The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-03
Disaster to the Maine Was Caused
by a Floating Mine.
FIRED FROM BATTERY ON SHORE
Only Explosion Within the BattIe-
ship Was 1000 Pounds of Saluting
POwder-Entire Port Side of the
Americans Already Have Sufficient
Data-Spanish Ofilcials Making n


lecture and prophecies concerning the
finding of the court OF inquiry. it is fair
TO say that, as a matter OF fact, most OF
the naval officers here and at Key West
incline to the opinion that the court will
find that the disaster to the Maine was
caused by the explosion of floating SUBJ
marine mine under the port side OF The
ship forward.
Opinions differ as TO whether the mine
was made OF high explosives, such as wet
and dry gun cotton. or ordinary gun
powder. Opinions agree not only as 10
the existence Of mines in the harbor, but
also that this one was laid purposely near
the buoy where foreign vessels were di-
rected TO moor, and was fired from an
electric battery on shore.
1t is believed hardly possible that the
explosion was the result of carelessness
OF the mine station keys when testing
the circuit. but the latter supposition is
felt TO be probable.
1t Is further regarded as settled by the
evidence before the court that the port
side OF the hull forward was completely
blown 10 pieces. and that the only ex-
plosion on the Maine. except isolated
cases of fixed ammunition, was that of
2.ooo pounds of saluting powder stored
forward of which no trace can be found
These views are gathered from officers
who talk with great reserve, and only
upon the assurance that their identity
Will never be revealed.
The fact remains that only the mem
bers of the court of inquiry know all
the testimony elected. and no one is
authorized TO make matters known in ad-
vance of the final Judgment
good deal of surprise was expressed
by Americans here on learning that the
Spanish divers were to be permitted to
make an examination of the wreck of
the Maine, especially as it was also said
American naval officers would give such
divers all consistent facilities. and would
throw no obstacles in the way of thor
ough submarine inspection. 1t was not
at first understood. as it came to be
later, that the Spanish search was TO be
entirely Independent. and while it was
being made the American investigation
would proceed under Capt. Sigsbee'y
supervision.
AS understood here, the Spanish re-
quest made Immediately after the disas-
ter for joint investigation. was promptly
refused at Washington. but after a cabi-
net consultation IL was agreed that the
Spanards had a moral and International
right to discover the cause of the wreck
for themselves II possible. Therefore, per-
mission for an independent examination
was granted. on the ground. as under
stood here, that il could not be refused TO
a friendly power In her own harbor
That the permission was not accorded
until after the court of inquiry had hn-
ished its work here and gone TO Key West
is regarded as significant. 1t opens wide
field for speculation. Some asser: that the
court now has no objection to a Spanish
inquiry for one of two reasons: Either
the court has sufficient evidence already Of
accident or maHce--evidence that cannot
be eonuoverted by the SpanIards-or aft
er a diligent search. the mystery remains
as deep as ever. and the court does not
think the Spanish VIII reach a conclu-'
sloa where the Americans have failed OF
course. all this refers principally to in
spection OF parts of the ship other than
the hun. Until tho guns decks. engines
and debris of all kinds have been removed
and the mud has been pumped out of tire
hull. It cannot ba examined thoroughly
By any one. Some good authorities think
it win be necessary 10 build a cofferdam
around the wreck. piles being driven. etc.
That any Important testimony before the
court has found It's way 20 the public is
very unlikely. Some or tho Witnesses have
told certain correspondents of alleged tes-
tmony. bat in every case investigation has
shown their stories to be wildly improb-
able and controvertcd by known facts. or
else absolutely irrelevant. Some Of the
correspondents have tried 20 extract infor-
nation from members OF the court or from
naval Witnesses by putting clever hypo-
iheticaI interrogatories But the ques-
TONERS were no; experts in naval srchi-
lecture. and the questions were technical
So she results were unsatisfactory.
Probably the cour: knew before It left
Havana for key West whether the ton
inch magazine on the starboard side for
ward did or did not explode. but the mers
bers gave 10 sign. and the divers. when
they talk at all. contradict each other.
Doubtless even the contractors for the. re-
moval az the Inner debris ard the raising
cf the hull do not fully appreciate The diff
acglties % be encountered. Certainly the
tug Right Arm has been ot little value
thus far. her captain not having sufficient
authority until Monday % employ the help
or 20 hire the needed lighters
While criticisiug the naval divers for
thesr sowness II must Re remembered
thar theirs Is grim. dangerous snd diaicalt
work. In muddy. foal water. through
4 mass OF rsyeted steel. bent iron. shat
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