New-York tribune., 1901-10-18

Of the blockading line there varied from three TO
seven miles. being further at night.
Speaking OF the voyage from Cienfuegos to San
tiago. the witness said the weather was heavy"
and that there short choppy sea- He
also said that the heavy sea had impeded the fleet
by delaying the smaller vessels. especially the
Eagle
Asked by Mr.. Rayner concerning conversation
between Commodore Schley and the commander OF
the Eagle, the witness said:
I was present when the conversation took place.
although cannot give the exact words, When
the Eagle came up astern Of the Brooklyn, the
vessel and told him in substance that he could
delay the squadron any longer on his account, and
desirous Of rernainine with the sa1adron. and ex-
pressed sincere regrets at being obliged 10 part
company with the Flying Squadron
What kind Of weather was the Eagle making
May 2s. when that conversation took placer"
LAS I expressed IT; heavy weather; short,
choppy sea, and the Eagle and Vixen were both
pitching considerably"
At Santiago, the witness said tho blockading
line was mile or two closer in at night than dur
ing the day. and May 20 the feet stood out
three or four miles. There were picket boats in
side the line, but he did not them.
Did you ever have any conversation with Com
modore schley before July relative TO the Brook
lyn going to Guantanamo for coal?'
In substance I mentioned the fact that other
ships of the squadron were in the habit Of going TO
Guantanamo for coal We had had some difficulty
IN coaling In the open off Santiago. The Commo-
dore replied that he had been asked several oc-
casons If he would like TO go 10 Guantanamo
where he could coal quietly, ard give the officers
and men a rest from the strain of blockade. He
said that his answer in each case that he pre-
ferred to remain the station until the spanish
ships came out Of the harbor.'
Referring 10 the battle Of July 8, the witness
said that he had been in charge Of the powder di-
vision. and that it also was his duty TO look after
the lower decks. Consequently, he had not seen
g great deal Of the fight
Were any cheering or encouraging messages
sent among the men that you know Of by whom
and what they2'
7 had messenger who made frequent trips TO
the gIndeck, and who reported to me what was
happening I conveyed this information TO the
men OF nv division in the different handling
rooms
Were any of these messages of sufficient impor-
tance that you would like TO speak Of them
lone message which seemed to cheer the men
below very much was that there were three Spanish
ships on our starboard beam, all firing at US
You don't know who sent these messages who
gave them DO you?"
4 took it for granted''-
Judge Advocate Lemly interrupted by saying it
did not appear that Commodore Schley sent these
messages, which brought statement from MI
Rayner that he would prove when Admiral Schley
went on the stand that the Admiral sent these
messages of encouragement 10 the men.
Commander Grimm Sdld IhaL When the Oplth gave
up the conflict the Oregon close on the Brook
Iyns starboard quarter, and that the Texas and
the Vixen were within sight astern.
Can you speak Of the conduct, bearing and man
ner of Commodore Schley during the engagement
in which you him?
He impressed being remarkably cool
considering what had Just occurred He was pre-
fectlv natural in manner and bearing
Having said that when the fleet left Cenfuegos
il was the general understanding that 1t was bound
for Santiago the witness, under questions by Mr.
Hanna said that the feet headed east when
il stoned south of Santiago May 26 II the
SQUADRON had continued as then headed it would
have landed ''anywhere TO the eastward"
Did you hear Commodore Schley say anything
about leaving Cienfuegos?"
4 did not"
'Or coaling difficulties"
1T do not remember. 1 know he was always ex-
tremely anxious, and seemed coal whenever
there was an opportunity. I do not remember any
particular conversation. The conversation about
going TO Guantanamo impressed me particularly
because afterward 1 thought II was such a wise
decision
Mr. Hanna asked the witness whether the Flying
Squadron had proceeded with dispatch" on the
voyage from Cienfuegos 10 Santiago, and the wit
ness replied: Yes, a unit, until we made the
turn to the westward May 26. The sowest ship
fixed the speed. and that was six or seven knots
an hour
Then, IN your answer. you except the retro
grade movement"
'T do"