New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-23
HOPE TO RAISE THE MAINE
= CONTRACT WITH THE wREcKINa COM
rANIEs SIGNED AT LAST.
.v,rrr.rv LONG ORDERS THAT THE WORK BE
VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED - DEFENSIVE
MEASURES IN CONGRESS-
r,v rvYraRAPH TO THE rRfpUNE1


MEASURES IN CONGRESS.
rrY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrpUNE.l
Washington, Feb 22-To-day has proved the
ouietest and freest from sensational rumors
washington he's experienced since the explosion
nm the Maine Except for the completion or the
contracts with the wrecking companies for work
n, The battle-ship now submerged in Havana
-Harbor the naval authorities had little to oe-
emmy their attention and there was general
holiday ASPECT a bout the War and Navy Depart
ment Building
Perhaps the most important Incident or the
day was the action OF the Senate In authorizing
after a brief debate. the raising Of two addi-
tloral artillery regiments to man the new sea-
coast dcfences now almost ready for occupa-
t,or Only four votes were cast against the bill
for the increase Of the artillery forces reported
bv Mr. Hawley from the Committee on Military
Affairs while ffty-two Senators voted In FAVOR
OF rs passage II the House accepts the IN
crease proposed In the Senate bill the strength
of the Army will be speedily raised by about
sixteen hundred ren-ali In the artillery branch
Of the service.
Senator Morgan also introduced resolution
calling on the Senate Committee on Naval Az
fairs 70 consider the feasibility Of building with
in a year a man-of-war, equal to any IN '"e
world. 10 be named the George Washington
The contract for recovering the pooies con-
hned in the shattered hulk OF the Name IN ma
yana Harbor was finally executed In the Navy
nanar,n,ent soon after noon to-day. and I'M
mediate steps were taken to atone Tor 'he ui-
fortunate delay OF the last few days
TO HURRY THE wRECKING WORK
Chief among these was the dispatch OF le'e-
vranhic orders TO Captain Forsyth, coihnaiiu"i'
., the Kew West Naval Station. by Secretary
IN a
a,,er the wrecking steamer Right Arm II she
had left port. and command her 10 re'ui" vi
dectly to Key West for new orders from he'
owners The latter orders were teegraphed at
tho Same moment TO the captain OF the Right
Arm instructing him to proceed at once 10
Havana and report TO Captain Sigsbee for duty
placing himself and crew with all their appara-
tus entirely at Captain Sigsbee's disposal Inc
Plight Arm which is the most compete and
modern Of the wrecking feet. has been at Key
West raising schooner for the insurance COM
panies with which she was expected 10 start
IN tow FOR Norfolk early this morning. The
wrecking company had not expected TO SEM
her TO Havana but Admiral Sicard after see
ing that the naval divers could accomplish IT.
tie or nothing on the wreck Of the Maine cabled
TO Secretary Long this morning urgent APP
peal to send the RICH. Arm at once. This en-
phaslzed yesterdays reports from Captain Sigs-
bee and Consul General Lee that only the most
experienced wreckng divers were wanted, and
that twelve or fifteen could be utilized
The Department at last brought to ap-
preciate the need Of great haste II any OF the
bodies still in the vessel were to be saved and
the wrecking companies recognized the force OF
Secretary Longs argument in favor OF speedy.
definite action, and came at once TO terms.
When they explained to the Secretary that only
four professOnal divers board the Right
Arm he insisted that others should be pro-
vided at once and this resulted In the Merritt
company ordering two Of their most experienced
submarine men by telegraph 10 leave Norfolk
tonight by rail for Tampa, where they will
catch the first steamer for Havana II they ar
rive too late for the steamer torpedo boat will
transport them. These two men will take no
considerable amount Of apparatus. as they will
relieve the other four divers OF the Right Arm.
1t Is explained that account Of the un-
healthy condition Of Havana and its harbor as
we'll as the hazardous and difficult nature OF
their work on the shattered wreck, the best men
will not be able TO stay below the surface long
at one time and at the best each diver cannot
be expected TO work more than two three
hours In the morning and two in the
afternoon. The extra divers will be sent down
while the others are resting 1t is also antici-
pated that other divers will have to relieve the
FIRST set at the end OF a week or ten days un-
less sanitary conditions there are much better
than reported
TERMS OF THE CONTRACT.
The contract executed to-day goes into effec,
tomorrow. 1t provides that the Merritt and
Chapman Derrick and Wreckng Company
J represented by Isaac E. Chapman vice-presi-
dent, and the Boston Towboat Company, repre-
scented by William F. Humphreys treasurer
acting jointly. will recover the bodies OF all
listed men OF the Maine. the armament equip
ment and all articles OF value including the
ships safe. and deliver them AT the NewYorb
Navy Yard Furthermore 1t is specifically pro-
vided that the companies shall undertake in
every possible manner raise the vessel and
deliver her at the NewYork yard, upon which
they shall be paid bonus above all other pay
ments Of 100000 Outside of the latter pay.
ment OF bonus prize-money the following
per diem payments for the prosecution OF tbs
work of investigation. salvage etc. are slip
ulated
The potion derrick Monarch, $500.
One wrecking steamer. Right Arm, 800
One wrecking steamer, john D. Jones. 800.
One wrecking lighter. Seymour Si5
One wrecking derrick. Chief, S75
One wrecking barge. SO.
One DTechmasiei. $i5.
One assistant wreckmSster SO.
Two foIemen s. each. $40.
-Four pump engineers 81 each s2
Four divers with tenders and apparatus 81
each. $iA
Sixteen wreckers. 81 80 each s72.
-Four steam pumps, with boilers. fittings and con
nections go each. $40.
Two extra divers. etc, $50 each, $50
To;al per day. sl6ol o.
rho last figure ia considerably I'm axcass ~