The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-28
Two Magazines subsequently EXpIod-
ed, Causing Devastation In
side the Vessel.
NO BLAME FOR CAPT. SIGSBEE
DETAILS SHOWING THE SAFE CON-
DITION OF THE WAR SHIP.
Congress Will Receive Report With
out Observation-Disclosures
Message Wednesday.
Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, March 27.-The Asso-
ciated Press presents herewith a complete
abstract of the report of the court of in
quiry which investigated the wrecking of
the battle ship Maine. This abstract is
made from the report itself, access to which
was obtained to-day despite official secrecy
unparalleled in the handling of official
papers. The report is made up of eight
parts, as follows:
First-The court finds that at the time of
the explosion the battle ship Maine was ly-
ing in five and one-half to six fathoms of
water.
was excellent; everything slowed according
to orders-ammunition, guns, stores, etc.
The temperature of the magazines at p.
m. was normal. except in the after ten
inch magazine, and that did not explode.
Third-The explosion occurred at $40
o'clock on the evening of Feb. Is. There
were two explosions, with very short in
terval between them; the ship lifted on the
first explosion.
Fourth-The court can form no definite
opinion of the condition of the wreck from
the divers evidence.
F1fth-Techncal details of wreckage,
from which court deduces that a mine was
exploded under the ship on the port side.
Sixth-The explosion was due to no fault
of those on board.
Seventh-Opinion of the court stating that
the explosion of the mine caused the
plosion of two magazines.
Eighth-The court declares that it cannot
find evidence to fix responsibility.
The report is unanimous and is signed by
all the members of the court 1t does not
refer to the existence or nopexistence of
mines in the harbor of Hayana, except in
the specific finding that a mine was ex-
ploded under the ship, and the opinion that
the explosion Of the two magazines was
caused by the explosion of mine
The report whole is formal, dis
passionate recital of facts, and bears the
stamp of that strict officialism which marks
naval procedure. 1t is brief, not exceeding
1,SOO words, and among the eight parts goes
to the greatest length under the second
heading, which deals with the discipline
and order of the ship. This the court spec
flied with extreme minuteness. the least
detail of the satisfactory condition of every
thing on board being given. The normal
temperature of the large forward maga-
zines at 8 o'clock-only an hour and forty
minutes before the xplosion-disposes of
the question of accidental combustion with
in these magazines. While the court holds
that these magazines did not explode
from internal causes, they nevertheless
are of the opinion that the explosion
of the mine under the port side of the ship
caused the explosion of the two magazines.
This will explain the remarkable destruc-
tion wrought, the explosion thus being
shown to have combined the force of mine
without and two magazines within. The
two explosions which the court finds to
have occurred, with a very short interval
ing that two forces operated in causing the
destruction. The finding that the ship
lifted on the first explosion indicates an ex-
ternal source, and one of tremendous power
to be able to lift battleship of thousands
of tons The character of the wreckage
technically described in the fifth part of
the report from which the court deduces
that a mine was exploded under the ship
ON the port side, sustains the views taken
by some experts shortly after the disaster
that the force of the explosion was exerted
from port to starboard.
The feature of the report of deepest in
terest to the navy is the complete exonera-
tion of Captain Sigsbee and all on board.
contained in the second finding, setting
forth the perfect order and discipline pre-
vaiing on the ship, and more directly stated
in the sixth finding which declares the dis
aster to be due TO no fault of those on
board.
The inability of the court TO find evidence
TO fix responsibility as stated in the eighth
part, makes the report so guarded in ex-
preston of blame that neither Spain nor
the Spanish are mentioned throughout.
GREAT CROWD EXPECTED
when the Report of Maine Inquiry Is
Sent to Congress.
WASHINGTON, March 27.-The largest