The sun., 1898-02-24
TIE BLoW1xo UP OF THE NAIVE
a Theory That ~ Was an Accident Caused by
Lew Water in "a Roller.

Lew Water In Roller.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS--Sir: For the
reason that THE Sun is the favorite newspaper
OF naval. steam, mechanical. and electrical cn.
gineers In all countries, largo number Of dc.
signing engineers who are familiar with tho
types Of steam apparatus installed on the
u. s. s. Maine have requested mo to lay their
views concerning the probable cause of the
accident on that ship before you. Ono OF these
engineers placed tho forward boilers on the YES.
sci. and another engineer. whose opinion is in
conformity with the ideas of his confrercs. in
stalled all tho electrical apparatus on the Texas.
n sister ship OF the Maine and built in almost
every way on similar lines, especially in boilers
and engines.
Tho theory which we accept. based upon long
experience in explosions, and upon valuable In
formation just received by Havana engineer.
on American who has just arrived in town via
Florida, is that the accident was caused by low
water In the boiler used in connection with tho
electric lighting and fan machinery. II this
theory rests upon good foundations, the proof
will BIO clearly shown by an examination Of tho
crown sheet. which will probably be found by
the divers. II the crown piece is of q dark blue
color that alone will DO irrefragablc proof to en-.
ginecrs Of low water in the boiler. and tho In
stantaneous development Of latent heat, a fruit
ful cause Of tho destruction Of many steamboats,
and locomotives during the pust thirty years.
The Staten Island fcrryb accident was
traced to this cause. and on Jan. 80 last q To-
comotive on the Norfolk and Western Railroad
blow up from the same cause. and together
with the tender was blown to fragments and
scattered over 5000 square yards. the fire.
man killed. and the locomotive driver severely
injured. We contend that the explosion of the
Maine's boiler wrecked the small magazine and
ignitod the explosives stored therein.
Our friend Just in from Cuba, who is an expert
the appearance of the wreck OF the Maine, he
boleves the principal magazine Is intact. III this
Senny and skill Of maNa Who so
planned the magazines as to provide for tre-
mncndous me- impacts without danger Of explosions.
We also believe, speaking from long experience
In manufacturing and experimenting with every
sort OF torpedoes and mines. that the sinking OF
by the explosion of . torpedo or mine; The ex.
plosion OF q torpedo or a mine would not have
condition OF the Maine. Furthermore. on the
head of torpcdocs and mines. we know that
harbor Of Havana The am"horaGe % Of m the
Maine was much further within the hnrbor
than. than military engineer would place such en-,
second to none in intelligence and skill in rem
dering harbors untenable for enemies.
Let carping critics Of our institutions fret and
growl over expenditures for navy and army ac-
count, ami let wcak-hearted patriots be cast
be in ships. guns and mon, but let us as men OF
courage and loyalty initiate tho worthy legisla-
tnr OF Connecticut in that awful day or more
than century ago. called THE Dark Day"
when the sunlight was slowly extinguished. as
IL by an eclipse The Connecticut Legislature
was In session. and as its members saw tho
darkness coming on they shared in the general
awc and terror. 1t was supposed by many that
the Day of Judgment had come Some one, in
the CONSERVATION of the hour. moved an ad.
journmont. Then there arose one of the wisest
and best men in tho house. Davenport of Stam-
ford. and said that il the last day had come
he desired to be found in his place doing his
duty. and therefore moveu that candles bo
brought in so that the House could proceed with
its duty. In this hour when citizens from East
port, Me- to the Aleutian Isles are mourning
for the loss of brave men who sank beneath tho
waves of Havana harbor, it is well to recall the
words Of that sterling legislator who sounded
tho reveille OF duty.
G. WILFRED PEARcE. Engineer.
In behalf OF 2l6 naval. mechanical and scien.
tific engineers. all Of whom have been at
one time or another engaged In the upbuild-
ing of The White Squadron.
New YORK, Feb 90.