The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-22

of the disaster, may be more properly
left to the conduct of the Court of In
quiry.
LEE ASKS FOR DIVERS.
General Lees dispatch was as follows:
Havana, February p.
"tReceived 9:10 a. m.)
Assistant Secretary of State, Wash
ingtOn:
Great need of divers to get effects
and bodies from the wreck. Two are
now employed, but twelve or fifteen
could be used. One hundred and forty
three bodies have been buried. Very
few were found today, but over one
hundred are supposed to be confined in
the ship. The sailors now in the two
Spanish hospitals number eleven. Visit
ed them yesterday. All will recover ex-
cept two. They are comfortable and
well cared for.
(Signed.) LEE"
The department believes that the
scarcity Of divers complained of by Gen
eral Lee probaly has been overcome
by the arrival of the Bache with force
of divers from the North Atlantic squad
ron at Tortugas, and with the necessary
apparatus.
A dispatch of last night from Captain
Sigsbee was as follows:
Navy Department, Washington:
Nine more bodies buried yesterday,
only two of which were identified-Wil-
liam Lund and NJ. f. Harris
Another dispatch was as follows:
Visited hospital today. Men very
much pleased to see me. Koehler and
HOltzer are very low. | have hopes of
Hotter. Koehler has fighting chance
only Members of bodies found and
buried today. No investigation yet of
the zone of the explosion. Need regular
wrecking divers for that. Lee sent to
General Blanco telegram relating to ex-
pected coming of wrecking vessels"
1t is understood here that by the zone
Of the explosion" in his dispatch, Cap
tain Sigsbee means that part of the
wreck of the Maine forward of the main
mast that suffered directly. The refer
ence to Lees dispatch to Blanco touches
the formal notification to the Spanish
authorities there of the coming of the
American wrecking vessels to Havana.
PHOTOGRAPH OF MAINE.
The incoming mail ut the Navy Depart
ment today brought Il most interesting
contribution to the news of the day in
the shape of an excellent photograph of
the wreck of the Maine. as it now lies
in Havana harbor This was forwarded
to the Secretary of the Navy by Lieu
tenant Hood, lately attached TO the
Maine. 1t is . view from the port side,
and in general features resembles the
last newspaper cuts of the wreck. Secre-
tary Long took it to the White House
and gave it to the President, who was
much interested in the details as shown
On the photograph.
The Navy Department has not yet
determined definitely which of our war
ships shall replace the Maine in Havana
harbor. although it has determined, that
as a matter of policy another ship must
be sent there. The choice lies between
the Montgomery. cruiser, now on her
way from San Domingo to Key West,
and the Nashville. gunboat, now at Gal
weston, participating i'll the Mardi Gras
festivities. If the latter terminate some
time this week, as is expected, it is said
that the Nashville probably will be the
vessel selected for the trip.
FILLING IN VACANCIES.
Steps have been taken by the Navy
Department to fill the vacancies in the
enlisted branch of the Navy, caused by
the less of most of the crew of the
Maine. The legal quota is now about
three hundred short. An arrangement
has been made for the immediate enlist
ment of about that number of men.
Telegraphic orders have been sent to the
recruiting officers in charge of the re-
ceiying ships at New York, Philadelphia
and Norfolk. authorizing them to make
enlistmants Immediately.
There will be no difficulty whatever in
securing men, inasmuch as there are ap-
p,iactons on file far in excess of the
requirements of the Navy for some time
to come unless Congress shall imme-
diately comply with the recommends
tions of the department for an increase
of a thousand men in the enlisted
strength of the Navy. Numerous letters
and kilograms have been received at the
Department from individuals desiring TO
join the Navy. asking to be enlisted inn
mediately. A telegram was received
this morning from an organization i'll
Detroit. offering the immediate services
of ten thousand citizens of that city in
case of need. Patriotic offers also have
been received from other places.
COURT OF INQUIRY BEGINS.
Havana. Feb. 21.-The United States
lighthouse tender Mangrove arrived
here this morning, having on board the
officers composing the Court of Inquiry
appointed by Rear Admiral S;card to
inquire into the loss of the battle ship
Maine. The Commander of the Fern
sent a boat at ten a. IN. for Captain
Peral, and his secretary Lieutenant
Salas, of the Spanish Navy, who are to
take part in the Spanish investigations
in the disaster
The board met on the Mangrove at 10
o'clock this morning. with Captains
Sampson. and Chadwick and Lieutenant
Commanders Potter and Mark present.
Captain Sampson presided and Lieuten-
ant Commander Mark, recently eXecu-
tive officer of the Maine, acted as re-
corder
Captain Sigsbee. the Commander of the
Maine, was the first witness called. lie
was under examination until l O'Clock
this afternoon, at which hour an adj
joufnment was taken.