The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-23
SALVAGE WORK AT THE MAINE.
The Merritt Company Signs n Com
tract to Send a Big Expedition

hC COHpdhy SlSnS n OOnS
tract to Send a Big Expedition
Washington, Feb. 22.-The plans of the
wrecking expedition for the relief of the
Maine were completed to-day after long
the representatives of the Merritt-Chap-
man Company of New York and the Bos-
ton Towboat Company.
The companies had expected to begin
work in Havana harbor in about a week,
but at the last moment Secretary Long in
sisted that proviso should be made. for
sending forward at once at least one large
wrecking boat with divers and equipment.
This was agreed to and dispatch was sent
to the captain of the sea -wrecker Right
Arm, now at Key West, to suspend his
private work there and proceed at once to
Havana.
The terms of the contract as concluded
and signed to-day provide for the payment
to the wrecking companies of the sum of
SSH per day for their 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 termi
nate the contract at any moment. 1t is
also provided that the compensation shall
not exceed the sum of money ($200000 ap-
propriated by Congress for this purpose in
the joint resolution passed yesterday.
Finally, it is provided that if the COM
pany succeeds in raising the Maine and
towing her to New York they shall re-
ceive a bonus of 100000. In view of the
large first cost of the Maine (about 5000,
COO and the national desire that she shall
be raised as evidenced by the prompt and
unanimous action of congress upon the
Joint resolution, Secretary Long believes
that he is fully justified in making the
terms named with the wreckers, though
at first the per diem compensation seems
large
Capt. Humphrey and Mr.. Chapman,
representing the two companies who will
do the work, explained to the Associated
Press the plans they will adopt in wreck
ing the Maine. In addition to the emer-
gency work to be prosecuted by the Right
Arm. the Maine expedition will be made up
of about 100 men, including six skilled div
ers, the wrecldng steamer Underwater OF
Boston, of 600 horse power; the wrecking
steamer John G.. Jones of Norfolk, of SIM
liar power; the iron barge Lone Star of
Boston, capable of lifting 2G0 tons. the
largest floating derrick in the country,
and another derrick capable of lifting thir-
tv tons. The forwarding of the boats,
derricks and men will begin at once.
Telegrams were sent to begin the out
fitting The taking on of coal and the as
sembling of men and equipment. The
boats are ready to start at any time, but
IL will take a day or two 10 get together
the exceptional facilities required for this
large undertaking. The wreckers say It
will be impossible to assemble the outfit
and get it into Havana ready for work
for week. They will make every effort
however, to expedite the work, and on
leaving Secretary Long at 1 o'clock they
took trains for New York and Boston,
with the determination of rushing the
work.
KEY West, Feb 22.-The wrecking tug
Right Arm. which has been taken by the
government, leaves for Havana harbor to-
night to work on the hull of the Maine.
The torpedo boats Ericsson and Cushing
have made frequent trips to-day 10 the
New York and Iowa, now OF Sand Key.