The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-03-17
WRECKERs At WORK
Removing the Upper Debris of the Maine
wreck-Portions of the Hull Already
Engulfed In the HarbOr Mud.


Engulfed In the Harbor Mud.
HAVANA, March 10. = The arrival
here of the Montgomery was very
quiet. it being generally understood
that she comes to replace the coast SUR
vey steamer Fern as quarters for Capt
Sigsbee and others.
Commander Converse, of the Mont
gomery, is a high authority on ex.
plosives, and his advice will be useful
to the court of inquiry into the loss of
the Maine.
After firing the usual salute and be-
ing saluted in return, the Montgomery
was moored in the principal harbor
near the wreck of the Maine and in the
center of circle of Spanish ships.
Later in the day Commodore Converse
received press correspondent on
board the cruiser, though he had moth
ing to tell him beyond the facts al
ready sent. He seemed satisfied to
have rest in Havana harbor for
while, as the cruiser has been very
busy touching at some West Indian
ports lately.
Capt. Sigsbee, Lieut.. Commander
Wainwright and Ensign Powelson will
occupy quarters on the Montgomery,
the Fern leaving Havana Wednesday
afternoon. The Montgomery is as
trim and neat as possible. Nobody is
allowed on board without permission,
but nobody is excluded if business or
courtesy demands the admission of the
visitor. There is no intimation of
the length of the cruisers stay in
| this harbor. any more than there
is any news of the dura-
tion of the sessions of the court of in
quiry here. The court held its usual
sessions Wednesday. examining the
divers. Only the Spanish divers were
at work and they were only occupied
part of the day.
| the upper debris of the wreck. some Of
which will be dumped into the sea.
Other portions of the wreck are worth
saving.
A further examination of the divers
occupied the court of inquiry Wednes-
day. The sessions were not long and
it would be hard for any one not pos.
sessed of inside information to tell
what keeps the members here. unless
it be that they are waiting until the
| divers are able to examine and report
upon portions of the hull already en-
quilted in the harbor mud. The Fern
left for Key West Wednesday night.
| Americans here are greatly pleased at
the prompt action of congress in pass
ing the defense bill, every one regard
ing the appropriation as wise measure
in time Of peace.
/ - a;v <hA
spondent, has been expelled from the
island. He left on the Plant line
steamer Olivette at noon Wednesday,.
There have been further arrests on
charges of conspiracy.
| CHICAGO, March 10.-The Chronicle
has this Wednesday from its Washing
ton correspondent:
1.-THE report of the board of inquiry
will be of the most startling character.
President Mckinley has read the testi.
mony of every important witness who
testified before the board. The report
will show that the Maine was blown
up through Spanish treachery. The
| ship had no sooner come to anchor in
Havana harbor than a conspiracy was
formed for it's destruction. Among the
conspirators were Spanish officers and
| volunteers.
1.-THE report will show that Spain is
responsible legally and morally. When
the report is made public President
Mckinley will not demand indemnity.
He will simply transmit it to congress
and war is sure follow. No report is
expected until the administration is
ready to begin hostilities against
Spain.