The herald., 1898-03-30
CAPT. SIGSBEEAT HOME
HEAA. IL WELCOMED By HIS
NEIGHBORS
The Ex-Maine Captain Is Ready for
Any Duty to Which He May
Be Assigned

WASHINGTON, March 20. - Captain
Sigsbee of the wrecked battleship Maine
arrived in Washington from Havana at
o. clock this morning. He was accompanied
by Paymaster Ray, Chief Engineer How
ell Naval Cadet Holsen and DR.. Eenne-
berger The latter left Immediately for his
home in Virginia. The Captain was tm-
mediately driven to his home, 1852 Riggs
Place. The Captains neighbors on both
sides of the square on which he lives had
profusely decorated their residences with
flags and bunting, and many OF his friends
and fellow -officers had sent large bou-
quets OF American Beauty roses and flower
designs of ships, anchors, etc., as an ex-
preston of their friendship and esteem
At half-past l clock the Captain went
to the Navy Department to report his ar
rival, and in a conversation he said that
he had not yet received any assignment
to duty, nor did he know what command
would be given him. He would be ready,
however, he said. soon as he could get
his wardrobe replenished to go anywhere
or perform any duty that might be given
him. He had not yet made any fomal
written report to the department on tho
loss Of the Maine, but would do so as soon
as he had a little time at his disposal AS
to the cause of the wreck, Captain Sigs-
bee said that he could add nothing to his
testimony before the Court of Inquiry
which had already been published. The
Spanish officials were making an inquiry
into the cause of the disaster. but what
their conclusions were, If any had been
arrived at, he did not know.
A few divers under the direction of some
non-commissioned officers were working
Int t,a 1ad ,of
understood that the Court was paying spe-
cial attention to outside matters. They
had found, he had heard, that there were
no dead fish found in the harbor after the
explosion and also that the explosion did
not create such disturbance of the water
as might have been expected had the force
come from the outside. However, this was
only hearsay, he having no knowledge OF
their proceedings.
The Captain said that, as everyone knew.
the general feeling among Spaniards in
| Havana was bitter against this country,
| but he did not know whether the proposed
| sending of governmental aid would meet
| with any serious opposition.
The Captain said he knew very little Of
the general situation and therefore had
formed no opinion as to whether this coun-
try was likely to become involved in a war
with Spain.
Residents of Havana, he said, knew little
or nothing of what was occurring in Mad
rid beyond what is reported in American
newspapers.
The Captain seemed in good health and
spirits, considering the intense strain that
had been upon him during the last six
weeks, and felt himself physically fit TO
perform any duty which might be assigned
| to him.
Captain Sigsbee visited the navy depart
ment, reporting his arrival and expressing
his readiness to assume any duties that
the department wished to assign him.
Secretary Long was not there when Cap
tain Sgsbee arrived, so that the latter re-
ported to Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
and then talked with Captain Crownin-
shield and other bureau officers. He rec
commended that Commander Wainwright,
the only Maine officer remaining at Ha-
vana, be relieved at the earliest day prac-
ticable, as the climatic conditions are
against him.