The herald., 1898-02-17
WORK FOR DOCTORS
The Vessels at Key West Proceed to
Havana

KEY WEST, tla., rep. lb.-Ine lSlt-
house tender Mangrove sailed for Havana
at o'clock this morning, having on board
several doctors. The steamer Fern has
also sailed for Havana and the torpedo
boat Ericsson left at midnight with dis
patches for the fleet.
The torpedo boat Cushing, Lieutenant
Cleaves, commander, with steam up, is
here, ready for duty.
1t is stated here that the Maine had hard
coal on board and that therefore the the
ory that the disaster was caused by spon-
taneous combustion is not tenable.
The Plant line steamer Olivette is due
here tonight from Havana on her regular
trip to Tampa, but she is not expected 10
arrive on time, as heavy seas prevail in
the gulf, which will also make 1T bad for
the Names injured seamen who are COM
ing over on board the Olivette.
Intense excitement prevails here among
officials and civilians as to the disaster,
and much conjecture exists as to its prob
able cause
Captain Sigsbee's message was to Com
mandant Forsythe of the naval station
here. 1t reads:
Havana. Feb. 16-Adyise sending vessel
at once. The Maine is submerged except
the debris.
MOSTLY work for divers. Jenkins and
Merritt are still missing and there is but
to have been saved are the officers and
twenty-four uninjured of the crew. Eight
cen wounded men are now on board the
Ward line steamer, in the city hospital and
at the Mascotte hotel, fifty-nine so far as
known. All the others went down on
board or near the Maine. The total loss
or missing is 25S. With several exceptions
no officer or man has more than suit OF
clothes, and that is wet with harbor
water.
1.-The Ward line steamer leaves for Mex
leo Vera CRUZ at this afternoon. The
officers saved are uninjured. The damage
was in the compartments of the crew.
Am preparing to telegraph list of saved
and wounded.
"Olivette leaves for Key West at p. m.
Will send by her to Key West officers
saved, except myself, Wainwright, Hol-
man, Heneberger, Ray and Holden. Will
turn over three uninjured boats to cap
tain of port with request for safe keeping.
Will send all wounded men to hospital in
Havana.
(Signed) "SIGSBEE."
SPANISH SYMPATHY
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-This cable
gram was received by the state depart
ment from Consul General Lee at 9:16 to-
night: area
Havana, Feb. 16.-Profound sorrow ,ex-
pressed by government and municipal au
thorities, consuls of foreign nations, or
ganized bodies of all sorts and citizens gen.
orally.
"Flags at half-mast on governor gen.
erals palace, on shipping in harbor and in
city,
Business suspended, theaters closed.
Dead number about 260.
"Officers' quarters being in rear and sea-
mems forward where explosion took place,
accounts for greater proportional loss of
sailors.
Funeral tomorrow at p. m.
"Officers Merritt and jenkins still miss
ing.
Suppose you ask that a naval court of
inquiry be held to ascertain cause of ex-
plosion
Hope our people will repress excitement
and calmly await decision.
"(Signed) LEE"
The navy department received the fol-
lowing:
HAVANA, Feb. 16.-Every one except
nine officers, nine privates, ore gunner's
mate and twenty-five seriously wounded
removed to Key West by Olivette.
(Signed) SIGSBEE.