New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-20
THE
WEBER
PIANO
Pure, Rich, Sympathetic
Tone and Great Power
are fb distinguishing
characteristics.
WEBER WAREROOMS
CAPTAIN SIGSBEE'S STORY.
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPLO-
SION ON THE MAINE.
PERFECT pIsCIPIINE MAINTAINED AMID THE
TERRIBLE SCENES ON THE DOOMED BAT
r1ao-sHIP-How THE WRECK AP-
PEARS At pRFsSFNT

T1dD-SHIP-HOW THE Wreck AP-
FEARS AT PRESENT.
Havana Feb. 19.-Captain Sigsbee Of the
battle-ship Maine in an interview today with
the correspondent Of the Associated Press. de-
sortbed this explosion in detail. He said
"On the night Of the explosion l had not re-
tired was writing letters. find 1t impossible
to describe the sound or shock. but the impress
sion remains Of something awe-inspring. terri
fyng-of noise rendng vibrating. all pervading.
There is nothing in the former experience OF any
one on board to measure the explosion by.
After the first great shock-I cannot myself
recall how many sharper detonations l heard,
not more than two or three-I knew my ship
gone. In such a structure as the Maine,
the effects OF such explosion are not for
moment In doubt
Il made my way through the long passage. In
the dark cropping from side to side. TO the
hatchway. and thence TO the poop being among
the earliest TO reach that spot. SO soon as
recognized the officers. I ordered the high ex-
plosives to be flooded and then directed that
the boats available - lowered to rescue the
wounded drowning.
Discipline In a perfect measure prevailed.
There was no more confusion than call to
general quarters would produce, II as much.
1T soon saw. by the light Of the flames. that
all my officers and crew left alive and on board
surrounded me. I cannot form any idea OF the
time but II seemed five minutes from the time
I reached the poop until left, tho last man II
was possible 10 reach having been saved. II
must have been three-quarters Of ar hour or
more however. from the amount Of work done.
Il remember the officers and men worked
together lowering the boats. and that the gig
took some time to lower. did not notice the
rain Of debris described by Lieutenant Pisndin
and others who were on deck at the time OF the
first explosion But did observe the explosion
Of the fixed ammunition and / wonder more
were not hurt thereby.
without going beyond the limits Of what was
proper in the harbor of a friendly Power.
always maintained precautions against attack
and the quarter watch was ordered to have am
muntion for the smaller guns ready to hand,
so that in the improbable event Of an attack
on the ship IT would have been found ready.
It was this ammunition which exploded as the
heat reached H."
Captain sissbee and ali the American officers
here are anxious for news from the United
States. and as to public opinion the Captain mas
done all he can 10 calm the excitement in the
United States and TO induce the public 10 walt
for the result OF the official investigation be
fore forming a Judgment as to the OF the
explosion.
AS the Olivette entered the harbor early this
morning the passengers crowded TO her up
per decks. not to see the yellow forts and long
lines Of walls manned by sailors. the beauties
Of the Ialm-crowned hills or the thousand
sights new to many eyes. All interest centred
In the first view Of the wreck OF the Inflated
battle-ship. and the sight CHASTITY enough,
when reached TO satisfy all who We're DESTROYS
OF witnessing horrors.
The wreck is the central figure Of an otherwise
bright picture and is es sad II Is terrible.
The huge mass Of fame-charred debris forward
looks rs II II had been thrown UP from sub
terranean storehouse OF fused cement. steel,
VIC cd and iron. Further aft one military mast
protrudes at a slight angle from the perpendicu-
lar while the poop offers n resting place for the
workmen or divers
OF the predominant white which marks Amer
tcan war vessels not vestige remains. In It's
Mace is the blackness OF desolaton and death.
1t is known that Lieutenant Jenkins, who Is
among the missing. alive after the explo-
sion. A colored mess attendant. at Key
West met Jenkins running forward. He evil
IDENTIFY thought. in the confusion. that the Maine
had been fired on. and he was rushing 10 the
forecastle where the six-inch gun OF which he
WAS in charge was placed