The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-30
SlGSBEE is AT HOME AGAIN
Ready For Any New Command That
May be Assigned Him.

|
| Of the wrecked steamer Maine arrived
| in Washington this morning from Ha-
vana at 7:41 o'clock. He was accompan-
| led by Paymaster Ray, Chief Engineer
! Howell, Naval Cadet Holden and DR..
| Heneberger. The latter left Immediately
! for his home in Virginia. The captain
was Immediately driven to his home, 1892
Riggs Place. The captains neighbours
on both sides of the street on which he
lives had profusely decorated their resi-
| dences with flags and bunting and many
of his friends and fellow officers had sent
large bouquets of American beauty roses
and flower designs Of ships. anchors, etc,
as an expression of their friendship and
esteem. At half-past 10 o'clock the cap
tain went to the navy department to re-
port his arrival and in the course of a
| conversation he said that he had not yet
received any assignment to duty nor did
ne know what command would be given
him. He would be ready, however as
soon as he could get his wardrobe re-
plenished, to go anywhere or perform
any duty that might be given him. He
had not yet made any formal written re-
port to the department on the 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 Sigsbee said
that he could add nothing to his testi-
mony before the court of inquiry, which
had already been published The Span
ish officials were making an inquiry into
the cause Of the disaster. but what their
/ ho1
at, he did not know. A few divers. under
the direction of some nOn-commissioned
officer were working Ieisurely about the
wreck, but he had understood that the
court was paying special attention to out
side matters. They had found, he had
heard, that there were no dead fish in
the harbor after the explosion and also
that the explosion did not create such a
disturbance OF the water as might have
been expected had the force come from
the outside. However. this was only hear
say. he having no knowledge of their
proceedings.
The captain said that every one knew
that the general feeling among Spaniards
in Havana was bitter against this coun-
try, 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
country was likely to become involved in
war with Spain Residents Of Havana.
he said, knew little or nothing of what
was occurring in Madrid beyond what is
Z Cd In
captain semmed in good health and spir-
its, considering the intense strain that
had been upon him during the last six
weeks and felt himself physically able TO
perform any duty which should be as
signed to him.
Captain Sigsbee visited the navy de-
partment, reporting his arrival and ex-
pressing his readiness to assume any du-
ties that the department wished to assign
him
He is well known at the department.
having served as chief Of the HYDRO
sraphis office. and his return after the
dramatic and tragic experience he has
passed through attracted the greatest in
terest Of officials subordinates and the
throngs OF turists who just now happen
to be making the navy department a CEN
ter OF their observations. A large party
of school teachers surrounded him soon
after he entered the building and each
in turn was presented and received
handshake from the commander Of the
Maine. Everywhere he was greeted with
expressions Of the most afTectionate char
acter from his old naval associates. He
had little TO add concerning the Maine
disaster, and, in fact. there was gen.