Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-23
RAISING THE MAINE.
Contract with the wrcckers Provides
Payment of s8SI Per Day,

Washington, Feb. 22.-The plans of
the wrecking expedition for the relief
of the Maine were completed TODAY
after long conferences between Score
tary Long and the representatives, of
the Merritt & Chapman company of
New York and the Boston Towboat
company. The companies had expect
ed to begin work In Havana harbor in
about Il week, but at the last moment
Secretary Long insisted that pro-
vision should be made for sending for
ward at once at least one large wreck
ing boat with divers and equipment
This was agreed to and dispatch was
sent to the captain OF the seawrecker
Right Arm, now at Key West, to sus-
pend his private work there and pro-
coed at once to Havana. If the Right
Arm has started north torpedo boat
will be sent after her with orders to
proceed to Havana.
The terms of the contract. as con-
cluded and signed. provide for the pay
ment to the wreckng companies the
sum of SS11 per day for the regular
plant and an additional payment of
$500 per day for the use of the Monarch
while the latter is actually employed.
An express provision is made that the
government may terminate the con-
vlded that the compensation shall not
exceed the sum of money &200, 000) APP
propriated by Congress for this purpose
in the joint resolution passed. Ii is
also provided that II the companies
should succeed in raising the Maine
and towing her to New York they shall
receive bonus of 100000
In view of the large first cost of the
Maine. estimated at 5000. 900, and the
national desire that she be raised as
evidenced by the prompt and unani-
nous action of Congress upon the Joint
resolution OF Congress, Secretary Long
believes that he is justified in making
the above terms with the wreckers.
though he at first thought the per diem
compensation large. 1t must be borne
in mind. however, he said today, that
this will constitute the largest wreck
ing expedition ever equipped in this
country Moreover. the wreckers ex-
pressed willingness to go to work in
the usual way that they serve under
writer's, namely, to do the wrecking
and then take the award of a board of
arbitration. This plan, however. was
not open to the government, which is
compelled by law to fix exact terms in
advance.
A clause of the contract REQUIRES the
companies to proceed with all dispatch
and in business-likc manner with the
work of wrecklng. and though this
haste adds to the cost of the work 1t is
believed to be necessary in view of
the possibility OF the early appearance
of yellow fever at Havana harbor and
with the approach of the rainy season
next month.
Capt. Humphreys and Mr.. Chapman,
representing the two companies who
will do the work. explained to the Asso-
ciated Press the plans they will adopt
in wrecking the Maine. In addition
to the emergency work to be prose-
cutcd by the Right Arm, the main
expedition will be made up of about
100 men. including six skilled divers,
the wrecking steamer Underwater
of Boston of 600 horsepower; the
wrecking steamer John c.. Jones of
Norfolk of similar power: the iron
bnrge Lone star of Boston. capable
of carrying 1000 tons: the floating der
rick Monarch capable of lifting 26D
tons. the largest floating derrick In the
country. and another derrick capable
of lifting thirty tons.