Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1898-02-25
story of the Wreck.


The explosion, it is said by some.
was caused by over 600 pounds of gun
cotton, and the subsequent explosion is
alleged TO have been caused by shells
and cartridges.
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright
of the Maine was half undressed at 9:45
d. M. and was smoking in his cabin,
next to that of Capt. Sigsbee. it is said.
when the explosion occurred and put
out the electric lights Wainwright then
lit a match and went to Capt. Sigsbee's
cabin. The captain. it appears, had
been thrown from his bed. but was I'M
injured. They both went on deck and
gave orders to flood $500 pounds Of gun
cotton which was on board. The order
was carried out, but the men who full
filed it never returned. Havana, how
ever, was saved from a still more ter
rible explosion.
Capt. Sigsbee. interviewed with refer
ence to the cause OF the explosion,
said: Il cannot determine the cause.
but competent investigators will decide
whether the explosion was produced
/ cannot say anything until after such
an investigation has been made. | will
not and cannot conscientiously antici-
pate the decision. nor do wish to make
any unjust estimate of the reason for
the disaster"
When the explosion occurred Capt.
Sigsbee was below. but he rushed up
on deck in his shirt sleeves and gave
orders. Efforts were at first made to
save the vessel, but when Capt. Sigs-
bee realized the extent of the damage
done and that many casualties had oc-
Cured he bent all his energies to as
surirg the safety of his men.
The report was heard in the city,
and crowds Immediately fOcked TO the
harbor front Flames at that time
were bursting from the battleship.
The greatest excitement prevailed
among those on shore. The com
mander OF the Spanish ship Alfonso
XII Immediately had boats lowered
and sent to the assistance of the
Maine These boats picked up several
sailors of the Maine, who were swim
ming. They also rescued several OF
the wounded.
Half an hour after midnight thirty
six of the crew had been carried to the
They were all most seriously wounded.
Five others of the crew were taken to
the Alfonso XIII. hospital.
On board the Spanish cruiser AL
fOnso XII twenty-six OF the wounded
were treated, and thirty-six were sue
cored on board the City of Washing
ton.
The Maine at the time Of the ex-
plosion was at anchor about 500 yards
from the arsenal and some 200 yards
from the floating dock. The explos-
ion put out the street lights near the
wharf and blew down telephone ant
telegraph wires in that vicinity.
Admiral Manterola and Gen. Solant
put off to the Maine soon after the
explosion and offered their service.
to Capt Sigsbee.
Probe for Facts.
The navy department received a dis
patch from Admiral sSicard. in command
of the North Atlantic squadron. giving tin
detail of the court of inquiry 10 investi
gate the Maine disaster as follows: Cap
tain Sampson. president of the court
Captain Chadwick. Lieutenant Comman
der Schroeder and Lieutenant Commando
Mark. Captain Sampson the president o
the board Is commander of the battle
ship Iowa, now at the TOrtugas; Captain
Chadwick is commander of the New York
at Key West; Lieutenant Commando
Schroeder is executive officer OF the bat
tle-ship Massachusetts. now at the Tortu
gas: Lieutenant Commander Mark is ex
ecuiiye officer of the NermOnt-he was for