The record-union., 1898-02-22
BOARD OF INQUIRY.
Begins Its Sittings at Havana to
Learn the Cause Of the Wreck.

HAVANA. Feb 21.-The United
States lighthouse tender Mangrove ar
rived here this morning, having on
board the officers composing the court
of inquiry appointed by Rear-Admiral
Sicard to inquire into the loss of the
battleship Maine. The commander of
the Fern sent about 10 a. m. for Cap
tain Peral and his Secretary, Lieuten-
ant Salaz of the Spanish navy, who
are to take part in the Spanish inves-
tigation in the disaster. They were
taken on board the Mangrove, and a.:
l D. m. were still comforting with the
American officers.
The Board of Inquiry into the Maine
disaster met on the lighthouse tender
Mangrove at 10 o'clock this morning,
with Captains Sampson and Chadwick
and Lieutenant Commanders Potter
and Mark present. Captain Sampson
presided. and Lieutenant Commander
Mark, recently executive officer of the
Maine, acted as recorder.
Captain Sigsbee, the commander of
the Maine. was the first witness called.
He was under examination until /
o'clock this afternoon. at which hour an
adjournment was taken. 1t is prob
able that no further witness will be
heard to-day. but the board will make
a careful examination of the wreck.
near which the Mangrove is anchored
Captain Sampson received the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent immediate
- after the morning session of the board.
He said. in the course of an interview:
Il would be glad to give the Associ-
ated Press news, but owing to the deli
-;s ha hC. at,1 bas. a Io1 tr,
make nothing whatever public. I do
not know what testimony may develop,
and when, and it is only fair to the
Spanish Government not TO tell the
public the testimony until all has been
received and the findings have been
considered.
You may say that this rule is alb
solute. Due care will be taken for
the rigid enforcement of it, and all
stories purporting to come from the
court should be set down as false. 1
have no idea as to how long the court
viii remain here. No one is authorized
to fix the time. as the members them
selves do not know. / shall give the
Associated Press such routine news of
the proceedings as is proper
Captain Sigsbee. on board the Man
grove. told the correspondent that he
was quite pleased with the examination.
and that he was able to answer all
the questions asked, not only as 10 his
own acts, but as to those of his sub
ordinates on the Maine
There was no sign of disturbance here
to-day, and carnival week is apparent
ly closing in perfect quiet. there being
much less excitement than usual.
Gunner Charles Morgan of the cruiser
New York arrived on the Mangrove,
and is in immediate charge of the
divers. The latter have been at work
all day. but up to the time of sending
this dispatch no discoveries Of import
ance have been made 1t is believed
that the salvage by the wrecking COM
pany will be considerable and valuable.
The divers to-day continued the work
of trying to recover the victims OF the
disaster of the battleship Maine Two
more bodies Were recovered this morn
ing. There is no truth in the report
that an explosion has occurred at the
wreck of the Maine as might have been
inferred by the reports which reached
Key West on Saturday
General Lee says the Spanish officials
are not interfering with the investiga-
ton into the causes Of the disaster. He
has notified the Captain of the Port
that the wrecking tug Right Arm
will be here tomorrow from the Mer-
ritt & Chapman Drydock and Wreck
ing Company. No objection will be
made to the presence of the tug or of
her prospective work. She probably
will make an early attempt to save
the big guns. and. If possible. the more
valuable parts of the Names machi.i-
cry.
Tomorrow morning General Lee will
escort the officers of the court OF in