The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-10-10

going and coming practically over the
same line. The Marblehead and Vixen
were on the inside but could only be
seen at certain times, even when the
weather conditions were favorable.
Frequently, in fact, only the vessels
next ahead could be seen. 4 -::r@.. -
The witness said he had no orders
to meet the contingency if the Spanish
vessels should; have suddenly ap-
peared. He did not think the Spanish
shore batteries amounted to much.
The witness described the engagement
OF July 3, saying that the Spanish fleet
had come out only sufficiently far to
clear the shoal near the mouth of the
harbor, before turning: to the west
ward. He did not think this was to
exceed l. 800 yards out from Smith,
which Is inside the harbor. Lieuten-
ant Bristol said that after the engage
ment began. he went below and fired.
three shots from the 12-inch guns.
When he came on deck the first of the
Spanish vessels was going in shore.
The Chase of the Colon. .,
Lieutenant Bristol then detailed the
part the Texas played in the battle,
giving the details of the chase up the
Cuban coast. Describing the close of
that pursuit, he said: 80
1--WE continued on with the chase
of the Colon, which was then ahead
of the Vizcaya, in the same relative
positions, the Brooklyn, Oregon and
Texas and, afterwards, at the end of
the chase, the New York joined in.
forgot to mention that the Vixen was
outside the Brooklyn during this time
end at the time the Vizcaya sheered
inside, and she kept about abreast of
us until we overhauled the Vizcaya
and we went ahead until the Colon
finally turned in shore and hauled
down her flag. The Texas then joined
the rest of the ships at the prize and
remained there that night
The distance to the Colon ranged
from three and a half or four miles to
i've or six, with the Brooklyn in the
lead and the Oregon next.
In response to further questions
Lieutenant Bristol said his chart had
been stored away for some time, but
that previously he had several blue
prints made of it.
At Mr.. Rayner's request witness
made measurements showing that, &C
cOrdlng to his chart at the beginning
OF the fight off Santiago, the nearest
Spanish ship to the Brooklyn was
$500 yards. -. :.
In regard to Comma nder Hodgson's
statement that the Brooklyn was but
!, 400 yards awayHhe said he did not
try to reconcile his statement with it,
He blamed the stadimeter as he con-
sidered it an inaccurate instrument.
Did Not Call 1t Blockade.
: Mr.. Rayner then. questioned the
witness as to the stay of the flying
squadron at Cienfuegos.+s> The latter
said he had not considered that they
maintained blockade there.
I'VE were merely lying off the port"
he said, "and at night anything could
have passed in so far as We were con-
cerned without being SEEM" He ad-
mitted that the Dupont and the Cas-
tine had been kept inside the line at
night, but that he had not been able
to see them.
Mr.. Rayner then undertook to COM
pare the estimate of the distances
which Commodore Schley's fleet went
to the east and west of Santiago har-
Dor, with that of Captain Folger. Mr..
Hanna suggested that the practice of
quoting from the testimony of former
witnesses, while not Objectionable
from legal point of view, was cal
culated to produce delay and, there
fore. not desirable.
Admiral Dewey, speaking for the
court, then said that as there were no
legal obstacles in the way of putting
the question, it could be asked. Lieu
tenant Bristol said in response:
81 do not agree with Captain Folger
as regards the fact that ships were
nearer at night. than they were in the
day time, because it is my firm recol.
lection now that they were further out
at night than they were in the day
time; also read from the log when I
testified that the average revolutions
Of the Texas by the watch were GER
tain number. The revolutions accord
ing to that give the ship a certain
speed which would be greater than
the distance given by Captain Folger,
because we also stated in that log we
for two hours and turned first
to the east and then to the west''
Witness had not concluded his testi-
mony when the court adjourned for
the day.
MUCH FUEL BURNS.