davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
OF INTERNAL ORIGIN.
How Anyone Escaped Alive Toward Seems
Miraculous.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 17.-Capt. Sigs-
bees brief report as well as Gen. Lees
dispatch indicate that they now incline
strongly TO the belief that the explo-
sion was of internal origin Both agree
that the force of it was in the
forward part of the ship. and
this is borne out by the escape
of a majority of the officers. whose
quarters are ait, and the heavy casual
ties among the crew, sleeping forward.
Probably in the latter case the death
list would have been even larger but
for the fact that the Maine, having
superstructure forward on the main
deck, a porti on of the crew were quar-
tered there, and so escaped the greater
part of the force of the explosion as
felt on the berth deck below them The
Maine had three magazines. The one
forward was used for the storage of am
muEition weighing 15,090pounds This
quantity of explosives is so large that
the navy officials here can scarcely be-
lieve it possible for any man being on
board to have escaped had the maya
zine exploded entirely.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
THE CABINET MEETING.
Not Deemed Expedient TO Send warships
TO Havana.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-Two mem
bers of the cabinet. who spent some
time with the president, stated that
everything SO far received indicates
that the loss of the Maine was due to
&c .ident. Capt. Sigsbee, in his tele-
gram from Havana, states that he is not
prepared to express an opinion on this
point.
Among the matters discussed by the
president and the members of the cabi-
net was the question of the expediencv
of Immediately sending one or more
warships to Havana to take the place
of the Maine. and the con
clusion is understood to have
been reached that at present such
course was not desirable. At about
half-past one o'clock it was authorita-
lively stated at the White House THAI
the Information so far received in
dicated that the loss of the Maine was
the result of an accident. and that in
the absence of evidence to the contrary
this should be assumed to be the fact.
Secretary Long returned to the White
House early in the afternoon and re-
manned with the president for some
time. Up to two o'clock nothing had
been received from Havana since the
cablegram from Capt. Sigsbee.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
The Explosion Said TO Have Been
in the Central Magazine.
OFFICERS WERE ALL IN THE WARD ROOM.
A Mass Of Struggling Humanity Rush
ing Through Debris and Water
Seeking Safety Many Sailors
Drowned Below.
a shower of Debris Fell Upon .he Deck
- the Ward Line steamer City
of Washington. Disabling Two
of the Latter's Boats.

NEW YORK. Feb. IA special copy
right cable to the Evening World from
Havana says the officers of the Maine
state the explosion was III the central
magazine. and that the Maine was
raised out of the water and then went
partially to pieces The dispatch con-
tinues:
All but the surgeon were in the
yard-room at the moment of the explo-
sion Then came the stupendous
shock. All the officers below rushed
on deck, but could get no further for
ward than the middle superstructure on
deck. Only a very pitiable few of the
$50 Jachies ever got from below. The
water rushed over them. and many
more stunned and drowned, but not
mangled
1t Is not likely that more than 40
sailors were saved. The officers on deck
narrowly escaped. In the junior Of
hcers mess all had to Chamber out
through water and wreckage waist
deep. One ladder from the after tor
pedo compartment was jammed with
men struggling up for life. All agree
that double explosion occurred from
the natural result of an underwater ex-
plosion of the magazines
The dispatch says that the account
of the passengers on the Ward line
steamer City of Washington, which was
lying 300 yards from the Maine bears
out the foregoing statement. Continu-
ing. the cable says:
Brass pipe, angle iron. etc. fell in a
shower on the decks of the City of
Washington, so injuring two boats
that when lowered they were
useless. Out OF the din came
anguished cries for help Stimuli
taneously with the cessation of falling
fragments search-lights were thrown
on the wreck and its load OF agony.
Spanish boats from the shore joined
those of the Washington alongside at
once, but the regular ferry boats pass
ing soon after the explosion did not
stop to offer aid.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
No smokeless Powder on Board-Precau-
tions Taken with Powder.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-There was no
smoleless powder on board the Maine.
and the ten-inch ammunition was made
up of brown prismatic powders Not
only is this powder most carefully
packed in acknowledgement copper
eases, but its heat-resisting qualities
are SO great that it can not be ignited
by the fame of match. 900 degrees
Fahrenheit being the amount of heat
that must be applied for some time to
set off the powder On the other hand il
is readily ignited, as in the case Of the
charge in the gun, by the explosion OF
a good quantity of illuminate. Every
precaution is adopted aboardship to
safeguard the maya zine.
In.its vicinity a sentry stands on duty
cont nually The doors are closed
Theoretically, except when the ship is
cleared for action. At eight o'clock
every night the temperature is taken.
and the keys OF the locked door are
placed IN the CAPTAINS hands for tbs
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
A DIREFUL DISASTER,
The Blowing Up of the
Battleship Maine ut
Havana.
Over Two Hundred a Fifty
Lives Lost.
All the Officers But Two Are
Accounted For
The Cause Of The Disaster as Yet a Mrs
teU, Nothing TO Explain II Having
Been Received.
The President Deeply Affected by
the Terrible News---Pending
-
The President Deeply Affected by
the Terrible News---Pending
Entertainments Are Off.
Consensus Of Opinion that it was
Accident, Though Some At
tribute it to Foul Design.
The Matter Win Doubtless Receive
Searching Investigation a, the Hands
of the Navy Department,
The Nays Most Terrible Disaster.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The most ter
rible disaster that has ever happened
to the navy of the United States oc-
CURED in the harbor of Havana. Cuba.
when, without moments warning. an
explosion occurred on board the battle
ship Maine, lying peacefully at anchor,
with fires banked, resulting in the de-
struction of the vessel and the loss of
nearly three hundred lives.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

