The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-09

MIR. RaynOr. I'm order not to put any
words in your mouth, which is an un-
fortunate inSinuatiOn, because / am af
ter the truth l will give you an oppor-
tunity now to make full explanation
as to whether you stated the elevation
of these batteries to be between 100 and
200 feet?
Il did state that
did you not state to me. you are as
positive about that as other distances
which you have given in the case?"
Il did"
DO you still stand to your state
ment? Is the map wrong, and are you
right?"
Il will stand to my statement. 1 had
not seen the chart when I prepared my
statement"
Mr.. Rayner asked the witness whether
there had been any menace to any of
the American ships on July 3, from the
shore batteries. Lieutenant Bristol re-
piled that there was danger to the Glou-
cester, because that vessel was unarm-
ored. He said that he did not consider
the New York in danger.
Mr. Rayner then read from a report
by Secretary Long, saying that on that
day the New York had sustained the
undivided fire of the shore batteries.
DO you still say, in view of that state
ment that the shore batteries did not
amount to anything?"
You ask my opinion" the witness re-
piled, land 1 have given it to you.''
DEWEY WANTS FACTS.
Admiral Dewey: I'VE don't want
opinions"
AT the request of Mr.. Rayner the wit
ness made measurements from his chart
to show the distance the Brooklyn was
from the Spanish ships during the fight
off Santiago. The reply was: 'sThe dis
tance of the Oquendo from the Brook
lyn, taken from the chart just before
Teresa 300 yards. Taken from the
chart when the Maria Teresa and
Oquendo were about to run ashore,
which is practically the nearest point,
4I,1 n do ,,Ic fI7e,
Brooklyn and the Maria Teresa 5000
yards
Quoting Lieutenant Commander Hodg
sons statement that the shortest range
of the Brooklyn's guns in the battle was
l, 400 yards and her greatest $500 yards,
and referring to the fact that number
of the Brooklyn's 5-inch shells had
struck the Spanish ships, Mr.. Rayner
purpose of showing that if the distance
was as great as the chart shows and
the guns We're set for the range given,
it would have been impossible for the
shots to go to the mark. isn't it GER
tain,'' he asked, 'sif the shots struck,
that the chart is incorrect?"
The witness replied that the Maria
Teresa and the Oquendo could have
been hit with 5-inch guns.
with guns set at that ranger"
Yes. he could do it. I have seen
some very wild fire when a ship has any
motion on
Captain Lemley then took the wit
ness, developing the fact that he had
been for six months In the coast sur
vey, where he daily had used the sext-
ant. The judge advocate asked:
How far would have been the
Brooklyn from the leading. Spanish
ships, just emerging from the harbor
of Santiago, provided she had imme-
diately started ahead at II knots?''
In reply the witness said "At II
knots speed she would go in five min
utes 1000 yards, if she was going at
that speed but she was dead in the
water as / understand, then 1 should
say she would make about 1000 yards
the first five minutes. That would mean
that she was close on to 5000 yards
from the Moro. The ships when L first
sighted them were at Cay Smith be-
Heve that to the best of my recollection
to be 1000 yards inside the Moro
These ships came out of there at about
10 to II knots. At IL knots they would
go one-twelfth of one knot in five min
utes. That is 1000 yards; but they
not go 1000 yards. But call it 1900
yards Then 1000 yards and 1000 sub
tract from 1000 plus 1000, makes 5000,
which would make them 5000 yards off
at the first shot
The court then asked: do you know
fleet by the Brooklyn during the battle
of July 3?''
From my own personal observation,
I do not know
Lieut. Bristol was then excused and
Rear Admiral Taylor was called He
stated that when the battle off Santi--
ago on July 3 began the Indiana, of
which he is in command, had occupied
the easternmost post on the line of the
blockade, having taken the place of the
flagship New York when it left for
Siboney.