The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-03
Due to an Error and With Absolutely
No Desire TO Falsify.
FLEET PLACED NEARER SHORE.
Lieutenant Doyle Estimated Distance OF
BlockadiHg Squadron from the Mouth
OF the fIarbor at Three to Four Miles. !.
Bombardmeut OF Colon Was
to Develop the Shore
Batteries.
(Ey Associated Prcssl

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-An interesting
turn was given to the schley court of in
qufry to-day by the Introduction of the
first witness in Admiral schley S behalf
This was Lieutenant James J. Doyle,
who was a watch officer on board the
flagship Brooklyn during the war with
Spain.
The fact that lieutenant Doyle was
put on the stand does not mean that the
Navy Department has concluded the pre-
sentation of its side of the case. Mr.
Boyle was called by the department, but
as it had also been the purpose of Ad-
miral schley to summon him, advantage
was taken Cii his presence on the stand
TO question him as an original witness
for the applicant" He was under ex-
animation by Mr.. Rayner in the interest
Of the Admiral when the court adjourned
for the day.
Before undergoing examination at Mr..
Rayner's hands, Lieutenant DOYLE. at
Captain Lemly,s request, explained his
part in the battle of July Sd and his
original entry in the ships log concern
ing the famous loop, and his alteration
of that entry because he Subsequently,
discovered that his first entry had been
erroneous
Admiral Evans and Correspondent
Dieuaide We're recalled for the purpose
of correcting their testimony as given
yesterday, and made additional state
ments.
COULD NOT HAVE SEEN.
Commander Alexander Sharp, who
commanded the converted yacht Vixen,
was the first new witness OF the day.
He said that the weather on the cruise
from Cienfue9os to Santiago had been
squally, but that it had not been su,fi-
GENTLY bad to interfere with the speed
Of the Vixen Describing the service of
the Vixen during the siege of Santiago
under Commodore Schley Commander
Sharp said that he had Seen placed on
picket duty. He was about two miles
from the shore, he said. and probably
three miles from the mouth of the har-
Dor.
Mr.. Hanna: Gould YOU have seen a
vessel undertaking to pass out near the
shore under those ccnditions?"
Commander Sharp: eff she had shown
no lights and made no noise I do not
believe we could
Commander Sharp told Of going aboard
the Brooklyn with Lieutenant Harlow's s
notes, and Of discussion concerning the
question whether the Brooklyn made a.
turn to port or starboard.
NOTES WE'RE CHANGED.
Captain Parker questioned Commander.
Sharp concerning the notes made of the
battle of July 5 by Lieutnaht Harlow
| on board the Vixen. This report has o.
casoned no little controversy it being
claimed by some of Admiral Schley's
friends that after a copy of the notes
was delivered to the Arr1iral Chen
commodore) by Commander Sharp, the
original notes were charged somewhat
The witness said that he rad taken d
carbon copy to the Commodore after the
battle.
do these notes state the truth of the
battle as you saw t?' asked Captain
Parker and the witness replied:
These are Lieutnant Harlows notes.
He took them and l am not prepared to
say yes or no whether they are abso-
lutely correct in every particular or not.
Commander Sharp said in response to
questions by Mr.. Rayner that one of the
results of the bombardment of the Colon
had been to develop the Spanish shore
batteries.
Mr. Rayter then asked do You recol-
lect a. conversation with Commodore
schley after the Colon reconnaissance in
the presence of Lieutenant Harlow in
which the Commodore remarked that