New-York tribune., 1901-10-25
CAPTAIN CLARK A WITNESS.
THE SANTIAGO BATTLE DESCRIBED BY
THE COMMANDER OF THE OREGON.

Washington. Oct 2f.-The large audience in the
courtroom manifested great interest when Captain
Clark approached the witness stand Admiral
Dewey smiled he walked around % the end OF
the table TO administer the oath Captain Clark
spoke in an undertone. and two three times
requested 10 raise his voice. This he did as he
went and soon heard distinctly. At the
quest of Mr.. Rayner he began description Of the
battle OF July s. follows:
When We discovered the Spanish ships coming out
our fleet closed in at once 70 attack them. each
ship being ordered TO keep her head directly tow
ard the harbor entrance. The SpanlardS turned
crossing H. and our ships swung OF 10 the west
ward in pursuit. Both sides opened nre promptly
vessels nakiAs II dlGu4t 70 dlStILS usl Ilsll III
oregon ran between the Iowa and the Texas and
after sighted four spanish ships ahead, ap-
parently uninjured at the time. They had gained
Cessful in attempting 10 escape, but II was soon
evident we were gaining on at least one or tnem,
flagship, ana l thought should bring her TO
close action, but might be eXposed 70 the coneen-
tb Rrooyn SSe was VEL forward Of our port
because the oregon was attempting 70 draw up on
the Teresa. But the Brooklyn ami The Oregon
maintained this relative position, bow and guar
Brooklyn steamins straight ahead. as nearly as
could judge, and engaging any and all OF tne span span
action with the sternmost one, and when shs was
driven out OF action and pointed 70 the beach tnen
pushed for the next one ahead and 50 on On E gnSl
ing.
SIGNALS FROM THE BROOKLYN
Mr.. Rayner-Did you set any signals from tbs
brooklyn on the day Of the battle"
Yes sir.
can YOU recall what they were?
.Of my own knowledge and remembrance, the
signals that impressed themselves upon me at tne
time were: Follow the flag / had this repea'eu
to the vessels following, thinking that they n4sH'
not see the Brooklyn and might see US rehlsh
ter another signal. One Of my compartments % Hie-
with water recouect il because Il perplexed me
a little ! was fearful that the Brooklyn mlsn.
have TO haul out of action and run lnshore' anu
/ concluded that it was given to me as NstHAls
in case she did haul out that I would oe prepareo
to look out for the chase alone and not TO pay an
attention to her, and that she would look out Aol
herself. I also remember siSnal because ola "O'
understand il at first The enemy's ship appears !"
have been built in Italy. To which told the ssnA
officer TO answer. she will end on the coast u
Cuba also remember signal. 'Consratuia'iO
over the grand victory and thanks for your sV1'"
did assistance There were other signals niaoe
have seen the list of them, but these are lhe ON
I recolect tnat made any impression upon me a.
the time OF nv own recollection | cannot recai'
any others.
what distance was il that you were engaged N
the chase OF the Colon after the NizcaSa ta
ashore How many miles 40 YOU sNPPN-~
gon and the Brooklyn ran in the chase OF tns N''''
before she surrendered?
II cannot tell you that l have heara inc -
has limited the distance TO a certain nuIh071 -
miles. and the speed of the ships has oseh 'a-''
in question l presume dfty-hve miles
"Can you tell with how many SINUS -
Brooklyn was engaged when the smoke nl'su an
YOU saw her ON her westward couTse-
she must have been engaged with all toui-
Did You see the turn of the Bro"Nyn-
NO sir; 1 never the Brooklyn un'ii Sa"''
out of the smoke .,
How did the BrookIyns fire appear 10 you ~
that tiIne?'
Il remember nothing about tha'- Ie 80 ~.
seeing her. IL made a deep impression upon n'