The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-25
WILMINGTON, N. c., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1s9S

early appearances OF yellow fever Al
Havana harbor with the approach Of
the rainy season next month.
PLANS OF THE WRECKING con-
PANIES.
Captain Humphreys and Mr.. Chap
man, representing the two companies
who will do the work, explained to
the Associated Press the plans they
will adopt in raising the Maine. In ad-
dftiOn to the emergency work to be
prosecuted by the Right Arm, the main
expedition will be made up OF about
100 men, including six skilled divers,
the wrecking steamer Underwater, of
Boston, of 600 horse power, the wreck
ing steamer, John G. Jones, Of Norfolk,
of similar power; the iron barge Lone
Star, of Boston. capable of carrying
5000 tons; the floating derrick Mon
arch, capable of lifting 260 tons,sthe
largest floating derrick in the country.
and another derrick, capable OF lifting
thirty tons, The forwaruins Of the
boats, derricks and men will begin at
once. kilograms were sent today to
begin the outfitting, the taking on Of
coal and assembling of men and equip
ment. The boats are ready to start
q
two to get together the exceptional IA
cilities required for this large under
taking. The wrecking companies Of
ficials say it will be impossible to as
semble this material and get it into
Havana harbor ready for work for a
week. They will make every effort,
however, to expedite the work The
Underwater has a crew of seventeen
men, including her own staff of divers,
who are veterans in this line of work.
The Jones has a like crew and equip
ment of divers. The crews are avail
able for wrecking work, but, aside
from these men there will be forty ex-
perienced wreckers. Each Wrecking
vessel has large complement Of
pumps, anchors, iron masts with heavy
hosting gear, cables, etc. Who will
command the expedition has not been
determined thus far, as the companies
have several experienced Wrecking
masters available The wrecking mas
ter will be in con- etc charge, as the
government will trust entirely to the
experience Of the wreckerS, although
a naval officer will be detailed to in
spect the work as it proceeds.
The officers of the two wrecking COM
panies said today that after the ex-
pedftion was assembled in Havana har
Dor complete inspection of the work
would be made and the exact line of
work determined upon. The facilities
will be SO ample that all of the divers
will be able to work at one time on
different parts of the wreck. Most of
the lifting will be done by the smaller
derrick, which is Of sufficient capacity
for the lighter upper works Of the
Maine, but it will take the monster
derrick, Monarch, to lift the huge tur-
retS of the Maine and the guns mount
ed within them.
TO LIFT TURRETS AND GUNS TO-
GETHER.
Captain Humphreys stated tnat the
purpose was not to separate the big
guns from the turrets, but to lift them
as a whole. This will be a trem endOus
undertaking, as the combined weight
Of each turret and guns is 1855 tons.
The Monarch can lift 260 tons, 50 there
is an ample margin Of lifting power.
The wreckers were loath to express an
opinion as to their ability to raise the
hull of the Maine. Mr.. Chapman and
Captain Humphreys stated that moth
ing but close personal inspection
would permit a decision on that point.
They are hopeful, however, that the
ship can be brought to the surface.
The iron barge Lone Star will be used
to receive the turret guns and wreck
age and as fast as loads are made up
she will be towed to the Norfolk navy
yard.
NO CABLEGRAMS OVERNIGHT.
The most potent sign that the first
and exciting stage of the Maine dis
aster has been passed was the fact
that not single cablegram was re-
ceived overnight or this morning at
the navy department relating in any
manner to that event.
Acting Secretary Day spent some
time at his office, but he had little
news to communicate. He had re-
ceived only one dispatch since yeSter-
day from Consul General Lee and that
related to the shipment of Cuban to-
bacco to the United States. The de-
partment had heard nothing Of the
reported revival of the Weyler edict
prohibiting the expectation of tobacco
from Cuba On the contrary, General
Lees reports show that the movements
are in regular progress, or at least, mad
not been checked up to the sth instant.
Judge Day had received no news Of
the rumored capture of the Dauntiess,
and in fact, the above telegram was all
that he had had from Havana in the
last twenty-fOur hours.
MOVEMENT OF SOUTH ATLANTIC
SQUADRON.
The naval officials assert that the re-
port to the effect that the movements
of the South Atlantic squadron now
under way are with a view to the
early assembling of the vessels near
Havana is without foundation. This
movement, they say, is in direct accord
with the plan outlined in December
last by Captain Chester, Of the Cincin-
natl. in command of the squadron, and
approved by the department. This
plan is about as follows: After the
smaller vessels were docked at Buenos
Ayres he would assemble the squadron
and proceed up the coast of South
America for squadron drill, visiting all
the ports where American interests ex-
ist, going as far as Para. Upon the
return of the squadron from the
north he would make a long visit to
Rio Janeiro, with all the vessels. Near
Rio Janeiro is the harbOr of Isle de
Grande where the vessels would have
and other squadron 0K-