Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-02-17
IS It WAR +?
The BattleSlip Maine
BLOWN UP IN
HAVANA HARB0R F!

! ~ eNuVsN uBSNuh0Vb1
NEARLY ALL THE CREW LOST
OFFICERS SAVED -COMMAN-
DER SIGSBEE SLIGHTLY HURT
SHIP SUNK-ABOUT ONE HUN
DRIED MARINERS KILLED
CAUSE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN
THAT OF A TORPEDO AS OF
FICERS CAN ACCOUNT FOR NO
ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE
SHIP,
News reached us on yesterday that
the battleship Maine Of our navy
which has been stationed in the Ha-
vana Harbor, was blown up at 10
o'clock Tuesday night. On receipt of
news we telegraphed at once to W. A.
Turk at Washington, and he en-
swered as follows,
WASHINGTON, Feb. is, 9S.
1890 p. m.
r. s. Turk, Editor Spectator:
Battleship Maine blown up in Havana
harbor last night about 10 O'Clock. Ex-
plosion appears to have been in bow near
small magazine. Large magazine in
stern appears to be intact. The ship is
sunk. Nearly all the crew lost. Officers
however, saved. Capt. Sigsbee slightly
hurt, but directed rescue of those sur
viving- Latest reports, 10.45 today indi-
cate caused by torpedo, as naval officers
cannot account for any accident.
w. A. TURB.
The Maine is splendid battle
ship one of the finest in the navy, it
had on board about two hundred and
fifty U. S.Mariners, and the crew which
manned the ship, and cost the gov
eminent about 100000. The very
latest information is that the explosion
was terrific, and shook the city OF
Havana and broke nearly every wins
dow pane in the city. At once the
Spanish men of war ships went to the
rescue and rendered all possible aid in
assisting the wounded. and showed
sym pathy and friendly feeling
Our government has ordered 9th
er naval vessels to Havana, and
all the vessels belonging to the
navy of Key West, Fla, to go al
once to Havana and assist the wounded
and bring them to Key West for treat
ment. The incident has caused thrill
throughout the United States which is
| bard to describe, and intensified the peo-
pie against the Spanish cause to degree
which has never before pervaded The
public. Capt. Sigsbee, who commanded
| the Maine. does not see how it is possible
for any accident to have occurred Oh
board his ship, and the feeling and BELLE
is that it was a torpedo, placed there b!
some one determined on the destruction
of the snip and desperately hostile to the
United States. The situation has beef
rendered of the gravest nature, and what
the outcome will be time alone can de
termine. But it is certain that th'
United States has not since the close O
the civil war, been so near hostilities al
| now. Of course conservativeism, aEt
good policy require that we should avail
the facts as they will be better developed
in few days, but the catastrophe is
dreadful one, and the cause will be probet
| to the bottom and if it proves to hav'
been caused with Spanish connivance th'
outcome will be WAR, and that in
manner that will prove to the world thai
the United States is a power over whom
no nation can walk rough shod, and upor
whose rights no power can trample. W.
hope it may not lead to this, but the out
look Just now is not reass uring, and thu
war cloud is lowering thick.
If the situation does not brighten oul
readers may expect an extra.