Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-18

the Brooklyn have in coaling off San
tiago prior TO June 11?" Il do not
think there was any difficulty during
those dates
Mr.. Rayner: Isn't it fact that the
derrick beams on the Golfers were too
short and were not coaling breaches
rugged on all of the ships in order to
coal?" That is the case of the
Brooklyn. l cannot say about the
other ships.
| Lieut.. Commander Griffin was cX-
| cused and Ensign {. \. Adele, who as
| a naval cadet served as a Junior watch
officer on the Brooklyn in the Santiago
campaign. was called. Mr.. Adele said
| there was heavy sea at Cienfuegos
| while the flying squadron lay off that
| place and that when the start was
made toward Santiago the weather was
| rough and unsettled, though i was
| not bad for large ships. MORO Castle
was in sight. he said, upon the arrival
| off Santiago.
DO you rccollect about the block
AIDE on May % in front of Santiago"
Yes At night | saw signalling so
| fort. The system of signals was that
used in the English navy. blinking
| white light and l judged it was the
Colon signalling to the fort. 1t hap
pened on two occasions.
Gould YOU see that plainly Very
plainly indeed.
The witness in describing the battle
of July said he had charge of the port
battery on the main deck forward and
that when the Spanish vessels first
came out OF the harbor he could not
train his guns on them because Of the
distance. Later he opened fire and he
observed that the leading Spanish ship
held steady on the Brouklyn's port bow
for some time and then turned to the
westward. His range then was 100
yards ana tine lowest range at which
he fired during the day was 100 yards.
The court asked what We're the rela-
tive positions Of the ViScaya. the Co
lon ana the brooklyn when the star
board guns Of the Brooklyn We're fired
by the witness at a range Of hoo YARDS.
He raplied that the two Spanish ships
were well abaft the starhoard beam 81
the BROOKLYN. the Niscaya being ahead
or the DION. ms I-t' N6tlh was tIN''
the turn Of thu brooklyn.
Ensign Abel then retired ana the
court took a recess for Iunc heon-
Ensign John Haligan. Jr.. who served
on the brooklyn during the war. was
the first witness at the afternoon SEES
sion He sail that On approaching
Cianfuagus. Nav Il, H. had heard I'll"
firing of guns Referring to the block
AIDE of CienfuegGs. he recalled that on
the 22d the Rrooklyn steamed past tn
entrance to the harbor and that the
ship had gon" to within about mil.
Of the harboy He also recalled THAI
the Adula had reported that the span
iards had left Santiago. He remenl-
bered that the Eagle and Vixen had
pitched considerably ON the voyage L
Santiago because Of the condition OF
the sea.
When the battle Of July , occurred
he was in the port turret. The short
est range used by him during that en-
cagement was 12Go yards. The witness
spoke of the Brooklyn's turn and said
that previous 10 that event there WAS
a slight sheer to port.
Asked as to Commodore SChley'
bearing in the battle. the witness said
it was such as to inspire enthusiasm.
do yGu know what vessels We're in
sight at the beginning Of the battle"
asked Mr.. Rayncr.
Hold on there" exclaimed Capt
Lemly. before the witness could reply.
| Il object" capt. Lemly stated that
| the prcccpt did not call for the position
of ships except to show whether they
endangered the Brooklyn.
Replying. MI. Rayncr said that II"
uIes tion WAS similar to other questions
which had been admitted.
Il believe that it is an invasion of
the decision of the court. already rem
der"d with regard to going into this
matter Of positions Of vessels. said
Capt. Lcmly. Nov. with regard to
the relative positions at the beginning
of the battle have excepted from my
objection so much as relates to the
possibility of collision. which is dis
! tinct part Of the prccept. The position
Of the Brooklyn at the beginning Of
the battle il called for distinctly and
| in terms, but that uf no other vessel.
Except as I have stated. in 50 far as
| it involves the possibility of collision.
| this. | think. is objectionable and l
submit the matter to the court"
NJ. Rayncr-"bf course | wish t.
! state to my friend that | will not press
this question now. but there is stage
of the case where / will have to bring
il IN. | submitted questions to my
brother. yesterday. They were not nc
ccptcd. will withdraw it now"
Judge Advocate-"We viii have To
enter this ON the record as anothc!
reconnaissance"
MIR. Rayner-"It has been 4 Very
.srccessfnl reconnaissance in develop
ing YOU
Judge Advocate-"So far as we can
do it. if the court please. We would
like II have this matter decided now
ana here"
CAPT. Parker-"If we Withdraw the
question there il nothing before the