The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-23

he is fully justified in making the above
terms with the wreckers. though at
first thought The per diem compelisa-
ton seems large. II must be borne in
mind, however, he said to-day. that this
VIII constitute the largest wrecRing eN-
petition ever equipped in this country.
~ clause of the contract requires the
companies to proceed with all dispatch
and in business-iike manner with the
work of wrecking. and though this
haste adds TO the cost of the work, 1t
is believed TO be necessary in view of
the possibility OF the early appearance
of yellow fever at Havana harbor with
the approach of the rainy season next
month.
PLANS OF THE W1RECKpRs.
Captain Humphreys and Mr.. Chap
man, representing the two companies,
who viii do the work. explained ito the
Associated Press the plans they will
adopt in raising the Maine. In addi-
iion 30 the emergency work to he prCs-
ecTted by the Right Arm. the main en-
pedhJion Will be made up of about 100
men, Mcluding six skilled divers, the
wrecl1ng steamsr Underwater, of Bos-
ton. of COO horse power, the wrcckinE
steamer John G. Jones, of Norfolk, of
similar power; the iron barge Lone
Star, OF Boston, capable Of carrying 5000
tons; the floating derrick Monarch. ca
pa'ble OF lifting 2G0 tons, the largest
Heating derrick in the country. and an
other derrick capable OF lifting thirty
tons. The forwarding of the boats, der
ricks and men will begin at once. Telc-
grams were sent today to begin the out
lifting, the Eaking on OF coal and as
senr9ling '0f men and equipment. The
boats arr ready 10 start at any time
but j: will take Il day or Two to get to-
gethcr the exceptional facilities required
Tor this large undertaking.. The wreck
ing companies officials say il will he
impossible to assemble this material
and g:n it into Havana harbor ready
IN work for a week. They will make
every effort. however, to expedite the
work. The Underwater has Il crew OF
seventeen men, including her own staff
CT divers, who are veterans in this line
OF work. The Jorsi has like crew
and equipment of divers. The crews
are available for wrecking work but
aside fItm fhsse men there will be forty
experienced wrccllers Each wreclling
vessel has q large complement of pumps,
anchors. iron masts with heavy rhoisting
gear. cables, etc. Who will command
The expedition has not bsen determined
mus Tar, as the companies have seve-
raj experienced wreckinG masters avail
able.
The wrecking master Will be in COM
pie'e charge, as the Government will
trust entirely ito the experience of the
Wrcckers. although a naval officer will
De detailed TO inspect the work as it
proceeds
The officers OF the two wrcclinc COM
panies said to-day that after the cXpe-
dition was assembled in Havana har-
bGr complete inspection of the wreck
would be made ard the exact line IF
Work determined upon. Th> facilities
will hc so ample ti,Mt all OF tn divers
WI be able TO work at one time on
different parts Of the wreck Mos; Of the
lifting Will be dona by the smaller der
rick, which is OF sufficient capacity
Tor the lighter upper works of the
Maine. but h will take the monster der
rick Monarch to lift the huge turrets
ci the Maine and the guns, mounted
within them.
captain Humphreys stated that the
purpose was not 10 separate the bic.
guns from tha turrt,s, but to lift thcm
rs n whole. This will be Il trcn,nndrus
undertaking, as the combined weight
u each turro: ana guns is 1G6 tons. The.
A"harch can lift 260 tons, SO there is
an ample margin cf lifting power.
ih& wi'eckcrs were lOath to express
an opinion rs To their ability t1 raise
the hull Of the Maine. AIR. Charnon
ard Cartain Humphreys stated thot
ncthnS but close personal inspcc-
tinh would permit n decision on that
p".hi. They are hopeful. however. shat
the ship can he drought to The sur-
race. This iron barge lone Star vii,
be used 10 receive the turrCt guns ana
WreckaGe, and rs fast as loads arc
made up she will he tOwed to r,hc Nor
folk navy yard
EXCITEMENT SURsIDINc;
ine most potent sign that the first
ana exciting stage of the Maine d;s,s-
Ter mas becn passed was the fact that
iiNt single cablegram was received
overnight or this morning at the NAVY.
Department relating in any manner 70
that event
ACHING Secretary Day spent some
time at his Office. but he had Htt1o
news 10 communicates. lie had rccciv-
ed only one dispatch since Yesterday
from Consul-Gcneral Lee ana that re-
iatcd to the shipment of Cuban to-
bacro to the United Suites. The de-
partment has heard nothing of the re-
ported revival Of the Wcyler cdict pro
hibitinE the expectation OF tohacc,
from Cuba. On the contrary. General
Lees reports show that the movements
arc IN regular progress, OF. M least
had not been checked UP to the 9TH
instant.
Judge Day had received no news of
the rumored capture Of the DauntIas,
ana, in fact the above telegram was
all that he had had from Havana in
the last twenty-foiir hours.
MOFbAl!2NTS OF THE SQUADRON.
The naval officials assert that the re-
port To the effect that the movements
or the South Atlantic squadron. now
under way, are with View to the
carly assembling of the vessels near
havana, is without foundation. This
movement. they say. is in direct az