The bee., 1898-03-31

covered visits to Havana for five or SIX
years, a man-of-war to be anchored at
that buoy; that he had rarely known
merchant vessels to be anchored there, and
that 1t was the least used buoy in the har-
Dor. In describing the surroundings when
first moored 20 this buoy Capt. Sissbee
stated that the Spanish man-of-war Al
phonso XII. was moored in the position
now occupied by the Fern, about 250 yards
to the northward and westward of the
Maine. The German ship Griesenau was
anchored at the berth now occupied by
the Spanish man-of-war Legaspe, 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 an
chored to the southwark of the Names
berth about 400 or 500 yards.
In describing the surroundings at the
time Of the explosion. Capt. Sigsbee stated
that the night was calm and still. The
Alphonso MI. was at the same berth
The small Spanish dispatch boat Legaspe
had come out the day before and taken the
berth occupied by the German man-of-war
Grlesenau. which had left. The steam
er city or Washington was anchored about
zoe yards TO the south and east of the
Names stern slightly on the port quarter
The Maine coaled at Key West, taking on
obout $50 tons. the coal being regularly
inspected and taken from the government
ccal pile. This coal was placed generally
in the forward bunkers. No report was re-
ceived from tho chief engineer that any
coal had been too long in the bunkers. and
that the fire alarms In the bunkers were
sensitive.
Regulations Strictly Carried Ont.
In so far as the regulations regarding in
fammables and paints on board, Capt. Slgs-
bee testified that the regulations wero
strictly carried out In regard to storage
CIfb IN
the Same careful disposition. As to the sit
nation Of the paint room, he fixed 1t as IN
the "eyes os the ship" just below the berth
deck, the extreme forward compartment.
As for the disposition of infammables, they
were slowed in chests according to the reg
ulations, and when inflammables v sre in
excess of chest capacity they were Al owed
to be kept I'm the bathroom OF the adm rails
cabin. Regarding the electric plant the
Maine, Capt. Sigsbee stated that there was
no serious, grounding nor sudden. flaring
up of the lights before the explosion. but
n sudden ana total eclipse. AS for regu-
lations affecting the taking of temperature
of the magazines, etc, Capt Sgsbee said
there were no special regulations other
than the usual regulations required by the
department. He examined the temperature
himself and conYersed with the ordnance
officer as to the various temperatures and
the contents Of the magazines. and accord
ing 10 the opinion OF this officer, as well as
Sigsbee. the temperatures were never at the
hanger point. II do not think there was
any laxity In this direction" said the cap
tain, In reply to a question Of Judge Advo-
cate Mark.
He had no recollection OF any work go
Ing on In the magazine or shell rooms en-
the day of the explosion. The keys were
called for In the usual way on the day In
question and were properly returned. ~
the time of the disaster the two after boil
ers In the after fire room we're IN use be-
csese TIE ty,., nllc sYs,c;c we senceehes
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