The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-20
A CAPTAINS FIGHT.
CONTINUED from First Page.)


of the action But during the action
not single order from him was re-
ceiVed by any of the ships that were
actively engaged.
Admiral Schley at the outset of the
action hoisted the two signals of clear
ship and close in which was simply
carrying out the standing orders of
Admiral Sampson as to what should
be done if the enemys ships attempted
to break out of the harbor. Until af-
ter the close of the first portion of
the fight at the mouth of the harbor
and until after he had made his loop
and the Spanish ships were fleeing to
the westward, not another American
ship noticed a signal from him. When
the western pursuit had begun the Ore
gon and the Oregon only, noticed and
repeated one of his signals of COM
mand. The captain of the Oregon then
REGARDED him as in command, but did
not in any shape or way execute any
movement or any action of any kind
whatsoever in accordance with any
order from him.
Was "A Captains Fight.
In short, the question as to which
of the two men, Admiral Sampson or
Admiral Schley, was at the time in
command. is of merely nominal charac-
ter. Technically Sampson commended
the fleet, and Schley. as usual, the
western division. The actual fact, the
important fact, is that after the
battle was Joined not a helm
was shifted, not a gun was
fired, not pound of steam was put
on in the engine room aboard any
ship actively engaged, in obedience to
the order of either Sampson or Schley,
save on their own two vessels. 1t was
a captains fight.
Therefore the credit to which each
of the two is entitled rests on matters
apart from the claim of nominal COM
mand over the squadron; for
so far as the actual fight
was concerned neither one nor
the other in fact exercised any COM
mand. Sampson was hardly more than
technically in the fight His real
claim for credit rests upon his work
as communicating upon the ar
rangement of the ships head on in a
semi around the harbor and the
standing orders in accordance with
which they instantly moved to the at
tack of the Spaniards when the latter
appeared. For all these things the
credit is his.
admiral Schley is rightly entitled
the Brooklyn did in the fight. On the
whole she did WE'LL but / agree with
the unanimous finding of the three adj
mirals who composed the court of in
quiry as to the loop. 1t seriously
marred the Brooklyns otherwise excel
lent record, being in fact the one grave
mistake made by any American ship
that day. Had the Brooklyn turned TO
the westward, that is, in the same di-
III. III.
going, instead of in the contrary direc-
tion. she would undoubtedly have been
in more dangerous proximity to
them. But it would have been more
dangerous for them as well as for her!
This kind of danger must not be too
nicely weighed by those whose trade
it is to dare greatly for the honor Of
the flag. Moreover, the danger was
certainly not as great as that which,
in the selfsame moment, menaced
Wainwrights fragile craft as he drove
forward against the foe. 1t was not
in my judgment as great as the danger
to which the Texas was exposed by
the turn as actually made. 1t GER
tasnly caused both the Brooklyn and
the Texas materially to lose position
compared to the fleeing Spanish yes
sells. But after the loop had once been
taken Admiral Schley handled the
brooklyn nanIunv ana wen. she ana
the Oregon were thenceforth the head
most of the American vessels-though
the Iowa certainly, and seemingly the
Texas also. did as much in hammering
to a standstill the Viscaya, Oquendo
and Teresa: while the Indiana did all
her eastward position and crippled ma
chinery permitted In the chase Of the
Colon the Brooklyn and oregon share
the credit between them.
Under such circumstances Il seems
to me that the recommendations Of
President Mckinley were emnently
proper. and that 80 far as Admirals
Sampson and Schley were concerned 1t
would have been unjust for him to
have made other recommendations
Personally feel that in view OF Capt
Clarks long voyage in the Oregon and
the condition IN which he brought her
20 the scene Of service, as well AZ the
way IA which he actually man
aged her before and during the
fight. Il would have bee y well 20 have
given him the same advancement that
was given Wainwright. Bnt waving
this, II Is evident that Wainwright was
entitled 10 receive more than any OF
the other commanders. and that a. was
just 10 Admiral Sampson that h.
should receive "a greater advance in
numbers than Admiral schley-theqe
was nothing done ln the battle thar
warranted any unusual frnhid fuf
either. ln short af regards AqWirala
sampson ord rchiey : find thnf iIesl-
zoe Mrkinlei 80 Ful. inniai lnhfr,