The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-25


Cautain sigsbee's Explanation.
HAVANA March 24-Two of the eight
torpedoes carried by the Maine have been
recovered.
Regarding the use of dynamite by the
contracting wreckers. Captain Sigsbee said,
to-day: More has been made out of the
matter than was warranted by the facts.
which are simply these: The contractors
asked my permission to use dynamite in
small quantities, and also asked leave to
use dynamite tape to blow off protuber-
ances, angles, etc., where the wreckage is
so ent9ngled that it is very difficult to
hoist There never was any intention to use
the explosive in large enough quantities to
destroy the wreck. submitted the request
of the contractors to Consul General Lee,
for him to ask permission from the Span
ish authorities, and / also asked for orders
from the United States Navy Department
Both our own and also the Spanish authori-
ties refused the necessary permission. That
is all there was to the matter"
On the same subject Consul General Lee
said: II transmitted Captain Sigsbees re-
quest made on the part of the contractors,
to Captain General Blanco, and / received a
reply that the matter was too important to
be settled without reference to Madrid. Gen.
Blanco also intimated that the United
States court of inquiry. having sat in judg-
ment on the disaster to the Maine, it would
be unwise to destroy by the use of dyna-
mite the wreck upon which judgment was
formed. Last evening had word from Capt.
Sigsbee that the United States Navy De-
partment forbade the use of dynamite on or
about the wreck. The papers here to-day
say Madrid has sustained General Blancos
prohibition against the use of dynamite on
the wreck"
The result will naturally delay the work
in removing the debris and also, it is possi-
Bile. necessitate the use of more hosting ap-
paratus. 1t is probable the wreckers wished
most to use dynamite or dynamite tape to
get the top off the wreck so that the ten
inch guns could be hoisted out.
In regard to going away, Captain Sigsbee
said: Il have never expressed a desire about
the matter until recently. received per-
scnal letter asking my wishes and what l
thought best We have been here two
months, instead of two weeks, as at first
intended, and the climate is beginning to
tell on all of us While the court was in
session our business was to be here. 1T
seems now as il Wainwright would be
enough to take charge of the wreck, espe-
cially since all the work is now mere rou-
tine work Of salvage, while the chaplain
might remain to identify the bodies when
recovered, if possible. Besides, after April
l. we would all be subject to the rigid quar-
antine laws. For myself would like to get
to Key West and write up my report OF the
disaster. AS yet / have not written line.
While the court was in session did not
want in any way to anticipate its report l
have no idea what that report is, or wheth-
er I am found guilty or not. This last re-
mark was made with a smile.
The Fern, it is believed will stay here
and afford quarters for Lieutenant Com
mander Wainwright. A letter from Consul
Brice, at Matanzas, says Mr.. Saynor, his
successor, advises him that he expects to
arrive in Cuba about April l.
Orders to return home we're received this
afternoon by Captain Sigsbee and the other
officers of the Maine now here and all will
go north excepting Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright Chaplain John P. Chadwick
will go with the officers. Lieutenant Com
mander Wainwright, who will remain in
charge of the wrecking operations, will
have mis- quarters, as now, on the Fern,
Commander Cowles commanding. Captain
Sigsbee and his brother officers expect to
leave for the north by the steamer Olivette,
on Saturday.
The Associated Press correspondent read
the naval orders bulletin Of the Associated
Press to the officers the Ferns quarter
deck tonight. Deep interest is felt, and
much enthusiasm expressed among them
and among the correspondents on shore
over the orders affecting Captain Sampson
and Captain Evans, while every one ex-
presses the hope that Captain Sigsbee will
be given an important command.