River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

ish ships 10 the principal ports of the
United States. Meanwhile the Maine en-
tered the port OF Havana on the 25th Of
January her arrival being marked with
no special incident besides the exchange of
customary saluies ana ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued IN the harbor of
Havana during the three weeks follow
ing her arrival. No appreciate excite
IEeut attended her stay; on the contrary
a feeling Of relief and confidence followed
tie resumption of the long Interrupted
friendly intercourse. So noticeable was
this immediate effect Of her visit that the
COnsul-General strongly urged that the
presence Of our ships In Cuban waters
should be kept up by retaining he Maine
at Havana, or In the event Of her recall
by sending there vessel to take her place.
The FATAL Evening,
At 30 minutes past nine on the evening
Of the 18th Of February the Maine was
destroyed by an explosion, 10y which the
entire forward part of the ship was ut
terly wrecked. In this catastrophe two
officers and go Of her crew persisted. those
who were not Killed outright by her ey-
pIosion being peuned between decks by
the tangle Of wreckage and drowned by
the immediate sinking OF the hull Prompt
assistance was rendered by the neighbor-
lag vessels anchored in the harbar, aid
being especially given by the boats Of
the Spanish cruiser Alph0nso MI. and tho
Ward lire steamer City of Washington
which lay not far distant. The wounded
were generously cared for by the authori-
ties Of Havana, the hospitals being freely
opened to them. While the earliest recov-
cred bodies Of the dead were inferred b.
the municipality in public cemetery IN
the city. Tributes Of grief and sympathy
We're offered from all Official quarters Of
the Island.
Caused Intense Excitement.
The appalling calamity fell upon the peo-
pie Of our country with crushing force and
for a brief time an intense excitement pre-
vailed, which in a community less just and
self-Controiled than ours might have led to
hasty acts Of blind resentment. This S2fr-
il, however, soon gave way to the calmer
processes Of reason and to the resolve 10 in
vestigate the facts and await the material
proof before forming a judgment as to the
cause, the responsibility ard, IL the facts
warranted. the remedy due. This course
necessarily recommended itself from the
outset TO the executive. for only in the light
OF a dispassionately ascertained certainty
could It determine the nature and measure
of its fun duty in the matter.
The usual procedure was followed. as in
all cases Of casualty or disaster to national
vessels Of any maritime state. A naval
court OF inquiry was at once organized.
composed OF officers Well qualified by rank
and practical experience to DISCHARGE the
onerous duty imposed upon them.
Aided by a strong force Of wreckers and
divers the court proceeded to make q thor
Cugh investigation on the spot. employing
every available means for the impartial
and exact determination Of the causes OF
the explosion. Its operations have been
conducted with the utmost deliberation and
Judgment, and while Independently pur-
sued no source of information was neglect
ed and the fullest opportunity was allowed