Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-03-30

source Of Information was neglected and
the fullest opportunity was allowed for
simultaneous investigation by the
Spanish authorities.
The finding of the court of inquiry
was reached AFTER 28 days Of continuous
labor, on March 81, inst, and hay
ing been approved On the twenty.
second by the coInmander-in-ohi Of
the United States naval force on the
North Atlantic station was transmitted
TO the executive.
Verdict IN Brief.
It ia herewith laid before the congress
together with the voluminous testimony
taken bcfor" the court.
Its purport is, in brief, as follows:
When the Maine arrived at Z vana
she WAS conducted by the regular gov.
ernment pilot to buoy No. 1, to which
was moored in from 5la to fathonls OF
The state Of discipline on board and
the condition of her magazines, boilers,
coal bunkers and storage compartments
are passed in review, with the conolu.
zion that excellent order prevailed and
that no indication Of any cause for nm
internal explosion existed in any quar-
ter.
At s O'Clock on the evening of Feb. Is
everything had been reported seoEe
and all was quiet.
At $40 o'clock the vessel was suddenly
destroyed.
There were Two distinct explosions,
with brief interval between thelu.
The first lifted the forward part OF
the ship very perceptibly; the second,
which was more upon, prolonged and OF
greater volume, is attributed by the
court to the partial explosion of two OF
more of the forward Magazines.
The evidence OF the divers establishes
that the after Part of the ship was prac'
tically intact and sank in that condition
very few minutes after the explosion.
The forward part was completely de-
molished.
Upon the evidence of concurrent
external cause the finding of the court is
as follows:
At frame 1t the outer shell of the
ship, from a point III. feet from the
middle line O! the ship and feet above
the keel when in its normal position,
was forced up SO as to be now about 4
feet above the surface Q? the water;
therefore, about 81 feet above where II
would be had the ship snuls un!ujured.
The outside bottom plating is ben!
into reverse Y shape, the after wing
Of which, about IS feet broad and 81
feet i'll length (from frame II to frame
a5), is doubled hack up iii itself against
the confirmation of the same plating ex.
tending forward.
At franz is -;sss;s;G lisal sassas q
angle similar to tie angle formed by the
outside bottom plates. The break is
now about feet below the surface OF
the water and about 80 feet above its
normal position.
Mine Caused Wreck.
In the opinion Of the conrt, this effect
could have been produced only by the
explosion Of mine situated under the
bottom Of the ship ut about frame Is
and somewhat ON the port side OF the
ship.
Inc conclusions CT the court are:
The loss of tia Maine was not due tc
negligence on the part Of any OF the
officers or members Of her crew.
That the ship was destroyed by the
explosion of q submarine mine, which
caused the partial explosion of two o.
more of her forward magazines, and
That 10 evidence has been obtainable
showing the responsibility of the de
struction OF the Maine upon any person
or persons.
have directed that the finding Of the
court of inquiry and the views of this
government thereon be communicated
to the government Of her majesty, the
queen, and l do not permit myself te
doubt that the sense of justice OF the
Spanish nation will dictate course OF
action suggested by honor and the
frienly relations OF the two govern
ments.
1t will be the duty of the executive tc
advise the congress Of the result, and II
the meantime deliberate consideration
is invoked. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
In neither senate or house was there
any debate on the reference Of the presi
dents message and other documents tt
committees having charge of our Cubar
relations.