Evening star., 1901-10-25


my position on the platform around the
coming tower. Mr. Potts is entirely in err
ror In saying that took advantage of any
protection whatever. That is not a fact.
l did not feel under any excitement. The
idea of getting under any cover did not
occur to me. In fact. at that distance
thought 1t was not necessary. But it was
for them and not for myself that l spoke
as did,
Il gave the distance at 1000 yards, but
I did not measure it. Mr.. Potts reported
to Captain Hfgginson that we were on that
range and never knew for a couple of days
afterward that there had been any varia-
tion of ranges. The moment we opened fire
with the heavier guns signal was made
by my direction from the Massachusetts,
for the New Orleans to engage batteries
My recollection now Is that she did. But
the moment We began firing the batteries
to the east of the Morro and the Socapa
opened fire. The Socapa seemed to me the
only fortiication that used smokeless
powder. The projectiles came out be-
yond our ships. The guns impressed me as
being of six or eight-inch caliber. Many
Vixen. lying half mile outside the squad
ron. had a shot go over her. could not
determine, but l assumed that they were
firing at random over the hills. But the
Socapa unquestionably reached us and the
shots went beyond US.
There was no necessity of risking any
battle ships under the instructions that we
had received. because of the danger OF oc-
d
the existing circumstances. If we had lost
one or two Or had injured one or two OF
our vessels the squadron commanded.
composed then of five or six ships, would
have been at very great disadvantage, and
probably would have Invited an attack
which would have had disastrous results.
In view of these facts I considered the
wiser course would be to prevent such
danger if possible. and to save these ships
for such use as would be developed"
Dispatches From the Department.
Admiral Schley then called attention to a
dispatch received by him from Secretary
Long in regard to the necessity for coaling.
This dispatch was read by Sigsbee May %.
having been received at Mole st. Nicholas
May 81. 1t began as follows: 1.-THE most
absolutely urgent thing now to know posi-
lively whether the Spanish division Is In
Santiago de Cuba harbor, as If so imme-
diate movement against it and the town
will be made by the navy and division Of
about 10000 men Of American troops, which
are ready to embark, ETC." The dispatch
then urges Admiral Schley In regard to the
necessity for coaling. He also read dis
patch from Secretary Long to himself,
dated May %, in regard to the squadron re-
naming at Santiago. This dispatch called
upon him to ascertain Immediately II the
Spanish fleet was in Santiago.
Sehley said that he received the above
dispatch, he thought. by the Harvard on
the 31st off Santiago. 1t was either the
Harvard or one Of the press boats that
brought it to him. He could not be sure,
as he was getting dispatches and duplicates
of them. The departments dispatch of
May % to Schley was also read and the
witness said that he received it on the 31st
by the Harvard.
Q. (By Mr.. Rayner) 1t is impossible for
these dispatches to have reached you on
the 9th of May? A. Oh. impossible. They
are dated the both or 3Oth and, of course,
they could not well reach me before that.
Q. Had you at any time before these dis
patches were received discovered the Span
ish fleet? A. Yes, we discovered the fleet
on the morning of the 29th. 1t was early
in the morning, 1 think, as early as 6 or
$50 o'clock.
O. When these dispatches were received
had you surmounted your difficulties about
coaling? A. We had on account of the
weather.
O. Had you notified the department Of
your success? A. Yes; 1 sent a dispatch on
the 2sth by the Yale.
The witness read this dispatch from his
letter book. which gave various information
about the fleet, and suggested the sending
of two more collers. 1t also said that he
had sent the Minneapolis to Key West.
Q. Cby Mr.. Rayner) Why did you send the
Minneapolis to Key West? A. 1 sent the
Minneapolis because her coal supply, I
think, was in the neighborhood of 800 tons,
and she siEnaled to me that she only had
connection with this dispatch and the re-
marks about the capture of the collier, the
Restormel, 1 had no idea that the fleet was
in Santiago. I supposed it had gone. Where
it was l did not know.
Capture of the Restormel. ..~.
O. Can you give me any information
about the Restormel? What information did
you have about the Restormel? A. had no
information, except what Capt. Sigsbee COM
municated to me.
Q. What did Capt Sigsbee communicate
to fpf; otol I,
had captured a collier with coal bound into
Santiago and the fact that she had called
at Porto Rico and Curacao. He sent her to
Key West. He did not say he knew she
was going into this port.
The witness then read a letter that Cap
tain Sigsbee had written to him at that
time. dated May %. which informed him In
regard to the capture of the Restormel and
other matters. This letter ended as fol-
lows: 81 have seen absolutely nothing of
the Spanish fleet"
Now" said Admiral schley. that was
the only information l can recall from
Sigsbee.'
Q. (By Mr.. Rayner): This letter was de-
livered by Captain Sigsbee personally? A.
My impression is yes.
The witness read the dispatch of May 80
from Admiral Sampson to himself, in which
the admiral congratulated him on the sue
cess he had had in maintaining a close
blockade, which dispatch. he said, he 1e-
ceived the 31st.
COaling Places Suggested.
Mr.. Rayner at this point asked Admiral
Sohley several questions regarding the pos
sibilities of coaling at Cape Cruz, which
was shown to be 109 miles from Santiago,
also Manzanllo, Tortugas and Mole st.
Nicholas.
Cape Cruz, the admiral said. was too far
away and not desirable place to coal.
All of the other places had objections also.
and the admiral said that in view Of the
comparatively equal strength of the two
fleets he had deemed it unwise to detdch
any vessels from his feet. If it became
necessary to coal 1t was his intention to
withdraw to waters outside of the marine
limits.
Mr.. Rayner asked where Admiral San.p-
sons fleet was located at this tim,, and
the witness replied that it was III the vi
cinity of Cape Francis, protecting the Ba-
hama channel.
In answering a question by Mr.. Rayner
as to how far it was to Cape Cruz from the
most westerly point the ships of the flying
squadron had reached in the retrogcade
movement, Admiral Schley stated that it
was eighty miles. He said the log Of the
har fn ba hlootaltnp