Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28

at 9:40 pm. on the 18th day OF February,
eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, in the
narbor OF Havana, Cuba, she being al the
tine moored to the same buoy to which
she had been taken upon her arrival
There were two explosions of a distinct
ly different character, with a very short
but distinct interval between them, and
the forward part of the ship was lifted to
marked degree ct the time of the first
explosion.
The first explosion was more in the ma
ture of report, like that of a gun; while
the second explosion was more open. pro-
longed. and Of greater volume This sec
end explosion was, in the opinion of the
| court. caused by the partial explosion of
two or more Of the forward magazines of
| the Maine.
Condition of the Wreck.
4. The evidence hearing upon this, being
principally obtained from divers, did not
enable the court to form a definite con-
ciusion as to the condition of the wreck.
although 1t was established that the after
part Of the ship was practically intact and
sank In that condition a very few minutes
after the destruction OF the forward part
The following facts in regard to the for
ward part of the ship are, however estab-
| lished by the testimony:
That portion of the port side Of the
protective deck. which extends from about
Frame 30 to about Frame Al was blown
Up AT, and over to port. The main deck
ffcm about Frame 80 to about Frame IL
was blewn up. aft. and slightly over &c
stGrhoard. folding the forward part of the
MIDDLE superstructure over and on ton of
the after part.
1hts Was, in the opinion of the court.
caused b. the partial explosion of two or
more OF the forward magazines of the
Maine.
.. At frame IL, the outer shell of the shin
from point eleven and one-half feet from
! the middle line of the ship. and six feet
above the keel when in its normal position.
has been forced up SO as to be now about
four feet above the surface OF the water;
therefore, about thirty-four feet above
where it would be had the ship sunk unir-
| iured.
The outside bottom plating is bent into
reversed Fshape A the after wing of
which, about fifteen feet broad and thirty
TWO feet in length (from frame IL to frame
20 is doubled BAG upon itself against the
continuation of the same plating extend
ing forward.
At frame IS the vertical keel is broken in
similar to the angle formed by the out
side bottom plating This break is now
about six feet below the surface of the
water, and about thirty feet above its nor
NAL position.
In the opinion of the court this effect
could have been produced only by the ex-
picsion of mine situated under the bot
tom OF the ship at about frame Is, and
sc mewhat on the port side OF the ship.
o. The court finds that the loss of the
Maine on the occasion named, was not in
any respect due TO fault or negligence on
| the part of any of the officers or members
of the crew of said vessel.
Z. In the opinion of the Court the Maine
was destroyed by the explosion of a sub
| marine mine, which caused the partial ex-
p,osiou of two or more of her forward
magazines.
s. The Court has been unable TO obtain
evidence fixing the responsibility for the
destruction Of the Maine upon any person
or parsons.
w. T. SAMPSON. Captain L. S. NJ,
President.
A MARK, Lieut.. Commander L. S. N,
Judge Advocate
The court. having finished the inquiry it
was ordered to make, adjourned at IL m
to await the action of the converting ~
thority.
W. 7. SAMPSON,
Captain, United States Navy, President.
A. MARK,
Commander, United States Navy, Judge
Advocate.
Z. S. FLAGSHIP NEW YORK,
March -, 1S9S
Off Key West, Fla.
The proceedings and findings CT the court
OF inquiry in the above case are approved
NJ. SICARD,
Rear Admiral. Commander-in Chief
of the L. S. Naval force on the
North Atlantic Statcn.