Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-04-02

open, prolonged, and OF greater volume.
This second explosion was, in the opin-
ion of the court, caused by the partial
explosion OF two or more OF the for
ward magazines of the Maine
Fourth-The evidence bearing upon
this, being principally obtained from
divers, did not enable the court to form
definite conclusion as to the condi-
ton of the wreck, although it was cs-
tablished that the after part of the ship
was practically intact and sank in that
condition very few minutes after the
destruction OF the forward part.
The following facts in regard to the
forward part OF the ship are, however,
established by the testimony.
That portion of the port side of the
protective deck, which extends from
about frame 80 to about frame AL was
blown up, aft, and over to port. The
main deck from about frame 80 to about
frame Al was blown up, aft, and slight
ly over to starboard, folding the for
ward part of the middle superstructure
over and on top of the after part.
This was, in the opinion of the court,
caused by the partial explosion OF two
or more OF the forward magazines of
the Maine.
Fifth-At frame II the outer shell of
the ship, from a point 1lHs feet from
the middle line of the ship, and six feet
above the keel when in its normal posi-
ton, has been forced UP so as to be now
about four feet above the surface OF the
water, therefore about 81 feet above
where it would be had the ship sunk un-
injured. The outside bottom plating is
bent into reversed V-shape, the after
wing OF which, about Is feet broad and
32 feet in length (from frame II to
frame 25), is doubled back upon itself
against the continuation of the same
plating extending forward.
At frame l8 the vertical keel is broken
in two, and the fiat keel bent into an
angle similar to the angle formed by the
outside bottom plating. This break is
now about six feet below the surface OF
the water, and about 80 feet above its
normal position.
In the opinion of the court, this ef-
feet could have been produced only by
THE EXPLOSION OF A MINE
situated under the bottom of the ship
at about frame Is. and somewhat on the
port side OF the ship
Sixth-The court finds that the loss
of the Maine on the occasion named
was not in any respect due to the fault
or negligence on the part of any mem
bers of the crew OF said vessel.
Seventh-In the opinion OF the court
the Maine was destroyed by the explo-
sion OF a submarine mine, which caused
the partial explosion OF two or more oi
her forward magazines.
Eighth-The court has been unable to
obtain evidence fixing the responsibility
for the destruction OF the Maine upon
any person or persons.
w. T. SAMPSON.
Captain U. S. NJ, President.
A. MARIN,
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. N,
Judge Advocate
The court having finished the in
quiry it was ordered to make, adjourned
at IL a. IN. to await the action OF tht
convening authority
w. T. SAMPSON,
Captain U. S. N, President.
A. MARK,
Lieutenant Commander, U. s. NJ,
Judge Advocate
United States Flagship New York
March %, 1898, off Key West, Fla.
The proceedings and findings of th
court OF inquiry in the above case arr
approved. M. SlCARD,
Rear Admiral, Commander-in-C Chic
of the Naval Force on the North Allan
tic Station.