New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-21
MAINE COURT MEETS TO-DAY
FIRST SESSION IN HAV5NA.
INVESTIGATION OF THE DISASTER TO
BE PUSHED.
CAPTAIN srGsBEE REPORTS TIE ARRIVAL o.
THE BACHE WITH DIVING APPARATUS
LITTLE ACCOMPLISHED BY HIS MEN
NEGOTIATIONS WITH WRECK
ING COMPANIES NEARLY
COMPLETED.

ouiry appointed to investigate the Maine disas-
ter will begin It's wor; at Havana tomorrow.
This news came 10 the Navy Department this
morning from Admiral scard at Key West
He telegraphed follows:
The Court of Inquiry sail for Havana 2oth.
by lighthouse steamer Mangrove. Mark cr-
rived to-day.
This prompt action is undoubtedly due ~ the
express direction from Secretary Long sent yes
terday, have the investigation begin at the
earliest possible moment. The tel gram was
dated yesterday so the Board should arrive
at Havana tonight and be ready 10 begin 10
work Tomorrow morning. The Board undoubt-
edly would have started before this time. ex-
cept for the necessity Of awaiting the arrival
at Key West from Washington of Lieutenant
Commander Mark who Is TO be the Judge -ad-
vocate
Secretary Long said this afternoon, after look-
Ing his telegrapho and mail correspondents.
that il contained nothing of Importance except
the dispatches here given.
He referred with satisfaction TO the cispatch
saying that the court If inquiry would assemble
in Havana tomorrow. The plan had been for
the court to meet first az Key West. and after
doing such work as was possible there 10 pro-
ceed to Havana. But Mr. Long thought II was
desirable To have the court go at once 10
Havana where the inquiry could begin at tho
scene Of the disaster and where personal IN
spection would aid in an intelligent Judgment
on this account the Secretary sent oroers yes-
terday for the court to proceed direct To Havana.
and the response Of Admiral Sicard is IN ac'
cordance with these instructions
MORE EXPERIENCED DIVERS NEEDED.
Captain sigsbce was heard from late last
night. but the dispatch was not delivered at
the Navy Department until this morning. II
reads as follows:
Only most experienced wrecking divers can
do effective work on the Maine. In tho upper
works can use service divers Did some work
to-day. but with little success VIII do better
Tomorrow Parts Of the Maine especially the
superstructure and connections. are one con-
fused mass OF metal.
Another brief telegram from Cap;aih Sgsbee
read
Havana. Feb 20 Bache."
This means that the Coast Survey steamer
has arrived at Havana having on board all the
diving apparatus sent from the squadron.
The statement relative 10 experienced divers
IS explained at the Navy Department as casting
| 10 reflection on the men now engaged In the
work. they being enlisted men belonging 10 The
| Navy 1t is the practice on board men-ot-war
to assign few men. always volunteers.
! count OF the hazardous nature ot the work. 70
| duty as divers In connection with their regulcr
/ work The SCOPE OF thelf WOTk Is the eSp.Ofl-
ton Of the ships bottom generally. the dsen-
tanglement OF cables from the propeller shafts.
and sometimes the search for a lost torpedo or
an anchor Such work rarely carries them
deeper than twenty Ave feet into the water. and
It is said that for operations in deeper water.
such as would be involved in an examination of
the Names bottom. their training has not fitted
them. They are also lacking in the skill neces-
sary enable diver to grope his way safely
through the interior OF great ship like the
Maine torn and dismembered as she is, and this
work Is extremely dangerous Creeping through
narrow inbound passages and cropping for
the doors Of the wate, tight bulkheads which
divide the hull into many compartments. on
Shiny floors and in perfect darkness. require the
greatest experience and skill. and this is why
Captain Sigsbee. with only his sailor divers az
command, has been unable thus far to DO mucn
toward unraveng the mystery OF the Names
untmely end
HURRYING THE WRECKING WORK.
II is to meet this emergency that the Navy
Department is making every effort to hasten the
beginning of the work OF recovery Of goods and
perhaps the raising Of the hull by professional
divers. Captain Lemly. the Judge Advocate
General OF the Department was az work to-day
in his Office with representatives OF wrecking
companies trying to draw up contracts for the
immediate prosecution Of the work He has
leen engaged in the task two days and ii mas not
been easy 70 dispose or 1t is believed. however,
that the obstacles nave now been surnounted
and that the contracts can be signed tomorrow.
1t is Captain Lemly's purpose to hurry this
work and he is arranging TO have two OF the
companies combine their forces They Will be
paid on the scale OF days work. with provi-
sion for a bonus II they succeed in raising tho
h., = Fn Of
the valuable equipment is possible. should It
not be practicable float the Maine again.
Great difficulty is expected IN recovering the big
ten inch turret guns each worth $4,000. owing
rot only 10 their weight but 10 the enormous
turrets enclosing them with hundred tons OK
steel II Is doubtful II the tops of these turrets
can be removed. as was first supposed by cut
ting off the botheads which fix them To the
sides as these large bolts are probably counter
sunk and the heads are below the surface OF
the metal while the confined space within the
turrets makes It difficult 70 work the inside
ends under water. 1t is hoped that it may be
feasible To raise the turrets entire with the
guns. If lifting apparatus Of suficien, power can
~ "'' No FRICTION AT HAVANA
Senor Dubosc received no advices Of impor-
tance from Havana to-day. lie expressed entire
satisfaction with the plans under which tho
divers were operating. and said there was no
justification for talk about friction. Perfect
harmony existed, he said and On both sides. so
far as he could see. there was every disposition
TO give the ampest facilities for investigation.
Senior Dubosc feels that the assembling Of tho
court Of inquiry at Havana morrow is de-
sirahle owing to the rapid rate at which tho
hull of the Maine is sinking into the soft bottom
OF the harbor.
NO NEWSPAPER DIVERS EMPLOYED.
ONE MAN WAS FOUGHT Up AND CAPTAIN sIGs.
BEE DISCHARGED HIM
90 "A