The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-22
DIVERS ENTER THE MAINE.

Their Proper Place.
Havana, February 2o.-1he Ameri-
can divers began their work today. Early
in the morning they descended into the
Maine, but they were not able to make
more than three trips. From the store
room of Capt Sigsbee they brought the
drawer which contained the official cor
respondence of Capt. Sigsbee, and also
the secret Geographic and letter code of
the American5navy.
The divers also brought up other books,
official accounts, and important docu-
nents that are needed by Capt. Sisbee;
and, to the great relief Of the captain,
they brought up the keys of all the
powder magazines, { which, as previous
ly cabled to the Sun, the captain declared
had been delivered to him at s O'Clock on
the night of the explosion, that is to
say, two hours before the catastrophe oc-
Cured. The fact is OF very great impor-
lance to show that there was no careless
ness on the part of the Captain and crew
of the Maine.
The divers also found Capt. iSigsbee's
watch. The captain told the oorrespon-
dent that this was the third time MS
1.-The first time, he said, was IN Japan,
the second in Bahia Honda. Cuba, when
the Blake ran ashore and had to jump
into the water, and this is the third
time.'
The divers brought also some money
from the captain Stateroom, and Slgs-
bee gave it to them as a gift. At O'Clock
this afternoon the divers were greatly
fatigued, and Capt. Sigspee ordered them
to suspend. work until tomorrow.
Many reports are circulating IN town
about the discoveries made today, but
Capt. Sigsbee will give no further lnfor-
nation about the days results
When the work Of the divers was over
Can't, Sigsbee went to the hospital of San
Aribrosio to visit the wounded who re-
NAMED thers. They are John Hefon, ID.
Shea, E. u. Cahill, Paul Loftuns, VIM.
Mattisen, j. W. Allen, (oolored), George
Cocelher, and f. @. Holtzer.
The last named man is delirious and
in deperate, condition. 1t is said by the
doctors that he can hardly live more than
a few hours.
It was one of the most pathetic scenes
since the terrible catastrophe took place.
Capt. Sigsbee couli not restrain his
emotion st the sight of his suffering and
diving sailors. They welcomed him with
evidences of great respect and affection.
The captain remained some minutes
at the bedside of each of the sailors and
talked to them, asking them questions
about the disaster. Only three were able
to recall any details.
The others all declared that the affair
was like nightmare, and that they re-
member only being in the water, in the
boats. or in the hospital.
Cochler, though delirious, had few
quiet moments when he recognized the
captain He stared at him, took both
his hands and said:
Captain don't leave me here. l
know that the Maine is going to New Or
leans. For Gods sake, captain, don't
leave me in Havana, don't leave me
here. | feel strong enough to make the
trip and perform all my duties. y"
The CAPTAIN, with great emotion, an
swered him:
leaves Havana I will take you with me- ~
The poor sailor then lay back on the
pillow, his eDlaciated face bright with
hope.
toehler, in the opinion of the doctors,
win die.
Holtzer. who is also in very grave
condition, said:
How do you DO, captain? Pardon
me, captain, if | cannot shake hands.
/ don't know where they are. These fell
lows say that they are all broken. [ am
very sorry, captain, that you lost your
ship and your sailors.
'tYou chose the wrong captain this time,
my boy"
FsOh, no, no, captain, was the general
answer from all the beds
All the wounded sailors asked Capt.
Sigsbee to call again and not forget them.
When he left the room the captain S
eyes were filled with tears. 1t is the first
time since the disaster that the CORE
spondent has seen him in such emotion.
He soon recovered himself and asked an
American reporter who speaks Spanish
TO be his interpreter while he talked to
DIR. Munoz Eguren, who is the physician
in charge Of the hospital
the care you are taking of my poor sail
ors.''
The doctor answered that he was only
doing his duty.
An interpreter has been appointed in
the hospital to be near the sailors, because
it was very hard for them, at first. to
make themselves understood.
The Diario de Ia Marina publishes a
despatch from New York quoting Lieut..
Sobral's interview, in which he is said to
have expressed the opinion that in his
opinion there was great lack OF disci
pine and much carelessness on board of
the Maine, and that this was the prInc1-
pal cause of the disaster.
The despatch has caused great deal of
Indignation among the Americans. At
the same time the rabid Spaniards and
some officials are very indignant against
the American correspondents here, and
trouble may occur.
Tomorrow the Mangrove is expected
here with some more divers and appE-
ances. Those now in use here are old
and poor.
Miss Clara Barton went to Jaruco to-
day, where she was warmly welcomed
She has established a new hopsital there.
The reconcentrsdoes cheered her with
great enthusiasm. She has announced
her intention to go to Artemisa, on the
boundary between the provinces of Ha-
vana and Pinar del Rio. The misery of
the starving people there is very great.
Today ninety-five officers and $50 sick
soldiers started on their return to
Spain.
Several sugar estates in the Guantana.
mo district has commenced grinding
cane.
THE MAGAZINE INTACT.
A Discovery That Throws Some Light On
the Maine disaster.