The San Francisco call., 1898-03-08

HAVANA, March 7-Another day with Ensign PoNelson and the divers that in brief summarizes to-day's SeS- sion of the court of inquiry. AS has become quite usual of late, Powelson was the first witness summoned when the court resumed business about Il o'clock this morning. He remained with the court in close conference less than an hour, then two of the Government s expert divers, Rundquist and Schloter, who have been working during theweek at the forward end of the wreck direct, under the supervision of Powelson and Wainwright, were sommoned from their work and called before the court of in quiry The testimony of these divers covering their more recent discoveries was gone over in great detail and illus trated by drawings prepared by Powell son, the ensign, who has become so conspicuous in the work of the court that he is now almost as familiar a figure on board the Mangrove as Cap tain Sigsbee.
 Chief Engineer Howell of the Maine was before the court also for few minutes during the morning session. From this time on until the court has finished it's work at Havana it's time is likely to be given almost exclusively to Powelson and the divers.
 These amphibious fellows are doing splendid work now and their reports will doubtless strongly influence the views of the court of inquiry. Andrew. who is one of the sturdiest of naval divers among the Americans, has made a remarkable record of actually work ing under water a total of about twen- weight hours in one week. Others have done nearly as well. These men, in addition to their regular pay as en- listed men in the navy, receive extra compensation of $1 20 per hour for all time actually spent ill submarine work. Their task has been a peculiarly ardu- ous one owing to the inextricable con- fusion of the whole interior of the ship after the explosion. Life lines and air pipes are continually becoming fouled on some projecting piece of wreck age but since much of this obstructive material has now been removed and loaded on lighters their task Is grad ually becoming easier. All the Ameri- can divers usually stop work for the noon hour. The Spanish divers, how ever, not infreQuently go right ahead with their work after the Americans have come to the surface. At such times the 1.-the figure and bronZed face of Gunner Charles Morgan may always be seen perched on the end or side of the divers barge for all the world like the lone fisherman in Evangeline. He is watching the progress of the Spanish divers, and nothing these active fellows bring to the surface ever seems to es- cape his sharp eyes. When one man recently came up with a six-inch pow der cylinder and showed it to Morgan the latter actually secured snapshot photograph of the diver in the act. The utmost good feeling seems to prevail between the Spanish and American di- vers. They work harmoniously side by side.
 The probable duration of the courts sojourn in Havana remains a more profound mystery than ever.
 How long is the court likely to stay here?" was the question l put fiatfoot- ed to Captain Sampson this afternoon on the deck of the Mangrove.
 "I wish you could tell me that" was the reply of the courts president. made one more cast in hope of landing some definite information. But, cap tain,'' said, Should you think it pre- mature if a person like myself, desir- ous of closely following the courts movements, should venture to pur- chase ticket for Key West by next Wednesdays steamer"
 I record Captain Simpsons some what oracular reply just as he gave it