Evening journal., 1898-03-29

found Plates Blown Inward-Dis-
oipiino of the ship Was Perfect.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The pres
idont yesterday sent the following mes
sage to congress:
TO the Congress OF the United states
For some time prior to the visit Of the
Maino to Havana harbor our consular
representatives pointed out the advan-
tages to flow from the visit Of national
ships TO the Cuban waters, In accus-
toming the people to the presence Of our
fag as the symbol Of good will and OF
our ships In the fulnllment OF the mis-
sion OF protection to American inter-
ests. even though no immediate need
therefor might exist.
Accordingly on the oath Of January
last. after conference with the Spanish
minister in which the renewal OF visits
OF our war vessels TO Spanish waters
was discussed and accepted the penin-
Bular authorities at Madrid and Hava-
ma were advised OF tho purpose Of this
government to resume friendly naval
visits at Cuban ports and that In that
view the Maine would forthwith call
at the port Of Havana. This annOunc-
ment was received by the Spanish gov
ernment with appreciation of the friend
~ character OF the visit OF the Maine
and with notification OF intention to re-
turn the courtesy by sending Spanish
ships to the principal ports Of the Unit
ed States Meanwhile the Maine enter
ed the port OF Havana on the 25th Of
January, her arrival being marked with
no especial incident besides the ex-
change OF customary salutes and cere-
monal visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor Of
Havana during the three weeks follow
ing her arrival No appreclable excite
ment attended her stay. on the con-
trary, feeling of relief and confidence
followed the resumption Of the long in
terrupted friendly intercourse. SO no
tceabie was this immediate effect Of
her visit that the consul general strong
ly urged that the presence OF our ships
In Cuban waters should be kept up by
retaining the Maine at Havana or In
the event Of her recall By sending an
other vessel there 10 take her place.
THE Fatal. EXPLOSION.
At 40 minutes past o, in the evening
of the 18th OF February. the Maine was
destroyed by an explosion. by which the
entire forward part of the ship was ut
terly wrecked. In this catastrophe 2
officers and 264 OF her crew perished
those who were not killed outright by
her explosion being penned between
decks by the tangle OF wreckage and
drowned by the immediate sinking OF
the hull Prompt assistance was rem
dered by the nelghboring vessels an
chored In the harbcr. aid being espe-
clally given by the boats of the Spanish
cruiser Alfonso XII and the Ward line
steamer City of Washington, which lay
not far distant The wounded were
generously cared for by the authorities
of Havana. the hospitals being freely
opened TO them while the earliest re-
covered bodies Of the dead were inferred
by the municipality in public ceme-
terry in the city Tributes Of grief and
sympathy were offered from all official
quarters Of the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people OF our country with crushing
force, and for n brief time an intense
excitement prevailed. which in com.
munity less Just and self controlled thar
ours might have led to hasty acts OF
blind resentment. This spirit. however
soon gave way to the calmer processe,
of reason and to the resolve 20 investi
gate the facts and await material proc
before forming q judgment as to tn,
cause, the responsibility and the fact
warranted the remedy due. This cours
necessa rily recommended itself from tn
outset to the executive. for only Ia tn
light of a dispassionately ascertaine,
certainty could II determine tho natur
and measure OF It's full duty in the mat
ter The usual procedure was followed
as in all cases of casualty or disaste
state A naval court Of inquiry was a
once organized, composed of officers we
qualified by rank and practical experl
ence to discharge the onerous duty i'm
posed upon them.
A DIsPASSIOrtATE INVESTIGATION
Aided by a strong force OF wrecker
and divers the court proceeded TO NAL,
thorough investigation on the spo
employing every available means ia
the impartial and exact determinatio
OF the causes OF the explosion. It's opera
tions have been conducted with the nj
most deliheration and Judgment. an
while independently pursued no soure
of information was neglected and th
fullest opportunity was allowed for
simultaneous investigation blythe Spar
ish authorities.
The finding of the court Of inquir
was reached after % days Of continuor
labor. on the 2ist Of March instant, an
having been approved on the 22d by n
commander in chief Of the Unite
States naval force on the north Atlant
station was transmitted 70 the exec,
tive.
Tt Is herewith laid before the congress
together with the voluminous testimor
taken before the court.
It's purport is in brief. as follows:
When the Maine arrived at Havan
she was conducted by the regular go'
ernment pilot 10 buoy No. 4. to whiC
she was moored in from FIVE and on
half 20 six fathoms of water.
The state Of discipline on board az
the condition OF her magazine. boiler
coal bunkers and storage compartment
re passed in review, with the concli