The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-08-16

scene at 1928 p. m. one hour and eight
minutes after the battle had ended. If
the New York was making at that time
the speed of II knots as Captain Chad
wick reported in his letter dated July
20, 1898, to the commander in chief at
Guantanamo, then at the time Of the
Colon's surrender she could not have
been nearer than about nineteen miles
too far to be within seeing distance,
and too far away to be anywhere with
in signal distance when this gerat bat
tie ended
LAS the New York was approaching
the final scene of the tragedy, signal
was made from the Brooklyn, We have
gained a great victory; details will be
communicated This signal was kept
flying quite half an hour before it was
answered by the New York, but the
omission was thought to arise from the
fact that the New York was at too
great a distance to read it. When
it finally was answered, however. it
was in tine form of an order to Report
your casualties 1t is to be regretted
that no word of congratulation, so
much valued by men and officers on
such occasions. issued from the flag
ship. Notwithstanding this, at 2:15 p.
m. while the New York was still some
two miles away, another signal was
made from the Brooklyn, This is a
great day for our country.' This signal
was merely acknowledged with an
answering pennant, but no answer
otherwise was made.
AT 1928 p. m. the New York arrived
and steamed into position between the
Brooklyn and the Colon. Cook had
been detained for some time on board
the Colon in arranging the surrender.
When this was concluded he was re-
turning as the New York arrived, and
was ordered on board that ship to make
report. AS Cooks orders were given
by the commander Of the second squad
ron, it would have relieved the official
record of an error if the latter officer
had been able to say that no orders
had been given him that the Spanish
officers in surrendering unconditional
ly should retain their effects. 1t
would have given the opportunity to
state that the Oregon did not take a
front position in the chase The Ore
CONS services on the day OF battle were
superb; her position was always close
to the Brooklyn from beginning to end,
but she was at no time ahead. Clark s
testimony at the inquiry, three years
afterWard, is conclusive upon this point
and settles for all time the Oregon's
position as we'll as the part taken by
the two ships in the result of the days
battle
AS soon as Cook returned from the
New York, the commander of the sec
ond squadron went in the same boat
to the New York to report, as custom
airy. AS this boat showed off from the
ships side, with the commanders pen
nant flying from a staff in the bow, the
crews of the Brooklyn, Oregon, Texas
and Vixen manned the rail- shouting
in tumultuous huzzas that fairly shook
the air. 1t was a tribute of confidence,
an expression of approval in the very
smoke of battle that cannot be dimmed
or diminished by envious disappoint-
ment shown afterward.
ARRIVING on board the New York,
the Communicated chief received the
commander of the second squadron.
Very naturally he appeared to be dis
appointed that an unfortunate circum-
stance had prevented the New York
from participating in the glories of that
days work. After running hastily over
the events Of the battle the suggestion
was made to hoist our flag over the
Colon. coupled with the offer of the
| boat flag CT the Brooklyn's boat for
that purpose. This was declined by
Capt Chadwick, who had a flag Of the
New York brought up from below for
| this duty. Several officers Of the New
York We're on the opposite side of the
| quarterback and appeared anxious to
hear the incidents of the battle.
while they were being narrated
the chaplain came over to that side and
said: Commodore. your work is not
| over yet. The Resolute has just ar
rived. Capt. Eaton reports that there
is a Spanish battleship on the coast,
and the admiral wants to see YOU Co
ing Immediately to where Admiral
Sampson was sitting, Capt. Clark was
met. Sampson directed the Brooklyn
and Oregon to go eastward to meet
this supposed newcomer, and engage
her ="