Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-23
THE wRECKING EXPEDITION.
Work TO Begin at Once-Large I'm
dertakings-Big Pay.


WASHINGTON. ID. c.. February D.
The plans of the wreckng expedition
for the relief Of the Maine were com
p.eted to-day. after long conferences be-
tween Secretary Long and the represen-
tatves Of the Merritt & Chapman Com
pany. Of New York and the Boston Tow
boat Company The companies had ex-
pected 10 begin work in Habana harbor
!n about a week, but at the lasu moment
Secretary Long insisted that a provision
should be made for sending forward at
once at least one large wrecking boat
with divers and equipments. This was
agreed TO. and a dispatch was sent to
the captain Of the sea-wrecker. Right
Arm. now al Key West. to suspend his
private work there and proceed at once
to Habana. If the Right Arm has start
cd north. a torpedo-boat will be sent
after her. with orders for her TO proceed
% Habana.
AL the same time, dispatch was sent
20 the New York offices Of the company
to send two of the most experienced
divers by train 10 Key West. where they
win go TO Habana and join the divers
and wreckers on the Right Arm.
The commander of the Right Arm Is
ordered 20 place himself with his divers
and machinery. under the orders Of Cap
tain sigsbee. who will thus be free TO
avail himself Of their services IN the re-
covery OF the bodies, or any particularly
desirable piece of equipment or property
before the regular wrecking operations
begin.
These are emergency steps. which pre-
cede the main wrecking expedition winch
viii be outftted at Boston, New YORK,
and Norfolk. with a view 10 beginning eX-
tensive operations within a week
TERMS OF THE CONTRACT.
The terms Of the contract, as concluded
and signed to-day, provide for the pay
ment 10 the wrecking companies OF lhe
sum Of ssh per day for their regular plant
and an additional payment OF 500 per uay
for the use Of the Monarch, While the
latter rs actually employed.
An express provision is made that the
e0yernment may terminate the contract
at any moment.
II rs also provided that the compensa-
ton shall not exceed the sum OF money
C20OO appropriated by Congress for TINS
purpose In the joint resolution passed
Yesterday.
Finally. it is provided that If the com
panles succeed in raising the Maine ana
towing her 20 Norfolk, they shall receive
I'd bonus Of 10000.
In view Of the large first COST or the
Mane-abOut S5OOO00-and the 1lauonal
desire that she shall be raised as eVl-
denced by the prompt and unanimous ac-
ton OF Congress upon the joint resolu-
lions Secretary Long believes that ne Is
fully justified I'm making the above terms
with the wreckers. though at irst thought
the per diem compensation seems large |
Ii must be borne IN mind. however ne |
said to-day, that this viii constitute the |
largest wrecking expedition ever equipped |
in this country.
clause Of the contract requires the |
companies 10 proceed with all dispatch /
and IN "A business-like manner, with the
work Of wrecking and, though this haste
adds % the cost OF the work. Il IL deemed /
~ be necessary. IN view OF the possibility
or the early appearance Of yellOw-IeVer
~ habana harbOr with the approach
oi ibe rainy season next month.
captain Humphreys and Mr. Chapman,
iepfesenting the two companies who VIII
10 me work explained 10 the Associated
iress the plans they viii adopt In raising
ihe Maine
WkEcKING COMPANY PLANS.
IN addition 20 the emergency work 20
ns prosecuted by the Right Arm. the
maine expedition viii be made up OF