The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-22

that 10y the rare chance OF an unex-
pected change Of paymasters recently
very little OF the savings OF the Names
sailors went down in the vessel. About
two weeks ago PayTnaster Littlefield.
of the Maine. was relieved by PaymaS-
ter Ray. The former came to Wash
ington and has settled the accounts of
the ship up TO the time he left. The
records show that Paymasser Ray had
on hand in his safe only about 81. 600
in cash, probably gold. and a check for
5000 which, OF course is safe enough.
without his endorsem ment. against loss.
Since the Spon taneOuS combustion
theory has come so prominently TO the
front as accounting for the disaster,
the officials have been looking over the
I records 20 find a parallel case, as near
as may be. The flagship New York
was discovered to be on fire March 9.
1896. Smoke was issuing from her
main magazine. This was cleared of
| powder safely and it was found that
the woodwork had been charred deep
| ly. The cause was not at first percep-
! tible but it was soon discovered that
| an adjourning coal bunker was burn
| ing. When the bunkers was opened
| the coal on top was not hot but as the
men dug down into the mass ii was
| found to be red hot inside. There was
! no manifest alton OF heat on the top of
| side next the magazine. That startled
f, the naval officers and the constructors
made a considerable air space between
the bunkerS and the magazine In
| the designing of the new battleShips
| now on the stocks the lesson was kept
| in mind and everything possible was
| done to insulate the coal bunkers from
| the magazines.
Secretary Long has given orders
| that with the expiration of this day
there need be observed no longer
the order to all ships and commands to
display the national colors at half
| mast.
/, FAVORING RAISING THE BATTLE
SHIP.
There is no abatement Of the talk of
the eXpediency OF raising the Maine.
Chief Constructor Hichborn is one of
the most earnest advocates of the res
direction of the ship, from both senti-
mental and practical considerations.
He points out that the ship lies in a
land locked haTbor, easy for the wreck
erS to operate in and that, if she can
be rebuilt at a cost of 81 600 600, the
government will save 81 900, 600, the
first cost of such a battleship with all
of her equipment. Great Britain, he
said, never abandoned a ship if dhere
was the least chance to save her, and
of raising the Inflated Victoria, sunk
in collision With the Caperdown, off
| the coast of Syria, several years ago.
Commander Francis w. Dickens, the
acting chief of the bureau of naviga-
| tion and Secretary Longs right hand
man in the present emergency said:
1.-THE Maine must be taken to an
American port if there is enough of
her bones holding together to warrant
removal, and in all likelihood that will
be done. If the explosion was more
disastrous than is now thought to be
the case; if the hull is wrecked as
to be beyond repair, then as much Of
the material as can be secured will
be brought home and placed in a new
Maine. 1t is to be remembered that
great advances have been made in
ship building since the Maine was de-
signed, and a finer ship to bear her
| name could be built today, but it would
! take time, and if any considerable por-
| tion of the ship is good, with a modern
F., lied battery and improvements in re-
building the destroyed portions, mag
| nificent vessel can be quickly secured"
Chief Engineer Melville has decided
views in favor of the proposition to re
build the Maine. ''Even suppose this
| costs 81, 100000" said he, "a new ship
equal to the Maine would cost nearly
5000, 600. The repairs could be made
d
year at the fartherest. To build a new
ship like her would take at least three
years. With regard to the practicable
| ity of raising the vessel, it is to be re-
MARKED that larger vessels have been
| raised, which We're at sea where they
| were exposed to the waves, while the
| Maine is in a perfectly quet harlyor.
one end ting in the mud and part OF
| the other end above water. The Maine
| a a
mill pond, and she is only 5000 tons
ship. The British armor clad Howe, of
| over 10000 tons, was raised off FerTal,
| Spain, in the open ocean, and her mai
| esty's ship, Sultan, of over 5000 tons,
was raised and saved after she sank
in the Comino channel"
! Orders have been issued for the en-
| 1istment of 300 men for the navy to fill
| the vacancies caused by the destruc-
| tion of the battleship Maine and to
| complete the legal quota The new
men will be. sent to receiving ships,
from where they will be sent to ships
| in commission wherever needed.
| MEN READY FOR WAR.
| Chief Street, of the
| Union Veterans Union has offered to
| the president the services of 10000
| men of his order for the defence Of the
| country. They could be ready for
| action in forty eight hours.
| OUR INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE
FIRST
Secretary Long and Assistant Secre-
| tary Day, of the state department. had
| an interview with the president this
| morning which lasted nearly an hour.
| Mr.. Day read a cablegram from Con-
| sui General Lee at Havana, transmit
| ting a request from the Spanish au-
1 10
| Gals be permitted to join with our own
| people in making an investigation IN
| to the cause Of the disaster to the
| Maine. The matter was discussed at
| considerable length and the conclusion
| was reached that while this govern
ment is willing to afford the Spanish
authorities all reasonable facilities for
conducting an investigation yet, It is
| thought best the first inquiry shall be
made by our own commissioners.