The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-23
A WRECK EXPEDITION.
Continued from First Page.)

| The
squadron and proceed up the coast OF
! South America for Squadron drill visit.
| ing all the ports where American inter
| ests exist, going as far as Para. Cpon
| the reunion Of the squadron from the
| north, he would make a long visit ia
Rio Janciro with all the vessels. Near
Rio .Ianciro is the harbor of Isle DO
| GrandC where the vessels would have
target practice and other squadron OK.
crcscs. This would also give thp
smaller vessels an opportunity for tor
pedo practice.
In further explanation of the move
ment of the two ships of the South A.
lantic squadron, it is said at the Navy
Department that some time ago word
came that they were in need Of coal.
but that yellow fever prevailed at Para.
where they were then and south of
them in Brazil. They were authorized
to proceed to some healthy port for
their coal and this. it is stated, is how
they came to so to Barbados.
In explanation of the order given yes
tprtlay to the Norfolk Navy Yard Off
Gals to have the Terror in condition for
service, Secretary Long said this order
had been given to replace the Maine il
being deemed desirable that the armor-
ed fleet should not fall below Il certain
number There was very little work to
be done on the Terror, and fOrty-eight
hours should suffice to finish it. The
Terror is our most powerful double tur-
reted monitor and. although not as eff
fectivc cts a seabOat as Il battleship in
the smooth waters of the harbOr she
probably would be able to hold her own
against almost any craft.
The following telegram was received
SIGSBEE WANTS DRAWING.
by the Navy Department this afternoon
from Captain Sigsbec:
"Send to Forsythe for Sigshee trans
verse sectional drawing OF Maine
through forward ten-inch magazine and
shell room. Showing pocket coal bunk
ers"
This request was Immediately complied
with 1t is supposed that Captain
Sigslee wants these drawings to assist
in the work of wrecking the ship, as
they would he of great aid to the divers.
They will he useful also as the basis
for the testimony now being taken by
the Court of Inquiry at Havana. The
drawings shall show the pocket coal
bunkers. which abut on the magazine,
is evidenced that Captain SigSbee has
in mind the spontaneous combustion
theory. though it does not follow by any
means that he IL committed to it.
Some of the employees of the Navy De
partment have been making estimates of
tine amount Of money that will be re-
gured to meet the demands of the joint
resolution which Mr. BOutele proposed
to Introduce in the House, allowing Il
years sea pay TO the families of the
dead sailors. and money for lost cloth
ing and affects not ito exceed years
pay to the survivors. They fix the sum
AT not to exceed $150,0O0.
COURT OF INQUIRY.
Havana, Feb. 22-Consul General
Lee and the members of the United
States Court of Inquiry into the loss of
the battleShip Maine, called this morning
upon Captain General Blanco and Adj
miral Manterola. When these eceremo-
nies We're ended, the court returned to
the United States light house tender
Mangrove and resumed its sessions.
The court opened mt half past ten and
took a recess at half past twelve.
Lieutenant G.. Ii. w. Holman, Navigator
and Ordnance officer Of the Maine, was
examined at the morning session. The
court met for the afternoon session nj
half past one, and Lieutenant Comman-
der r. Wainwright, executive officer of
the Maine, was called to the witness
stand. Lieutenant Commander Vain
wright has been in immediate charge OF
the wreck since the explosion.
Four divers are at work, two in the
forepart of the ship and the others aft.
The task is most laborious, and the men
are naturally extremely careful, as they
have to work i'm complete darkness, and
several have had bad falls. Electric
lights, worked from the MangrQve, are
now available, and much good is eX-
pected from them.
Nearly all the possible salvage has
now been made from the cabin aft. The
efforts TO reach the ward and mess rooms
are frustrated by some unknown obsta-
Gle. 1t is expected to find bodies III
those rooms. Two cases of ten inch am
munition have been found. the one hav-
ing exploded, the other full of powder
These were found forward.
The work of securing the bodies UNI
der the hatch has been most difficult in
the dark, but it is hoped that the electric
lights will be of great assistance. The
bodies are much mutilated and some are
partially burned.
COURT VISITS WRECK.
fhe officers of THE Court of Inquiry
paid another visit to the wreck to-day
Captain Sampson, after the visits of the
members of the court to the Captain
General and Admiral ManterOla this
morning, said the reception extended
them had been polite and cordial. The
Captain General and Admiral had eX-
pressed deep sympathy and the hope
that nothing would interfere to pre-
vent thorough investigation. They of
fcred to give any help in their power.
Captain Sampson referred to the visits
rs tending to promote better under
standing"
Among the salvage were the table
ware and the silver service belonging
to the Maine.
George w. KOebeler, of Brooklyn,
dieu to-day at the military hospital. Al
the other injured show some improve
ment.
La Lucia, in an editorial to-day, com
ments upon the 'unfairness of the United
States in making Captain Sigsbee the