The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-23
TO LIFT THE MAINE.
A New York Company VIII DO 1t With
Its Good Right Arm.

A New York Company VIII DO 1t With
| Its Good Right Arm.
Washington, Feb. 22-The plans of
| the Wrecklng expedition for the relief
or the Maine were completed to-day
after long conferences between Secre-
tary Long and the representatives of
the Merritt a. Chapman company of
New York and the Boston Towboat
company. The companies had expect
ed to begin work in Havana harbor in
about week, but at the last moment
Secretary Long insisted that a provi-
sion should be made for sending for
ward at once at least one wrecking
boat with divers and equipment This
was agreed to, and dispatch was sent
to the captain of the sea wrecker
Right Arm, now at Key West, to sus-
pend private work there and proceed
at once to Havana. Ii The Right Arm
has started north a torpedo boat will
be sent after her with orders to pro-
ceed to Havana
At the same time a dispatch was sent
to the New York officers of the COM
pany to send two of the most expert
enced divers by train to Key West,
whence they viii go to Havana and
join the divers and wreckers on the
Right Arm.
The commander of the Right Arm is
ordered to place himself, with his di-
Vers and machinery, under the orders
free to avail himself of their services
in the recovery of the bodies, or any
desirable piece of equipment or prop
erty, before the regular wrecning oper-
ations begin. These are emergency
steps which precede the main wrecklng
expedition, which will be outfitted at
Boston, New York and Norfolk. with
a view OF beginning extensive opera
tions within a week.
The terms of the contract, as con-
cluded and signed to-day. provide for
the payment of the wrecking eompan-
les the sum of $Si1 per day for the reg
ular plant, and an additional payment
of 500 per day for the use of the Mon
arch While the latter is actually en-
ployed.
An express provision is made that the
government may terminate the con-
tract at any moment. 1t is also pro-
vided that the compensation shall not
exceed the sum of money lS200, 000) ap-
propriated by congress for this purpose
in the joint resolution passed. 1t is
also provided that if the companies
should succeed i'll raising the Maine
and towing her to New York they shall
receive a bonus of $780, 900.
In view of the large first cost of the
Maine, estimated at $5,000.000. and the
national desire that she be raised as
evidenced by the prompt and unanimous
action of congress upon the joint reso-
luton of congress, Secretary Long be-
lieves that he is justified in making the
above terms with the wreckers, though,
at first thought, the per diem compen-
sation Is large. 1t must be borne in
mind. however, he said to-day that this
will constitute the largest wrecking ex-
peditien ever equipped in this country.
Moreover, the Wreckers expressed a
to go TO work in the usual
way that they serve underwriters, name
ly, to do the Wrecking. and then take
the award of board of arbitration
This plan, however, was not open to the
government which is compelled by law
to fix exact terms in advance. A clause
Of the contract requires the companies
to proceed with all dispatch and N a
businesslike manner with the work of
and though this haste adds to
the cost of the work, it Is believed to be
necessary in view Of the possibility Of
the early advance of yellow fever at
Havana harbor with the approach of the
rainy season next month.
Captain Humphreys and Mr.. Chap
man. representing the two companies
who will do the work, explained 10 the
associated press the plans they will
adopt in wrecking the Maine. In .adii-
tion to the emergency work to be prose-
cuted by the Right Arm, the main ex-
petition will be made up OF about 100
men. including six skilled divers: the
steamer Underwater Of Bos-
ton, of 600-horse power. the wreeking
steamer John *. Jones Of Norfolk of
similar power; the iron barge Lone Star
4 Boston. capable of carrying 1000 tons: |
he floating derrick Monarch, capable |
IF lifting $50 tons. the largest floating |
derrick in the country, and another der |
'ick capable of lifting 80 tons. The for
of the boats, derricks and men |
Viii begin at once. kilograms were sent |
o-day to begin the Quitting, the TAX |
ng on of coal and the assembling of I
men and equipment. The boats are I
'eady to start at any time, but ii Will I
AXE day or two to get together the /
facilities used for this large /
The wreckers say Il will I
De impossible to assemble this material /
md get it into Havana harbor ready |
or work for week. They will make /
Very effort, however. To expedite the
work. and on leaving Secretary Long at /
o'clock they took trains for New York
md Boston with the determination of |
ushing the work.
Probably Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright. the executive officer of the
Maine, now in Havana, will be assigned
% the duty Of inspecting the work as Ii
proceeds
The officers of the two wrecking com
oanies to-day said that after the expe-
1itiCn was assembled i'm Havana har-
Dor, a complete inspection of the wreck |
Hould be made and the exact line Of /
york determined naon The facilities |
1ili be so ample that all Of the divers
Kill be able 10 work at one time on diff
erent parts Of the wreck. Most of the
ifting will be done by the smaller der
'ieks. which are Of sufficient capacity
or the lighter upper works Of the
daine. but il will take the monster
.errick Of tire Monarch To lift the huge
urrets Of the Maine and the guns
Mounted within them. Captain Hum
'hreys stated that the purpose was no;
loI 10 separate the big guns from the
urretS hu: 70 lift them ~ a whole.