The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-01
AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Not Known When the Inquiry Into
the Disaster VIII be Completed.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2S-Nobody at
the Navy Department, from the Score
tary down, has any information what
ever as to the probable date upon which
the court viii report it's conclusions 10
the Secretary Of the Navy. 1t is verg
doubtful in the minds of the officers
here whether the members of the coul
themselves are able to pass an op5ntel-
on this point at this time. as it l.. .,ee
lieved that the work SO far done, aside.
from that relating to the recover y IF
dead bodies and personal property. has
been scarcely more than preliminary.
Judge-Advocate General Lemlev
found a message this morning from tbs
Merritt & Chapman Wreckils c.
pany. dated at New York, reading
follows:
The tug Underwater, with the :
rick Chief in tow, passed Sandy Hook
at 1910 p. m. Sunday, the 9th. bound
for Havana. Assistant Wrecking Master
Tooker was in charge of the Under
writer"
Assuming that fair weather prevails,
the tug with it's tow should arrive at
Havana about Saturday. With this
derrick the Investigations of the court
of inquiry undoubtedly can be
much facilitated for although the Chief
will be unable to lift the big turrets. her
derrick would still remove the smaller
guns and the greater part of the debris
which is the source of complaint on the
part Of Captain Sigsbee as interfering
with the search for bodies and With the
examination into the cause of the dis
aster
taf y4-1l i- 6irapflxr n
/ charge of that branch of the Naviga-
ton Bureau relating to the enlisted men
in the navy, is directing the work Of
his Office to the issuance Of death GER
tifcates TO the families OF the dead
sailors. Upon these certificates the
Auditors of the Treasury Department.
are obliged to pay over to the legal
/ representatives. or heirs Of the deceased
any sums of money that may be due
them by the United States Government
on account of accrued pay or retained
deposits. In the case of many victims
! of The Maine disaster the department is
obliged to certify to the death Of the
sailors without being able to secure evil
dence Of that fact through the presence
| of bodies. 1t is assumed by the Off
/ Gals that a man falling to report per-
{ 4SlstO III the CalaSiippNt-
/ Letters are reaching the Navy De-
/ parment front all parts of the coun-
i try from alleged relatives of the vie
/ TINS and it appears that in numerous
cases there are many claimants for the
small sums of money or property that
! belong 20 the dead men. It Will be the
/ duty Of the department TO try to ad-
+ just these claims and reconcile conflicts,
and every effort is being made by the
I officials to do this as speedily as pos
sible, consistent With the requirements
: of the statutes.
/ II can be stated authoritatively that
j the Navy Department has received
nothing TO indicate the cause Of the ex-
plosion. ana that reports that il has
/ been advised that it was by external
agencies are without foundation.
Captain Sigsbee has telegraphed that
! two more dead bodies were recovered
/ yesterday. one was unacceptable.
/ but the other was identified as that of
J. w Johnson The Captain also an
nounced the death in the hospital at
Havana Of Holzer who made such a
! gallant struggle for life.
Commander Forsyth. at Key West,
| telegraphed this morning that he had.
in execution Of the departments order,
secured a plot of ground in the ceme-
/ terry at Key West. in which will be
| Inferred the remains Of such victims as
shall be brought from Havana. Adj
/ miral Sieard personally viii look after
the funeral arrangements. 1t is learned
that the Spanish officials at Havana
| have consented TO the removal of any
bodies hereafter recovered, a formal
lily made necessary by the fact that the
Cuban law does not permit such re-
moNals from fear OF extending conta-
sion. 1t is understood that the re-
! mains are not TO be permanently in
TERED at Key West. and this under
standing gives a great deal of satisfac-
ton TO the naval officials here. who
have had trouble in times past in MAIN
| tanning graves Of sailors in proper con-
dition. owing to the utilization Of large
quantities Of water in the graves
through the porous and low lying coral
strands. As the remains are inclosed
in Theoretically sealed zinc cases, 1t is