The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-16
CIENFUEG0s SANTIAGO TIME
Flying Squadron Could Have Made
Faster Time But Tor the "Sur-
rounding Circum-
stances"
(BY Associated Press.l


tain Cook and Lieutenant Commander
Sears, who testified yesterday. When
they had left the stand, Commander
Newton f. Mason. who was executive
officer of the Brooklyn during the war
with Spain, was called to relate his
observations Of the conolct Of the San
tiago campaign
1t Is the intention OF Mr. Raynor to
first examine officers Of the Brooklyn
and follow these with a number of those
who were on the Oregon during the
battle of Santiago. 1t is understood
his entire list of witnesses will prob
ably be confined to persons who were
on board these two vessels.
The Brooklyn's Commander.
While Captain Cook occupied the wit
ness stand for the purpose of correcting
his testimony, Mr. Hanna asked him.
"Referring to your statement in re-
gard to the steam required to be kept
up in connection with the uncoupling of
the Brooklyn's engines, that 1t was the
order of the communicative -chief while
lying off Santiago on the blockade, was
there a written order?"
MY recollection is that it was a bull
letin. The exact words 1 do not re-
member
"The particular point was with re-
spect to the uncoupling of the engines.
Was there anything in that order on
this subject. and in pursuance Of which
that was done?'
1T is my impression that there was.
They ALL as 7 understand, had their
engines uncoupled."
"Then it is a general recollection of it
only?"
Eyes, that we should have our for
ward engines uncoupled all the time
Can you aid us in anyway iE identi-
flying the bulletin from your impress
sion?"
NO We could not have moved the
fore engines without the steam we
carried. I know that we had an order
about the speed, and it was in a Cir
arbulletin, l think"
Cienfuegos to Santiago.
Captain Cook was also questioned
again concerning the voyage of the
flying squadron from Cienfuegos to San
tiagO, as follows:
did the flying squadron, when pro-
ceeding from Cienfuegos to Santiago,
proceed with all dispatch?'
'Throwing out OF consideration The
surrounding circumstances and condi-
l should say So"
Mr.. Raynor; But putting in the sur
rounding circumstances and conditions
you would say yes, would you not?'
eyes"
What dc you mean by the surround
ing circumstances and conditions?'"
Il mean that, as I understand the
question, we could have gone from Cien-
fuegos to Santiago and arrived there the
next day after we left Cienfuegos with
some, if not all, the larger vessels
what were the circumstances and
conditions you speak off"
bad weather and coaling conditions"
Vixen and Eagle.
What was the condition Of the Vixen
and Eagle and what effect did they have
upon the progress of the squadron"
THE Eagle was unable to proceed on
account of the sea-una BILE to make her
speed"
Judge Advocate: Did the Vixen delay
the squadron at all on that first pas
sage?"
II think not. considering that we were
running slow for the Eagle. The Vixen
was a very much better sea boat"
Mr.. Hanna: "One of the circumstances
was the condition of the coal supply of
the Texas?'
II said so.''
did the Texas have coal enough to
get to Santiago?"
"Yes.'
Mr.. Raynor: DO you recOllect an ac-
cident to the Vixen on the voyage be-
tween Cienfuegos and Santiago?"
Yes. | think it was at the time she
signaled the blowing out of her gasket
manhole, or something of that kind"
Correction by Sears.
Lieutenant Commander Sears also
made correction in his testimony, for
the purpose of explaining the disposition
OF the GOLFERS at night when Commander
Schley was in charge of the blockade of
Santiago. He said these vessels had
been sent IA distance out each night and
every night in different direction, on
account of the fears of torpedo attacks.
The judge advocate then asked the fol-
lowing question:
'"In regard to the conversation in the
ward room of the Massachusetts, as al
legged on May 81, in order to refresh your
memory in regard to that M. ter, you
are Informed that Lieutenant Potts,
Lieutenant Grant, Lieutenant Glennon
and Major Wood are supposed TO have
been present and participated in thar
conversation.
Lieutenant Don't Aecoilect.
Il do not recollect it all. 1t could not be
possible I said such q thing. They have
have misunderstood what l said. l was
irritated al the delay. In the ward room
talk sometimes might have been con-
strued in that way. as statements often
are, but il is entirely impossible that
could have said that. | was irrtate1, eX-
cited. perhaps. il being my first engage
ment. and | might have made some re-
mark. | might have been misunderstood
but that remark l never made"
The witne s: AS Ie all Vas irri ,.ted
Ifip.t-nznn'S reu,,pst ia lpl