The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-01
ISSUING DEATH CERTIFICATES.
Many CiniIaaats for thc Effects nnd
Money Ksuc the Sailors.

Money Ksue the sailors.
Washington, Feb. %, Judge Advo-
cate General Lemly found message
this morning from the Merritt e Chap
man WreclSing Company, dated at New
York. reading as follows:
'The tug Underwater with the de-
rick Chief in tow, passed Sandy Hook
at 12Ao p. m. Sunday, 27th. bound for
Havana. Assistant Wrecking Master
TGoker on the Underwater
Assuming that fair weather prevails
the tug with It's tow should arrive at
havana about Saturday. With this
derrick the investigation OF the court
of inquiry undoubtedly can be greatly
facilitated, for, although the Chief will
be unable to lift the big turrets. her
dctTlckS would remove the smaller
guns and the greater part of the de-
bris which is the source OF so much
complaint on the part of Captain Sigs-
bee, as interfering with the search for
bodies, and with the examination into
the cause of the disaster
Captain Eawley, who is directly in
charge of that branch OF the Naviga-
ton Bureau relating to the enlisted
men of the navy, is now directing the
work of his office to the issuance OF
death certificates to the families OF the
dead sailors. These certificates are is
sued by the surgeon general and the
navigation bureau. ard arc thus con-
elusive evidence upon the auditors OF
the Treasury Department, who are
thereby obliged 10 pay over 20 the legal
representatives or hei!:j OF the deceased
any sums OF money that may be due
them by the United States government
on account Of accrued pay or retained
uCDOSttS. ~ Of t0t OF = bp
Maine disaster the Department is in
Obliged in many cases to certify 20 the
death of the sailor without being aisle
10 secure evidence OF that fact through
the presence OF body 1t is assumed
by the officials that Il man failing TO
report pcrishcd in the catastrophf.
Letters are reaching the Navy De-
partmant from all parts Of the country
from alleged relatives of the victims
and It appears that in numerous cases
there are many claimants for tho small
SUMS of money or property that belong
10 the dead men.
IL can be stated authOrltativeiy that
the Navy Department has received
nothing TO indicate the cause of the ex-
ploSion and that reports thit il has been
advised il was by external agencies are
without foundation
Commander Forsyth at Key West
lSieSraphed THIS morning that he had
in execution of the DEPARTMENTS order,
secured plot of ground in the Gene
tcGy At Key West in which will IL, tenn
porarily inferred the remains of such
OF the victims bodies as are brought
from Havana. Admiral Sicard person
ally will look after the funeral ar
rangemcnts.
The battle ship Texas, which has
been at Galveston, returned TO Tortugas
yesterday and Joined the squadron.
The Terror reported her arrival at
Tompkinsville to-day. The Cast,n ar
rived at Port Of France. in the West
Indies.
Captain Dickens. assistant chief of
the Navigation Bureau. has gone to
Norfolk
Contrary TO some reports that have
been circulated. his visit has nothing
to do with war preparations. He went
TO inspect the old training ship Essex,
which has just returned from n long
cruise with apprentices.