The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-24
NO BOILER EXPLOSION.
That Theory Regarding Maine
Wreck DisproTsa.
STEAM WAS NOT UP IN THE FOR.
WARD BOILERS.

Th Spontaneous Combustion Theory Has
Many Adherents-Capt. sigsbee's he
quest for Drawing Showing Transverse
| mented On.
| Washington, February 23.-Tbe arrival
of mail in Washington from Key West
this afternoon bringing several private
letters from naval officers lately attached
| to the Maine caused wave of excitement
to run over the departments and the
| Capitol for there were all sorts Of rumors
as to the contents of these letters, very
had any sound basis. Tho only feature
so far as could be discovered Of real i'm
portanoe as throwing any light on the
cause of the explosion, contained in the
letters was:the statement that the two.after
berths In the after boiler space were all OF
the eight boilers of the Maine that were
under steam at the time of the explosion.
This fact had negative value, for 1t dis
posed at once of the theory that an ex'
ploding boiler had caused the wreck. The
experts all say that by no possibility
could the after boilers explosion have
wrecked the fore part of the Maine and
left the after part almost unharmed.
Much interest was shown in despatch
received shortly before three O'Clock from
Admiral Sicard giving the recommends.
tlonS OF Captain Sampson of the court OF
inquiry as to the raising of the wreck.
Various interpretations were put on the
expression forward half completely de-
stroyed." This was regarded as partial
confirmation of the theory that the for
ward magazine had exploded as that is
one Of the most important portions OF the
forward half of the ship. At the same
time it was held by some naval authorl-
ties that the destruction of the forward
half of the ship did not necessarily mean
that the forward magazine had exploded,
as this might still be intact although .
part of the general wreokage. In the abs
sence of AN explicit statement as to the
forward magazine there was disposition
not to accept the implied statements as to
it's destruction.
Captain SIMPSONS recommendation
that contract be made with the best
equipped wrecking companies to remove
material and lift the ship without delay,
was In line with the action already taken
in closing contract with the two largest
wrecking concerns in the country. The
contract contains q clause binding the
wreckers to use their utmost efforts to ex-
pedite the work, SO that the department.
feels that everything haa been done to
carry out the views expressed by Captain
Sampson.
Evidently the President of the court OF
inquiry Is fearful Of the effect upon the
public of i'll judged attempts to account
for. the destruction Of the Maine, for this
afternoon he telegraphed Secretary Long,
doubtless having in mind certain pubtlca-
tions OF this morning. as follows:
Havana, February 23-Any reported in
terview with divers untrue Every pre-
cauticn has been taken.ss Officer always
present."
This statement disposes of all the ale
cations that have been made pro and con
as to the blowing mp of the forward
magazines.
The officers here are still thinking OF
Captain Sigsbee's request Of yesterday to
he Furnished with the plans of the Names
section through the magazines and coal
bunker pocket. Tho reference to the latter
leads to a desire to be informed on the
exact quantity and quality Of the coal
supply at the time of the explosion. 1t Is
said that those pocket bunkers are rarely
emptied, baing designed as much for the
protection of the ship against gunshots as
for capacity to hold coal.
One expert said that these bunkers on
his own experience had not been emptied
in months. All of this has to do with the
spontaneous combustion theory as the
bunkers abutt on the magazines and
might have set off even the safe brown
powder if the latter were exposed to de-
gree of heat above six hundred degrees for
s)me time. The request besides may show
THAI Captain Sigshee is not yet satisfied
as to the cause of the explosion, not with
standing the expressions that have been
attributed to him by unauthorized per-
sons.
One private letter received here today.
In speaking Of the disaster, says it was
all over in five minutes. The writer was
ashore and heard the noise. He hastily
took boat and started for the Maine, ar
riying there in about twenty five minutes.
Then all was quiet and smooth and IN
fact in five minutes after the blast the
Maine was in about her present condition.
Some solicitude was expressed at tne
Navy department over the report of Ad-
miral Sicard's health. 1t was said, how
ever that there was no occasion for re-
lieying him now; that the flagship New
York is not to leave Key West and even II
she should, Captain Sampson or Captain
Taylor can assume cnarge of the squadron
while the admiral takes the two weeks
leave to recupsrate from his malarial
fever which he was about to enjoy when
he voluntarily returned to his place. A
formal order was made out this afternoon
directing Lieut.. Commander Wainwright
to take station at Havana and look after
the governments interests while the work
o. wrecking the Maine progresses. 1t has
been arranged that he shall be subs1sted
on board one of the wrecking steamers.
80 A - Ea