The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-21

graphs taken of the wreck were studied
with much interest by the naval officers
here to-day. Great surprise was expressed
at the extent of the wreck, and the vast
mass of steel and iron heaped in the for
ward part OF the ship was a particular OBJ
ject of attention. The experts who had first
ventured the theory of a bursting boiler as
the cause of the destruction claim to find
strong reinforcement in the pictures for
that belief. The great mass of metal ap-
pears TO be thrown up over the boiler space
and not over the forward magazine while
the forcing apart of the forward body of
the hull. they say, might have been accom-
plished by the enormous expansive power
of the high pressure steam carried in these
boilers, with their shells more than an inch
thick. AS to what caused boiler to explode
whether a disguised bomb in the coal, low
water or faulty construction-they do not
now undertake to say.
Secretary Long said this afternoon, after
looking over his telegraphic and mail corre-
spondence. that it contained nothing of inn
portance beyond the dispatches above given.
The secretary referred with satisfaction to
the dispatch stating that the court of in
quiry would assemble at Havana to-mor-
row. The plan had been for the court to
such work as was possible there, to proceed
to Havana. But Mr. Long thought it was
desirable to have the court proceed at once
to Havana, where the inquiry could begin
on the actual scene of disaster. and where
personal inspections would aid in an inteli-
gent judgment. On this account the secre-
tary's orders were given yesterday for the
court to proceed direct to Havana, and the
response OF Admiral Sicard is in accordance
with these orders.
SIGSBEES LATEST DISPATCHES.
Captain Sigsbee to-day sent two tele-
grams to the Navy Department on the sub
ject of interviews with him. The first mere
ly said: II have consistently refrained
from expressing any opinion on the Maine
disaster"
Later in the day he wired mo news
paper divers have been used on wreck of
the Maine. One man engaged by me was
subsequently bought up by newspaper. l
declined his services. Subsequently on his
being unconditionally released, 1 might
have used him in charge of an officer in re-
covering bodies, but decided not to do so.
Any interviews with me, If printed are un-
true"
The Navy Department tonight received
the following telegram from Captain Sigs-
bee: Following is the condition of our
wounded in Havana hospitals: Apprentice
Koebler, Slight Improvement, but condition
still very grave Holzer same; Allen, slight
improvement, condition grave; Heffron,
Shea, Mattison. favorable LOTUS con-
valescent; Cahill improved, but grave;
Mack, Waters and Webber, favorable"
The report on the same subject from
Captain Forsythe at Key West says:
Maine survivors all in good condition this
morning. Surgeon reports wounded doing
WELL"
The following telegram was received by
Secretary Long to-day from New York,
signed by Captain Eulate, of the Spanish
cruiser Vizcaya: when arrived at New
York I heard of the Maine disaster. We
feel very deep sorrow and send our con-
dolences for the dead and their families"
The published statement that Senator
Proctor, of Vermont, who is now on his
way to Florida, was going to the interior
OF Cuba as q special agent of President
Mckinley to report on the conditions in the
island, was denied tonight at the White
House. 1T was said that Senator Proctor
had not even decided that he would go to
Cuba, that he might make pleasure trip
that far If he succeeded in finding some
congenial companion, but his visit If made.
would be entirely ON his own responsibility.
The Machias, Ell route for the United
States from the Asiatic station, has arrived
at Madeira.