Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-10-03
NEWS IN GENERAL
sCHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY

$1,000 "a -
in which the Spanish fleet under
Admiral Cervera was sunk, was the
basis of the greater part of yester-
days proceedings in the Schley
naval court in inquiry. OF the four
witnesses examined during the day,
three had been officers on board the
Texas during the battle, and two of
of them were new witnesses. They
were Commander George c. Heilner,
who was navigator on the Texas, and
Commander Alex Il. Bates, who was
the chief engineer on that hattleship.
Commander Harder, executive officer
and the chief surviving officer of the
ship since the death of Captain Phil
ip. was recalled. The fourth witness
was Commander Seaton Schroeder,
executive officer on the Massachu-
setts and now governor of the isl
and of Guam.
The testimony several times during
the day was somewhat exciting, and
it was especially so when Command
er Heilner described the battle and
the part the Texas had in it. He said
that when the Brooklyn made its
loop at the beginning of the battle
1t had passed across the Texas's bow
at distance not to exceed 100 or
$50 yards, and that at the Command
of Captain Philip the Texas had been
brought to dead stop. Engineer
Bates testified that the starboard
engines had been stopped and said
he thought this also had happened
to the port engines. Commander
Heilner expressed the opinion that
three miles had been lost by the
maneuver and the fact that part of
the machinery was deranged. He said
that he considered that the Texas
was in greater danger when the
Brooklyn crossed her bow than at
any other time during the battle.
On cross examination Commander
Heilner admitted having taken part
in the preparation of the official navy
department chart showing the posi-
tions at different times of the ships
which participated in the battle. He
said that, according to this chart,
the two ships never were nearer
than 600 yards of each other. But,
he contended, the chart was mac
curate. and he said he only consent
ed to it as compromise.
Commander Bates admitted that
the official steam log of the Texas
contained no record of the signal to
reverse engines.
Washington, Sept. 25.--The Schley
court of inquiry was brought to a
sudden termina ton for the day
eighteen minutes after converting
yesterday morning by the announce
ment of the sudden death of Judge
Jeremiah Wilson, senior counsel for
Admiral Schley.
Washington, Sept. 26.-Two new
witnesses were introduced in the
Schley court of inquiry yesterday.
They were Admiral Cotton, who, as
captain commanded the auxiliary
cruiser Harvard, and Captain Wise,
who commanded the auxiliary cruis-
err Yale during the Spanish war. Both
these vessels were used as scouts and
both came up with the flying squad
ron off Santiago on the 9th of May,
before the retrograde movement to
Kew West was begun.
Admiral Cotton testified that he
had gone aboard Admiral Schley's
flagship, the Brooklyn, On that date
to take orders to him, and said at
first that he gave him four or five
dispatches addressed to the COM
mander of the squadron. He after
wards modified this statement, saying
that probably all but two of the
dispatches were addressed to himself
admiral Cotton but they contained
which he supposed
should be in Admiral Schley's pos
session. One of these was a copy of
a dispatch from Admiral Sampson,
which had not been printed in the
official records, stating that the Span
ish feet was at Santiago. He said
also that coal could have been taken
from the Merrimac on the 9th of
Nav. the day on which the retro
grade movement to Key West was be-
gun for the purpose of coaling. Cap
tain Wise testified that on the 27th
of May he had signaled Captain
Philip of the Texas his opinion that
Cervera was inside the harbor at San
tiago, but the testimony was ruled
out.
Washington, Sept. 27.-The Sehley
court of inquiry was only in session
for an hour and three-quarters yes
terday, adjourning at LAS in order to
permit its members and others en-
gagged there to attend the funeral of
Judge Wilson, late chief counsel for
Admiral Schley. Captain Wise con-
cludcd his testimony, Admiral Cotton
made brief statement on recall, and
Lieutenant Spencer S. Wood, who
commanded the dispatch boat Dupont
during the Spanish war. began his
testimony. Machinist Gray, who was
in charge of the starboard engines
of the Texas on the day of the battle
of Santiago, also testified briefly. He
said that on the day of the battle the
starboard engines were stopped and
the machinery reversed. Captain
Wise was questioned at considerable
length as to what he had done before
the arrival of the flying squadron off
Santiago toward locating Cervera's
fleet in the harbor. He said that
while he had satisfied himself of the
presence of the Spanish fleet, he had
been content to communicate his
knowledge to Admiral Schley,
through Captain sigsbee, not consid-
ering it necessary to make direct
communication with the commander
in-chief.
Washington, Sept. 2s.-In the
Schley court of inquiry yesterday a
letter was presented from Rear Ad-
miral Sampson asking to be allowed
to be presented in the court by coun-
sci, but the court refused TO grant
the request on the ground that "the
court does not at this time regard
you as a party to the case"
The principal witnesses of the day
were Lieutenant John Hood, who
commanded the dispatch boat Hawk
during the Spanish war, and Captain
Bowman II. McCalla, who was in
command of the Marblehead. The
testimony of both these officers dealt
with the delivery of dispatches from
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