
Advocate
Admiral Dewey declined to make any
statement concerning the courts findings
and that he was still bound by his oath
of secrecy.