davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-29

Maine the keys were found m their
proper place in the captains cabin, ev-
erything having been reported secure
that evening at o'clock.
The temperatures of the magazines
and she'll rooms were taken daily and
reported. The only magazine whic h
had an undue amount of heat was the
after 10-inch magazine and that did not
explode at the time the Maine was de-
stroyed. The torpedo war heads were
all slowed in the after part of the ship,
under the ward room. and neither
caused nor participated in the destruc-
ton of the Maine. The dry gun cotton
primers and detonators were slowed In
the cabin aft and remote from the
scene of the explosion. The waste was
carefully looked after on obard the
Maine to obviate danger. Special or
ders in regard to this had been given
by the commanding officer Varnishes,
DRYERS, alcohol and other combustibles
of this nature were slowed on or above
the Maine deck and could not have had
anything to do with the destruction of
the Maine.
The medical stores were slowed aft
under the ward room and remote from
the scene of the explosion. No danger
Gus stores OF any kind were slowed be-
low in any of the other storerooms
The coal bunkers were inspected OF
those bunkers adjoining the forward
magazines and shell rooms four were
empty. namely, Il 3. 4. b 5, B 6. A II
had been in use that day and A l6 was
full Of New River coal. This coal had
been carefully INSPECTED before receiv-
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-29
TEXT OF THE REPORT.
Findings and Conclusions OF the Naval
Board Of Inquiry.

Findings and Conclusions of the Naval
Board of Inquiry.
The following is the full text OF the
report of the court of inquiry:
II. S. S. Iowa, First Rate.-Key West,
Fla. Monday, March 21, 1S9S.-After
fun and mature consideration of all
the testimony before IL, the court finds
as follows:
1. That the United states battleship
Maine arrived in the harbor of Havana,
cuba, on the 25th day of January. 1898.
and was taken to buoy No. 4. in from
Ave and a half to six fathoms OF water,
by the regular government pilot. The
limited States consul general at Ha-
yana had notified the authorities at
that place the previous evening OF the
intended arrival of the Maine.
2. The state OF discipline on board the
Maine was excellent. and all orders and
regulations in regard to the care and
safety OF the ship were strictly carried
out All ammunition was slowed away
in accordance with instructions. and
nroper care was taken whenever am
munitlon was handled. Nothing was
slowed in any Of the magazines or shell
rooms which was not permitted to be
slowed there.
Magazines Always Locked.
The magazines and shell rooms were
a,wavs locked after having been
opened. and after the destruction OF the
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-29

,,,e same plating extending forward.
At frame 1S the vertical keel Is broken
in two, and the fiat keel bent into an
angle similar to the angle formed by
the outside bottom plating. This break
Is now about six feet below the sur
face of the water and about thirty feet
above its normal position. In the opinion
of the court this effect could have been
produced only by the explosion OF a
mine situated under the bottom of the
ship at about frame Is. and somewhat
on the port side of the ship.
6. The court finds that the loss OF the
Maine, on the occasion named, was not
in any respect due to fault or negli-
gence on the part OF any OF the off,
GERS or members of the crew OF said
vessel.
Z. In the opinion of the court the
Maine was destroyed by the explosion
of submarine mine, which caused the
partial explosion of two or more OF her
forward magazines.
8. The court has been unable to OBJ
tain evidence fixing the responsibility
for the destruction Of the Maine upon
any person or persons. The court, hav-
ing finished the inquiry 1t was ordered
to make, adjourned at IL a. m. to await
the action of the convening authority.
w. I. SAMPSON. Captain y. S. ~,
President.
A. MARK, Lieut. Com. u. 5. NJ,
Judge Advocate.
u. s. Flagship, New York, March %.
1898, off Key West. Fla.-The proceed
ings and findings of the court of in
auiry In the above case are approved.
Rear Admiral, Commander-in-Chief OF
the u. s. Naval force on the North
Atlantic Station.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-29

