The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-10-17
CAPTAIN OF THE. BROOKLYN ON
THE STAND IN THE scHLEY
COURT OF INQUIRY.
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOOP
Witness Says He Gave the Order for
That Famous Turn and Considers
1t Was an Entirely Successful Move
ment-DecIares He always Regard
ed Admiral schIey as an Exceeding
/ ly Brave and Patriotic Officer.

Iy Brave and Patriotic Officer.
Washington, Oct. 15.-Captain F. A.
day called before the Schley court OF
inquiry. He was called by the navy
department, but as he also is on Ad-
miral Schley's list of witnesses, he
was considered, like Lieutenant Com
mander HodgSon and Lieutenant
Doyle, as a witness for both sides OF
the controversy. During the war with
Spain Captain Cook was commander
OF the flagship Brooklyn and also Ad-
miral Schley's chief of staff, thus &C.
cupying the same relative position to
admiral Schley that Captain Chad
wick occupied to Admiral Sampson.
His appearance on the stand therefore
created considerable interest and his
testimony was listened to attentlvely.
After previous witnesses had cor
rected their testimony Captain Cook
was called. He was questioned by Mr..
Hanna and responded in clear and dis
tinct tones. He said he had been at
Key West on May 10.
What information did you have at
chat time concerning the whereabouts
of Cervera's feet?" asked Mr.. Hanna.
MY impressions now are that sim
ply from rumors we understood they
had left the Canary islands and part
of them had been sighted at Marti-
niQue and from consular information.
or perhaps information sent by the
Harvard, that they had gone to Guar
acoa. That is all from impression"
Giving the reasons for departure of
the flying squadron for Cienfuegos
Captain Cook said the squadron had
been sent to that port Ito intercept
and meet the Spanish squadron, it
having been determined, as We believ-
ed at that time, by them to make Glen
fuegos their objective point He had
understood that the Spanish fleet car
ried munitions of war for Havana and
it was believed that they would go to
Cienfuegos, because of it's accessible
ity to Havana.
Captain Cook detailed converse
ton between Commodore Schley and
captain Chester, while the squadron
was en- route to Cienfuegos. He said
there had been talk between them of
coaling on the southern coast of Cuba.
Discussed coalins Facilities.
"The only thing recollect," he said,
twas that Commodore Schley ques-
toned Captain Chester very closely as
to the facilities for coaling ships on
the south side of Cuba
do you know what information was
received?"
81 think they consulted a chart at
the time and something was said about
Cape Cruz. l recollect afterwards
looking at the chart there and it did
not seem to be a favorable place.
know the subject of coaling was early
considered, even before leaving Key
West"
Admiral Dewey-"Was your answer
that Cape Cruz did or did not look like
a favorable place? l did not quite I'M
derstand that"
Il said l recollect very we'll my i'm
pressions at that time were that Cape
Cruz did not seem favorable place
for coaling ships from Golfers"
Mr.. Hanna-"Perhaps the cour1
would like to hear why you thought
So"
II could not we'll see how the larger
ships could get far enough in there 81
that the golfers would be smooth
enough to go alongside and coal ship.
Captain Cook said that upon arriv
ing off Cienfuegos on the morning o
May % a blockade was immediatel!
established as the firing of guns wa
heard and it was believed that Cerver;
had arrived and fete in honor of hi
appearance was on.
Earthworks on the shore were seen
but they were not fired on because /
was considered desirable not to unnec
essarily expend ammunition.
Il think between that time and tn
arrival of the Adula, it was presumet
that the whole beach was occupied,
he said. 1--WE saw cavalry and other
on the beach. The probability of
boat landing was talked of. The ide;
was that we would have to go il
pretty we'll to the westward and a
night. I had some conversation wit
the commodore about it, but I do no
recollect. On the arrival of the Adult
we fully expected to get some informa
ton"
Did you see any signal lights o.
shore while you were there?"