The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-31

authorities to the commanding officer.
A the time the Maine was destroyed
the ship was quiet, and therefore,
least liable to accident caused by
movements from those on board.
TWO DISTINCT EXPLOSIONS.
3. The destruction of the Maine
occurred at $40 p. m, ,on the 18th day
of February, 1898, in the harbor of
Havana, Cuba, she being at the time
moored to the same buoy to which
she had been taken upon her arrival.
There was two explosions of dis
tinctly different character, with a
very short but distinct interval be-
tween them, and the forward part of
the ship was lifted to a marked degree
at the time of the first explosion.
The first explosion was more in the
nature of a report, like that of gun;
while the second explosion was more
open, prolonged, and of greater vol
ume. The second explosion was, in
the opinion of the Court, caused by
the partial explosion of two or more
of the forward magazines of the
Maine.
The evidence bearing upon this,
being principally obtained from di-
vers, did not enable the Court to
form a definite conclusion as to the
condition of the wreck, although it
was established that the after part of
the ship was practically intact and
sank into that condition a very few
minutes after the destruction of the
forward part.
A MAGAZINE EXPLOSION.
The following facts in regard to the
forward part Of the ship, are, how
ever, established by the testimony:
That portion of the port side of the
protected deck which extends from
about frame 80 to about frame Al was
blown up aft and over to port. The
main deck from about frame 80 to
about frame Al was blown up aft and
slightly over to starboard, folding the
frame forward part of the middle
superstructure over and on top of the
after part.
This was, in the opinion of the
Court, caused by the partial explo-
sion of two or more of the forward
magazines of the Maine.
nTrnnro cIrTT rr0nCrrJN
AT frame II the outer shell of the
ship from a point III feet from the
middle line of the ship and 6 feet
above the keel when in it's normal
position has been forced up SO as to
be now about feet above the surface
of the water-therefore about "a feet
above where it would be had the ship
sunk uninjured. The outside bottom
plating is bent into a reversed V
shape; the after wing of which, about
Is feet broad and 80 feet in length
(from frame II to frame 25) is doubled
back upon itself against the contin-
uation Of the same plating extending
forward.
At frame 19 is the vertical keel
bent into an angle similar to the an
gle formed by the outside bottom plat
ing. This brake is now about six feet
below the surface of the water and
about 80 feet above its normal posi-
ton.
MIME THE ONLY CAUSE.
In the opinion of the Court, this
effect could have been produced only
by the explosion of a mine situated
under the bottom of the ship at about
frame Is and somewhat on the port
side of the ship.
Sixth-The Court finds that the loss
of the Maine on the occasion named
was not in any respect due to fault or
negligence on the part of any of the
officers or members of the crew of said
vessel.
s In the opinion Of the Court the
Maine was destroyed by the explo-
sion of submarine mine, which
caused the partial explosion of two
or more of her forward magazines.
NO EVIDENCE AS TO BLAME.
8 The Court has been unable to
obtain evidence fixing the RESPONSE
bility for the destruction of the Maine
upon any person or persons.
W. 7. SAMSON, Capt, U. S. N.
President.
A. MARK, Lieut., Com, U. S. n,
Judge Advocate.
The court, having finished the in
quiry it was ordered to make, adj
journed at II a. III. to await the action
of the convening authority.
W. II. SAMSON, CAPTAIN u S. n.
President.
A. MARK,
Lieutenant Commander u. s. N.
APPROVED BY SICARD.
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW
YORK, March %, OFF KEY WEST, FLA.
The proceedings and findings of the
court of inquiry in the above case are
approved.