“He should not have delayed the squadron for the Eagle.
“He should not have made the retrograde turn westward with his squadron.
“He should have promptly obeyed the Navy Department’s order of May 25.
“He should have endeavoured to capture or destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor near the entrance of Santiago Harbour on May 29 and 30.
“He did not do his utmost with the force under his command to capture or destroy the Colón and other vessels of the enemy which he attacked on May 31.
“By commencing the engagement on July 3 with the port battery and turning the Brooklyn around with port helm Commodore Schley caused her to lose distance and position with the Spanish vessels, especially with the Vizcaya and Colón.
“The turn of the Brooklyn to starboard was made to avoid getting her into dangerous proximity to the Spanish vessels. The turn was made toward the Texas and caused that vessel to stop and to back her engines to avoid possible collision.
“Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieut. Commander A. C. Hodgson in publishing only a portion of the correspondence which passed between them.
“Commodore Schley’s conduct in connection with the events of the Santiago campaign prior to June 1, 1898, was characterized by vacillation, dilatoriness, and lack of enterprise.
“His official reports regarding the coal supply and the coaling facilities of the Flying Squadron were inaccurate and misleading.