The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-02-17
A FEARFUL REPORT
Associated Press Reporter
Says Evidence of a
Bomb Has Been
Found.
NAMES WOUNDED DOING WE'LL
Rumors at Key West and Theories
at Washington-The In
vestigatiOn.
NAMES WOUNDED DOING WELL

KEY WEST, Fla, Feb. II, 1S9S.-The
correspondent of the Associated Press has
just returned here on board the Olivette, |
from the scene of the wreck of the U. s.
battleship Maine in Havana harbor. The
divers who have been working about her
bottom have discovered an S-inch per-
cussion hole in one of her plates.
Admiral Manterola has summoned Cap
tain Sgsbee to appear before Military
Judge Peral to make the necessary depo-
sftions. All proofs of the torpedo work
will be removed
Another man-of-war is expected here
tonight.
The reports upon the Names wounded
today are favorable. Every possible
care is being bestowed upon them, and |
both well and injured are brighter and
better after nights rest. Now it is
the officers and men not connected with
the Maine who show signs of exhaustion
Commander Forsyth, of the Naval Sta
ton here, has been on duty ever since
the first news of the disaster was re-
.ceived here, and the officers and men on
the torpedo boats Gushing and Ericsson
have been under a great strain, winch no
one who has not travelled on those
elongated coff1ns' can appreciate. For
tunately the threateped norther did not
develop, so the trips between here and
the Tortugas was not so bad But, aftef
a few accidents, the discovery will be
made that the Florida Channel, between
Key West and Cuba, is one lpf the rough
est and most dangerous passages Tor
small boats in the world. Experienced,
travelled men say it is worse than the
English Channel, the Gulf Stream meet
ing the tide and wind and there is al
ways treacherous sea. These facts
account for the frequent delays of the
boats in the ninety mile passages be
tween this port and Havana, and opinion
is growing stronger here that torpedo
boats are not fit for outside cruising.
Mr.. Jose M. Mann, of New York, pas
senger on board the City of Washington,
of the Ward Line, which was moored near
the battleship Maine on Tuesday night,
at the time of the disaster to the battle
ship, in describing the catastrophe today
said
,"While we were conyersing IN, the CABIN
at about twenty minutes past nine on
Tuesday night a loud report startled the
company. They rushed to the port hoies
and saw an immense flash shoot up in the
air with terrific report. Debris Of all
kinds and a large number of bodies were
thrown upwards. It was at first believed
that the Maine was being fired upon, but
afterwards as the City of Washington
was struck. by what turned out to be fall
ing debris, and she careened it was
thought she was being fired upon. A
second explosion took place, and, follow
ing it. we heard groans and cries of
ssHelp,' Help us The boats of the
City of Washington and those Of the
Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII We're hur-
riedly launched and went to the rescue.
1 went in one of the boats of the City
of Washington and the scenes witnessed
were heartrending beyond description.
1.-TWO of the small boats on board the
City of washington were stove in by
debris from the Maine. which sank even
after the explosion.
.sThe City of Washington was convert
| ed into a veritable hospital Many of the
rescued men were brought on board al
most nude and the passengers gave them
| clothing, etc.
..The officers of the City of Washington
| did all in their power to make the rescued
men comfortable.
About half an hour after the explosion
| Consul General Lee, the Civil Governor
| of Havana, and Captain General Blanco's
| Chief of Staff came on board. General
Lee remained with US all night
| s.rrhe affair caused the utmost excite
ment in Havana. Seven bodies We're
picked up in the harbor yesterday and
were identified, though horribly mangled
1.-THE explosion occurred forward OF the
| midships section of the Maine.
| Later reports today from the wounded
| of the Maine show them to be doing well
except in the case of Patrick Foley, an
apprentice, whose skull is fractured. 1t
is feared Foley will die.
/ The officers from the Maine are here
| at the hotels, or are quartered with army
| or naval friends, and the seamen and
others have been provided for at the
barracks or have been sent to the cruiser
/ New York.
| distribution of clothes will be made
to them as soon as possible. The Off
/ GERS can buy al lthey want here in the
| way of clothing.
| Regarding the explosion, the officers OF
| tbe Maine are relticent They are evil
| IDENTIFY under orders to keep quiet on
/ the subject. but the men talk more freely,
| and they, 1ncluulnS tLe petty o1liScio "
| the Maine. are almost unanimous in in
| sisting that the explosion was caused by
a large torpedo planted before the Maine
arrived at Havana.
The naval men here say that would be
1 possible but is not likely. The anchorage
! for the Maine was designated by a buoy
and the location of the buoy was fixed
by the harbor officials. 1t is added that
any officials perfectly posted as to cur
| rents and tides might plant torpedo at
night. so that. under certain conditions of
tide. it would be under the forward part
/ of the Maine as she swung to her moor
ings. Once planted, it is further stated
Ehere. such torpedo could be exploded
1 from the shore or from boat at any
time fixed by those in the secret. All
i this however. is regarded as being un-
likeqv to occur, and as being almost inn
i possible to occur without the collusion
of Spanish officials.
The Maine. according to the reports re-
ceived here, was split open forward
& therefore, it is added, it is difficult to see
4 how such a. result could be attained by q
i torpedo from the outside, and Therefore
II is pointed out that the explosion seems
to have come from Within although the
KEYS Of the magazines were in the hands
of Captain Sigsbee at eight P. NJ.
KEY WEST Feb. II. 1898 the
keys OF the magazines were delivered te