The herald., 1898-03-08
FORCE OF EXPLOSION
BLEW A MAINE TURRET CLEAR
OFF THE SHIP
A CONTINUED EXAMINATION
Onlv Confirms the Decision First Ar
rived at-Spanish Reinforcements
Landed at Havana
Associated Press Special Wire

ASSOCIATED ProSS Speclal wire
NEW YORK, March THE star
board turret of the Maine is found to
have been blown clear off the ship, says
the Havana correspondent Of the Her
aid. The turret now lies upturned on
its side and sunk deep in the mud. Its
present position is regarded as one more
proof of the tremendous force of the ex-
plosion exerted in the direction from
port to starboard.
George Helms, the ships carpenter
has made careful inspection Of the
wreck. He was detailed on this duty
because of his perfect familiarity with
all portions Of the vessel. Though
Helms has not made an official report or
appeared before the Court of Inquiry
since week ago, it Is understood that
he has privately confirmed the state
ment of Ensign Powelson in reference
to the present position of the Names
bottom plates and the shattered condi-
tion of the ships keel.
Naval Inspector Hoover is aboard the
Mangrove with the Court of Inquiry
and his views will be also consulted on
points involving the structural evidence.
II Is Sdlu lUdt tllc VI
work by the wreckfng tug Right Arm
was due to a disagreement between Cap
tain Magee Of that craft and Captain
Sigsbee Of the Maine. Captain Magee,
It Is said refused to let his men convey
the bodies recovered from the wreck to
the dead barge a few hundred yards
away, asserting that the contract did
not call for such duty. 1t was agreed
!, <1,ne 49, Cov tot
Magee and his boat today.
The wreck is now being dismantled
rapidly and work below the waterline
is made easier.
A WARSHIP WELCOMED
NEW YORK. March by the hiss
and roar of rockets and military music
Havana was awakened Sunday and the
harbor was alive with craft, summoned
by signals flying at Moro Castle an
nouncing the arrival of another ship,
says the Herald's correspondent in Ha-
vana. 1t turned out not to be the ex-
pected cruiser Cristobal Colon but the
Alfonso XIII of the Spanish line and on
her decks thronged 1900 soldiers from
Spain. AS she moved to her anchorage,
tugs shot out from the piers with bands
on board and rocket batteries afioat and
ashore roared welcome to the new regi-
ments which Spain pours into the west
ern world to the wonder of all nations.
On the tugs which ,.rcled the Alfonso
XIII We're bands playing patriotic airs
and the soldiers replied with a mighty
cheer, as the ship crept by the trim cruis-
ers, the Viscaya and Oquendo and en-
tered the smooth water. From Moro
Cahanas and the awakening city foated
the music of bugles and the far off cheers
with which Havana greeted her friends
in need. Rockets and batteries for an
hour were never silent. and bugles sang
accompaniments to the steeple bells
ashore.
THE TORPEDO SQUADRON
NEW YORK, March IA Cadiz cor
respondent of the Herald says:
Much interest is taken in the coming
voyage of the torpedo destroyers and
torpedo boats squadron.
The Transatlantic steamer City of
Cadiz will accompany the squadron. She
Is fitted out with coal and provisions
literally up to her scuppers. She is now
fitted as a war transport and has on her
deck four cannon of twelve centime-
tres calbre, two of nine centimetres, two
mitrailleuses and two rapid firing guns.
In her bunkers she carries large supply
Of coal solely for the squadron.
CREWS FOR CRUISERS
GLASGOW, March THE crews to
man the torpedo boats Osadon and An
des, which are being completed by the
Thompsons for Spain, have arrived
here 1t is expected that the boats will
be completed on Friday or Saturday,
when they will go to Ferrol. Spain,
where they will take on board their
armaments. From Ferrol the Osado
and Andes are going to Cuba.
NO VESSEL SOLD
LONDON. March t. The manager of
the Vulcan Ship building Works at
Stettin, Germany, being asked by tele-
graph by the New York Worlds London
correspondent if that firm had sold, as
was reported, three cruisers to the Span
ish government, wired this answer:
I'VE have sold no cruisers to the Span
ish government"
BUYING AMMUNITION
LONDON, March 1.-Two separate
commissions of Spanish officers arrived
last week to purchase ammunition.
AMERICAN EFFORTS
LONDON, Marcn line St. James
Gazette this afternoon says: 1.-The
United States is not buying any war;
ships as long as she does not feel the
need of any outside reinforcements. 1t
is understood that the efforts Of the
United States representatives in Eng
land are not directed toward the pur-
chase of warships building, but to pre-
venting Spain from purchasing them"
NAVY ENLlSTMENTS
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The navy
today began the recruiting of men for
the Columbia and the Minneapolis.
which are now at the League Island
Navy Yard. This action is taken not
withstanding the delay on the part of
Congress in providing for the 1900 ad-
ditional men asked for by Secretary
Long in his recent communication to the
Naval Affairs Committee on the SUBJ
ject. t g..
The officials express no doubt but that
favorable action will be taken on the
Secretary's request, and are simply
taking time by the forelock SO thew
may be in readiness If trouble should
come.
About $50 men in all will be required
for the two vessels and the enlistments
are in progress at Boston. New York and
Philadelphia.
POWDER PROVIDED
KEY WEST, Fla, March 7.-The Mall
lory Line steamer Alamo arrived here