Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-03-30

ing the people to the presence OF our
flag as the symbol of good will and OF
our ships in the fultillment OF the mis-
sion of protection to American interests,
even though no immediate need therefor
might exist.
Accordingly, on Jan. "a, last, after a
conference with the Spanish minister IL
which the renewal Of visits of our war
vessels to Spanish waters was discussed
and accepted, the peninsula authorities
at Madrid and Havana were advised OF
the purpose of this government to re-
sumo friendly naval visits at Cuban
ports and that IN that view the Maine
would forthwith call at the port OF
Havana. This announcement was re.
ceived by the Spanish government with
appreciation of the friendly character of
the visit Of the Maine and with notltlca-
tion of intention TO return the courtesy
by sending Spanish ships to the prlncl-
pal ports Of the United States. Mean
while the Maine entered the port OF
Havana on Jan. 25, her arrival being
marked with no special incident besides
the exchange of customary salutes anu
ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks FOL
lowing. No appreciable excitement ex-
citement attended her stay. On the
contrary, feeling of relief and oonh'
dence followed the resumption Of the
long interrupted friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was this immediate effect
of her visit that the consul general
strongly urged that the presence OF our
ships in Cuban waters should be kept
up by retaining the maine at havana,
or in the event of her recall, by sending
another vessel there to take her place.
At 40 minutes past 9 in the evening
of Feb. Is the Maine was destroyed by
an explosion, by which the entire for
ward part of the ship was utterly
wrecked. In this catastrophe two Off
GERS and 2G4 Of her crew perished, those
who were not killed outright by her eX-
plosion being penned between decks by
the tangle Of wreckage and drowned by
the immediate sinking OF the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by the
reiehboring vessels anchored in the har-
bor. aid being especially given by the
Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII and the
Ward line steamer City Of Washington,
which lay not far distant.
Wounded Cared For.
The yyot,nded were generously cared
for by the authorities OF Havana, the
hospitals boing freely opened to them,
while the earliest recovered bodles OF
the dead were inferred by the munich
pality in public cemetery Ii the city
Tributes Of grief and sympathy were
offered from all official quarters OF tht
island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people Of our country with crushing
force and for q brief time on intense ax
citement prevailed, which, IL a commu
nity less lust and self controlled thar
ours, might have led to hasty acts oi
blind resentment. This spirit, how
ever, soon gave way to the calmer pro
cesses of reason and to the resolve to II
| vestigate the facts and await matera
proof before forming a Judgment as {.
| the cause, the responsibility, and II u!
facts warranted, the remedy due. tAi!:
course necessarily recommended 1855.
from the outset to the executive tor OILY
in the light of dispassionately asccs
tained certainty could it determine I'LL
nature and measure Of its full duty Il
the matter.
The usual procedure was followed, ei
tu all cases of casualty or disaster to na-
tional vessels OF any maritime state. A
naval court of inquiry was at once or
ganized, composed of officers well quail
fed ny rank and practical experience tc
discharge the onerous duty Imposed
upon them. Aided by strong force OF
wreckers and divers, the coRrs pro
ceeded to make thorough Investigation
on the spot, employing every available
means for the impartial and exact deter.
mination Of the causes of the explosion
It's operations have besn conducted with
] the utmost deEberation and judgment
and while independently pursued nc