The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-17

Sigsbeeis cabin. The captain, it appears
had been thrown from his bed, but was
uninjured. They both went on deck and
ordered some men to flood 2,5UO pounds
Of gun cotton which Aas on board. The
order was carried out, but the men never
returned. Havana, however, was saved
\ from a still more terrible explosion.
-Four more boats were lowered, all
manned by officers, and one of them
was lost.
IN THE CENTRAL MAGAZINE.
New York, Feb. 16.-A special cable
to the Evening World from Havana
says the officers of the Maine state
the explosion was in the central maya
zine, and that the Maine was raised
out of the water and then went partial
ly to pieces. The dispatch continues:
"All but the surgeon were talking In
the ward room at the moment OF the
explosion. Then came the Stupendous
shock All the officers below rushed
on deck, but could get no further for
ward than the middle superstructure on
deck. Only Il very pitiable few OF the
$50 'Jackies' ever got from below line
water rushed over them and many
were stunned and drowned, but not
mangled. 1t is not likely that more
than forty sailors were saved INC
officers ON deck narrowly escaped. In
the junior officers mess room all mao
to climb out through water and wreck
age. One ladder from the after torpedo
compartment was jammed with men
struggling for life. All agree that a
double explosion occurred from the ma
tural result of an underwater explosion
of the magazines"
Spanish GOATS from the shore joined
those of the Washington alongside ut
once. but the regular ferry boats passing
soon after the explosion, did not stop to
offer aid"
The dispatch says that the account
of the passengers on the Ward Lime
steamer City Of Washington. which
was lying three hundred yards from
the Maine, bears out the foregoing
statement.
CARING FOR SURVIVORS.
Key West. Fla, Feb 16-FOrty-five
survivors slightly or minjured, are ex-
pected to arrive here tonight by the
steamer Ohvette. the wounded in
charge probably of surgeons sent from
here. The wounded will be received
at the United States Marine Hospital,
where they will be cared for.
The torpedo boat lCushing left at
noon for the feet, with dispatches from
Admiral Sicarl, from Captain Sigsbee.
The first despatch announced the disas-
ter and the second said that General
Blanco and his staff had called on Cap
tain Sigsbee and expressed their deep
est sympathy and offered the use of the
hospitals at Havana to which the most
seriously wounded had been taken.
Dispatches are now here from Wash.
ington addressed to Admiral Sicard, but
Captain Forsythe has no way to send
them. The Gushing, the Ericcsson, the
Fern and the Mangrove have been sent
on duty to-day and the Bache is with
the feet at the TOrtugas.
LATER-The Ericsson has just re.
turned from the Tortugas. She had
carried dispatches to Admiral Sicard and
brought back his reply for Washington.
She will return Immediately to TIL,
feet with later Washington kilograms
for the Admiral. These. were not open.
ed here. so that nothing is known OF
their contents. but it is thought likely
that Admiral Sicard will come to Key
West with one ship ito care for the
survivors and that the rest of the feet
will remain at the Tortugas unless 9th.
erwise ordered from Washington. v'3
GENERAL LEES MESSAGE.
Washington. ID. &C., Feb. 16.--Thes fol
lowing cablegram was received by the
State Department from Consul General
Lee at GIG tonight:
Havana, February 16.
profound sorrow expressed by gov
eminent and municipal authorities, con
suls of foreign nations, organized bodies
Of all sorts and citizens generally.
Flags at half mast on Governor Gen
erals palace, on shipping in harbor and
in the city. 81
Business suspended. theatres closed
Dead number about 260.
Officers quarters being in rear and
seamens' forward where explosion took
place accounts for greater proportional
loss of sailors.
Funeral tomorrow at 3 p. m.
Officers Jenkins and Merritt still
missing.
Suppose you ask that Naval Court OF
Inquiry be held to ascertain cause OF
explosion?
Hope our people will repress excite
ment and calmly await decision"