The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-30
srGsBEE AT HOME.
The Captain Welcomed by His Ncigb-
bors-A Brief Interview.

bors--A Brief Interview.
WASHINGTON. March 29.--Captain Sigs-
bee. of the wrecked steamer Maine. arrived
in Was. -ington this morning from Havana
at 7:41 o'clock. He was accompanied by
Paymaster Ray. Chief Engineer Howell,
Naval Cadet Holden and DR. Heneberger
The latter left Immediately for his home
in Virginia. The captain was at once driven
to his home. No 1852 Riggs place The cap-
tain's neigh bors on both sides of the square
on which he lives had profusely decorated
their residences with flags and bunting. and
many of his friends and fellow-officers had
sent large bouquets of American Beauty
roses and flower designs of ships anchors.
etc. as an expression Of their friendship
and esteem
AT 1880 o clock the captain went 10 the
Navy Department to report his arrival. and,
in the course of a conversation, he said that
he had not yet received any assignment to
duty. nor did he know what command
would be given him. He would be ready,
however, as soon as he could get his ward
robe replenished to go anywhere or perform
any duty that might be given him. He has
not yet made any formal written report
to the department on the loss of the Maine,
but will do so as soon as he has little
time at his DISPOSAL AS to the cause of the
wreck. Captain Sigsbee said he could add
nothing 10 his testimony before the court of
inquiry, which had already been published.
The Spanish officials were making an in
curry into the cause of the disaster, but
what their conclusions were, if any had
been arrived at, he did not know. A few
divers, under the direction of nonccm-
nissioned officer, were working leisurely
about the wreck, but he had understood
that the court was paying special attention
to outside matters. They had found, he had
heard, that there We're no dead fish in the
harbor after the explosion, and also that
the explosion did not create such dis
turbance of the water as might have been
expected had the force come from the OUT
side. However, this was hearsay, he having
no knowledge of their proceedings. The
general feeling among Spaniards in Havana
was bitter against this country, but he did
not know whether the proposed .sendlng or
governmental aid would meet with any serl-
Gus opposition. The captain said he knew
very little of the general situation ard.
whether this country was likely to become
involved in war with Spain. Residents IN
Havan, ne said, knew little. or nothing OF
what was occurring in Madrid beyond what
Is reported in American newspapers.
The, captain seemed in good health; ana.
upon him during the last six weeks felt
himself physically fit to perform any duty
which should be assigned to him.
Captain Sigsbee visited the Navy Depart
ment reporting hrs arrival and expressing
his readiness to assume any duties that the
department wished to assign him. He is
well known at the department, having
served as chief of the photographic Office,
and his return after the dramatic and
tragic experience he has passed through at
tracted the greatest interest of officials,
subordinates and the throngs of tourists
who just now happen to be making the
Navy Department a center of their obser-
vations. large party of school teachers
surrounded him soon after he entered the
building, and each one in turn was pre-
scented and received handshake from the
commander of the Maine. Everywhere he
was greeted with expressions of the most
affectionate character from his old naval
associates. He had little to add concerning
the Maine disaster, and. in fact, there was
a general desire among the naval officers
to give Captain Sigsloee some relief from
this subject
Secretary Long was not at his Office when
Captain Sigsbee arrived, so that the latter
reported to Assistant Secretary Roosevelt,
and then talked with Captain Crowninshield
and other bureau officers. He recommended
that Commander Wainwright, the only
Maine officer remaining at Havana, be re-
Iicved at the earliest day practicable, as the
climatic conditions are against him, and,
moreover, he has been, as executive officer,
under constant strain for the past six
weeks He has been in charge. of the wreck
ing operations, and this has kept MIN con-
stantly on the water, exposed to the fetid
odors Astounding there.