The San Francisco call., 1901-10-18

tenant Commander Griffin was called. He gave
details of the Cienfuegos campaign, saying
that the distance of the blockad1ng line there
varied from three to seven miles, being farther
Speaking Of the voyage from Cienfuegos to
Santiago, the witness said the weather was
.heavy" and that there was short, choppy
sea" He also said that the heavy sea had
vels. especially the Eagle.
Asked by Raynor concerning a conversation
between Commodore Schley and the commander
of the Eagle. the witness said:
= IT was present when the conversation took
place although 1 cannot give the exact words
When the Eagle came up astern of the Brook
lyn the commodore hailed the commanding Of
fcer of that vessel and told him in substance
that he could not delay the squadron any
him to proceed to Jamaica for coal The com
manding officer of the Eagle seemed very de-
slrous of remaining with the squadron, and
expressed sincere regret at being obliged to
.sTehat Kind of weather was the Eagle en-
countering on May 26, when that conversation
"As 1 expressed it. heavy weather a short
choppy. sea. and the Eagle and Vixen were
Ibid you hear the commanding officer of the
Eagle talk to the commodore about coal on that
oceasion?"
You heard the whole Conversations
II did, but do NOT remember that he asked
permission to COAL 1t would not have been
possible; at least, it would not have been safe.
At Santiago, the witness said. the block
than during the day, and on May 29 the fleet
stood out three or four miles. There were pick
et-boats inside the lines, but he did not see
them.
Conversations Concerning Coal.
Did you ever have any conversation with
Commodore Schley before July relating to the
Brooklyn going to GUANTANAMO for coal?.
other ships Of the squadorn We're in the habit
of going to Guantanamo for COAL We had had
some difficulty in coaing in the open of San
tiago. The commodore replied that he had. been
asked on several occasions if he would like to
go to Guantanamo: where he could coal quick q
" and give the officers and men a rest from
the strain Of the blockade.
"He said that his answer was in each case
that he preferred to remain on the station until
Referring to the battle OF July 3, the wit
ness said that he had been in charge of the
powder division and that it also was his duty
to look after the lower decks. Consequently he
had not seen a great deal of the fight
ashore and that, looking abaft the Brooklyns
BEAM along the coast, he had seen two other
Spanish ships on hre' with the S9oh some aus, dIs
occasionally. Then he went into the forecastle,
where Commodore Schley, Captain Cook and
Commander Mason were standing, remaining
there until the Colon surrendered. The Ore
gon was, he said, then following very close to
Were any cheering encouraging messages
sent among the men that you know Of by
whom and what were they?
''I had a messenger who made frequent trips
to the gun deck and who reported to me what
was happening: l conveyed this Information I,saea
handling rooms"
Were any, of these messages of sufficient
Importance that you would like to speak of
zone message which seemed to cheer the
men below very much was that there were
three Spanish ships on our starboard beam,
you do not know who sent these messages.
who gave them, do your
II took it for granted"
Schley Sent the Messages. ~4
Tudga Advocate only here interr11Oted the
witness by stating that 1t did not appear that
Commodore Schley sent these messages. which
brought a statement from Raynor that he
would prove. when Admiral Schley went on
the stand, that the admiral sent these mes
sages of encouragement to the men.
Commander Griffin said that when the Colon
gave up the conflict the Oregon was close on
the Brooklyn's starboard quarter and that the
''Can you speak of the conduct, bearing and
manner of Commodore Schley during the en-
gagement in which you saw him?"
HE impressed being remarkably COOL
considering what had just occurred. He was
perfectly natural in manner and bearing"
On cross examination Captain Lemly ques-
toned the witness closely concerning the we'll
known trip to Santiago, the sending away Of
the Eagle for coal and the blockade at Cien-
fuegos. Reading from the Brooklyn's log he
said that at the time of the Eagles departure
the sea was recorded moderate. He also
at Captain Lemly's request, again detailed the
position of the Oregon when the Colon
rendered saying that vessel was from 600 to
see yards the starboard quarter of the
Brooklyn slightly inshore The two vessels
were headed in practically parallel lines
Hanna asked
''Did you hear Commodore schley say any,
thing about leaving Cienfuegos?"
'I did not"
''Or coaling diffculties?"
IT do not remember. 1 know he was always
extremely anxious, and seemed to coal when
ever there was an opportunity. L do not re-
member any particular conversation. The con-
versation about going to Guantanamo impressed
me particularly because afterward I thought
1t was such a wise decision"
Proceeded With Dispatch.
Hanna asked the witness whether the flying
squadron had proceeded with dispatch on
the voyage from Cienfuegos to Santiago, and
the witness replied:
"Yes; as a unit, until we made the turn