The sun., 1901-11-08

by the Brooklyn upon the latter vessels
cruiser newly arrived on the scene. This
proved to be the Austrian cruiser MARIA
Theresa.
THE BRooKLYN's TURN.
Under this branch Of the discussion
falls the turning OF the Brooklyn with port
helm from the northeasterly or easterly
direction, as variously stated. In which
she was pointing. around by way Of south TO
west, thus endangering, as j believe mas
In an opposite direction from the other
vessels. certainly the Texas, and perhaps
other vessels as well. II Is clearly estab-
lished that the Texas did stop, and that
she reversed at least one Of her engines
! believe both-to avoid collision with the
flagship. The evidence upon these matters
has been discussed in detail, and there Is
little left unsaid regarding them.
Tho responsibility for this movement
the loop-must In any case rest upon Com-
modore Schley--he himself says so. lie
further states that II was the most impor-
Even II initiated by Capt. Cook upon his
own motion, the Commodore conrrmed
the order to put the helm hard aport. II
is, to say the least. extremely douDtiui
whether, in a squadron action, II the one
In question be regarded as such, where al
the ships are necessarily to pe oohsloereu,. !.
the squadron commander can properly
delegate his control over the major move
ments OF the flagship. Capt. Cooks evil
dence on this point seems, as whole, 10
Indicate that he considered himself IN a
naval duel, and initiated the turn TO star
board without 30 much as asking the Com
modore. within a few feet OF him. whether
he approved a step that involved squadron
movements. This confirms the impression,
upon which I have already enlarged. that,
the battle OF Santiago was captains
fight. A. best the loop was tremendous
risk aud I submit, without adequate Justi-
fcation.
EXPECT ON THE ENEMr.
Whether he Brooklyn ran a mile or mile
and half TO the southwark in making this
turn, or whether with her helm hard aport
she increased her distance from the enemy
bv her tactical diameter only. variollsly
estimated ut from 600 TO 800 yards, the fact
remains that she did turn from, instead
OF toward. the enemy IL would seem
that she should have adopted the other
course, 10 not for the purpose OF placing
herself nearer Csrvera's ships. AT least IN
order TO escape any possibility OF endan-
pcrinp or delaying the other vessels OF our
SQUADRON. For. had she been more inlper-
iliccl Individually by starboarding her helm;
no in Jury to her from the enemy could
have eoualled the dire results OF two tnted
States ships virtually committing suicide
II il well known that unexpected injury
from friends IL far more demoralizing
in action than from the enemy. always 10
be EXPECTED And think Of the ehcct upon
the enemy OF n turn with starhoard hnlm'
which appears TO have been disregarden
Takiny z the distance AZ the time the turn was
begun at the lowest figure gwen. say i.oN
yards the BROOKLYN would not have run
tho entire tactical diameter toward the
enemy IL she had turned TO port, partcu-
Iarly ir she had backed the port engine IN
turning
TrIr HoDusoN .coLLoQuY.
The colloouy alleged TO have talcn place
Cand which | believe from the evidence
did take place substa ntially as stated be-
tween Commodore Schlev and the naviga-
tor, Lieut. Hodgson, II not In itself of much
Importance. and | lay little stress upon
the fact that the Commodore may, not In
n malignant spirit but In the heat OF ac-
tion, have used the words, Damn the
Texas: let her look out for herself. or words
TO that effect, except as they may indicat @
n disregard on the part Of the flag for the
safety Of another vessel. Farragut, under
somewhat different conditions. said, Damn
the torpedoes, in Mobile Bav. Nor do !
regard the navigator a. having commlttcd
an imnroprie,v in warning the Com'nodnre
on the spur Of the moment, II he so thought
thar there was danger Of collision with the
Texas. For il was a ca-a in which urgency
was required in speaking up. Just as mere
have been instances in which an orncer
no, Immediately charged with respon.
sibilitv has, in case Of emergency ordered
the helm 10 be put over to avoid danger
from, an unexpected reef or other obstruc-
ton suddenly sighted.
THE REAr. CHARGE AGAINST scHLEY.
The correspondence between Sommodore
Schlev and Lieut. Hodgson speaks Tor itsel
II appcars that the Commodore, IN order
a. he has stated 20 set Hodgson rlght
before the country, after receiving from
his Junior a virtual confirmation OF the as
ser,ion that the colloquy had taken place
succeeded in eliciting from him eate
gorical denial thereof. accompanied now
ever. by letter OF explanation Nhlch PfaC'
tically annulled the force OF suCh uehihI
on these he gave out as he himself adnltS
The former, while Withholding from pubH'
cs,ion The latter communication. and ye,
the applicant, though Hodgson was pup
licly denounced. has never since taken any
stems TO set him right before tne country
The propriety Of this conduct m the premise
Is a quest ION for the court ana requires no
comment on my part From my kno"hhgt
~ The man. having served under his com
nand on two cruises, have never believed
nor do | claim from the evidence, fhAi F.'-
soual misconduct or 20 call a -i'ad" hsph rs
oowaTdioe was exhibited by Ioinihhoie
Schley IN any part of his career AZ com
,uander-in-chief ~ the FLYING Squadron
Bu, 1 submit with regret that, IN the pas
.age from hey West to Cieniuesos, WINE
~ the latter port en- route 20 the touthN hfd
~ santiago without settled destination, ~
the retrogfads movement, in 10" Irlufh T..
,h, yicinIty ~ SAINT iago. and in the arair ~
Nav 81. the Commodore exhibited uhri"ad''
nes- IN purpose and IA pu-h hnd iailuio "a "a
ulsy orders Ia. characterization ~ I'M
coud,lc, 4. however fur the court
Ttrl-t tia, may h. pardpnrd Il remind
you. gentlemen. that the hpst iinl onhno" ul
lie nAttars ls.for- % h not as lhrN r'ih'" i'
Any ind l,iduAl. but as they cuno"rn 'h" 90 Nh
.nT,lnr n ls for you tp lay down r'ah'HiN
II conduct to - followed u, l.'"'" 'i'''''',
! CO. a standard ruuh a. tha' - ~ "I'
great hhyal commanders lAn J"hn iap
tsurs. Deoaiuf Perry, iauagui. tii" ~
t.,. and udlafs E-f-s - lfuI f"i) TT
Dds ny mfltlouinF tit" N'iHt
am YUIaIIA HIUf ~ ~ M ~