Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-25

Ia.
WASHINGTON. February 2A-Rumors
~ startling discoveries in the wreck of
ihc Maine were less frequent. but there
were enough Of them still ahoat to-day
g. warrant Secretary Long in making
this statement TO the newspaper-men. as
D., left his office;
summing up the situation. / should
say that the Navy Department knows
to-day nothing more about the cause of
the disaster than it did FIVE minutes after
the receipt Of the first dispatch from Cap
tain Sigsbee."
The Sccretarys attention was drawn to
tho published statement that Captain
Crowninshield. Chief Of the Bureau Of
Navigation. had just arrived at Tampa.
IIa.. on the Monterey, from trip to
Cuba. where he had been inspecting pros
Iective ooaiing stations near Matanzas.
The Secretary's comment was simply this
captain Crowninshield has not been to
Cuba. He has been off with his boy
ON matters not in anywise connected with
the business of the navy"
Secretary Lang further said that he
rather expected to see Captain Crownln-
shield tomorrow.
WRECKING OPERATIONS.
Until the conclusion Of the investiga-
ton OF the court of inquiry at Habana,
the principal business Of the Navy Depart
ment. in connection with the Maine.
viii relate 10 the conduct Of the wrecking
operations
Captain Lemley, the judge advocate
general. who has this branch of the
work Immediately in charge. to-day re-
ceived telegrams from the Merritt and
Chapman wrecking companies, at New
York, stating that the steamer Merritt
and wreclying lighter Sharp had sailed
for Habana, and the tug Underwater,
with the Chief. would leave Saturday for
the same place.
The assistant wrecking master was go
ing TO Habana on the Ward Line steamer
on Saturday, and it was suggested to the
department that its inspector should take
the same steamer.
lnasmuch as Commander
Kimbell, who is now at Habana. has been
assigned to the duty of inspecting the
wrecking operations. 1t will not be neces-
eary TO observe this suggestion.
The only exact Information received
at the Navy Department from Habana
during the day was conveyed in Captain
sigsDees telegram, as follows:
REPORT FROM SIGsBEE.
"Habana. February 24.-Long. Secre-
tarv OF Navy: Wreckng tub Right Arm
arrived yesterday. Begins work to-day.
Much encumbering metal must be blasted
away in detail Navy divers down art
seven days. forward four days. Bodies
Of jenkins and Merritt not found. Two
unidentified bodies Of crew found yester-
day. After-cOmpartment filled with de-
tached. broken. and buOyant furniture
and fittings, mud and confusion.
Spanish authorities continue offers OF
assistance, and care for wounded and
dead Everything th1t goes from wreck
90 the United States should be disinfected.
Wrecking company should provide for
this The surgeon Of the Maine, after
consulting with others. recommended that
an bedding and clothing should be aban-
doned. Might go to acclimated poor
Useless fittings and equipments might be
t0wed 20 sea and thrown overheard. WIN
take an Immediate responsibility. Dut IN
vile departments wishes. Snail ola
metal of superstructure and the like be
saved?
Friends of dead should understand
that we are I'm the tropics. Chaplain
Chidwick is charged with all matters rela-
tive 10 the dead. His conduct Is beyond
praise Don't know what reports are
being printed. but the intensely active
representatives Of the press here nave
been very conslderate Of me and my po-
sdon .,,,,,, o.,
Signed slGsBEE.
Secretary Long Immediately answered
Captain sigsbee, approving ali ms re-
concentrations. He was directed 10 nave
Lieutenant-C Commander wainwright the
executive officer Of the Maine. make ar
rangements with the wreckers lor 'ne US
Infection Of everything sent 10 lhe Onl'ee
States. directing that all peua'hs anu
clothing be abandoned, ana, II heeu pe'
given 20 the acclimated poor Inc sanie
approval was given 20 the Suggestion
that useless fittings and equipment De
towed 10 sea and thrown overheard II
being left 10 Captain Sigsbee's Judgment
how far this destruction should De car
ried on. -
To the Captains inquiry as TO the
saving OF old metal and parts OF the su-
perstructure the answer was gwen lna'
such material was Of no use 70 the bu-
reau of Equipment 1t was LEFT 70 cap,
tain slgsbee 10 say what OF TINS shdlleivu
material was worth preserving. ill9
statement that much blasting would DC
REQUIRED to clear away encumbering ma
terial indicates that It is essential TUT
ther 70 destroy the upper portions ol sne
wreck. IN order 20 ct at what - in0i'
valuable beneath.
Captain Sigsbee's statement lhdl 'nS
divers had been down aft seven days ano
forward four days gave the Navy De
partmcnt the first information OF IN
time that the divers had been IN 'iie
vicinity Of the zone OF the explosion,
as he had termed IT, This zone Is con
fined 10 the forward part OF the snip,
and while the divers have been down dit
Tor the last week, their work for"aru,
in the vicinity Of the large marianne, has
been In progress only four days, Wnnen'
presumably. began on Monday ana l"-
cluded to-day.
PLEAS OF THE BEREAVED.
The statement in the Sigsbee dispatch
thar friends Of the dead should unoer-
stand We are IN the tropics" - unoer-
stood at the Navy Department 10 ieiei
70 the urgent pleas Of relatives OF lhs
dead that they be brought 20 the oh''su
states.
These appeals continue 10 be received j