The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-17
IN KEY WEST.
The Most Intense Excitement Prevailed
When the News Was Received.

Key West. Fla, Feb. 16.-Last night
was the most eventful ever witnessed at
Key West. The excitement commenced
shortly before 10 o'clock, when the re-
port was made that the famous tug
Dauntless had arrived at point on the
east coast and was taking on arms ana
ammunition for Cuba. The celebrated
little filibuster was reported to have
arrived at Palm Beach simultaneously
with a trainload of men who would sail
before any attempt could be made 10
stop her The information was imme-
diately conveyed to commanders of ma
val vessels in the harhor, who COM
rmenced to make preparations TO inter-
cept the filibusters.
Then came the report that the battle
ship Maine had been blown up in the
harbor of Havana. This news was first
received by the commandant of the sta
1ion. who in turn communicated the in
formation 10 the several officers in CONF
nland Al telephone message was sent
TO the commanding officer at the bar
racks. Meanwhile the news spread rap
idly over the entire city and the cable
Office became the center of action, The
fact that the two torpedo boats We're
getting up steam and making ready 10
sail added to the excitement
A hurried conference was held be-
tween the several naval officers present
and a line of action promptly decided
mpon. The torpedo boat Ericsson was
the first to get under way. She steamed
out with open throttles and headed for
the westward. While not positively
known where she has gone, the impress
sion is that she has been dispatched to
DRY Tortugas to notify Admiral Sicafd
of the disaster to the Maine. The Gush-
5ng is putting at her wharf ready to
steam out and apparently only awaiting
an order to proceed To Havana. Every
government vessel in the harbor is get
ting ready TO sail for Havana as soon as
orders are received. The light house
tender Mangroye, Commander Belder.
has just left for Havana. The command
sr's son and daughter, who have been
guests aboard the steamer, We're hur-
Tiedly sent ashore.
Captain Sigsbees message to Com
amandant Forsythe of the naval station
here. received to-day, reads:
Advise sending American vessel at
once. The Maine is submerged except
the debris. Mostly work for divers. Jen-
1sins and Merritt are still missing and
there is but little hope for their safety.
Those known to have been saved are the
officers and "a. uninjured. of the crew.
Eighteen wounded men are now on
board the Ward line steamer and in the
city hospital and at the Mascotte hotel.
50, SO far as known. All the others went
down on board or near the Maine. The
total loss, or missing, is 25S. With sew
eral exceptions, no officer or man has
more than part of a suit of clothes, and
that is wet with harbor water.
THE Ward line steamer leaves for
Mexico tVera 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.
'tOliyette leaves for Key West at | p.
m. Will send by her to Key West Off
GERS saved, except myself. Wainwright.
Holman, Hinebarger, Ray and Holden.
VIII turn over three uninjured boats to
captain of port with request for safe
keeping. VIII send all wounded men 10
hospital in Havana"