davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17

press himself I certainly can not. I
should think from the indications, how
ever, that there was an accident-that
the magazine exploded. How that came
about don't know. For the present at
least no other warship will be sent to
Havana"
The appalling nature of the disaster
and the gravity Of the situation that
would arise should investigation give
basis for the undercurrent of suspicion of
treachery and foul play that ran through
all minds had SOLDERING effect on public
men of all shades of political opinion. The
fact stands forth, and as little less than re-
markable, that not a single resolution
was introduced or a single speech made in
either house of Congress, save one of
coincidence with the families Of the kill
ed, adopted by the House of Representa-
tives. Public men expressed their opin-
ions with reserve when approached for
interviews but everywhere there was a
demand for an investigation and full de-
tails, in the light of which the horror
may be justly viewed.
Secretary Long undoubtedly summarized
the general opinion of the majority of the
naval experts in finding it impossible just
now to state the cause of the destruction
of the Maine.
There are a great number of theories,
but most of them are of a character that
makes 1t easy to prove or upset them by
a single investigation of a diver.
Secretary Long has taken immediate
steps to make this investigation. Late
this afternoon he telegraphed to Admiral
sicard at Key West to appoint a board Of
naval officers TO proceed at once to Ha-
vana, employ divers and generally to make
such inquiry as the regulations of the navy
demand shall be made in the case Of a
loss of a warship. 1t is expected that this
work will take some time, and while there
are officers who say that in their opinion
Il will not be possible, owing to the prob
ably disrupted condition of the hull of the
ship. to make out the cause Of the explo-
sion. the opinion of the majority is that
the question will be easily settled by the
simple observation OF the condition Of the
ships hull plates In the neighborhood OF
the hole which sunk her, whether or not
they are bulged out, as would be the case
IL the explosion came from the inside, or
whether they are driven In as would re-
suit from an attack Of torpedo or the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
caused by the use of torpedoes guided by
an unfriand1v hand

caused by the use of torpedoes guided by
an unfrlendy hand.
The greatest excitement has prevailed
throughout the city to-day, and from early
morning until the hour Of closing, the
executive mansion and the navy depart
ment have been crowded with earnest
seekers for the latest information from
Havana relative to the Maine disaster
President Mckinley is disposed to attri-
butte the terrible calamity 10 the Maine
to some unaccountable accident, but he
does not have many supporters in that
theory.
The practical men Of the navy are will
ing to stake their reputation upon the as
sertion that the circumstances do not ad-
NIT of the accidental theory.
Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn. re-
garded as one of the ablest and most fear
less men in the navy, went all over the
plans and drawings of the ill-fated ship
with the Morning News correspondent to-
I day, and demonstrated beyond reasona-
bic doubt the mpossibility of such an ac-
cident occurring.
He exploded the theory put out by Capt
Gen. Blanco in his dispatch TO the Span
ish legation here, indicating that the ac-
cident was due to the explosion OF the
donkey engine" which runs the dyna-
mo, Immediately over the forward maga-
zine. According to the plan of the ship
the donkey engine Is not employed in run
ming the dynamo. 1t Is run by one of the
regular boilers, of which there are eight.
which perform all Of the auxiliary func-
tons aboard the ship.
Commodore Hichborn says tho theory Of
spontaneous combustion will not hold wa
ter for the character OF the powder and
ammunition, and the precautions taken 10
protect them, all combine to render such
an occurrence out OF the question. He ia
convinced that when the divers come to
make an examination OF the bottom Of
the ship IL will be found that the inden-
tation will turn inward, showing that the
conclusion came from the exterior instead
of the interior Of the vessel.
Nearly all Of the experienced officers Of
the navy agree with Commodore Hich-
born that the destruction OF the Maine
was accomplished by the use of torne-
does. 1t is known that the feeling OF re-
sentiment against the United States Ia,
the Spanish residents of Havana is in
tense, and there are number Of spanisb
Guiteaus at large in that city who would
glory in dynamiting an American war
ship, or assassinating an American eitl-
zen.
Under the circumstances IL is alrnos,
impossible to locate the responsibility or
hold the Spanish government accounfat,ie
for the tlendish act committed in the har-
Dor Of Havana under the cover Of dark
ness.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt said he is
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17

