The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-02-19
WAR SHIP MAINE WRECKED
American Naval Vessel Blown In
in Havana Harbor by Ter
rife Explosion.
CAUSE OF THE DISASTER IS UNKNOWN,
Scores on Hoard Are Killed or In.
jured-'rhe sight an Awful One
Spanish OGlcinla Render A.sin-
tancc-capt. SiEsbcc Sends Report
to Washington.

Havana, Feb. lG.--At 9:45 Tuesday
evening a terrible explosion took place
on board the United States cruiser
Maine in Havana hurbor. Many were
killed or wounded. All of the boats OF
the Spanish cruiser Alfonso Mi. are as
sisting.
The widest demonstration prevails
in Havana. The wllarves are crowded
with thousands Of people. 1t is believed
the explosion occurred in small pow
der magazine. AT midnight what re-
mains of the Maine is still burning.
Over 100 Killed.
Capt Siysbec and the other officers
have been saved 1t is estimated that
over 100 of the crew were killed, but it is
impossible rs yet to give exact details.
Admiral Manterolu has ordered that
boats of all kinds should go to the as
sistancc of the Maine and her wounded.
The Havana tiremen are giving aid,
tending carefully to the wounded az
they are brought ON shore.
Sight an Awful One.
1t is terrible sight. Gen. Solnno
md the other generals have been or
dered by Capt. Gen. Blunco to take
steps to help the Names crew in every
way possible. The correspondent of
the Associated Press has been near the
Maine i'll one of the boats of the cruiser
Alfonso MI. and seen others of the
wounded who corrobornte the state
mentof those first interviewed that they
were already asleep when the explo-
sion occurred
May Have Been Dc1iRncd.
No explanation OF the explosion has
been obtuinublc up to this time. 1t is
assumed that one of the ships maya
zines blew up or bombs were placed be-
side her and set off by Spaniarls.
Troops Ordered to Quarters.
The excitement is so intense that the
military authorities have ordered
troops to quarters, and the streets are
filled with crowds of excited citizens
and soldiers jostling each other.
at this hour 1.-TWO IL. n.y. the hull OF
the Maine is burning and the flames
illuminate the entire harbor Thou
sands have gathered mt the water front
to witness the unusual spectacle.
1t is clear to those on shore that the
vessel is sinking and will soon bo ut
The bottom of the bay. The whole city
seems on the verge OF panic.
Occurred In the How.
Capt. Sigsbce says the explosion oc-
CURED In the bow Of the vessel He re-
ceivcd n wound In the head. Orders
were given to the other officers to save
themselves MS best they could. The lat
ter, who were literally thrown from
their hunks In their night clothing,
gave the necessary orders with great
self-possession aud bravery.
Capt. SiEshce'r Report.
Washington. Feb. 1G.---Thc secretary
OF the navy received the following tclc-
gram from Capt. Sigsbec:
Maine blown mp IN Havana harhor e:4e
and destroyed. Many wounded and doubt
less more killed and drowned. Wounded
and others on board Spanish man-of-war
nHd Ward line steamer Send lighthouse
tenders from Key West for crew and few
pieces OF equipment still above (water,.
No one had other clothes than those upon
him.
Public opinion should be suspended mn
I'll further report. All officers believed to
be saved Jenkins and Merritt not vet
accounted for. Many Spanish officers, In
Guiding representatives of Gen Rlanco.
"SlGSREE."
The secretary of the navy received
another dispatch from Key West mt the
same time with the above. but its con-
tents were not made public.
The orders for the lighthouse tenders
were at once sent to Key West in plain
language.
The Maine and Her Commander
The Maine is a battle ship of the sec-
ond class and Is regarded as one OF the
best ships In the new navy. She was built
Mt the brooklyn navy yard and Is 3lS feet
long. IS feet broad. PIG mean draught and
G.GS2 tons displacement. She carries four
ten-inch and six s!x-nch brecch-loauln
guns In her main battery and seven six
FOUNDER and eight onc-poundcr rapid-fire
guns and four Gatlngs In her secondary
battery. and four Whitehead torpedoes
The commander OF the Maine Cant
6iEsbee. is favorite In the navy depart
inent. For four years he was chief of the
photographic office. and by his energy
brought the office up to high standard
He WAS lucky to get SO important a ship
as the Maine. considering his actual rank,
which Is that Of commander. but immcdi-
etely he justified the departments 1udR-
Ment In the selection by running his shin
straight into dock In New York harbor
10 avoid running down a packed excursion
boat. This was a display of quick judR-
ment, nerve and pluck that pleased the
department 30 highly that the captain was
sent complimentary letter.