The Forrest City times., 1898-04-01
time moored at the same buoy 70 which she hsa

time noored at the same buoy 70 which she hsA
been taken upon her arrival
There were two explosions of . distinctly
oinerent character, with very short but dis
tlnct interval between them. and the forward
part OF the ship was lifted to marked degree ut
the time of the first ex plosion
The FIRST explosion was more in the nature cf
report like that OF gun; while the second
explosion was more open, prolonged and of
greater volume. This second explosion was in
the opinion OF the court. caused by the partial
explosion Of two or more Of the forward maga-
zines of the Maine.
CONDITION OF THE WRECK
I. The evidence bearing on this. being prln-
cipally obtained from divers, did not enable the
court to form definite conclusion as to the
condition OF the wreck. although it was estab-
lished that the after part of the ship was pfac-
ticaliy intact and sank in that condition a very
Few minutes after the destruction OF the for
ward part
The following facts in regard to the forward
part OF the ship are, however, established bv
the testimony:
The portion Of the port side OF the protective
deck, which extends from about frame 30 to
ABOUT frame A. was blown up aft, and over to
port The main deck from about frame 30 to
about frame Al, was blown up aft and slightly
over to stnrboard folding the forward part of
the middle superstructure over and on top of
the after part
This was, In the opinion. of the court caused
py the partial explosion OF two or more OF the
forward magazines OF the Maine
5. At frame IL the outer shell of the shin.
from point eleven and one-half feet from tho
middle line OF the ship, and six feet above the
Keel, when in its normal position, has been
forced up so as to be now about four feet above
the surface Of the water; therefore about thir-
ty-Iour feet above where 1t would be had the
ship sunk uninjured. The outside bottom
plating is bent into a reversed shane the
aiter wing OK which, about fifteen feet broad
ana tnirty-two feet in length from frame IL to
frame 25), is doubled back upon itself against
the continuation OF the same plating extending
forward
At frame IS the vertical keel is broken in two
and the fat keel bent into an angle similar To
the angie formed by the outside bottom plating
The break Is now about six feet below the sur
race or the water and about thirty feet above
its normal position
In the opinion of the court this effect oou,G
have been produced only by the explosion OF 4
mine situated under the bottom of the shin as
about frame Is. and somewhat on the port sids
Of the ship.
O. The court finds that the loss OF the Maine
on the occasion named was not in any respect
due to fault or negligence on the part Of any of
the officers or members OF the crew of said yes
sell.
Z. In the opinion OF the court the Maine wa>
destroyed by the explosion of submarine mine.
Wnlch caused the partial explosion Of two or
more OF her forward magazines
s. The court has been unable to obtain eyi.
oence fixing the responsibility for the destruc-
ton OF the Maine upon any person or persona
w. Il. SAMPSON
Captain U. S. n, President
A. MARK,
Lfeutenant-Commander U. 8. NJ, Judge -Adyo-
cate.
The court having finished the inquiry II VIVA
ordered 10 make, adjourned at II a. m to await
the action OF the convening authority.
W. Il. SAMPSON
Captain, U. S. N, President
A. MARK
Lieutenant-Commander, U. s. n, Judge-Adyo.
cate.
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW YORK.
March 22 1893
OFF kEY WEST. FLA
The proceedings and findings of the court Of
inquiry in the above case are approved
NJ. SICARD,
Rear Admiral, Commander Chief OF thu
United States Naval Force on the North At
lantic Station