This film encapsulates a forgotten US Navy controversy that once captured the public imagination but is now quite forgotten. Two Navy Captains, Sampson and Schley were promoted when the Spanish American War broke out. Sampson was made a Rear Admiral and Schley was promoted to Commodore. The problem was that Schley was senior to Sampson and resented being pass over. Apparently there was some friction between them when the fleet that Sampson commanded and Schley was second in command blockaded the Spanish fleet in Santiago Harbor.
One day, Sampson moved his ship, the USS New York away from the blockade line to attend conference with the US Army. When he did, the Spanish Fleet tried to break out of the blockade. Schley order the fleet into battle. And the Spanish fleet was destroy. Sampson did get into the last part of the battle. The two men both claimed the lion's share of the victory. Both attacked each other. The controversy spill over into the press. Hearings were held, officers were cautioned to ignored it, etc. Etc.
So the film open with a man who is suppose to be Schley seeing the Spanish fleet coming out to fight. The last scene, the tea party, is Sampson claiming the victory. Edison is weighing in on Schley's behalf.
One day, Sampson moved his ship, the USS New York away from the blockade line to attend conference with the US Army. When he did, the Spanish Fleet tried to break out of the blockade. Schley order the fleet into battle. And the Spanish fleet was destroy. Sampson did get into the last part of the battle. The two men both claimed the lion's share of the victory. Both attacked each other. The controversy spill over into the press. Hearings were held, officers were cautioned to ignored it, etc. Etc.
So the film open with a man who is suppose to be Schley seeing the Spanish fleet coming out to fight. The last scene, the tea party, is Sampson claiming the victory. Edison is weighing in on Schley's behalf.
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