New-York tribune., 1901-10-17
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
scHLEYs CONDUCT IN THE SANTIAGO
BATTLE DESCRIBED BY OFFICERS
WHO SERVED UNDER HIM.

Washington, Oct. 1s.-The schley court OF inquiry
began proceedings to-day. usual, with the cor
rection OF testimony given the previous day, the
witnesses summoned for this purpose being Captain
Cook and LAeutenant-Commander Sears.
When Captain Cook took the stand Mr.. Hanna
asked him: Referring to your statement in regard
70 the steam required be kept up in connection
with the uncoupling of the Brookyn's engines that
ft the order Of the comnander-in-chief while
lying of Santiago on the blockade-was that a
written order?"
.sdy recollection is that ii was bulletin. The
exact words do not remember"
The particular point with respect 10 the
unooupling OF the engines Wss there anything in
that order this subject and in pursuance Of
which it done?"
1t IS my impression that there was. They ell.
understand #. had their engines uncoupled."
TT is a general recollection OF it only?"
Yes, that We should have forward engines
uncoupled all the time"
can you aid in any way in identifying the
bulletin from your Impression"
NO. We could not have moved the four engines
with the steam we carried. know that we had
an order about the speed, and it was in circular
bulletin think
Did the Flying Squadron, when proceeding from
Cienfuegos 70 Santiago proceed with all dispatch?'
Throwing out of consideration the surrounding
circumstances and conditions that have already
been testified 10, I should say no.
Mr.. Rayner-But putting in the surrounding
circumstances and conditions, you would say yes.
would you not?
Yes"
What do you mean by the surrounding circum-
ST noes and conditions"
Il mean that. as / understand the question we
could have gone from Cienfuegos 70 Santiago and
arrived there the next day after left Cenfuegos
with some, IL not all OF the larger vessels
What were the circumstances and conditions you
speak of"
The coaling conditions that existed at the time.
We certainly could not have made dispatch by turn
ing back"
What do you mean when Won sneak of 4rrr,rs
back7"
DELAY on VOYAGE TO SANTIAGO
mean that We vent 10 the eastward with the
two columns and that then being unable 10 coal
the Texas, as have stated before we turned back
for that purpose. II you had thrown that considera
tion out We would have made dispatch 1 mean IN
this sense; We cid not go in the quickest possible
time from Cienfuegos 10 Santiago"
Mr. Rsynsr-I think that either 7 misunderstood
the question or you misunderstood both questions
especially by the other side. 7 thought my refer
ence was from cienfuegos TO Santiago. leaving out
reference 70 The retrograde movement
Mr.. Hanna-I did rot intend 10 leave that o,,+
az all O1'
Mr.. Rayner-I know. but wa NJ 10 bring II IN ba
tween Cienfregcs and the point you reached south
o. santiago before you started the retrograde
movement What were the circumstances. if any,
that irnpeded? - any
Bad weather"
What was the condition Of the Vixen and Eagls
ane "nst shect oio they have on the proeress .,
the squadron?" u
The Eagle was unable TO proceed on acco,,,.
of the sea-unable 10 make her speed
tAe Juoge AoVocate-Did the Vixen delay the
squadron at all on that first passage?
I think not, considering that We were running
slow for the Eagle. The Vixen was a. very rnuch
better boat"
Ar. Hsnns-one Of the circumstances rss the
condition Of the coal supply OF the Texas?
II said So"
sgo7"
yes"
Mr.. Rayner-Do you recollect an accident to the
Vixen on the voyage between cienfuegos and San
taxos"
Yes think it at the time she signalled
the blowing out OF her gssket nnsnhole. or some
thing Of that Kind"
L4egtensnt-Comnasnoer Sears also made cor
recfion IN his testimony for purpose of explain
ing the disposition OF the coliers ct night while
As11nodore schIey vas in charge Of the blockade