try on the poop deck reports that there
were no boats in the vicinity when the
explosion occurred
Another telegram to Secretary Long
from George Bronson Rea, said to be
newspaper correspondent, said:
NO excitement. All quiet. Only
feelings of sympathy and sorrow for
the accident
Another telegram received at the
navy department stated that the miss
ing would probably number go.
Secretary Long, for the president. has
sent this telegram to Capt. Sigsbee:
SIGsBEE L. : ;. Maine Havana-The presi-
dent directs me to express for himself and the
people Of the United States his profound sym
pathy with the officers and the crew 81 the
Maine and desires that no expense be spared
in providing FOR the survivors and the care Of
the dead.
ISiguedI john D. LONG. Secretary.
The president has recalled his invita-
tions for receptions this evening and to-
morrow night owing to the disaster
which has befallen the American navy.
Learned with Horror at the Spanish Lega-
tion.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is The news of
the Maine disaster was learned at the
Spanish legation with horror. and was
the occasion for many expressions of
the most profound regret and condo
lence. Early in the day Senior Dubosc.
the Spanish charge d'affaires. received
a message from Capt.-Gen. Blanco.
which had been filed at . a. m. 1t read
as follows:
With profound regret have to inform you
that the American ship Maine in this harbor.
blew up By an undoubtedly chance aeciden,
believed to have resulted from an explosion Of
the boiler Of the dynamo Immediately fol-
lowing the accident all the disposable ele-
ments Of the capital FASTENED to the spot
10 extend every aid possible. These in
eluded the force OF the marine
fire brigade and all the generals in Havana.
among them my chief Of staff There have
been deaths and wounded have sent an aide
de-canp to offer every assistance to the North
American eonsul that he may wish for will
forward further details as they become avail
able.
lsignedl .BLAsco"
Senior Dubosc expressed the most
profound regret at the occurrence. He
said:
'Of course | look upon the horror as
due in every respect and solely and
simply to an accident. That is the
clear and unequivocal statement of the
authorities at Havana, and all the evil
dence thus far available goes to sus-
tain it,.
Asked if the accident could have an
adverse effect upon the relations be-
tween the United States and Spain. he
responded with decided negative. and
the statement that the affair was
wholly an accident.
Senior Dubose FASTENED to the state
department soon after receiving the
Blanco cablegram, for the purpose of
expressing his deep coincidence to the
authorities, and of communicating the
captain-general's dispatch to Secretary
Sherman and Mr.. Day, the assistant
secretary. To both of them he ex-
pressed personally and officia lily the
most profound regret.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