ing 1t on BOARD. The bunker IN which
1t was slowed was accessible on three
sides at all times. and the fourth side
at this time on account or bunkers Is
and B being empty. This bunker, A
16 had beer inspepsed that day by the
alarms in the bunkers were in workine
order. and there had never been a case
Of spontaneous combustion on board
the Maine.
The two after boilers of the ship were
in use at the time of the disaster but
for auxiliary purposes only, with
comparatively low pressure Of steam
and being tended by a reliable watch
These boilers could not have caused the
explosion of the ship. The four forward
boilers have since been found by the
divers and are in fair condition.
The Night of the Explosion.
On the night Of the destruction OF the
Maine everything had been reported Sc
cure for the night at s p. m. by reliable
persons, through the proper authorities
to the commanding officer. At the time
the Maine was destroyed the ship was
quiet, and. therefore, least liable to ac-
cident caused by movements from those
on board.
g. The destruction Of the Maine oc-
Cured at $40 y. m. on the 18th day OF
February. 1898. in the harbor of Hav-
ana, Cuba, being at the time moored In
the same buoy to which she had been
taken upon her arrival. There were
two explosions of distinctly different
character. with very short but dis
tinct interval between them, and the
forward part of the ship was lifted to a
marked degree at the time Of the first
explosion.
The first explosion was more in the
nature of a report. like that OF a gun;
while the second explosion was more
open, prolonged. and OF greater volume
This second explosion was. In the opin-
ion OF the court. caused by the partial
explosion OF two or more of the for
ward magazines OF the Maine
Condition OF the Wreck.
T. The evidence hearips on this. beina
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-29
SOME OF THE TESTIMONY

Upon which the Naval Board OF Inquiry
Reached Conclusions.
The following are portions Of the tes-
timony:
Ensign w. v. N. Powelson was called
the third day OF the court.-He testified
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
BRYAN's VIEWS.
Glad the House Acted Promptly, but
should Hrve Doubled II.


Glad the House Acted Promptly, but
should Have Doubled II.
Atlanta, Ga, March 9.--Wiliiam J. Bryan
spent a few hours In Atlanta today on his way
TO Macon, where he spoke tonight When
asked hs opinion regarding the action OF con-
gress In placing s5OoOO.oco to the credit of the
president for National defense, Mr.. Bryan
said:
g! ant glad the house acted promptly and
unanimously. In fact, It might have been
better to have made II a hundred millions, to
show the world that congress and the Ameri-
can people, without regard to political differ
ences. are ready to support th- administration
in any action necessary for the protection Of
the honor and welfare of the Nation.
does this appropriation mean war;
Not necessarily" replied MIR. Bryan. in.
stead OF leading to war, prompt lberality
at this time may lessen the probability Of war
and in the end prove wise economy
He refused to discuss the Maine incident
further than to say that he was awaiting the
result of the investigation. He complimented
General Lee, saying he has performed his
duties with great ability and discretion under
trying circumstances.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
AMMUNITION FOR KEY WEST.
Taken from the Magaxine at Chelsc,
~ " and placed on u Tug.

=
and Placed on Tug.
Boston, Mass, March All the modern
ammunition In the United States magazine in
Chelsea has been taken from that receptacle
and put aboard the government tug Nina.
That vessel will take the ammunition to the
Brooklyn navy yard, whence the ammunition
will be transferred to Key West. II Is not
known at the magazine what ship is finally
to receive the ammunition supply, but 1t Is
reported that it will go aboard the warship
Cincinnati. In all. about twenty tons OF
ammunition were taken from the magazine.
All that now remains there is some old-fash-
toned saluting powder. The projcetiles coiI-
sisted of the fvc-inch percussion caps and
the electric firing armor piercing shells. That
the navy department was anxious to conceal
the mission of the Nina is obvious from the
fact that the tug could have been loaded
more quickly and more readily from the navy
yard proper, instead of concealng the vessel
in Mystic Creek. nearly two miles distant
The men of the Nina were busy during the
afternoon and night. They were working
under the supervision of Lieutenant Dough-
erty, and as extreme precaution was noces-
sary in packing the explosive materials away
properly, where they would not explode and
destroy the vessel while en- route to New
York, the work consumed considerable time.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10

