The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-29
CONVINCING PROOF
THAT IT WAS BLOWN UP
FROM THE OUTSIDE


A Story Intensely interesting TO American
People, TestimOny Shows Great Care Was
Exercised Other Testimony Does Not Vary
From Sigsbee's s.. Condition of Bottom Shows
COncIusveIy Explosion Was EMernaI--AnOn.
ymous Letters Were Received at Consulate
Tending to Show Spanish COnspirdcy--Fe
port Received by Senate and Referred.
Engineer that any coal had been too
long in the bunkers and that the fire
alarms in the bunkers were sensitive.
In so far as the regulations regarding in
hammables and paints on boards, Cap
tain Sigsbee testified that the regula-
tions were strictly carried out in regard
to storage, and that the waste also was
subject to- the same careful disposition
Regarding the electric plant Of the
Maine, Captain Sigsbee stated that there
W
ing up of the lights before the explosion,
but Il sudden and total eclipse. Captain
Sigsbee said he examined the temporal
ture of the magazines himself and con-
versed with the Ordnance Officer as to
the various temperatures and the con
tents of the magazines and according
to the opinion of this officer as we'll as
Captain SGgSbee the temperatures were
never at the danger point. At the time
of the disaster the two after boilers in
the after fire room Were in use because
the hydraulic system WAS leaking:
Speaking generally of his relations with
the Spanish authorities. Captain Sigsbee
stated that with the officials, they We're
Outwardly cordial.
When asked whether there was any
demonstration of animosity by people
ahoat Captain Sigsbee said that there
never was ON shores as he was informed.
but there was afoat He then related
that on the first Sunday after the
Names arrival a ferry boat crowded
densely with people. civil and military
returning from a bun fight in Regla,
passed the Maine and about forty people
ON board indulged in yells, Whistles and
derisiye calls. During the stay in Ha-
yana, Captain Sigsbee took more than
ordinary precaution for the protection
OF the Maine.
DESCRIPTION OF EXPLOSION
The Maine at the time of the explosion
was heading approximately northwest.
He was writing at his port cabin table
at the time of the explosion. and was
dressed. He then went into a de-
scription Of the explosion when he felt
the crash. He characterized it as
bursting, rending and crashing sound,
or roar of immense volume. largely me-
taIllc in its character. 1t was succeed
ed by Il metallic sound. probably of fall
ing debris. a trembling and lurching
motion of the vessel. then an impression
or subSidence, attended by an eclipse of
electric lights and intense darkness
within the cabin. He knew Immediate
ly that the Maine had blown up and
that she was sinking. AS soon as he
arrived on deck, Sentries were ordered
placed about the ship, and the forward
mdgazine Hooded il practicable. Then
came faint cries and he saw dimly white
hoating bodies in the water. Boats were
at once ordered lowered, but only two
were found available, the gig and whale
by officers and men, and by the cap
tain's directions they left the ship and
assisted in saving the wounded Jointly
with other boats that had arrived on
the scene. Fire amidships by this time
was burning fiercely. and the spare am
in the pilot house was ex-
ploding. At this time Lieutenant Com
mander Wainwright whispered to the
captain that he thought the 1O-inch ma
gazine forward had been thrown up into
the burning mass and might explode any
time. Everybody was then directed to
get into the boats over the stern, which
was done, the captain getting into the
gig and then proceeding to the City of
where he found the
wounded in the dining saloon being care
fully attended by the officers and crew
of the vessel.
SPANISH SYMPATHY.
Various Spanish officials came on
board and expressed sympathy and sor-
row for the accident. The representa-
tiyes of General Blanco and of the Adj
miral of the station were among the
Spanish officials who rendered their re-
Spects About 81 or 81 men were found
-