The age-herald., 1898-02-23
CONTRACT MADE
 WITH WRECKERS
For the Recovery of the Effects
 of the Maine

Washington, Feb 22.-All the government departments were closed at Washington to- day save the navy department where few of the officials assembled to- receive any despatches that might arrive amf to close the contract with the wreckers for
 the recovery of the effects of the Maine and the vessel herself if that be practicable.
 The signing of the wrecking contract was
 the most important event of the day and r this concluded, the officers closed up shop and went home to enjoy respite from the
 rush of the past week.
 Captain Sfgsbee was heard from in a despatch which indicated that close atten-
 ton would be given to the coal bunkers by the navaa court of inquiry at Havana, Officials unquestionably have been for some time preparing for any emergency that may arise, but appearances at the depart ment today would indicate that any nec- esary orders alreay have been given and
 that the situation was not one calling for immediate activity at Washington.
 Plans for wrecking Expedition. .
 The plans of the wreckng expeditaoA for
 the relief of the Maine were compsebed after long conferences between Secretary Long and the representatives of the Mer- TiuL-Sin1HfludH NiSNtsit5 VI tsS'f'
 York. and the Boston Towtboat company. The companies had eoQ5ected to begin work in Havana harbor in about a. week, but at the last mcment Secretary Long insisted that provision should be made for sending forward at once at least one large wreck ing boat with divers and equipments. This was agreed to, and a dispatch was sent to the captain of the sea wreckerf Hisht Arm. now at Key West, to susR61ad hs private work there and proceed af once to Havana. ss,s Fl
 A dispatch was sent to the New Fork officers of the company to send two of the most experienced divers by train to xHey West, where they will go to Havana and join the divers and wreckers on the Right Arm. .-..s-s- . = ssf9-sN Plan of Action. Capt. Humphrey and MT. Chapman, rep resenting the two companies who wills do the work, explained to the Associated Press the plans they will adopt in raising the Maine. In addition to the emergency work to be prosecuted by the Right Arm, the Maine expedition will be madeh up of about 100 men, including six skilled div CTS; the wrecking steamer Underwater of Boston, of 500 horse power; the wrecking steamer John G. Jones, of Norfolk, of six hundred horsepower; the iron barge Lone Star of Boston, capable of lifting 260 tons, the largest floating derrick in the country and another derrick capable of lifting 30 tons. The forwarding of the boats, der ricks and men will begin at once. Tele- grams were sent today to begin the out fitting, the taking on of coal and the as- sembling of men and equipments. The | boats are ready to start at any time, but l 1t will take day or two to get together the exceptional facilities required for this large undertaking. The wreckers say 1t l will be impossible to assemble the outfit | and get it into Havana ready for work for | a week. They will make every effort, how ever. to expedite the work and on leav ing Secretary Long at l o'clock. they took trains for New York and Boston, with l the determination of rushing the work.