hoped war would be avoided. Public an
nounccment of the real purpose OF the am
bassador's visit has been avoided, and a
denial OF the fact that IL had relation TO
the present crisis has been made because
II was feared that the friendly uttcrances
might be misconstrued. II was thought
that the approval given by the queen TO the
presidents course might be dlstasteful in
certain quarters and might be regarded as
Interference with tho presidents actions
in the future.
There was another reason. however,
which had It's weight In the direction Of
secrecy. The attitude of Great Britain
goes further 10 this matter than mere
expression q good wishes. There lis a
desire which has yet only reached the
stage OF tentative suggestion that an all
lance may b. formed between Great Brit
ain and the United States. Ii mas been
shown that the interests OF the English
and this country are not only identical in
general sense. but are Identical In the
great question Of finding in China an East
ern market for their manufactures This
suggestion has considerable weight with
the administration. Great Britain Is find
ing her supremacy in China seriously
threatened. France has already estab-
ished herself il the south. and Russia is
aggressive on the north, while Germany
has secured a sirong fooihold. II England
proposes TO holi her own she must fight
for II, This expaius why she Is forDidding
her ship owners to part with the vessels
they are constituting, and accounts for the
large increases she is making to her navy.
1T was the suggestion that IL the United
States would afford TO Great Britain her
moral support il Gaze OF trouble in the
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10

Washington, March 10.-Mnch conjecture
has been INDUCED in touching the visit ia
the White House of the British ambassa-
dor. The Washington Post this (Thurs-
day) morning says on this point:
Queen Victoria has. through Sir Julian
Pauncefote, conveyed TO President Nc
Kinley her qualification at the wise and
pursued in the Cuban and Spanish situa-
tion She also expressed TO him her thor
ougb sympathy with the efforts put forth
hy the United States to relieve suffering
humanity In Cuba. with the hope that these
endeayors may be conducted to success
mi conclusion without war.
",rhese expressions were not sent IL
official form. They would have been coin'
municated through Mr. Hay, the United
states ambassador to Great Britain but fci
tbe fact he was absent on a voyage on inc
Nile They were, therefore, 'oinn''N''
directly TO Sir Julian with the request mat
he present them in person TO the presi-
dent. There has been no correspondents
with this country on the subject, so that
the queens sentiments do not appear on
record
.The desire OF the queen that war should
he avoided was emphasized for several rea-
sons. II was pointed out that the com
merciai relations OF Great Britain WIN
the United States were too extensive to De
isopardized by war between this coun-
inv and Spain. The blockade OF the port
~ New York, for instance. 1t was pointed
ont would be OF irreparable damage 70
british shipping, while the cessation OF the
shipment OF food supplies to England
would be exceedingly serious.
.,The reply OF the president expressed
his pleasure al the uttersnces OF the queen
ritb the additional statement that be also
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10

East she would offer as her sympathy and
practical aid in any trouble that threatened
with Spain that resulted in discussion OF
the Eastern question in the cabinet meeting
last Tuesday. The administration appre-
cistes The value OF this friendly attitude.
Although 1t Ia well understood that In this
country 1t viii be impossible for The navy
10 be placed at the disposal Of Great Britt
ain in unfolding British supremacy In the
East, there are many ways in which our
Influence could be exerted with effect in
British behalf.
CHRONICLE APPROVES THE PLAN.
London. March lo.-The Daily Chronicle,
in an editorial this morning on the Cuban
situation. describes President McKinley's
action throughout ths crisis az a model Of
Btstegmansrip.
It declares that the action Of the Wash
jpston goyernmsnt in connection With the
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10

American Spanish crisis, notwithstanding
that Anglo-Russien affairs In the Far East
have again reached an acute stage. The
feeling reflected in the lobby OF the hoise
of commons is growing markedly symps-
ihetic and the British government Will be
urged from both Sides OF the house. con-
servatiya and liberal. to acknowledge tho
Independence Of the cubans Immediately
the United States does so as the first step
toward intervention in Cuba.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
Would Deprecate Spanish War, but She Needs a
Strong Ally in the Far East.

