The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-23
PLANS OF WRECKERS.
one Boat viii Begin at Once-Others
VIII be on the Ground Later

WASHINGTON. Feb. 22-The plans Of
tho wrccking expedition for the relief
of the Maine were completed to-day after
long conference between Secretary Long
and the representatives of the Merritt
a. chapman Company Of New York, and
the Boston TowbOat Company. The com
panies had expected TO begin work In
Havana harbOr In about week. but at
the last moment Secretary Long insisted
that n provision should be made for send
ing forward at once at least one large
wrecling boat. with divers ana equip
ment. This was agreed 20. and dis
patch was sent TO the captain OF the sea
wrecker Right Arm now at Key West.
10 suspend his private work there and
proceed at once 10 Havana.
II the Right Arm has started north
torpedo boat will be sent after her with
orders to proceed to Havana. At tht
same time q dispatch was sent to the
New York offices Of the company tc
send two of the most experienced divers
by train TO Key West who're they Will
go TO Havana and join the divers and
wreckcrs on the Right Arm.
UNDER S1GSBEES ORDERS.
The commander of the Right Arm IS
ordered TO place himself with his divers
and machinery under the orders Of Cap
tain SigsboA who thus will 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-
code the main wrccking expedition. whicn
VIII be outhtted AT Boston, New York and
Norfolk. with a view to beginning exten-
sive operations within % week.
The terms of the contract as concluded
and signed to-day provide for the pay
mcnt 10 the wrecSng companies Of the
sum of SSl per day for their regular
plant ard an additional payment Of $50
per day for the use Of the Monarch while
the latter is actually employed.
The express provision IS made that tho
government may terminate the contract
az any moment
IL Is also provided that the compehsa-
tion shall not exceed the sum of
money $500 OoW appropriated by Congress
Tor this purpose in the joint resolution
passed yesterday.
Finally lt Is provided that II the com
panies succeed in raising the Maine and
towing her TO Norfolk they shall receive
a bonus Of 100000.
In view Of the large first cost OF the
Maine, about S5,00O.OOO and the national
desire that she shall be raised as Cvi-
dence by the prompt and unanimous ac-
zion OF Congress upon the joint rosolu-
uons. Secretary Long believes that he Is
fully justified IN making the above terms
with the wreckcrs, though at frs
thought the per diem compensation
seems large. II must be borne in mind
however &c said to-day that this will
ia.
ton ever equipped in ;his country
a clause OF tho contract requires the
companies 20 proceed with all dispatch
and in a business-like manner with the
work OF wrccklng and though this haste
adds TO the cost OF the work. 10 is deemed
20 be necessary In Wow Of the possibility
OF carly appearance OF yellow fever at
Havana harbor. with ths approach OF
the rainy season next month.
PLANS or WRECKERS.
Captain Humphreys and Mr. Chapman
representing iho two companies who will
do the work. explained 20 the Associated
Press, the plans they Will adopt In rails
Ing the Maine
ln addition 20 the emergency work 10 be
proocuted by the Right Arm the Maine
expedition will be made up Of about one
hundred men Including six skilled divers
the Wrecklng steamer UNDERWATER" OF
Boston OF coo horse power: the wreck
ing steamer John G. Jones'" Of Norfolk.
OF similar power: the iron barge Lone
star" on Boston. capable OF carving
2CJo tons; the floating derrick Mon
arch" capable OF lifting 26O tons, the
largest floating derrick in the country
and another derrick capable OF lifting
thirty tons.
the forwarding of the boats. derricks
and men will begin at once. kilograms
we're sent to-day 10 begin the Quitting.
CONTINUED on Seventh Pagel