The San Francisco call., 1901-10-09

the American and Spanish ships at Santiago.
The witness told how conclusions were reached
by the board. He said
When I reported as senior member of the
board. the board of navigators had sketched
chart before them with the number of the po-
sitions sketched on it, which had been deter
mined by them, starting at different periods,
first when the ships came out and afterward
near as possible. would put the position of his
ship at that time. Then there was great
deal of discussion as to the relative positions.
OF course 1t was impossible to get any position
by bearings and there was nothing known
that the distances in the chart were some
what incorrect and the final decision of the
board was to reconcile each as
sdered exact. The impossibliity Of getting
bearings even if we had had correct chart,
was apparent. but it gave a general idea of the
positions of the vessels during different periods
of the battle
Positions Of the Vessels.
Mr.. Raynor asked If it was true as had
been officially stated in the report. that the
positions assigned from known bear
ings?' The witness replied that that state
ment was incorrect; that they were established
by estimated bearings. Most of the positions
were, he said fixed by discussions among the
navigators constituting the board, although
Captain Chadwick was before the board The
navigators had done the best they could in
plating the vessels and had made it as nearly
correct as possible, SO long after the engage
ment. as had been stated by the board
Asked by Raynor about the places assigned
to the Brooklyn and the Texas, while the
former vessel was making her loop, Com
mander Wainwright said he did not consider
them correct
For myself" he said 7 was never salts
fed with the places assigned
He said further that the board had done
the best that they could at the time,f as q
board 1T was the best we could do to get all
the members Of the board to sign the report" D"
he said, :, ,s,.,ou .. .o,,
II would not like to say" responded the wit
ness. Il know that the navigator Of the Texas
not, for one. 1 think none satisfied
don't know that he was.'
But, Notwithstanding, you were all, includ-
ing the navigator of the Brooklyn, dissatisfied
you signed the report?''
THAT is correct
On redirect examination, Commander VAIN
wright said that in making the chart all the
members OF the board were at liberty to con
tribute whatever data they had to make
said that the chart a compromise of opin-
ions. In response to further questions the wit
ness said he did not see the Brooklyn on the
day of the battle off Santiago. Questions were
put by the court and answered follows:
Were the positions of the ships shown
the chart in question obtained from testimony
taken by the board or from a general discus
sion by the members of the board?"
the members of the board. Captain Chadwick
and Captain Cook appeared and discussed the
matter with the board"
from the position Of the Gloucester at the
commencement of the battle Of July 9. could
you both the Brooklyn and the Texas ~
II do not remember seeing the Brooklyn and
Texas at the commencement OF the battle
What orders, If any, were signaled by the
Brooklyn to the fleet during the engagement of
July 3?''
II saw none"
Raynor-This does not mean that no signals
were displayed does it?
mo, it does not
BY the. court-Did any one of the Spanish
vessels change her course to the southwark, az
If intending to ram one Of the fleet?
II saw no signs of it."
Lieutenant Bristol's Story.
Commander Wainwright then excused
and Lieutenant M. L. Bristol, former watch
and division officer of the Texas, was called
He had only related the arrival of the Texas
at Cienfuegos and detailed conditions there
when the court took recess for luncheon.
Bristol continued his testimony at the afternoon
session of the court. Speakingaof the blockade
of Cienfuegos, he said he had observed the sig
nal lights on the shore near Cienfuegos, but
had not understood their significance The wit
ness also described the blockade off Santiago.
Hanna here asked the witness:
'sIf vessels of the Snanish sn,a dron bo \