Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-16


ihis conversation took place. if m,
nie"lory serves me right. between ant
Crock IN the evening of May IS, after
me signal had been made that we wer,
10 return to Key West"
"hen did the conversation betwec +
you and the commodore take place
win regard to coaling the Texas"
Oh the evening of the eth
Inc Court-"What instructions die
you receive from Commodore Schle,
regarding the movements of the Brook
iVn after it was discovered that Ger
vera squadron was coming out of the
harbor of Santiago?'
/ Inc commodore was on deck when
the discovery was made, and l wen,
Forward, the ship was moving toward
the enemy. Everything had been con-
hected IN the coming tower and he
was at MS post. or the place he had
elected to stand. which was near the
coming tower. to be in easy commune
cation with me. l do not recollect any
specific instructions. We were stand
ing for the enemy
| please repeat any conversation that
| took place between Commodore Schley
|
squadron came out until the Brooklyn
| was Steadied on her westerly course in
| chase"
He several times spoke Of the posi-
| ton of the enemy. AT one time he
| spoke of the turning of one of the ships;
| from the line | saw it, the ViZcaya /
| think. turn out and then turn in again.
| He spoke of that. He said to me at one
| tire 70 look out for the torpedOes or
torpedo boats, torpedo boats, | think
i know at that time that the executive
officers had come from below and
| turned to him and said, Look out for
torpedo boats. or Torpedo attack He
said Aye, aye, sir. and left me. | have
| no recollection Of seeing them / did
not concern myself much about that.
Then there was the conversation as to
putting the helm aport which | have
already stated.
He spoke frequently to me during
the action about cautioning the men
at the batteries to fire steadily and
slowly, not to lose their shots. He
called out number of times. loud
enough to be heard in the turret and
to be heard on the lower deck by the
men manning the auxiliary battcrits 8.
To fire steady. especially at a time
when the ships were doubled on each
other. as for instance the colon passed
from third 10 first place on the sid" II
the other ships.
He spoke to me n number times
asking mo if could not edge in on
them. | rccollect that distinctly, be-
caus. | was anxious to keep a straight
and steady course. believing we gained
by that. ana We had them at all times
under an easy range. We had their
range completely and our shots Were
landing. Theirs Were not"
please state what Was the conduct
and bearing Of Commodor. Schlty dur
ing the battle Of July 3. The answer
To this question previously given by
You does not refer specifically to this
date.
Il cannot imagine any conduct in
battle more admirable He was cool,
brave ana enthusiastic from the begin
ming 10 the end Of the action
The Judge Advocate-"What specific
orders We're given you by Commodore
Schley with regard to the handling Of
the vessels under your command. other
than such as you have already given
relative To the turn to WestWard2'
Il do not see how | can add anything
to what has already been said. The
whole thing passed SO quickly there
was not much time for consultation. |
will say that whatever | did was done
either under his direction. or as far as
| know. his direct approval"
This refers to the battle throughout
IN ha Al
given you in regard to the handling Of
the vessel
1t does.
Mr.. Rayner-"What damage or in
jury was done to the Brooklyn on the
date Of the battle by the Spanish
ships
My recollection is that she was
struck - times. She had the marks of
some forty injuries. but examination
showed % shot holes. She was in such
4 condition at the end Of the battle
that so far as the ship herself was con-
cerned she was ready for action again.
She was not materially injured. The
most injury was done by a shot that
entered the midship compartment and
tore things up pretty badly. There
were shots hit the smokestacks that
might have interfered with her draught.
OF her 5-inch battery there Were seven
out OF II of the carriages that had
been injured to such an extent that we
could not elevate them. In fact at the
end of the action we We're lifting with
pieces of board in imitation Of old
chopping blocks
The Court--'Were thCsa iniul les you
last referred to caused by the shot?"
NO. They We're caused by the fire
ot the guns and spring Of the clevatine
gear
Mr. Rayner Was Commodore
Schley's position on the Brooklyn on
the day Of the battle one Of danger"
Yes. as much as anyone on board.
He was in the open all the time.
The Court-"How far was the Colon
from the Brooklyn when the turn to
starbOard was completed?
Two thousand or 251O yards.
When the court concluded its que Stions.
Capt Cook withdrew and Lieut.. Com.
Sears continued his recital of the details
of the Santiago campaign, being under
asc, oss-cxamination by Mr. Hanna, who
asked especially concerning the meeting
Of the flying squadron with Capt. Nc
Gala when the squadron was on it's way
to Cienfuegos but the witness could not
recall any conversation with Commodore
Schlry relative 10 that occurrence. The
witness said the papers of the Adula Were
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