WASHINGTON. Feb. l6.-While Secre-
tary Long was with the president. the
following detailed dispatch from Capt
Sigsbee, commander of the Maine. was
brought to him.
Advise sending wrecking vessel at
once. Maine submerged. except debris
mostly work for divers now. Jenkins
and Merritt still missing Little hope
for their safety. Those known 10 be
saved are:
Officers, "a: uninjured crew. Is;
wounded now on board Ward line
steamer in city hospital and at hotel,
50, so far as known. All others went
down on board. or near the Maine The
total lost or missing is 253
with several exceptions, no officer
nor man has more than part of suit
of clothing, and that is wet with har-
Dor water. Ward steamer leaves for
Mexico at ? p. T.. Officers saved are
uninjured. Damage was in compart-
ments of the crew. Am preparing to
telegraph list of wounded and saved.
Ohvette leaves for Key West at l p. n
VIII send by her to Key West the Off
GERS saved except myself and Vain
wright, Holman, Hanneberger, Ray
and Holden. VIII turn over three unin-
jured boats to captain of port, with re-
quest for safekeeping. VIII send all
wounded men to hospital at Havana.
''SIGsBFF "
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

night The records of the navy depart
ment show that 81 degrees was the
maximum temperature in the Names
magazine during the past month. very
low and safe temperature. These facts
make it extremely difficult to account
for the explosion.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
Dispatch From Con. Lee.

WASHINGTON. Feb. I6.-The following
dispatch was received at Il:40 a. m:
HAVANA. Feb IS
ASSISTANT Sc BETARY STATE. WAsHING-
ToN-AN quiet; greaJ sorrow expressed by au-
thorties
Sigsbee has telegraphed details TO navy de-
partmant Not prepared yet to report cause of
explosion. LEE
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.-At 1920 o'clock
Secretary Long received the following
unsigned telegram from Havana
only two officers unaceounted for.
The explosion was forward To all in
dieations the magazine, but can not tell
until ar Investigation is had. The sem
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

Madrid. Feb. Is The captain-gen-
eral of Cuba, Gen. Blanco. has caDled
the authorities here, and has sent a
similar message to Washington. saying
that the disaster to the Maine was in
disputably due to an accident.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
The Bache Ordered to Havana.

WAsHNGToN. Feb. l6.-The coast
survey steamer Bache has been ordered
to Havana at once with wrecking para
phesnaia. She is now at Key West. :
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

The cause of the explosion is,
30 far as reports received would
indicate, involved in mystery, no
hint as yet being given that would
tend to point in any manner to the
cause.
The explosion created the utmost
CONSERVATION in Havana, windows be-
ing smashed by the conclusion in all
parts of the city. The fire police and
military were prompt in rendering as
sistance, while the boats of the Spanish
cruiser Alphonso MI. did good service
in rescuing many of those who were
either blown over board or jumped into
the water TO avoid the flames of the
burning vessel
The Maine was battleship of the
second class, and was regarded as one of
the best ships in the new navy She
was built at the Brooklyn navy-yard.
and was 3ls feet long,75 feet wide, 2l.6
mean draught, 6,6s2 tons displacement.
She carried four lO-inch and six six-inch
breeeh-loading guns in her main bat
terry and seven siX-pounder and eight
one-pounder rapid-fire guns and four
Gatlings in her secondary battery, and
-Four Whitehead torpedoes.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
Ex-PresIdent Harrison Interviewed.

INDIANAPoLIs, Ind. Feb. 16.-When
eX-President Benjamin Harrison was
asked by press correspondent for a
statement regarding the destruction of
the United States battleship Maine he
said
The occurrence IS most terrible
and shocking one. 1t is to be hoped
that an investigation may leave no
doubt that it was an accident. If there
should be any room for suspecting foul
play IL would be very unfortunate.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
SENATORIAL OPINION.


On tHt DIsdsNeF a. an Accident.
WASHINGTON. Feb. l7.-Quite large
number of senators We're called upon
during the day and asked to ex-
press an opinion on the terri
BILE disaster at Havana The ma
jority We're disposed to be
very conservative in their utterances.
but the consensus of their views was
that in the light of present inforna-
ton the disaster must be regarded as
q most deplorable accident, and one
that calls for the most searching in
vestigation by the navy department.
and by congress if it shall be found
necessary.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
No Torpedo Did 1t,

INDIANAPoLIs. Ind, Feb. 16.-Rear-
Admiral George Brown, who was the
highest officer in the navy till his re-
tirement last year, was informed of the
naval casualty in Havana harbor. and
was asked if it was possible that tor
pedo lying in the harbor could have
been accidentally exploded under the
ship.
Il am sure 70 official had anything
to do with it if a torpedo was response
bic. Oh, no." he said. there could
have been no explo sion of a torpedo by
the dragging of the Names anchor. or
anything of that sort. Nor are there
any submerged mines in the harbor. |
don't recall any similar affair of this
kind in the history of the United States
navy, either in time of peace or in time
of war
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
OFFICERS AND MEN SAVED.
Capt sigsbee's Respons. 20 Message Of In
quiry.