Maine disaster deserves The highest recog-
milton.
There is every Indication" says the
Daily Chronicle. "that the United States
IL preparing for the Inevitable struggle.
Soon IL viii he necessary for Great Britain
to show on which side It's sympatbies lie"
Arguing al some length. on the "unself-
iBhness Of Americas motives IN desiring 10
nut an end to the hell In Cuba" and In
slsting that America has better right t.
Interfere than has been put forward as a
justification In Two out OF three wars N
history" thr Chronicle says ''Wc hope
Great Britain VIII not only go as far ss the
further limits of international comfy, but
that public opinion will declare itself open.
Enthusiastically AMI In the teeth OF all OF
Europe, n necessary. rs sympathiylug
heartily with the motive imprliing America
al last to take Step 70 natural and yot
enc che has 10 long hesitatei 10 take.
at the same time. we wish II we're pos
sible 10 perbucde spain, even at tho
eleventh hour, that hcr honor aud Cuba
might be sAved by the recognition OF in
eyitable facts To let Cuba be free would
be a bard task, but it would be the safest
and mcst dignified course.
The Daily News says oditorially this
morning: while crediting the United
states with the generous error Of giving
the world noble example Of sacrifice for
pace by dnprsparolness for war. we arc
glad 70 see they have shown themselves
wise IN time"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
Fears For the Montgomery.

: HAVANA, March o. There Is
8 apprehension among naval off
: GERS that the Montgomery will
: share the fate of the Maine. !
: What effect the presence Of the
: Montgomery will have no one
be able to tell until she has been
3 here several days.
: She is so much smaller than the I
3 vizcaya and the Aimirante Oquendo
z that 1t Is apparent that she was not
sent In a war mood, but only to
replace the Fern.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
TOWARD intervention 10 cuba.
Munitions Tor galveston

Atlanta, en-, March olive carloads Of VA
material for Galveston, and three big ten-inch
sune bound for Pensacola. passed through At
iunta tonight In Tho Galveston consignment
were four sieel mortars. Weighing ii7,ooo
pounds. aud two carloads Of gunpowder. The
big gins for Pensacola weighed $1,000 pounds
each on the way bills for these Instruments
was marked 20. So
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
RUSHING FoRTIFIcATIoNs.
Battery mt Newcastle VIII Soon BE
in Position.

BHtfCry TIT NV"V"NH0 WI '
In Position.
Portsmouth, n. H., March 9.--Every effort
Is being made TO carry out the rush orders
which have been received to arm the fort
ifcations at Newcastle. The floating derrick
Tri,by arrived today from Boston and will AT
once begin the remoyalsef the heavy guns
from the cars TO the forts al the mouth oil
the river. An extra force Of men are NJ
work at the forts making preparations ior tne
mounting of guns and It is likely that the
battery viii be in position within a few
weeks. a..
The schooner George Perry arrived at the
Tinted States steamship Alliance and for
any ether ships which may be sent here to
outfit.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
- -
SHOT AND SHELL.
rwenty-four Tons os II sent to Bos-

Boston, March "a consignment OF AM.
munition, consisting of twenty four tons OF
shot and shell. came In on the railroad today
and is being transferred by lighter to Fort
Warren and the foriihcaton at Long Islann
head This week eight s-ton guns are 70 pc
taken from Fort Winthrop ana shipped ny
rail to some Southern port
The revenue cutter Daniel Manning Ieft ms
rort today for New York, there TO receive
sailing orders, understood here to be Tor hey
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
spain HASN'T Purchased.

Washington, March 9.--The administration
has definite information from source which
is regarded as beyond question to the effect
that Spain has not purchased the two Bra.
lillian cruisers Barboso and Amazonus.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
MONTGOMERY AT HAVANA.
Moorcd In the Center of Circle OF
Spanish ships.
Denver Post.

Havana March 9.---The arrival here OF
the Montgomery was very quiet, II being
generally understood that she comes here /
to replace the coast steamer Fern as
quarters for Captain Sigsbee aud others.
Commander Verse OF tho Montgomery Is
high authority on explosives and his
adyces will be useful to tho court OF Z
inquiry into the loss of The Maine.
After firing the usual anlute and being
salnted in return the Montgomery was Y
moored in the principal harbor near the
wreck OF the Maine and In the center OF
circle OF Spanish ships.
Later In tho day Commander Verse re-
ceivod u press correspondent on board the {
cruiser, although he had nothing to tell .
him beyond the facts already known He
seemed satisfied to have rest in Havana
har'bor for a while, as tho cruiser has been
ports lately.
Captain Sigsbce Lieutenant COMMANDER
Wainwright and Ensign Powelson Will oc-
cupy quarters the Montgomery the
Fern leavingsBayona this afternoon. The )
Montgomery is as trim and neat as possible.
Nobody Is allowed on board without per-
mission, but nobody Is excluded II BUSH 4
ness or courtesy demands admission. There {
IL no intimation OF the length OF the Z
cruisers stay in the harhor any moreAthan Z
thore Is any news of the duration of the
sopsions OF the court OF inquiry here. Z
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
sYMPATHY For cunANs.

