The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-10-10

VI COuISSlL was t1apSSoSiplC ~ SCSf0nyl
position by bearings and there was
nothing known about the relative posi-
tions. We knew that the distances
OF the chart were somewhat Incorrect
and the final decision of the board was
to reconcile each one as near as posi-
BILE, but none OF the positions were con-
sidered exact positions. The tmpossi-
bility of getting bearings even II we
Lad q correct chart was apparent, but
it gave general idea Of the positions
of the vessels during the different pc
RODS Of the battle" ...-... o.. a..
Mr.. Rayner asked II It was true, as
had been officially stated in the report,
known bearings" ...s.....2 re. E. ,,..- -.. .
The witness replied that the state
ment was incorrect; that they were es.
tablished by estimated bearings. Most
OF the positions we're, he said, fixed
by discussion among the navigators
constituting the board, although Cap
tain Chadwick was before the board.
Fhe navigators had done the best they
could in plotting the vessels and had
made 1t as nearly correct as possible,
SO long after the engagement, as had
been stated by the board.
Vessels Not Correctly Placed.
Asked by Mr.. Rayner about the
places assigned to the Brooklyn and
the Texas while the former vessel was
making her loop Commander Vain
wright said he did not consider them
correct.
For myself" he said, "I never was
satisfied with the places assigned"
He further said that while the board
had done the best they could at the
time, as board, it had not done the
best it could to satisfy any member of
the board. at was the best we could
do to get all the members of the
board to sign the report" he said.
But, Notwithstanding you were all.
including the navigator of the Brook
lyn, dissatisfied, you signed the re-
port ?" -. 4
THAT is correct"
On redirect examination Command
er Wainwright said that in making
the chart all members of the board
| were at liberty to contribute what
ever data they had or to make what
ever argument they might desire. He
| also said that the chart was compro-
mise of opinions.
In response to further questions,
witness said he did not see the
Brooklyn on the day of the battle off
Santiago.
Questions were put by the court and
| answered as follows:
"Were the positions Of the ships as
| shown on the chart in question OBJ
| tanned in testimony taken by the
board or in discussion by the members
| of the board?"
almost entirely by general discus
sion by members of the board"
From the position of the Gloucester
at the commencement of the battle OF
July. 3. could you see both Brooklyn
and Texas"
81 do not remember seeing the
Brooklyn and Texas at the commence
ment of the battle"
what orders, if any, were signaHed
by the Brooklyn to the fleet during the
engagement Of July 80"
81 saw none"
Mr.. Rayner-"This does not mean
that no signals were displayed does
it?"
"No, it does not"
The court-"Did any one Of the
/ Spanish vessels change her course to
the southwark as if intending to ram
one of the fleet?"
"I saw no signs of it."
Lieutenant Bristol on the Stand.
Commander Wainwright was then
excused and Lieutenant M. L. Bristol.
former watch and division officer on
the Texas, was called. He had only
Cienfiegos and detailed conditions
&h1 IN,
luncheon.
Lieutenant Bristol continued his
testimony at the afternoon session of
the court. He had observed the signal
lights on the shore near Cienfuegos,
but had not understood their signif1-
canoe. With respect to coaling he
said that on one occasion while off
Cienfuegos Captain Philip had sig
nailed to the flagship that he consid-
cred it dangerous to put the collier be-
tween the Texas and Iowa, meaning
by that" said the witness, shat it was
dangerous to collier to put it be-
tween two battleships regardless of
the weather." He also told of the in
jury to the Texas in coaling while off
Santiago, but said it was not due to
the weather.
Witness also described the blockade
off Santiago, saying that 1t was main
tanned by steaming back and forth in
front Of the mouth OF the harbor, at as
slow rate of speed as the boats could
travel The vessels generally steam
ed from IL to miles to either side
of the harbor, going and coming prac-
tically over the same line. The, Mar
blehead and Vixen were on the inside
but could only be seen at certain
times, even when the weather condi-
tions were favorable. Frequently, in
fact, only the vessels next ahead could
be seen. . ...,4.
Mr. Hanna here asked the witness
eff the vessels of the Spanish squad
ron had suddenly appeared, what or
ders had you to meet such contin-
gency?"
mo orders were turned over to me
in regard to a contingency Of that
kind"
CAS- watch officer should you have
had such orders?" ..Er.a, .sa.-.a<
IT should have had. -... .,-- -..--~
Continuing the witness described
the battle of July 8, but did not see the
Brooklyn's loop. ..... ......
Visited a Manitoban Ranch.