Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-21
.SCHLEY COURT STILL
DRAGS ITSELF ALONG
VARIOUS OFFICERS FROM THE
BROOKLYN TALK WARMLY FOR
THEIR COMMODORE.

WASHINGTON. Oct T7.-The FIRST new
witness called before the Schley court OF
inquiry was Lieutenant Commander I. ID.
Grimm. who. as lieutenant. was The senior
watch officer on the Brooklyn during the
war with Spain After him came a num-
Der OF junior Officers who served on the
Brooklyn during the campaign.
The arst OF yesterdays witnesses called
for Ehe correction OF testimony was Com
mander Mason. and after him came in
succession Lieutenant Commander Sears,
lieutenant McCauley and Lieutenant
Webster.
on redirect examination Mr.. Raynor
asked Webster concerning the bearing OF
the Iowa and the Texas on the morning
Of July 81. the beginning OF the battle?
The witness admitted that they bore
Rbaft the starbOard beam Of the Brooklyn.
the Texas being TO the right OF the Iowa.
The Brooklyn was headed, he says, north
OF northwest.
In reply 10 another question by Mr..
Raynor. he stated that sitter the surren-
der OF the Colon July Sd, ne had gone to
the forecastle 70 look for other ships. He
had only seen the Oregon and the Texas.
The smoke OF other vessels was visible
between the vessels themselves.
When Lieutenant Webster was excused
Lieutenant Commander Griffin was called.
He gave details OF the Cienfuegos cam
paign saying that the distance or the
hl0ckading line was 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
the smaller vessels. especially the Eagle.
Asked BY Mr.. Rayner concerning con-
rersation between Commodore Schley and
the commander OF the Eagle the witness
said:
Il was present when the conversation
took place, although cannot give the ex-
act words When the Eagle came up
astern OF the Brooklyn the commodore
hailed the commanding officer OF that YES
sci and tolG aim IN substance that he
could not delay the squadron any longer
on his account and that he wanted him
TO proceed TO Jamaica for coal. The COM
handing officer OF the Eagle seemed very
DESTROYS OF remaining with the squadron
and expressed sincere regrets at being
obliged TO part with the flying squadron"
At Santiago the witness said that the
hlockading line was a mile OF two closer
in at night than during the day and on
Nav 18th the feet stood out three or four
miles There were picket boats inside the
line but he did not see them
s did you ever have any conversation
with Commodore Schley before July Sd.
relative 10 the Brooklyn going 10 Guam
tanamo for coal?''
In substance. mentioned the fact that
other ships OF the squadron were in the
habit OF going 70 Guantanamo for coal
We had had some difficulty in cOaling
IN the open on Santiago. The commodore
replied that he had been asked on sever
81 occasions II he would like TO go Guam
1anamo where he could coal quietly and
give the officers and men a rest from the
strain OF blockade. He said that his an
the station in case the Spanish might
come out OF the harbor."
Referring 10 the battle OF July Sd. the
witness said that IL was HIS duty 20 look
after the lower decks. consequently he
had not seen a great deal OF the fight.
Were any cheering or encouraging
messages sent among the men that you
. zone message which seemed 70 cheer
the men below very much was that there
were three Spanish ships on our star
board beam. all firing at US"
Commander Grimm said that when the
Colon gave up the conflict the Oregon
was close on the BrOokiyn's starboard,
and that the Texas and Vixen were
within sight astern-
''Can You speak OF the conduct. bear
ing and manner OF Commodore Schley
during the engagement in which you saw
him.
He impressed me as being remarkably
cool considering what had just occurred.
He was perfectly natural in manner and
bearing"
On cross examination Mr.. Hanna ask
ed: did you Eear anything about coaling
dificultiesT''
u DO not remember. know he was al
ways extremely anxious, and seemed to
coal whenever there was an opportunity.
do not remember any particular CONVEX
sation- The one about going to Guam
tauamo impressed me because afterward
I thought II was such a wise decision"
Having said that when the feet left
Cienfuegos IL was the general under
standing that II was bound for Santiago.
the witness stated that the feet was
headed east when IL stopped south of
Santiago Nay 18th. He said further that
II the squadron had continued as then
headed IL would have landed anywhere
% the eastward"
BY the court: What difficulties did the
Brooklyn have In eoaling on Santiago
prior 70 July -
The derrick beams on the collier were
TOO short. and coaling breeches were
Figged on the Brooklyn in order to coal"
Ensign John Haligan, who served on the
Brooklyn during the war, was the first
witness at the afternoon session
Coming 20 the blockade Of Santiago. he
said the Marblehead and the Vixen had
been inside the blockade line there.
Asked as 10 Commodore Schley's bear
ing IN the battle OF July Sd. he said II was
''Huch as 70 inspire enthusiasm
DO you know what vessels were in
sight at the beginning OF the battle7"
asked Mr.. Raynor.
Captain Lemley objected 20 the question