The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-17
258 ARE DEAD.
CONTINUED from First Page)

mean. or Malta, June. 1898. BY that ac-
cidcnt the British admiral commanding,
% officers and S36 men lost their lives.
SPANISH khGhEIS.
The Spanish Legation was early advised
OF the horror by Captain-General Blanco.
who expressed his profound regret anu
added that the occurrence was a chahce
accident, the undoubted cause being the
explosi / OF the boiler OF the dynamos.
This was the only specific cause assigned
from an official source during the day.
Senior Du Bose the Spanish charge
called at the State Department 10 eN-
press his profound regret ana me en-
tire Spanish staff left their cards at the
Navy Department as a mark ot personal
coincidence.
AT all Of the foreign establishments
there was the deepest interest and solicit
tude over the affair. and during the day
Ambassador Cambron. Of France Sir
Julian Pauncefote. Of the British EN-
bassy. and ether foreign representatives,
called on the President or at the state
Department to express their regrets.
THE DEAD OFFICERS.
The disaster Is remarkable In that only
two officers lost their lives and these were
OF iui Tor grades. They We're Lieutenant
Friend w. Jenkins and Assistant hngl-
neer Darwin X. Merritt Inc former was
unmarried. bat leaves mother ana sister
The latter. II IS thought. also was un-
married. but the department was unad-
vised concerning his family.
Mr.. Jenkins was born in Allegheny
CITY. Pa. June &c, 1865. and was appoint
ed naval cadet September y, 1852. by Rep
ressnta i've Thomas Bayne. Of the TWEEN
tv-tlird Congressional District. After
short cruise on the Atlanta he was grad
uated June, 1888, after which he served
successfully on the Galena. kearsarse
and Swartara. lie was next attached
10 the coast survey and served with il
until February. 1890. when he was AGAIN
ordered to sea on the gunboat Bennins-
ton.
From June 1893 TO September 1855 h.
was on ordnance duty at the naNal
proving grounds indian Head, Nd. ana
in September Is. 1885. he was ordered 10
the battleship Maine and has since BEEN
attached 10 that vessel with the .eXcep-
ton Of a short interval in the spring OF
1897. He reached his present grade Of
junior lieutenant in January, 1874 lie
had many friends in this city and was re-
garded as a most capable and efficient
officer.
ENGINEER MERRITT.
Assistant Engineer Merritt. was born
at Red Oak. Montgomery ycouniy Iowa.
April Is 1867 He was appointed 10 the
Naval Academy September 10, 1891. grad
uated at the head of his class four years
later. He went 10 sea on the Amphi-
trte and was subsequently transferred
10 the Indiana. receiving his final grad
uation July ]. 1897 After a short service
at the New York navy yard be was or
dered TO the battleship Maine, september
10. 1891 and has since been attached %
that Inflated vessel
Although his naval service has been
short, it is said at the department TO
have been extremely credtable
Captain Dickins, chief of the Naviga-
ton Bureau. expressed the opinion to-
day that the explosion took place In the
magazine Of the Maine.
lie said that this was evid for the
reason that the ship was aiioat for an
hour after the explosion. Had torpe-
do been fired under the battleshp. she
would have sunk almost Immediately.
PRESIDENTS SYMPATHY.
Secretary Long on behalf of the Presi-
dent. has sent this telegram TO Captain
SlgsDee:
"Si~sbee. L. $. s Maine Havana-The
President directs me to express for him
self and the people OF the United States
his profound sympathy with the officers
ana crew OF the Maine and desires that
no expense be spared IN providing FOR
the survivors and the care of the dead
(Signed) JOHN D. LONG
Secretary"
The President has recalled his invita-
tons for receptions this evening, on ac-
count OF the disaster which has befallen
the American navy.
The President and his Cabinet associ-
ates held an extended conference about
noon, II was not a Cabinet meeting. as
no notices had been sent out and only
Secretary of the Navy Long Secretary
Gage. Attorney General Griggs. Postmas-
ter General Gary and former Attorney
General Mckenna. were present The
disaster TO the Maine was the only topic
considered.
ALL NEWS MADE PUBLIC.
about II o'clock the Cabinet officers
came from the Presidents office. one OF
them stated that the President had given
directions that all official information rel
alive to the disaster should DE given 20
the public.
A message was received later IN the day
stating that the dead and missing num-
bered 253
\ Cabinet minister stated that there
was many evidences that the disaster
was the result Of an accident
The following was sent TO Commander
Forsythe at Key West:
Admiral Sicard ordered 10 come 20
Key West with ship and serve out cloth-
ing II necessary. Should he not arrive
before tho Olvette YOU are authorized 20
purchase the necessary articles and serve
out