The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-10-18
WE'RE WITNESSES IN scHLEY
COURT OF INQUIRY.
BEHAVIOR OF THE ADMIRAL
All Agree that Schley's Conduct was
Cool and Brave During
Battle.

Washington, Oct. l5-Only one wit
ness was heard in detail by the Schley
court of inquiry today. This was
Lieutenant Commander James H.
Sears, who was Admiral Schley's flag
lieutenant during the Spanish war.
He gave a detailed account Of the
entire Cuban campaign, including the
brief siege of C%ienfuegos, the retro
grade movement of the flying squad
ron in search of coal, the blockade of
Santiago, reconnaissance of Santiago
shore batteries and the bombardment
Of the Cristobal Colon May 81, and
the battle off Santiago July 3. when
Cervera's fleet was destroyed. He
placed the distance out, of the block
aiding line at Ceinfuegos at from one
to four miles and at Santiago at from
three to six miles. He expressed the
opinion that in the battle of July 3,
it had been the Viscaya's intention
to ram the Brooklyn. While Com
mander Sears was on the stand Capt.
Jill LIS d6C, OuI t1O COu1 I
after quite a prolonged consultation
in retirement decided that the ques-
ton was not admissible. 1t held,
however, that the time of service
could be inquired into.
Mr.. Rayner sought to secure the
introduction Of a brief report of the
battle of July 3, which Commodore
Schley prepared for transmission to
the secretary of the navy. It was
stated that Commander Sears had
taken this dispatch ashore to be
cabled to the secretary, but that it
hao reached that officer. The
dispatch was ruled out on the ground
that as it was not received it was
not an official communication. 1t was
not read in the court room. Follow
ing is a copy of it:
"Secretary of Navy, Washington
Spanish squadron came out of Santi-
ago harbor this morning, July 8, at
$3.50 and were all captured or destroy
ed in a running fight to westward of
about three and one half hours. Very
few casualties in our fleet-Ellis,
chief yeoman, killed and one man
wounded on Brooklyn. Reports from
others ships not yet in. Commander
in-chief now supertending transfer of
prisoners from Cristobal Colon which
surrendered to. Oregon and Brooklyn
at 1:50 p. m. About 1000 prisoners
in all, including Spanish admiral.
Victory complete; details later.
(Signed) Schley."
Captain Cook was recalled during
the day and in response to a question
by Captain Lemley made an addition
al statement concerning the retro
grade movement of the flying squad
ron May 26 to May %. He also said
in answer to a question by the court
that Commodore Schley during the
battle of July 3 was "cool, brave and
enthusiastic. I canot imagine any
conduct in battle more admirable"
Washington, Oct. 16.-The officers
of Admiral Schley's flagship, the
Brooklyn, occupied the attention of
the Schley court of inquiry for the
entire day. The proceedings began
with the recall of Captain Cook and
Lieut.. Commander Sears, both Of
whom made general additions to their
former testimony. They were follow
ed in succession by Commander N.
E. Mason, who was the executive Of
icer of the Brooklyn, Lient. McCauley
who was signal officer and Lieut..
Chas. Webster who had charge of the
forward deck battery of the Brooklyn
during the battle off Santiago and was
a watch officer on board that ship.
Captain Cooks new testimony re-
lated to the uncoupling of the Brook
lyn's engines which he said was in
Sampson, and to the voyage of the
flying squadron from Cienfuegos to
Santiago, explaining in some detail
the slow progress made on that oc-
casion.
Sears spoke again of the conversa-
ton reported having taken place be-
tween himself and officers of the Mas
sachusetts in the wardroom of that
vessel on May 81, in which he was
alleged to have said that it had been
difficult to get Commodore Schley up
to the point of undertaking the bonn
bardment of the Colon, and he again
denied that he had said anything re-
fecting upon his superior officer.
Commander Mason and L~ieutenants
McCauley and Webster all gave &C
counts of the engagement of July 8.
Mr.. McCauley recited in detail the