The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-21
A dispatch of last night from Captain

A dispatch Of last night from Captain
Sigsbee was as follows:
more bodies buried yesterday only two
OF which were identifed-Wm. Lunde
and M. F. Harris.
Another dispatch was as follows:
Visited hospital today. Men very
much pleased to see me. Koehler and
Holtzer very low. I have hopes of
Hotter. Koehler has a fighting chance
only. Number of bodies found and
explosion. Need greater wrecking
divers for that. Lee sent Gen. Blanco
relating to expected coming of wreck
ing vessels"
1t is understood here that by the
zone of the explosion in his dispatch
Capt. Sigsbee means that part of the
wreck of the Maine forward of the main
mast that suffered directly. The refer
ence to the Lee dispatch to BlancO
touches the formal notification to the
| Spanish authorities there of the coming
of the American wrecking vessels to
Havana.
Under ordinary circumstances there
! might be some question of the right of
a foreign wrecking vessel to operate in
the harbOr of Havana, preSuming that
the Spanish law is identical with our
own. But in the case of a national YES
sci like the Maine, the rule would not
apply, though the notice is conveyed to
Capt Gen. Blanco as a matter of cour-
tesy and to prevent possible delays
through the interference of some unin-
structed subordinates in the custom
service at Havana.
Capt. Sigsbee's last dispatch, sent
yesterday, was as follows:
'"Wiu send two wounded from the
hospital by the Bache tomorrow
These are two recommended to go to
Tortugas. Barnette Captain of the
Bache) would report to admiral
The navy department has informed
Admiral Rowe at Key West of these
facts communicated by Capt Sigsbee.
1t leaves entirely to the admiraPS dis
cretion the assignment of the wounded
arriving from Havana to TOrtugas,
instead of Key West.
Capt. Lemley, the judge advocate gem
eral of the navy department, with Cap
tain Bradford, chief of equipment bu-
reau, and Commodore Hichborn, chief
constructor. were in consultation for
some time with Secretary Long, report
ing to him the plans they had formed
for the wrecking of the Maine. capt.
Ienley suggested some further changes
in the details of the contracts which
are now being drawn with the wrecl1ing
companies, and it is expected that
within few hours after congress shall
have enacted and the president shall
have signed the necessary bill, an ap-
preparation for the work, the contracts
shall be signed.
The incoming mail at the navy de-
partment brought most interesting
contribution to the news of the day in
the shape of an excellent photograph OF
the wrecked Maine as it now lies in Ha-
vana harbor.
This was forwarded to the secretary
| of the navy by Lieut.. Hood, lately at
tached to the Maine. 1t is a view from
| the port side and in general features re
| sembles the last newspaper cuts OF
| the wreck Secretary Long took it to
the White House and gave it to the
president, who was much interested IN
/ the details as shown in the photograph
! The navy department has not yet de
termined definitely what other warship
shall replace the Maine in havana mar mar,
hor although it has been determined
that as a matter of policy, another ship
must be sent there. The choice may
from San Domingo to Key West, and
the Nashville, gunboat, now at Calves
ton, participating in the mard1 gras
festivities If the latter terminates
some time this week, as is expected, it
| is said the Nashville probably will be
| elected for the trip, as the Montgon-
CIV is inst returning from a cruise in
west Indies, including the ports of Gu
ba. and has been in patrol duty also.