The Columbus journal., 1898-03-30

arrival. Ihe forward part was com.
pletely demolished.
Upon the evidence Of concurrent ex-
ternal cause the finding Of the court is
q follows:
There were two explosions Of dis.
tinctly different character, with Q
very short but distinct interval between
them. and the forward part Of the ship
was lifted to marked degree at the
time Of the first explosion.
The first explosion was moro in the
nature of q report. like that of q gun,
while the second explosion was moro
open, prolonged AMI OF greater volume
This second explosion was, in the Opin.
ion OF the court, caused by the partial
explosion of two or more Of the forward
magazines Of the Maine.
The Condlsion Of the Wreck.
4. The evidence bearing on this, be-
ing principally obtained from divers,
did not enable the court to form q def.
mite conclusion As to the condition Of
the wreck. although it was established
that the after part Of the ship was
practically intact, and sank in that con-
dition very few minutes after the de-
struction of the forward part.
The following facts in regard to the
forward part Of tie ship are. however,
established by the testimony:
That portion OF the port side of the
protective deck, which extends from
about frame 80 to about frame q, was
blown up aft and over to port. The
main deck, from about frame 30 to about !
frame Al, was blown up aft and slight
" over to starboard, folding the for. !
ward part Of the middle superstSucture
over and on top of the after part This
was, in the opinion of the court, caused |
BY the partial explosion Of two or more !
Of the forward magazines Of the Maine. |
8. At frame II. the outer shell Of the |
ship. from point eleven and ons-half |
fest from the middle line of the ship,
and nix feet above the keel. when In its
normal position, has been forced MP 90
as to be now about four feet above the
surface Of the water. therefore abou:
thirty four feet above where it would
Be had the ship sunk uninjured. The out
side bottom plating is bent into . ~.
versed V shape. the after wing OF
which about 1. feet broad and 50 feet
In length (ff0m frame II to frame 25)
ID doubled back upon itself against the
Of the same plating ex-
tending forward.
At frame 10 the vertical keel il. broken
in two, and the fat keel bent into an
angle similar to the angle formed BY
The outside bottom plating. This break
b now about SIX feet below the surface
pf the water and about 80 feet above
Its normal position. |,
In the opinion Of the court. this ef.
lect could have been produced only by
The explosion Of mine situated under
he bottom Of the ship at about frame !
II. and somewhat ON the port side OF !
Ehe ship. II
6. The court finds that the loss Of the :
Maine, On the occasion named, was not I
n any respect due to fault or negl. 4
Isnce on the part Of any Of the officers |.
y members Of the crew Of said vessel.
2. In the opinion of the court the ::
Maine was destroyed BY the explosion |:
4 submarine mine. which caused the 2
'aztial explosion Of two or more Of her 3
Onward magazines. 9
=. The court has been unahle 70 oh. y
ain evidence fixing the respeusibility n
or the destruction Of the MAixe anon :,
ny person or persons.
w. T. SAA1sox. b
Captain U. 8. n. 3iosiAent.
A. IARIX.
lieut.. Com. U. 8. N. Judge Advocate.