The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-25
A SENSATIONAL REPORT
MIR. PEPPER THINKS THE CAUSE
WAS EXTERNAL.
spANIARDs ExULT OVER THE EXPLOSION
BIanco Sends Lee Dispatch of Coincidence
The Magnitude Of The Work May Pre-
vent the Raising Of the Maine
Officers Not Found.

OIIiISto NOk bOulNs
Washington. Feb. 24-Rumors of
startling discoveries in the wreck of the
Maine were less frequent but there Were
enough of them still afloat to-day to
warrant Secretary Long in making this
statement to the newspaper men as he
left his office for the day
Summing up the situation / should
saw that the Navy Department knows
to-day nothing more about the cause of
the disaster than it did FIVE minutes
after the receipt of the first dispatch
from Captain Slgsbee."
The Secretary's attention was drawn
to the published statement that Captain
CrowinshieId. Chief of the Bureau of
Navigation, mad just arrived at Tampa.
Eia.. on the Monterey, from a trip to
Cuba, where he had been inspecting
zas. The Secretary's comment was sim
ply this:
Captain Crowninshield has not been
to Cuba. He has been off with his boy
on matters not in any wise connected
with the business of the Navy
Secretary Long further said that he
rather expected to see Captain Crownin-
shield tomorrow.
until the conclusion of the dnyestiga-
ton of the Court of Inquiry at Havana,
the principal business of the Navy De
Isartment in connection with the Maine
will relate to the conduct of the wreck
ing operation. Captain Lemly, the
Judge Advocate General, who has this
branch of the work immediately III
charge. to-day received kilograms from
the Merritt and Chapman Wrecking
Companies at New York stating that tht.
steamer Merritt and -wrecking lighter
sharpe had sailed for Havana and that
the tug Underwater with the chief
could leave New York Saturday for the
same place. The assistant wrecking
master was going to Havana on the
Ward Line steamer Saturday, and ut
was suggested to the department that
its inspector should take the same
steamer. Inasmuch as Lieutenant Com
mander Kimball, who is now at Ha-
wanna, has been assigned to the duty Of
Inspecting the wrecking operations it
will not ne necessary to observe this sug
gestion.
CAPTAIN SIGSBEE'S DISPATCH.
The only exact information received ut
the Navy Department from Havana
during the day was conveyed i'll Captain
S1gsbee's telegram, as follows:
Havana. Feb. 24.
Long Secretary of the Navy:
.'WreGkiI;g tug Right Arm arrived
yesterday. Begins work to-day. Much
cncumbering metal must be blasted away
in detail. Navy Divers down after the
seven days, forward four days. Bodies
OF Jenkins and Merritt not found. Two
unidentified bodies of crew found yes
terday. After compartment filled with
detached, broken and buoyant furniture
and fittings, mud and confusion. Span
ish authorities continue offers of assist
ance and care for wounded and dead
Everything THAT goes from wreck to the
United States should be disinfected.
Mrecking company should provide for
this.
Surgeon of the Maine after consult.
ing with others, recommend that all bed
ding and clothing should be abandoned.
Might go to acclimated poor. Useless
fittings and equipments might be towed
To sea and thrown overheard. Will take
all immediate responsibility, but invite
departments wishes. Shall old metal
of superstructure and Like be saved.
Friends of dead should understand that
we are in the tropics. Chaplain Child
wick. charged with all matters relative
to the dead. His conduct is beyond
praise. Don't know what reports are
being printed but the intensely active
reports of the press here have been very
considerate of me and my position.
(Signed) ''SIGSBEE.
CARTE BLANCHE TO SIGSBEE.
Secretary Long Immediately answered
captain Sigsbee, approving all his rec
concentrations. He was directed to
have Lieutenant Wainwright, the exc
cutiye officer of the Maine make ar-
rangements with the wreckers for the
disinfection Of everything sent to the
United States. The recommendation
that all bedding and clothing be aban-
doned, and if need be given to the accli-
mated poor, was approved without com
nlent. The same approval was given to
the suggestion that useless fittings and
equipment be tOwed to sea and thrown
overheard. it being left to Captain Sigs-
bees Judgment to determine how far
this destruction should be carried on.
TO the captains inquiry as to the saving
of old metal and parts of the super
structure. the answer was given that
such material was Of no use TO the bur
eau of equipment. 1t was left to Cap.
tain Sigsbee to say what OF this shat
tered material was worth preserving
His statement that much blasting viii
be required to clear away encumberina