quiry.
WASHINGTON, Feb. I6.-Capt. Sigsbee
has reported. in answer to a cable mes
sage of inquiry, that the following Off
sers and men were saved from the Maine:
Capt c. ID. Sigsbes
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT R Wainwright.
Lieut. G. r. Wheslman-
Lieut. J. Hood.
Lieut. C. W. Jungen
Lieut. G. p Blow
Surgeon : G. Hene5erxer
PaymasteF G II RAY
Chief Enyines c z. Howell
Lieut. J. J. Blandon
Chaplain J. j. Chadwick
Pas .el Assistant Engineer F. c. Bowers
Lieutenant OF Marines Catlin
Assistant Engineer J. r Morris
Naval Cadets J. H Holden. W. T. Cluverius
X Bronson, +. Washington. A CrenShaw j. d.
Boyd.
Boatswaia F. Z. Larkin
Gunner J Hill
Carpenter J. Helm
Paymaster's CLERK Mccarthy
hen-Iedon. Larson. Hallberg. Bullock Mel
vile, Willis, Galpin. Kushieia. Noppln Tur-
pin. Harris. Lutz Jeretson. Holland. Her
bert, McDevitt Foley. Hutchins. Schwartz
Richards, Teackle. Fiynne. Dresseler Da-
Vld. Nicholson. Sohman. Fox Wilbur
Waters Anderson. ChristianSon. Koehler
Ericsson. Mack. Williams. J. White PauIS
Coffee, }. W Allen. Roe, d. Cronin F. Cahin
j. Kane. Jerene. C. a Smith C. Shea
HernesS. J. Hebron, Bloome-. johnson. Berg
man Mattison, A johnson. Pitcher. Holster.
Lotus MEG innis, w Ma.iasoa Fdraess.
Good, Darsxins. Rau. McNair Gabriel A. Hal
lon Senetech. \. Knee. Benjamin, NJ .Kay
The Only Parallel to the Disaster
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The only
parallel to the Maine horror in the his
tory of the United States navy was the
great Samoan disaster in March. 1889
when four officers and IS men of the
Pacific coast squadron lost their
lives in a hurricane which swept
the harbor of Apia. and sur
rounding waters March Is and
Is. When this hurricane started there
were in the harbor of Apia the follow
ing men of war: The United States
steamships Trenton. Vandalia and
Nipsic, the British ship Calliope and
the German vessels Adler, Olga and
few merchant ships and small craft.
Admiral Kimberly. commanding
the naval forces. made the de-
partment a long report on the
disaster. in which he showed that
notwithstanding the utmost efforts of
the officers and men. and a display of
the most expert seamanship. the Van
dalia and the t,ipsic were wrecked on
reef. The VandaGa lost four officers
and 80 men; the Nipsic seven men, and
the Trenton one man. whose head was
smashed by an accident aboardship.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
An Ex-Confederate Naval omcer's opin-
ion.

CHICAGO. Feb. 16.-Commander j. E.
Montgomery. once of the United States
navy, commanding officer of confed-
crate fleet during the civil war, and
the man who raised the frigate, after
wards the ram Merrimae. was
very emphatic in declaring the
sinking of the battleship Maine
in Havana harbor the result of
treachery, and an act without parallel
in the worlds history. In his opinion
war must inevitably follow. When
the divers go down and examine the
hull of the vessel" said Commodore
Montgomery, it will be found that it
was stove in by a torpedo exploded un-
der the bow. with diabolical intent
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
Naval officers Can Not Agree Upon
Theory.

WASHINGTON, Feb. / At this mo-
ment the naval officers can not agree
upon any theory to account for the de-
struction of the Maine. Perhaps a
majority are inclined to the belief that
the explosion was purely accidental:
another considerable number feel that
a torpedo was exploded under the YES
sci, and third theory is
that some Internal machine was
Struggled aboard the ship and
set off. In the present lack of knowl-
edge it is not thought possible to say TO
which theory the balance of probabili-
ty inclines. An examination by a diver
of the hull of the Maine would demon
strate instantly whether or not tor
pedo had been used, for in case it had
the plates of the hull would surely be
driven in. On the other hand. pro-
truding plates would be an evidence
that the explosion was purely internal.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

WASHINGTON. Feb. l6.-The navy
department was the scene of intense
excitement before a. m. but at the
usual hour of opening the department
the officials had no news to add to that
given in the earlier press dispatches.
The first news received in the
morning came from Key West.
and added little to the sum
OF information. Commandment Forsyth,
at Key West, wired the navy depart
ment that he had been notified by
Capt. Sigsbee of the Maine. to inform
Admiral Sicard, in command of the
North Atlantic squadron. that the
Maine had blown up and was destroyed.
He requested that lighthouse tender
be sent over TO Havana. and added that
many were killed and wounded.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18
The Names omciaI Roster.

