The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-10-01

PARTPLANDB TIE TEXAS
Bates Tells Inquiry Board of
Narrow Escape From Crash.
TWO NEW WITNESSES HEARD.
Commander Heilner and Engineer
Bates Observation-Disclosures of the
Massachusetts Talks of the Coal
SuppIy-Bring in SIMPSONS Name.
Washington, Sept. 24.-The part
played by the %battleship Texas in
the battle of Santiago on July 8,
1898, in which the Spanish fleet under
Admiral Cervera was sunk, was the
basis of the greater part Of yester-
days proceedings of the naval board
of inquiry. Three witnesses exam
ined had been officers on board the
Texas during the battle, and two of
them were new witnesses. These
were Commander George C. Heilner,
who was the navigator en- the Texas.
and Commander Alex B. Bates, who
was the chief engineer Oh that battle
ship.
Commander Harder, executive Off
Ger and the chief surviving officer of
the ship since the death of Captain
Philip, was recalled. The fourth
witness was Commander Seaton
SCHROEDER, executive officer on the
Massachusetts, and now governor of
the island of Guam.
The testimony several times dur.
ing the day was somewhat exciting
and it was especially SO when Com.
mander Heilner described the battle
and the part the Texas had taken in
it. He said that when the Brooklyn
made it's loop it passed the Texas
bow at a distance not to exceed 100
to $50 yards, and that by the com
mand of Captain Philip the Texas
had been brought to a dead stop. En-
gineer Bates testified that the star.
board engines had been stopped and
said he thought this also had hap
pened to the port engines. Com
mander Heilner expressed the opinion
that three miles had been made in the
maneuver and that part of the ma
chinery was %deranged. He said the
Texas was in greater danger when
the Brooklyn crossed her bow than at
any other time during the battle.
HeiIner Cisagrees With the Chart.
On cross-eXamination, Commander
I-eilner admitted taking part in the
preparation of the official navy de-
partment chart showing the positions
at different times of the ships that
participated in the battle. He said
that according to this chart the two
ships were nearer than 600
yards of each other. But he con
tended that the chart was inaccurate,
and he had only consented to it as a
compromise.
At the instance of Captain Parker,
Commander Bates examined the
steam log book of the Texas and failed
to find any mention of the reversal of
S'S ShSA1AS, WA1l AC duUllll6u IudC
other matters which Captain Parker
characterized as comparatively unim-
portant were noted there.
While Bates was examining the log,
Lieutenant Henry B. Ward of the bu-
reau OF navigation approached him
n leaned over his shoulder. Captain
Parker demanded in excited tones that
he be directed to go away, saying that
he a no business there. Admiral
Dewey replied that Lieutenant Ward
was there under the direction of the
navy department. Ward did not
change his position.
Commander Schroeder testified
concerning the coal supply of the
Massachusetts. which he said would
have been sufficient for a blockade of
10 to. 20 days. The day closed with
another animated discussion between
counsel as to the policy of bringing
Admiral SIMPSONS name into the
trial.
MI. Raynor said: Notwithstanding
the strenuous efforts of the learned
judge advocate to keep Admiral Samp-
son out OF this case he cannot keep
him u | may as well indicate here
first as last what | regard as some
OF the important features of this case.
OF course, your honors know we pro
pose to show that Admiral Sampson
from first to last was not in this fight
at all. and that Admiral Schley had
thrust upon him the responsibility OF
this BATTLE"
SAMPSON TO RETIRE SOON.
Commander of Boston Navy Yard Asks
to Be Relieved Oct. L.
Washington, Sept. 2A.-Rear Admit.