The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-19
TWO SPANISH TORPEDoEs.
Theory OF the S1aipo's Deatruotion OHsred 81
u Soldier In Cuba's Army.

. Soldier In Cuba's Army.
From the Albany Journal.
A man named William Ewing. a war veteran,
who stated that he had been q Brigadier-Gen on
eral in the Cuban army. arrived in this city
about noon to-day. Mr.. Ewing 10 full. of his
Cuban experiences. To the journal reporter
he told a very interesting story. When asked
what theory he had as to the cause Of the Maine
disaster he said:
"The Maine was sent to the bottom of the har-
Dor of Havana by a torpedo sent out by the
Spanish authorities. 1 would stake my life
upon it,
what reason have you for saying by the
Spanish authorities was asked.
well, there were when l left in the, whole
island Of Cuba only two torpedoes that were
capable Of sending such a magnificent ship into
the air. These torpcdoes were brought over from
Spain on the cruiser Alphonso MI. when she
They were taken 10 Moro Castle and moored in
the water in n little archway under the castle,
directly, opposite tho spot where the Maine had
her anchorage.
Both Of these machines were made in Glas-
gov. Scotland. They weren't moored under
han army had a full description OF them. They
are NUMBERED and the nu1nbers are now in my
moruipg after it occurred. | wrote the Secre.
tary of War. giving him the information and
asking him 70 telegraph me at the Western
Union office in this city tonight or tomorrow"
But is 1t not possible that. supposing the dis.
Sster was not the result of an accident, some
without the knowledge or consent of the Span
ish authoritiesf'
could do it, repeated Lieut.. Ewing. "Bcsides.
it is not probable that any persons acting with.
out official consent or orders did 1t. because
have been struck before the torpedo reached
the Maine ain owing to the lattsr's position.
Spanish officials. who alone knew the situation
Of the Spanish Government: Know this to be-
They, are cigar.shaped, sharp at both ends.
?lf;ftet in.diameter, which sends the thing along
and holds II in position until the time TO
ward half contains from one-auarter to one ta
OF nitro1glycerine. In the forward point is a
PSSrcussio9 shell which contains from 500 to
the clock reach the hour to which it is set a
hammer is released, falling upon the nitro.
shell out with force enough to penetrste ffteen
inches of steel armor. The bottom Of the tor.
Be- filled With Water M,t sinking the machine Mn,d To s ann
my theory is this: The Maine lay at an.
under MORO Castle. One OF these torpedoes
was set for q certain time. sunk Just, below the
ing was there to impede its passage and the re-.
yolyinS propeller held its point to the Names
DOW; Inc hammer fell. tho nitro-glycerine ex-
ploded, making tho first explosions; the dyna-
mite shell penetrated the Names armor sheath.
ing, and explosion No. 2 followed almost within
suits. The divers win find the remains OF the
torpedo very soon and.my theory will be found to
be correct; H.they don't, then. of course, my
theory falls through. But I'm almost as sure
I'm right In this matter as l am that I'm In
Albany at this minute. The fact that this coun.
try is at peace with Spain gives the right to this
Government to dem and that those two torpe.
does be shown. which will still more easily
prove or disprove my theory"
Mr.. Ewing Is on a sick leave and IA going
home to his wife and daughter in Gillian Seb'