Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1898-02-18
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The War Ship Maine Blown Up
Three Hundred Lives Lost.

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The War Ship Maine Blown Up
Three Hundred Lives Lost.
Havana, Feb. lG.- Between 8 and 10
o'clock last evening the United States
cruiser Maine, in this harbor, was
blown up by a terrific explosion. 1t is
believed that 200 lives were lost.
The explosion is believed to have
taken place in the magazine used for
the storage of gun cotton for the tor
pedoes. The vessel lies with her bows
wholly submerged and only Il part of
her stern showing.
The explosion, which shook the city
from end to end, created the widest
excitement. All the electric lights
we're put out by the shock.
Fire engines rushed madly from II
direction to another, and no one knew
for certain from which direction the
explosion came.
Consel- General Lee, who was at the
Hotel Inglaterra, received q telephone
message from General Blanco telling
him that the Maine had been blown up
General Lee fastened to the palace,
where the cabinet was assembling.
A report that Captain Sigsbee was
wounded was inaccurate. Captain Sigs-
bee, with other officers, went in a
small boat to the Ward line steamer
City Of Washington.
Two officers and more than 200 of
the crew are missing. Some Of the
crew who we're able to support them
selves by swimming, we're saved by the
boats.
Six of the wounded crew and II of
the officers have been taken to the
military hospital by General Blanco's
orders.
Vice Consel Springer says that all
the officers we're saved except jenkins
and Merritt, who are missing. Mr..
Springer says at least 300 lives were
lost.
Captain Sigsbee was on deck when
the explosion came. 1t was in the bow
of the vessel. A sentry stationed at
the bow was unhurt. lie had seen
nothing suspicious.
One officer, whose name could not
be learned, said of the explosion:
Il was in my bunk. When ! got on
deck, fire had started forward. There
was a strong breeze. The call for all
hands on deck was promptly obeyed,
and the men and officers we're per-
fectly cool. All possible efforts were
made to check the fire, but without
avail. The flames spread rapidly and
several explosions occurred. Maya.
zines were burst open and explosives
thrown overheard. In half an hour it
WAS apparent nothing could save the
ship"
Washington, Feb. 1G.-While Sccre.
tary Long was with the president this
noon the following detailed dispatch
from Captain Sigsbee. commander of
the Maine, was brought to him:
Advise SENDING wrecking vessel at
once. Maine submerged except debris;
mostly work for divers now. Jenkins
and Merritt still missing. Little hope
for their safety. Those known to be
saved are: Officers. 24; u%ninjured
crew, 10; wounded, now on board Ward
line steamer, in city hospital and at
hotels, So, so far as known. All others
went down on board or near the Maine.
The total lost or missing, 253.
With several exceptions, no officer
or man has more than a part of a snit
of clothing, and thutis wet with harbor
water. Ward steamer leaves for Mex
leo at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Off
GERS saved are uninjured. Damage
was in compartments of crew. Am
preparing to telegraph list of wounded
and saved. Olivette leaves for Key
West at l p. M. Will send by her to
Kew West the officers saved, except
myself and Wainwright, Holman, Hen
neberger. Ray and Holden will turn
over three uninjured boats to captain
Of port, with request for safe keeping.
Will sent all wounded men to hospital
at Havana. --Sigsbee.
indianapolis, Feb. 16.--Rear Admiral
George Brown, who a the highest
officer in the navy till his retirement
last year, when informed of the naval
casualty in Havana harbor, was ex-
ceedingly surprised and loath to
venture any explanation.
II haye nothing but vague conjecture
as to the probable of the de-
struction of the Maine, although it
would seem at this time that when an
investigation is made it will be found
that an explosion occurred in the
vessel"
The admiral was asked if it was
possible that a torpedo lying in the
harbor could have been accidentally
exploded under the ship. He did not
think this could have been possible.
If a torpedo caused the explosion it
must have been sent from shore for
torpedoes are not lying around loose
in Havana harbor where hundreds of
ships are in and out.
81 am sure no official had anything
to do with it if a torpedo vas RESPONSE
BILE. Oh no." said he. "there could
have been no explosion of a torpedo
by the dragging of the Names anchor
or anything of that sort. Nor are
there any submerged mines in the
harbor."
Washington, Feb. 16.--The Maine is
a %battleship Of the second class and is
regarded as n of the best ships in
the new navy. She was built at the
Brooklyn navy yard, and is 3lS feet
Lowe ~ fook Inoo1 81 y 49,. 1---lA