explosion of a mine beneath the ship.
The large majority of naval officers are
inclined 10 the belief that the explosion
resulted from spontaneous combustion Of
a coal bunker, the overheating of the iron
petitions between the boilers and the mag
azine, or from the explosion of boiler.
though the last theory finds little support.
The list of survivors that came to the
navy department this afternoon in answer
to kilograms was inaccurate, and made out
the loss of life eight more than the sum-
mary originally given by Capt. Sigsbee in
an earlier telegram, so Secretary Long
telegraphed for another corrected list, and
one that shows who We're and VINO We're
not wounded of the survivors. 1t was
found necessary to do this owing to the
great number of pitiful appeals for infor-
nation as to the safety of some unfortu-
nate on the Maine that came from all
parts of the country.
1t is said at the navy department that
this disaster is The greatest of the kind N
naval history since the sinking of the big
British warship Victoria by collision with
the Camperdown in the Mediterranean off
Malta in June, 1898. BY that accident the
British admiral commanding, q officers
and 1856 men lost their lives.
The Spanish legation was early advised
of the horror by Capt. Gen. Blanco, who
expressed his profound regret and added
that the occurrence was a chance acci-
dent, the undoubted cause being an eXplo-
sion of the boiler of the dynamo. This
was the only specific cause assigned from
an official source during the day.
Senior Dubosc, the senior charge d At
faires, called at the state department to
express his profound regret and the entire
Spanish staff left their cards at the navy
department as a mark of personal condol-
ence. At all of the foreign establishments
there was the deepest interest and solici-
tude over the affair.
The disaster is remarkable in that only
two officers lost their lives and these were
of junior grades. They were Lieut. Friend
w Jenkins and Assistant Engineer Dar-
win r. Merritt. The former was unmar-
ried, but leaves a mother and sister. The
latter. it is thought also, was unmarried,
but the department was unadvised con-
cerning his family.
Both Secretary Long and Assictant Sec
retary Roosevelt called a consultation
in the forenoon of all the chiefs OF the
navy department and several of the off,
GERS of high rank not directly attached,
like Commodore Schley. president of the
Lighthouse Board, who has a brilliant
reputation as a gallant officer and is pos
sessed of great discretion. The purpose
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17

convinced that the destruction OF the
Maine was not an accident. He says, fur
Their, that 1t is impossible for Capt. Sigs-
bee to furnish the world with a detailed
account of the terrible happening, and the
cause of the same, Capt. Sigsbee was in
his cabin at the time OF the explosion, and
he barely escaped half clad. He received
the reports from his subordinate officers at
-four bells" o'clock, announcing that
everything was well in the various depart
ments of the ship. According to the regu-
lations the magazines were carefully in
spected at O'Clock, and the engineer must
have reported everything all right in the
engineering department.
The most reasonable theory advanced in
naval circles is to the effect that torpedoes
were employed. The question arises
whether they were submarine operated
from shore, or, whether they were used,
as is frequently the practice, by TIE
drifting process That is, to attach two
torpedOes to a cable certain distance
apart and let them drift with the tide. to-
ward the bow of the ship to be attacked.
The force of the current would cause them
to come in contact with both sides of the
ship, producing a conclusion, followed by
instant explosion.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
LONG ON THE LOSS.
Accident the Theory Of the
Secretary.
MAY HAVE BEEN MAGAZINE.
What Exploded 1t Still a
Mystery.
DIVERS TO BE SENT DOWN.
Condition Of Hull Plates to Tell
the Story.
DIVERS TO Be SENT DOWN.

