The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-18
SCHLEY'S ENSIGNS
TESTIMONY OF FIVE WHO SERVED
ON THE CRUISER BROOKLYN.
All of Opinion that Their Commodore
Was the Hero of the Naval
Battle on Santiago.
EIGHT WITNESSES EXAMINED
LIEUT.. CHARLES WEBSTER, LIEUT..
COM. THOMAS ID. GRIFFIN,
Medical Director Paul Fitxsimmons
and Ensigns Adele, HaIIigan,
Macy, Hand and Marble.
ONE QUESTION WITHDRAWN
AFTER MR.. RAYNER HAD CONFER
ENCE WITH HIS CLIENT.
Rear Admiral SchIey's Status Before
the Court Not Changed by His
Retirement from the Navy.
Medical Director Paul Fitxsimmons
and EnsIgns AbeIe, HaIIIgan,
Macy, Hand and Marble.
ONE QUESTION WITHDRAWN
AFTER MR.. RAYNER HAD 4 CONFER
ENCE WITH HIS CLIENT.
Rear Admiral schIey's Status Before
the Court Not Changed by His
Retirement from the Navy.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-THE presenta-
ton OF Admiral Schley's side Of the contro-
versy was continued before the Schley
court of inquiry to-day, eight witnesses be-
ing examined. OF these five were ensigns,
and the entire eight had served on board
the Brooklyn with Admiral Ghen Commo-
dore) Schley. The first of the days wit
nesses was Lieut.. Charles Webster. who
had begun his testimony yesterday. lie
was followed by Lieutenant Commander T.
u. Griffin, who had charge OF the powder
division on the Brooklyn during the hght
OF Santiago, and he was succeeded by En-
signs c. Adele. John Halgan. jr.. Ulysses
5. Macy, James NJ. Hand and Ralph v
Marble. The last witness Of the day was
Medical Director Paul Fitzs' nmons, who
was first surgeon of the fly g squadron.
While Ensign Haligan was on the stand
Mr.. Rayner sought to bring out informa-
tiCR as 10 the American ships in sight at
the beginning of the battle of July 3. but
Judge Advocate Lemly objected on the
ground that the question was not intended
TO show the absence of the New Iork. and
the interrogatory was withdrawn. Ensign
Marble stated that he had heard Captain
Sigsbee tell Commodore Schley when he
the Spaniards were not at Santiago
There has been some inquiry as 10 Ad-
miral schley's standing in the navy since
he was placed on the retired list because
OF age but it appears that all questions
this point have been settled by the depart
ment having assigned the admiral 10 ''ac-
tive duty at the court of inquiry while
4t is in progress This action taken
TO prevent any question TO the effect the
admirars retirement would have on the
action of the court.
"A SHORT, CHOPFY SEA-
Lieutenant Commander Griffin was the
first new witness called to-day. He gave
details of the Cienfuegoes campaign, say
ing that the distance of the bockadng
line there varied from three TO seven miles.
being farther out at night Speaking of
the voyage from Cienfuegos to Santiago.
the witness said the weather was heavy
and that there was "a short. choppy. sea"
He also said that the heavy sea had inn
peded the fleet by delaying the smaller
vessels, especially the Eagle.
Asked by Mr.. Rayner concerning con-
versatfOn between Commodore Schley and
the commander of the Eagle, the witness
said: Il was present when the conversa-
tion took place, although L cannot give the
exact words. When the Eagle came up
astern of the Brooklyn, the commodore
sci and told him in substance that he could
not delay the squadron any longer on his
account and that he wanted him 10 pro-
ceed to Jamaica for coal The command
ing officer of the Eagle seemed very de-
sirous of remaining with the squadron and
expressed sincere regrets AT DeihS oohged
fonl ro part company VII" the "y'"S sGDAu
At Santiago the witness said the block
aiding line was mile or two closer in dur
ing the night than during the day and that
during May ~ the fleet stood out two or
three miles There were picket boats In
side the line, but he did not see them.
did you ever have any conversation
with Commodore Schley before July rela-
tive TO the Brooklyn going TO Guantanamo
.'In substance 1 mentioned the fact that
other ships of the squadron were In the
habit of going TO Guantanamo for coal.
We had some difficulty in coaling in the
open of Santiago. The commodore replied
that he had been asked on several occa-
sions il he would like TO go to Guantanamo
where he could cCal quietly and give the
officers and men a rest from the strain OF
blockade. He said that his answer was In
each case that he preferred TO remain on
the station until the Spanish ships came
out OF the harbOr."
Referring to the battle of July 3, the wit
ness said that he had been in charge OF the
pOwder division and that il also his
duty 10 look after the lower decks. Con-
sequently he had not seen great deal of
Were any cheering or encouraging mes
sages sent among the men that YOU know
~
Il had a messenger who made frequent
trims to the gun deck and who reported to
me what was happening. conveyed this
Information 10 the men Of my division In
the different handling rooms"
Were any of these messages of suffi-
cient Importance that you would like to
zone message which seemed 20 cheer the
men below very much was that there We're
three Spanish ships on our starooard beam
You don't know who sent these mes
Eages. who gave them, do you
Il took II for granted
sCHLEY SENT THE MESSAGES.
Judge Advocate Lemly her interrupted
the witness by stating that II did not ap-
pear that Commodore SchIey sent these
messages. which brought a statement from
Mr. Rayner that ne would prove. when
Admiral Schley went on the stand that
the admiral sent these messages of en-
cOuragement TO the men
Commander Griffin said that when the
Colon gave up the conflict the Oregon was
close on the Brooklyn's starboard quar-
ter and that the Texas and Vixen were
within sight astern-
Can You speak OF the conduct, bearing
and manner of Commodore Schley during
the engagement in which you saw him -
"He impressed me as remarkably cool,
considering what had just occurred. He
was perfectly natural in manner and bear
By the Court-What difficulties did the
Brooklyn nave I'm coaIing of Santiago
prior June -
Il 90 not think there was any difficulty
during those dates
Afr Rayner-Isn't IL a fact that the der
rick beams on the collier were too short
and were not coaling breeohes rugged on
all Of the ships In order coal2
THAT Is the case OF the Brooklyn. I can
not say about the other ships" Lieutenant
Commander Griffin %as then excused
Ensign G a. Adele. who as naval cadet