The Columbus journal., 1898-03-30
CAPT. tSAOhlCk ueULcost FN1X

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| CAPT. SNSFS0N f6IToE
| BOARD OF INQUIRY.
waters was discussed and accepted, tho
| peninsular authorities at Madrid and
Havana were advised of the purpose Of
this government to resume friendly
| naval visits at Cuban ports, and that in
that view the Maine would forthwith
call at the port of Havana. This an
nouncement was received by the Span
ish government with appreciation of
the friendly character of the visit of
the Maine and with the notification
OF the intention to return the courtesy
by sending Spanish ships to the prin-
cipal ports of the United States. Mean
while, the Maine entered the port of
Havana Of the 25th of January, her ar
rival being marked with no special in.
cident besides the exchange of GUS
tomary salutes and ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
Of Havana during the three weeks
following her arrival. No appreciable
excitement attended her stay. On the
contrary, a feeling of relief and conf.
l.dence followed the resumption of the
long interrupted friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was this immediate effect
Of her visit that the consul general
strongly urged that the presence of our
ships in Cuban waters should be kept
up by retaining them at Havana, or in
the event OF her recall, by sending
their vessel there to take her place.
At 3 :45 in the evening, of the 10th of
February, the Maine was destroyed by
an explosion, by which the entire for
ward part of the ship was utterly
wrecked. In this catastrophe two Off.
GERS and eco Of her crew perished, those
who were not killed outright by her
explosion being penned between decks
by the tangle ofwreckage, and drowned
by the immediate sinking Of tho hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered BY
the neighboring vessels anchored in the
harbor, aid being especially given BY
the boats Of the Spanish cruiser Alton.
% XIII and the Ward line steamer City
of Washington. which lay not far dis
tant. The wounded were generously
cared for BY the authorities Of Havana,
the hospitals being freely opened to
them, while the earliest recovered
bodies of the dead were inferred by the
municipality in public cemetery in
the city. Tributes of grief and SYM
pathy were offered from all official
quarters of tho island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people of our country with crushing
force. and for q brief time an intense
excitement prevailed, which in . com.
munity less just and self-controlled
than ours, might have led to hasty acts
Of blind resentment. This spirit, how
ever, soon gave away to the calmer
processes of reason and to the resolve to
investigate the facts and await the ma
terial proof before forming . judgment
as to the cause, the responsibility and.
il the facts warranted, the remedy due.
This course necessarily recommended |
itself from the outset to the executive,
for only in the light CT dispassionately |
ascertained certainty could it determine
the nature and measure Of its full duty |
in the matter.
The usual procedure was followed, as
IN all cases Of casualty or disaster to
vessels Of any maritime state.
A naval court OF inquiry was at once
organized, composed Of officers well
qualified BY rank and practical expert
snce, to discharge the oneroUs duty i'm.
posed upon them. Aided by . strong
force Of wreckers and divers, the court
proceeded 70 make q thorough investiga-
tion ON the spot. employing every avail
able means for the impartial and exact
Of the causes Of the ex-
plosion. IT. operations have been con-
ducted with the utmost deliberation and
Judgment. and while independently
pursued. no source of information was
neglected aud the fullest opportunity
was allowed for simultaneous invosti-
CATION by the Spanish authorities.
Fl.Aisgs Of the Board.
The finding Of the court of inquiry
was reached after 2S days Of continuous
labor, on March 81, and having been
on the 22nd by the comman.
Of the United States naval
Iorce on the North Atlantic station. was
to the executive. It Is here
With laid before the congress, together
With the voluminous testimony taken
'efore tho court. Its purport is in brief,
y follows: When the Maine arrived
It Havana she was conducted by the
egular government pilot to buoy No.
J. to which she was moored in from
i've and 0ne-half TO six fathoms Of
water.
The state Of discipline ON board. and 1
he condition Of her magazines. boilers,
'oal bunkers and storage compartments
're passed In review, with tho conclu.
ion that excellsnt order prevailed. and
hat no ind3cation Of any cause for IN 1