Evening journal., 1898-02-17
MAINE BLOWN Up.
Uncle Sans Battl0Ship a
Sunkel Wreck In
Havana.
MANY LIVES LOST.
Over Two Hundred and Fifty Men Are
Reported TO Have Been Killed.
THEORIESADVANCEDF FOR DISASTER
May Have Been Explosion of Magazine
OF Caused by Torpedo-,Excitement
In Madrid and washIngton-Tho
Opinions OF Authorities.

HAVANA, Feb. 17.-By a terrific ex-
plosion Uncle Sans battleship Maine
has been reduced to a total wreck. The
disaster occurred while most Of the men
were asleep in their hunks, and conse-
quently the loss of life was tremendous.
Where a moment before the battleship
had been placidly floating in Havana
harbor appeared a blazing hulk. for
the vessel caught fire Immediately aft
er the explosion, which shook the whole
city and broke windows in many OF the
houses.
The Maine. at the time Of the explo-
sion. was at anchor about 500 yards
from the arsenal and some 200 yards
from the floating dock
The explosion put out the street lights
near the wharf and blew down tele-
phone and telegraph wires in that vi
cinlty.
Consul General Lee has sent the fol-
lowing dispatch 10 the state depart
ment:
Profound sorrow expressed by gov
eminent and municipal authorities,
consuls Of foreign nations organized
bodies OF all sorts and citizens gener-
ally. Flags at half mast on governor
generals palace, on shipping In harbor
and in city Business suspended; thea
ters closed. Dead number about 26O.
"Omcers' quarters being in rear and
Beamen's forward. where explosion took
place. accounts for greater proportion
al loss Of sailors. officers Merritt and
Jenkins still missing. Suppose you ask
that naval court OF inquiry be held to
ascertain cause OF explosion. Hope our
people will repress excitement and
calmly await decision"
What caused the explosion is still un-
known The Spanish cruiser Alfonso
XII was close at hand and as soon as
II was apparent a great disaster had
happened boats were lowered from her
davits and made their way 10 the
wreck. A Ward liner was also near by.
and to both these vessels the injured
were removed as tenderly and as speed
ily as possible.
Lieutenant Commander r.. VAIN
wright Of the Maine was half undressed
and waA AmolSing in his cabin next to
that Of Captain Sigsbee. IL Is said when
the explosion occurred and put out the
electric lights Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright then lit a match and went
to Captain Sigsbee's cabin. The cap
tain, It appears, had been thrown from
his bed, but was uninjured. They both
went on deck and ordered n man TO
food $500 pounds Of gun cotton which
was on board. The order was carried
out. the man never returned. but Ha-
vana was saved from a still more terri
bic explosion. -Four boats were lowered,
all manned by officers and one of them
was lost
Captain Sigsbee went in his own
launch on board the Spanish cruiser
Alfonzo XII to thank her captain and
officers. and he afterward went on
board the City of Washington, where
Consul General Lee. Dr. w. +, Drummer
acting sanitary inspector OF Havana
and the correspondents OF the Ameri.
can newspapers had already gathered
Lieutenant Commander wainwright
believes the explosion was due to the
short circuit dynamo.
Among the saved taken on board tn,
City of Washington was Mr.. Dreeslei
(Gustav G.. Dressler of the Maine p
who has lost both his eyes. The pas
sengers of the City of Washington CAV,
up their staterooms to the injured meI
OF the American warship. An iron trus,
the City of Washington. breaking tn
tableware Of the steamer
An officer of the Maine who was TAX
en- on board the Ward liner City o
Washington said:
Il was sitting with two other officer
IN the messroom when a heavy eXplo
sion occurred. IL was so heavy that W
knew the ship would be lost. and w
went on the upper deck and foun
that the ship had been badly wrecke
that she was on fire and sinkinf
All efforts We're then directed to lower
ing the boats and saving lives. but IN
Maine settled quickly to the bottom q
the harbor, only her upper decks re
naming above water"
Another officer said the explosion oc
CURED somewhere in the forward PAL
OF the amidships section OF the BATH,
ship. Many Of the crew who were b,
low at the time Of the explosion wei
unable to escape. and those who su,
ceeded in reaching the upper deck save
their lives with great difficulty. with II
assistance Of the officers and men.
While the correspondent OF the ASS,
ciated Press was going ashore from Il
wreck there was another terrific expl,
sion. At the same time boats from Il
Spanish steamers Colona and Mexi,
were taking eight wounded men ashor
after having saved them from Il
water.
Captain Sigsbee. when interviewed
to the cause Of the explosion, said.
Il cannot yet determine the caus
bat competent investigators will deci
whether the explosion was produc
from an interior or exterior cause.
cannot say anything until after such
Investigation has been made. i will n
and cannot conscientiously anticipa
the decision, nor do wish 20 make al
unjust estimate Of the reason for I
Disaster
The Mainesis a battleship Of the 81
ond class and is regarded as one Of {