Washington, Feb. 16-After a day of
intense excitement at the navy depart
ment and elsewhere, growing out of the
destruction of the battleship Maine in Ha-
vana harbor last night, the situation to-
night, after the exchange of a number of
cablegrams between Washington and Ha-
vana, can be summed up in the words of
Secretary Long when asked, as he was
about to depart for the day, whether he
had reason to suspect that the disaster
was the work of an enemy. He replied:
Il do not. In that I am influenced by
the fact that Capt. Sigsbee has not yet
reported to the navy department on the
cause. He is evidently waiting to write a
full report. So long as he does not ex-
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
THE BATTLEsHIP MAINE.

of this consultation was to secure the
best expert testimony as TO the probable
cause of the disaster. while at the same
time ascertaining to what extent the
naval situation has been affected by the
loss of the Maine A good deal of disquiet
was exhibited when ii was shown that the
loss of this fine battleship had done a
good deal to destroy the balance of power
theoretically between The navies of Spain
and that Of the United States, leaving the
United States six serviceable ironclads
against seven in the Spanish fleet.
Every confidence is felt at the depart
ment in the commander of the Maine,
Sigsbee, and It is really established other
wise, there is every disposition to charge
the accident, if accident it was that de-
stroyed the Maine to some cause beyond
the human range of detection.
The coast survey steamer Bache is now
lying at Key West. The superintendent
of the survey lost no time this morning
in inviting Secretary Long to make any
use of the vessel in this emergency that
he might desire. The invitation was
gratefully accepted and the Bache has
been ordered to proceed at once to Havana
with wrecking paraphernala
Secretary Long. who was aroused this
morning al 2:30 o'clock when the news first
uallv early tonight. He turned over to
Lieut.. Whittlesy the receiving of all dis
patches relating to the disaster, with or
ders following out those OF the President
and the cabinet TO make public everything
relating to the affair.
Very little was received that would
throw light on the situation, but nearly
100 private telegrams came from friends
and families Of the officers and crew beg
ging for specific news of the loved ones
and relatives who were with the ship.
ReDles were made to such inquiries as
could be answered. 1t was hoped by the
department that a list of the injured
among the survivors could be secured
PROMPTLY but though a request for it was
cabled to Havana at D. m. no response
was received.
The state department was on the alert
for news both from Havana and Minis
ter Woodford at Madrid,~but beyond Sec
ond message from Gen. Lee expressing
the hope that public excitement in the Uni
ted States would be repressed and detail
ing additional courtesies at the hands Of
the Spaniards in Havana, nothing was
received.
The effort Of all government officers to
remain calm In the face Of the shocking
disaster and its attending mystery is ap-
parent, and a number OF naval officers
VOLUNTEERED theories in support of the ac-
cident hypothesis ell Of which, In the alb
sence Of any facts on which to base a rea-
Continued on Fifth Page.)
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
BOW WRECKED BADLY.
stern of the Ship Appears to he Al
most Intact.