New York, March lo.--A dispatch 10 tht
World from London says; The public IN
tsrest In England is LARGELY certered % the
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
residence burned.

Denton. Texas. March s,--The residence
Of DR.. r. l.. CLAYTON at Mustang was de-
stroyed by fire last Sunday morning 70.
gether with the contents Loss aoou'
$1,000.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
ProbnhiIitte.

fsf s, March s.--For Eastern and
Fair; variable winds.
"o'ss--Fair Thursday; westerly
bma an Thursday; northerly winds.
49, 'naian Territory and Arkansas
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10

Fair; slightly colder; winds becoming north
easterly.
northeasterly winds.
ery winds
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
WEATHER INFORMATION.
Last Nights Rendings.

Last Nights Readings.
ea OF nigh barometer is central over
with the highest pressure-So Is
|" Atlanta. The low is central over
iexas, with the lowest pressure
ues--at FL Paso. Generally unsettled
eonditions prevail tonight. A trace
kva'S is the only precipitation reported
ae past twelve hours.
Sehernl Oh,rrN
auons taken by United States weaines
|" =. M, 18th meridian time:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
IououOHOuOHoHOl
BOARD NAY SOON REPORT.
Facts Concerning the Disaster Nin,
lie Known Next Week.

lie Known Next Week.
Washington. March 0.--The statement
was made ut the navy department today
that the report OF the Maine court of In
curry probably would come TO the depart
ment some time next week. IL did not ap-
pear, however that this statement was
founded on amy direct report from tho
court, but was rather an estimate based on
the progress so far made AS revealed by the
change OF methods on the part OF the court.
1t is not expected that Lieutenant Com
mandcr Mark. the judge advocate OF the
court, will leave the court till II has COM
pleted its labors, as IL is the custom for
the judge advocate TO assist in the prepara-
tion for the final report OF the court
Many communications are coming to the
White House and the state department
from all parts OF The country upon the
patriotic spirit exhibited in dealing with
the latest phases OF the Cuban question.
Most Of them are official in character. but
many are personally directed to the prosi-
dent
Admiral Sicard has been authorized to
enlist able bodied mon for the navy at Key
West If he can find the material. He re-
ports that he has received some applca-
lions from machinlsts and seamen and has
been given power to take the men The
department is still striving vigorously TO
secure machinists. especially men who
know how 10 run stationary engines. These
men can he quickly taught how 10 run
marine engines and require little other
training to make them valuable aboard ship
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-10
THE CANNON BILL PASSED.
Took Only Twelve Minutes for the
Senate to lndOrsc II.

Y Took Only Twelve Minutes for the
senate to Indorse II.
Washington, March 9.--President McKin-
4 leys hands have been upheld by both
branches Of the American congress. With
( enthusiasm, fervor and promptness almost
J unparalleled in the senate in time of peace.
{ that body today passed the emergency APP
preparation bill carrying $iS3000 of defi-
\ ciencies and placing at the disposal OF
J the president S50,000000 for National de-
y Tense. The vote by which the measure
{ was passed was unanimous. Seventy-six
/ short, sharp and emphatic speeches were
= delivered In favor of the bill each one
being simply ringing AYE during the
roll call upon the passage OF the measure.
J Not only did every senator present register
y his vote in favor OF the bill, but for the
absent members the authorized statement
= was made that il present he would yoA
! aye. N
y From the time the bill was presented
{ to the senate by Mr.. Hale Of Maine until 1t
was passed not an inharmonious note was
{ sounded. Party lines were swept aside.
{ In the general outburst OF patriotic feeling
= pairs broken, every senator being
, anxious to register his vote. The mem
bers of the committee appropriations
& had perfected an arrangement by which
= there would be no debate on the bill and
after it was received Vice President Ho-
bart Immediately placed II on its passage.
Twelve minutes after the bill was report
{ ed to the senate the vote announced its
= passage.