The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-29

pied By the Spanish man-of war Segas-
pc. which Is about 400 yards about due
north from the Maine. He then located
the German man-of-war Charlotte.
which came into the harbor a day or two
later. which was anchored 10 the south
ward Of the Names berth. about four
or five yards.
In describing the surroundings at the
time OF the explosion Captain Slgsbee
stated that the night was calm and still
The Alphonso XII was at the same
berth. The small Spanish dispatch boat
Segaspe had come out the day before
and taken the berth occupied by the
German man-of-war Gniesenau, which
had left. The City of Washington was
anchored about 200 yards 10 the south
and east of the Names stern slightly
on the port quarter. The Maine coaled
at Key West, taking on about $50 tons.
the coal being regularly inspected and
taken from the government coal pile.
This coal was placed generally In the
forward bunkerssANo report was received
from the chief engineer that any coal
had been too long in the bunkers and that
the fire alarms in the bunkers were SEN
sitive. In so far as the regulations re-
garding infiammables and paints on
regulations were strictly carried out In
regard to stowage. and that the waste
also was subject TO the same careful
disposition. AS TO the situation of the
paint room. he fixed il. as I'm the eyes
OF the ship" just below the berth deck.
the extreme forward compartment. As
for the disposition OF infammables, they
were slowed In chests. according 10 reg
ulations. and when infiammables were
in excess Of chest capacity, they were
allowed 90 be kept in the bathroom OF
the admirars cabin. Regarding the elec-
trio plant OF the Maine, Captain Sigsbee
stated that there was no serious
grounding nor sudden flashing up OF the
lights before the explosion. but "A sud
den and total eclipse. AS for regulations
affecting the taking of temperature OF
the magazsnes and so on, Captain Sigs-
bee said there were no special regula-
tions other than the usual regulations
required by the department. He ex-
anined the temperature himself and
conversed with the ordnance officer as TO
the various temperatures and the con-
tents OF the magazines. and, according
to the opinion Of this offlc1r. as we'll as
Sigsbee. the temperatures were nsver
at the danger point.
II do not think there was any laxity
In this direction" said the captain, in re-
ply TO a question OF Judge Advocate
Mark.
He had no recollection of any work go
ing on In the magazines or shell rooms
on the day of the explosion. The keys
were called for in the usual way on the
day In question and were properly re-
turned. At the time OF the disaster the
two after boilers In the after fireroom
were in use. because the hydraulic sys
tenn was somewhat leaky.
Speaking generally OF his relations
with the Spanish authorities, Captain
Sigsbee stated that with the officials
they were outwardly cordial The
members OF the autonomistic council of
the government, however. seemed to
have brocght to the attention OF the
navy department the fact that he didhot
visit them, and that fact brought some
embarrassment to the government at
Washington. He took the ground to the
department that IL was unknown eti-
quette to call on the civil members OF
the colonial government other than the
governor. Without waiting for such an
order. Captain Sigsbee made a visit af
terwards. and he states was pleasant
ly received and his visit promptly re-
turned by certain members of the coun-
Gil.
Later. a party of ladies and gentlemen
called. and the president OF the council
made a speech. which Captain Sigsbee
could not understand, but W.. lch was in
terpreted to him briefly, to which he re-
piled. My reply" said Captain Sigs-
bee, was Afterwards printed In at least
two papers In Havana, hut the terms
made me favor the autonomistic govern
ment in theisland. 1 am Informed that
the autonomistic government in Havana
is unpopular among large class of
Spanish and Cuban residents. Ihave no
means OF Knowing whether my appar-
ent interference In the political concerns
of the island had any relations to the
destruction of the Maine"
When asked whether there was any
demonstration Of animosity by people
afioat. Captain Slgsbee said that there
was never on shore. as he was informed,
but there was afioat. He then related
that on the first Sunday after the
Names arrival ferry boat, crowded
densely with people. civil and military.
returning from a bull fight In Regla.
passed the Maine. and about 40 people
va Svoiu fHNuiBSe IA yShS, WHISTLES dHu
derisive calls.
During the stay In Havana, Captain
Sigsbee took more than ordinary pre-
cautions for the protection OF the Maine
by placing sentrics on the forecastle and
poop, quartermaster and signal boys on
the bridge and on the poop A corporal
of the guard was especially instructed
to look out for the port gangway and the
ofi:cer OF the deck and quartermaster
were especially instructed to look out for
the starboard gangway: a quarter watch
was kept on deck ell night: sentries'
cartridge boxes were filled, their arms
| kept loaded, a number of rounds OF rap
id-fre ammunition kept in the pilot
house and In the spare captains pantry,
under the after superstructure was kept
additional charges Of shell close at hand.
for the second battery: steam was kept
up on two boilers. instead Of one. and
positive instructions were given to watch
carefully all the hydraulic gear and re-
port defects.
He said he had given orders to the