New-York tribune., 1901-09-24
THE TESTIMONY IN DETAIL.
HEILNER THE PRINCIPAL WITNESS IN
THE sCHLEY COURT.
rBy The Associated Presal

IBy The Associated Press
Washington, Sept 23-rhe part played by the
battleship Texas in the naval battle off San
tiago on July g. $685. in which the Spanish fleet
under Admiral Cervera was sunk was the basis
Of the greater part Of to-day's proceedings IN
the Schley Court Of Inquiry. OF the four wit
nesses examined during the day. three 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
navigator the Texas. and Commander Alex
ander B. Bates, who the chief engineer on
that battleship. Commander Harber, executive
officer 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 Mas
sachusetts and now Governor of the island Of
Guam
The testimony several times during the day
somewhat exciting, and it especially
so when Commander Heilner described the bat
tie and the part the Texas had taken in IT.
He said that when the Brooklyn made its loop
at the beginning of the battle 1t had passed
the Texass bow at distance not to
exceed 100 or $50 yards and that at the COM
nand Of Captain Philip the Texas had been
brought to a dead stop. =
Mr.. Bates, the engineer. testified that the star
board engines had been stopped, and said he
thought this also had happened to the port
engines. Commander Heilner expressed the
opinion that three miles had been lost by this
ulanauvre and the fact that part of the ma
chinery was deranged. He said he considered
that the Texas was IN greater danger when the
Brooklyn crossed her bow than at any other
time during the battle.
On cross-examination Commander Heilner ad-
rnitted having taken part in the preparation Of
the official Navy Department chart showing the
positions at different times Of the ships which
took part in the battle He said that. accord
ing to this chart, the two ships never were
nearer than six hundred yards of each other.
He contended, however. that the chart was in
accurate and he said he had only consented to
It as a compromise. Commander Bates ad-
mitted that the official steam log of the Texas
contained no record Of the signal to reverse the
engines Commander Schroeder testified con-
cerning the coal supply OF the Massachusetts.
which he said would have been sufficient for a
blockade Of from sixteen to twenty days
The day closed with another animated con-
troversy between counsel to the policy Of
bringing Admiral SIMPSONS name into the
trial.
TESTIMONY BROUGHT OUT
The members of the Schley Naval Court of
Inquiry found the accommodations in the tool
shop at the Navy Yard somewhat improved when
they met there at the usual hour Of IL o'clock
to-day. The long, bare room, which hitherto mao
been open from floor to root, had been in ap-
pearance, at least, completely transformed over
Sunday by the addition of ceiling Of plain
white cloth. This had the effect also Of improv-
Ing the acoustics of the hall. that the court
and others had less difficulty than formerly In
hearing the witnesses.
The members Of the court were prompt, as
usual. in reaching the Navy Yard, but when
they arrived they found Captain Lemly and his
assistant, Mr.. Hanna, already there, engaged in
getting ready for the days work
Among the witnesses who reported this morn
ing Admiral c. s. Cotton, Commanders
James Madison Miller. A B. Bates and s. c.
Heilner; Captains B. II. McCalla and William c.
Wise. and Lieutenants John Hood and Spencer
S. Wood
Admiral Schley and his counsel arrived at the
hall at 10:45 o'clock It authoritatively
stated to-day that the Navy Department has no
Intention, at present of bringing Admiral Samp-
son to Washington as witness to be present
IN any other capacity at the inquiry.
The hands of the old fashioned hall clock
standing back Of the seats occupied by the
court pointed directly to the hour Of IL o'clock
when Admiral Dewey, with sharp rap OF his
eaVel. called the court to order. There was at