WAsHINGToN, Feb. 16.-The following
is list of officers of the Maine, with
their addresses, as far as obtainable at
the navy department:
Capt Charles D. Sigsbee. Washington
Lieutenant Commander Richard Wai2.
wright, Washington.
Lieut. L. +. Coleman California
Lieut. John Hood, Florence Ala
Lieut. Carl W. Jungan. New York city.
LieutenantS Qunior grade) C. L. Blow. La
Sale Ill John J. Blaadin, Greenwood Nd :;
+. W. Jenkins. Allegheny City Pa
Naval Cadets-WT Cluverius Jr. Louisiana:
Simon Bronson. Nebraska; d. F. Boyd. Jr
Alabama.
Surgeon-L- c Heneberger. Harrisonburg.
Va.
Paymaster-C. NJ Ray Washington
Chief Engineer-C p. Howell. Goshen y Y
Passed Assistant Engineers. c. Bowers
Brooklyn.
Assistant Engineers sc. r Morris Oregon
Mo. Darwin w. Merritt Red Oak. Ia
Engineer CI1ets Pope Washington, North
Carolina; Arthur CrenShaw. Alabama
Chaplain r. Chadwick New York city.
First Lieutenant OF Ambassadors w Cat
lin, MINES ia.
The Forrest City times., 1898-02-18

The japanese fleet is sgi4 vancouver
ing In japanese waters,
The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-30
Polls Wonderland Theater.

Thousands of our best people are go- ing to the Wonderland every week to see the biograph and enjoy the vaude- vile show. The biograph views are the best series ever shown, embracing as they do the naval parade, the landing of troops in Cuba and an English view showing a trip over the tubular way on the London express passing Conway castle a most picturesque and impos- ing pile of historical interest.
 The vaudeville has it's little comedy in the finely staged playlet "A Forgot ten Combination" presented by Fran cesca Bedding and Eugene Moore. This is supplemented by George w. Day, the monologue entertainer; Hall and Sta ley, the .Schrade Brothers, Wilson and Leicester, Conway and Staats, Golando and Gray and Conway.
 Prices 1Qc and 20c; ladies in the after noon, 10c. Bikes checked free.
 A great show is booked for next week. It will feature Bert Coote, as- sisted by Miss Julia Kingsley and company in their comedy Supper for Two" Miss Ethel Levey, J. K Emmett, son of the sweet singer, who is his fa- ther's double; Gurger and Boyes, the three Westons and many others.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-30
eney they directly, after a long pitch

rency they directly, after long pitch ed battle of the Kilkenney order, find that they had never In any division or difference, but all the ugly and un- pleasant things they had said and were saying to each other were out of place, because they were united all the while in favor of Jeffersonian bimetallism only they did not know it.
 But the currency question will not down, 1t is too vital, too necessary, for the welfare of the public. It cannot be lodged or evaded by honest men. To pretend to evade it for the sake of party harmony is cowardice. The gold stan dard men and the silver free coinage 16 to 1 men may agree for the sake of the honey to live together in the hive of Jeffersonian bimetallsm. But there will be no harmony there except at the expense of manhood. Was there ever a sadder sight? On this issue the people well understand that the republicans of Connecticut do not propose to shirk or dodge, but to do right on insisting upon and contending for the single standard of value, and that gold. Opposing by every means in their power the free silver and populistic craze regardless of the antics and gambols of Jeffersonian bimetalllism.
 The last democratic president (the
 Continued on Eighth Page.)
The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-30
Grnnd Opern I1omse.

The show at the Grand this week draws well. MT. and Mrs. Arthur Sid man are the favorites of the bill and receive curtain calls at every perform- ance, Isabelle Urquhart and her com pany create roars of laughter and many go just to see this beautiful woman in farce comedy. The rest of the show is very enjoyable also.
 James Flynn, assisted by Miss Fanny de Costa, this season with the famous and world renowned May Howard ex- travaganza company, which comes to the Grand next week, are two of the cleverest comedy sketch artists in the ranks of burlesque and vaudeville.