Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-12-21
.ReportofCourtof Inquiry
Admiral Dewey Sustans Schey in Most Particulars While
Benham and Ramsey Condemn Him on
Eleven Points.

Washington, Dec. 14.-The most pro-
longed, Interesting ahd important
naval tribunal ever held in this coun
try came to a close Friday, having in
open and secret session lasted three
months short of one week, when Sec
rotary Long was handed the findings
of the court of inquiry which inquired
into the conduct of Rear Admiral
Schley during the Santiago campaign.
Instead Of one report there are two.
Both are signed by George Dewey,
president, and by Samuel Z. Lemly, IS
judge advocate. This is form said
TO be recognized in all courts of in
quiry, the signatures of the other
members, Admirals Benham and Ram
say, not being necessary. But it is eX-
planned that Admiral Dewey signed the
second report, minority report to ex-
press his qualification of or dissent
from the views expressed by the court
comprising beside himself Admirals
Benham and Ramsay, in the first re-
port.
The main report presents in very
full terms the questions involved and
the facts as developed by the testl-
mony given before the court of in
quiry. Following is the opinion as
presented by the majority report:
Majority Report.
Commodore Schley, in command of the
flying squadron, should have PROCEEDED
with utmost dispatch off Cienfuegos ana
should have maintained close blockade
of that port.
HE should have endeavored, on May %,
at Cienfuegos to obtain information re-
garding the Spanish squadron by COM
municating with the insurgents at the
place designated in the memorandum de-
livered to him at SIS a. m of that date
He should have proceeded from Glen
fuegos to Santiago de Cuba with all dis
patch, and should have disposed his vessels
with a view of intercepting the enemy IN
any attempt to pass the flying squadron.
He should not have delayed the squad
ron for the Eagle.
HE should not have made the retrograde
turn westward with his squadron.
HE should have promptly obeyed the
navy departments order of May %
HE should have endeavored to capture
or destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor
near the entrance of Santiago harbor on
May 20 and so.
HE did not do his utmost with the force
the Colon and other vessels of the enemy
which he attacked on May 81.
by commencing the engagement on July
8 with the port battery and turning the
Brooklyn around with port helm, Commo-
dore Schley caused her to lose distance and
position with the Spanish vessels-especial-
ly with the Viscaya ard Colon.
THE turn of the Brooklyn to starboard
was made to avoid getting her into dan
gerous proximity to the Spanish vessels.
The turn was made toward the Texas and
caused that vessel TO stop and back her
engines to avoid possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. c. Hodgson in pub
fishing only a portion of the correspond
ence which passed between them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in con-
nection with the events of the Santiago
campaign prior to June l, 1898, was char
acterized by vacillation, dilatoriness and
lack of enterprise.
His official reports regarding the coal
supply and the coaling facilities of the
flying squadron were inaccurate and mis-
leading.
His conduct during the battle of July
was self-possessed, and he encouraged,
IN his own person, his subordinate officers
and men to fight courageously.
GEORGE DEWEY,
admiral II 6 NJ President.
SAMUEL c.. LEMLY,
Judge Advocate General, U. S. N, Judge
Advocate
Minority Opinion
"In the opinion of the undersigned the
passage from Key West to Cienfuegos was
made by the flying squadron with all pos
sible dispatch, Commodore Schley having
in view the Importance of arriving off