The record-union., 1898-02-25
Than II Did After the Receipt OF
First Dispatches From Slgsbee.
Says Public Opinion Should Be Suspended
Until Some Official Information
is Received From the
Board Ct Inquiry.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Rumors OF
startling discoveries in the wreck OF the
Maine were less frequent, but there
were enough of them still af1oat TO-
day 70 warrant Secretary Long in mak-
ing this statement to newspaper men:
summing up the situation, should
say that the Navy Department knows
to-day nothing more about the cause
of the disaster than it did five minutes
after the receipt OF the first dispatches
from CAPTAIN SiSsbee-"
Until the conclusion Of the investiga-
ton Of the court of inquiry at Havana,
the principal business of the Navy De-
partment in connection with the Maine
viii relate to the conduct of the wreck
ing operations. Captain Lemley, the
Judge Advocate General, who has this
branch OF the work Immediately in
charge, to-day received kilograms from
the Merritt & Chapman Wrecking Com
pany at New York, stating that the
steamer Merritt and wrecking lighter
Sharpe had sailed for Havana, and that
the tug Underwater, with the Chief,
would leave New York Saturday for
the same place.
The only exact information received
by the Navy Department from Havana
during the day was conveyed in Cap
tain Sigshee's telegram, as follows:
Havana. February 24.-Long, Secre-
ir1er tho o. pD1
arrived yesterday. Begins work to-day.
Much encumbering metal must be
blasted away in detail. Navy divers
down aft seven days, forward four days,
Bodies of Jenkins and Merritt not found
Two unidentified bodies of crew found
yesterday After compartments filed
with detached, broken and buoyant fur
niture and fittings, mud and confusion.
Spanish authorities continue offers OF
assistance and care for wounded and
dead. Everything that goes from wreck
10 the United States should be disin-
fected Wrecking company should pro-
vide for this. Surgeon of the Maine,
after consulting with others, recon-
mending that all bedding and clothing
should be abandoned. Might go to ac-
climated poor Useless fittings and
equipments might be towed TO sea and
thrown overheard. VIII take all imme-
date responsibility, but invite depart
ment's wishes. Shall old metal OF
snperstructure and like be- saved?
Friends of dead should understand that
We are in the tropics Chaplain Chad-
wick charged with all matters relative
TO the dead His conduct is beyond
praise. Don't know what reports are
being printed. but the intensely active
representatives. Of the press here have
been very considerate of me and my
position. SIGSBEE'
Secretary Long Immediately answer
ed Captain Sigsbee, approving all his
recommendations. He was directed 10
have Lieutenant Wainwright, the ex-
ecutive officer of the Maine. make ar
range,nents with the wreckers for the
disinfection of everything sent TO the
United States. The recommendation
that all bedding and all clothing he
abandoned. and if need be given to the
acclimated poor. was approved without
comment. The same approval was given
TO the suggestion that useless fittings
and equipment be towed TO sea and
thrown overheard. II btAilS itIN 10 zap
tain sigsbce's judgment to determine
how far this destruction should be car
ried on.
To the Captains inquiry as to the
saving OF old metal and parts of the
s,iperstrueture. the answer was given
that such material was of no use 10
the Bureau of Equipment. 1t was left
TO Cautain Sigsbee TO say what of this
shattered material was worth preserv-
ing. Ills statement that much blasting
will be required TO clear away encunl-
bering material indicates that il is es-.
sential 10 further destroy the upper
portions Of the wreck in order TO get
at what is more valuable beneath.
Captain Sigsbee's statement that the
divers have been down aft seven days
and forward four days gave the Navy
Department the first information of the
time that the divers had been in the yi>