Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-04-06

straet of the eight parts of the report is
here given:
l. At the time of the explosion
the battleship Maine was lying in
FIVE and one-half to six fathoms of
water
2. The discipline was excellent.
Everything was slowed according
to orders, including ammunition,
guns, and stores. The temperature
of the magazines at s p. m. was nor
NAL, except in the after 10-inch
magazine, and that did not explode.
B. The explosion occurred at 9:40
o'clock in the evening of Feb. 10.
There were two explosions, with
very short interval between them.
The ship lifted on the first explo-
sion.
4. The court can form no definite
opinion of the condition of the wreck
from the divers evidence.
5. There are technical details of
wreckage, from which the court de-
duces that a mine was exploded
under the ship on the port side.
6. The explosion was due to no
fault of those on board.
Z. In the opinion of the court the
explosion of the mine caused the
explosion of two magazines.
s. The court is unable to find evi-
dence to fix the responsibility.
The report is unanimous and is signed
by all the members of the court 1t does
not refer to the existence or nonexistence
of the mine in the harbor of Havana, ex-
cept in the specific finding that mine was
exploded under the shin and the opinion
that the explosion of the two magazines
was caused by the explosion of a mine.
This explains the remarkable destruction
wrought. The explosion is thus shown to
have combined the force of a mine with
out and two magazines within. The two
explosions which the court finds to have
occurred, with very short interval be-
veen them. is an additional detaiI show
=. that two forces operated in causing
the destruction.
The finding that the ship lifted On the
first explosion indicates an external source
and one of tremendous power to be able
TO lift a battle ship of thousands of tons.
The character of the wreckage, techni-
cally described in the fifth part of the re-
port, from which the court deduces that
a mine was exploded under the ship on the
port side, sustains the view taken by some
experts shortly after the disaster that the
force of the explosion was exerted from
port to starboard.
The feature of the report of deepest in
terest to the navy is the complete exon
Grafton of Captain Sigsbee and all on
board. contained in the second finding,
setting forth the perfect order and discip-
!;pe prevailing on the ship, and more di-
recti, stated in the sixth finding. which
declares the disas ster TO be due to no fault
of those on board.
Message by Mckinley.
In sending the verdict of the naval court
to Congress President Mckinley accom-
panied it with q brlet message. He re
viewed the history of the Maine from the
tin q she was sent to Havana. but made
no recommendations to the assembled law.
makers. In his message the President
said:
'tFor some time priof to the visit of the
Maine to Havana harbor. our consular rep
resentatives pointed out the advantages e
flow from the visi. of national ships TO The
Cuban waters In accustomirS the people tc
the presence OF our flag as the symbol OF
good Will. and of our ships IN the fulhllment
Of the mission of protection TO American
Interests even though 10 immediate need
therefor might exist.
Accordingly, on the Gath OF January last
after conference with the Spanish minister