The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-10-26

arrival OF Admiral Sampson, commander In chief
Of the North Atlantic squadron. In speaking OF
that and the change in command which 1t In.
volyed he ventired on ground which captain
Lemly considered as somewhat questionable. The
witness said
"On June Admiral sampson arrived lie
brought with him the New York the Oregon and
the Mayfower and steamed down 10 the west
ward little inside of the line Of blockade. lie
found us at that time making tho turn and went
on board. lie was very co,Jiai. very glad TO sce
me, and | explained to him the situation and
the fact OF the reconnaissance lie seemed to be
very glad TO ind ont the situation there. and !
pointed out 10 him the Colon lying in the en-
trance
Captain lcmly-lf the court please, We are get
ting beyond the cou,t's construction OF the scope
OF the preccpt.
Admiral Dewcy-.As I understand he is turning
the command over TO the commander in chief. l
want to hcn that. would like to hear that part
Cont 'inung, Admiral Schcy said: ~ handed
him a number OF dispatches, explained to him
the situation and told him the form Of blockade
that had maintained, and heard no word OF
complaint from him. In fact in view of the
telegram OF coneritulaiion. supposed naturally
ever, thing was approved. Admiral SIMPSONS re-
LAT ions and mine we're always cordial never
had any difference with him"
Admiral Dewet-\Ou have turned the command
over. Now 20 on.
81 turned the command over to ADMIRAL Samp
son and my squadron was not broken M until
the 18th or 10Th oi June. | was still in com
mand Of the flying squadron and composed the
lett half OF the blockading line at Santiago. "
course. | have no criticisms to Offer; merely u
plain, straight story to tell Of Sh,l It's operations
were up to that time
When the court resumed its session at o'clock
Captain Lemly read "A written statement explain
ing discrepancies IN some Of the dispatches re-.
fcrrcd to by Admiral Schley in his morning ties.
timony. The dispatches referred 10 coaling and
in one ease the name "Gonai,es'' was used. wien
II appeared the name "Guantanan,o'' should have
been given. Captain Tcmly also secured the CON
scnt of the court ior an adjournment for today
until Monday avoiding Saturday session. The
admiral. at the request of Mr. Rayncr. stated his
observation of suspicious circumstances on land
aud in the harbor ut Santiago on the evening OF
July g lie said that the outlying Spanish land
forces were at that time being pressed into the
city by the American and nS,ligent forces and lie
had noticed that several of their blockhouses
burned that evening. lie had. at the same time.
observed smoke coming from over Socapa hill.
and he thought the enemy was preparing for
sort,c. OF this circumstance he had notified Nd
miral Sampson. and he thought tho admiral had
acted upon the notice. as The bocka1ng line was
moved in closer that night. Elc explained why
all the engine, Of the Brooklyn had not been
coupled up. saying this largely because OF the
intense heat and also that Captain Cook had not
considered II necessary TO do
Story of the Battle.
\Iluira Schlcy then began his description Of
the battle OF July 2. lie said the day broke fair,
with pleasant land breeze.
'Aftcr had eaten my breakfast" the admiral
ontinued. II came mp TO what could he oh.
served with glasses We were lying at that time
possibly three miles. or little over. from the
land. and remember I wondered why the enemy
permitted lis to remain so close without frng
AZ ns. Al quarter to o'clock, an orderly re.
ported TO mo that signal had been made by the
flagship TO disregard her movements and tla, she
had gone eastward. | did not. OF course. know
where she had gone" Describing the coming
ont Of tho harhor Of the Sapnish fleet. the witness
said: 81 was sitting OH the deck when I heard
u call from the forward bridge TO tell the comno.
dorc that the feet is coming ont. That was some
time after the men had been called TO quarters.
ibou, 9.3j o'clock. The ship was lying. Al that
time. with her head in toward the land in The
direction OF CabanaS. little cove to the west.
ward. and one of the marking points we used
in maintaining onr position. I looked the
stIrboard side and saw the enemy coming out Of
the entrance Of the harbor I looked eastward to
see inc OrUpT OF Ine SlllE'S. saw lHP ieNV> Hl-
parcntly point moro abait the starboaid
beam The Texas appeared TO me to be heading
on some one Of ll" castcrlv course. TO the left
OF her was the Iowa. The Indiana was 10 the
eastward of that position. and the Gloucester was
lying in rndcr the land. The New York was on:
o distance with .ilsscs. ! looked for her. in or.
der to determine what my position in the action
TO he OF course. if the New York had not
been ont OF distance | would not have given or
made 4 signal. | had in the meantime gone for.
ward on a little platform that ! had had con
,truct"d around til" battle tower. As my position
in the fight I had only been there moment or
two when Captain Cook Joined me. In the
meantime Mr. IIoigson, who was on the upper
bridge. sang ont something 10 the captain about
being connected up and all ready. He. at the
same time. said To me: Commodore. they are
coming right at Ms. WELL I said, go right 10,
them aud the helm was put anort. The ship
was started ahead first, AT perhaps half speed
don't rccolcot that. She took her way very
quickly and said To Cook: Hoist the signal,
close in fo. action
"Thcn followed the signal close IN and the
Brooklyn. well the other ships. charged in
for the entrance. according 10 The original PLAN
We all moved directly for the head OF thc column
the idea being 10 arrest and knock them 10 pieces
aS they came on.
The Ships Close in.
I'VE ntincd ON our course for ten or twelve
mnnteS,' he said. land saw all the ships Of
nnr fleet closing ill., One Thousand Yards is the
limit of effective torpedo range and as we were
approaching about that distance | mentioned
something of that sort TO Captain Cook at the
same lime SAYING to him: Much will depend up.
on this ship today Cook replied that would
soon he within the cross fire OF the ships. saw
Lieutenant simpsons first shot and then saw the
first vessel in the Spanish line take rank sheer
u