stern of the Ship Appears to he Al
most Intact.
New York, Feb 16.-A special cable to
the Evening World from Havana says: Il
have just seen twenty-nine sailors of the
Maine silently enduring the torture caused
by powder-skinned faces and bodies,
broken bones and mangled flesh. They
are being well cared for in the military
hospital at San Ambrosio here The less
severely injured men are yet on the steam
ship City of Washington. The severely
wounded men will have the best Of atten-
ton from the men and women of the
American colony.
Gan the men showed great grit You
cannot hear whimper from one of the
twenty-nine swathed forms in San Am
brosio hospital, nor from those anywhere.
"The heavy rainfall which Immediately
followed last nights horror stiH continues.
"Out in the bay lies the wreck Of the
Maine.
'TIer steel upper deck forward has been
completely lifted and turned over on her
starboard side
''None of the big guns in the turrets are
visible.
"The main is slightly listed to port
and all forward of the massive cranes for
unloading ships boats has completed dis
appeared.
"The big tunnels lie fiat upon the twisted
and gnarled iron braces and pieces of steel
deck.
Prom the tunnels aft the ship seems to
be intact. She has settled until the water
has covered the top of her superstructure
and the stern seas sights and the rapid
| fire guns look over the water just below
| them.
Most, II not all the bodies win be recov-
cred. Two bodies were recovered this
forenoon. The corpses are those of Lieut..
jenkins and Assistant Engineer Merritt.
| A vigllant lookout is being kept for bodies.
"Out of ffty-nlne injured not over four
are likely to die. All but five officers will
90 to-day to Key West. All the slightly
| wounded and all the able-bodied men will
go also with the exception of few who
will be kept here to indentify bodies when
| they are secured by the divers.
THE following sailors are in San Am
brosio. All but three will 1--we, one man
| could not give his name;
Dan Cronin, New York.
"Wnllam McGinnis Boston.
John Soffey. Boston.
"a. Hallen, Brooklyn.
James Roll, New York
"Francisco Cahill, Massachusetts.
Joe Koena, Boston.
Fred Gerne. New Brunswick, N, ].
Charles A. Smith.
Jeremiah Shea
alfred Herns, Norway.
-. II. Bloomer, Portland.
"Alf Johnson, Sweden.
Edward Mattson, Sweden
George Fox, Grand Rapids, Mich.
"R. B. Wilbur.
"a Ericsson, Sweden.
John e. White, Brooklyn.
Fred c. Hoizer, New York.
william Matteson. Bay CITY, Mich.
I'll Judson, ST. Louis
"W. Allen, Brooklyn"
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
THE TORPEDO THEORY.
Easy to Drift Two Against
the Bows.
SHIP BUILT FOR SAFETY.
BldnCO'S Dynamo Theory
Not Well Founded.
COULDN'T BE COMBUSTION.
Powder and Ammunition Proof
Against II.
COULDN'T Be COMBUSTION.

Washington, Feb. 16.-Spanish treachery
appears to be the cause of the destruction
of the battleshlp Maine in the harbor of
Havana.
That is the opinion of some of the ablest
officers of the navy, including Chief
Naval Constructor Hichborn, Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt and a majority of the
members of Congress, who are familiar
with the circumstances surrounding the
terrible event.
Although the reports received from
Capt. sigsbee and Consul General Lee are
lacking in detail and the responsibility for
the disaster is not fixed, the prevailing
sentiment here is that the explosion was
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
SAILORS ARE OUTsPoKEN.
DON'T Hesitate 10 Say spaniards Blew
Up the Ship.

DON'T Hesitate 10 Say spnniards Blew
Up the ship.
Key West, Fla. Feb. 1G-The steamship
OHvette arrived here tonight With a large
number Of the wounded and many other
survivors Of the Maine disaster.
The officers were. as a rule, retlcent and
followed in line with their chief, Capt.
sigsbee. in saying that the cause OF the
explosion could be ascertained by divers,
but many Of the sailors were outspoken
In their declaration Of belief that the ex-
plosion was a deep laid plot Of the Span
iards
They are greatly incensed against the
Havana people, who have shown them
small courtesy, who looked upon their
presence as a national affront, and who
have published anonymous circulars cap
toned. Down with Americans" They
believe that the author Of such expressed
and cowardly hatred would not stop at an
act of such terrific vengeance as the
blowing up Of the Maine.
These sailors, acquainted with the
drills. discipline and ensemble of man
ofwar, pooh pooh the idea Of an internal
explosion as the last thing to be thought
Of
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
REAR ADMIRAL BROWNS VIEWS.
He IncIines to the Belief That 1t
Occurred in the Ship.

Indianapolis, Ind, Feb. 16.-Rear-Ad-
miral George Brown, who was the highest
officer in the navy until his retirement
last wear. was informed of the naval cas-
ualtv in Havana harbor.
The Admiral was exceedingly surprised
10 hear of the destruction Of the Maine
and from the meager news was loath to
venture any explanation OF the affair.
81 can offer nothing but vague conjec-
ture as to the probable cause of the de-
struction of the Maine although it would
aeen TO me at this time when an investi-
cation is made it will be found that an
evnlosion occurred on board the vessel"
rrhe Admiral was asked If 1t were pos
sible that a torpedo lying IN the harbor
could have been accidentally exploded
,,nder the ship. He did not think this
u,o,,lA have been possible. II a torpedo
caused the explosion 1t must have been
sert from shore, for torpedoes are not ly-
10 around loose Ia Havana harbor, where
hundreds Of ships are in and out
II am sure no official had anything to
fCont!nued on Fifth Page.l
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
sIGsBEE SILENT.
Refuses to Express an Opinion as to
the Cause.

Havana, Feb. 16.-Capt. sigsbee inter-
viewed this evening by the Associated
Press with reference to the cause of the
explosion. said: Il cannot determine the
cause; but competent Investigators will
decide whether the explosion was produc-
ed from an interior or an exterior cause.
7 cannot say anything until after such an
investigation has been made.
"T will not and cannot conscientiously
onticipate the decision, nor do / wish to
make any unjust estimate Of the reason
of the matter"
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
DOUBT OUGHT TO DE DIsPELLED
Ex-President Harrison Talks of the
Disaster.

indianapolis. Ind. Feb. 1e.-When ex-
President Benjamin Harrison was asked
by the Associated Press for statement
regarding the destruction OF the United
states battleship Maine, he said: "rhe oc-
currence Is n most terrible and shocking
one. IT Is to be hoped that an investigate
may leave no doubt that IL was an acci-
dent. II there should be any room for sus-
pecting foul play 1t would be very unfor-
tunate."
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17
WOULDN'T MEAN WAR.
spain Would simply he Bound 10
Disavow the Explosion.

Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb 16.--Senator
Butler Of North Carolina, now In Mime
apolls attending the session OF the state
central committee, is inclined to view the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17

THE MORNING NEWS. !
established 1880. Incorporated lSSs'
III. ESTILL, President.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17

CONTINUED on Fifth Page.l
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-17

Continued on Fifth Page.)
The Press., 1898-05-19
HOLLAND,

CARD OF THANKs.-I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to those who were such 8 comfort to my brother in his last illness, especially to MT. and Mrs Sorensen, and MT. Antonio Jacobsen and family, and to thank all who showed their sympathy for me in my aff1iction, as we'll as their re- gard for the memory of the departed, particularly the clergy, and the members of Ionic lodge, No. 110, F. & A. M., who off1ciated at the burial. HANS P. HANSEN
 Hon. Wm. Waldo Hyde, Mrs. Hyde and Miss Hyde of Hartford were in town Saturday.
 Rev. G. H. Bates, of Norwich, presiding elder ofthe Norwich district, preached at the M. E. church Sunday morning.
 The committee to investigate state ex- penditures appointed by the last legisla. ture were in town on Saturday to look over matters at the jail J. Carl Converse, Herbert Williams, P. B. Bennett and T. Atwater Barnes comprised the party.
 s. T. Noble of Rockville gave very interesting stereopticon lecture on China In the town hall last Wednesday evening for the benefit of the Junior c. E. society. The views were very fine, and the lantern an especially good one. FLORA.
 The funeral of the late Samuel P. Han sen was held from the house of MT. Sorensen, on Babcock Hill, last Friday afternoon, ,and was attended by nearly 100 persons. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. T. D. Martin, Jr., rector of Grace church, Stafford Springs, and Rev. Karl Bruckner, pastor of the Danish Lutheran Church In Hartford, who made very feeling address in Danish, and also led the congregation in singing three Danish hymns, which two events together formed one of the most touching features of the whole service. At the grave, after the committal service, the members of Ionic Lodge No. no, per- formed their impressive ritual.
The Press., 1898-05-19

Central Vermont Railroad (N. l.. N. division )-trains leave:
 oorH,o 4sovvnx,
The Press., 1898-05-19
RONTERR.

Miss Bessie Burdon Is visiting frienda in Springfield, Mass.
 Miss Lillian V. Lee of Springfield spent last Sabbath at her home in town.
 Rev. Mir. Price of New Haven occupied the pulpit of the Congregational church last Sabbath.
 Randolph Fuller and Charles Hubbard were delegates to the Congregational con. vention held in Vernon Wednesday.
 Frank Hall, who has been employed al Chicago for several years past, returned to his home in town Monday accompanied by his wife and child, he will remain east for the nrasent