The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-04
CAPT. G. D. SIGSBEE.

secrecy unparalleled in the handling of off,
cial papers.
The report is made up OF eight parts, as
follows:
First-The court finds that at the time
OF the explosion the battleship Maine was
lying in five and one-half 10 six fathoms of
water
SecOnd-The discipline aboard the ship
was excellent; everything stored according
10 DISCRIMINATION. guns. stores. etc.
The temperature of the magazines al 3
p. m. was normal. except in the after 10
inch magazine and that did not explode.
Third-The explosion occurred at $40
o'clock on the evening OF February Is
There were two explosions. with a very
short interval between them. The ship
lifted on the first explosion.
Fourth-The court can form no definite
opinion OF the condition OF the wreck from
the divers evidence.
Fiftb-CiVes the technical details of the
wreckage. from which the court deduces
that a mine was exploded under the ship
on the part side.
sixth-The explosion was due TO no fault
or those on board.
Seventh-Centains the opinion of ths
court. stating that the explosion of the
mine caused the explosion OF two maya
zines.
E4ghth-~The court declares that IL cannot
find evidence TO fix responsibility.
The report is unanimous and is signed
hy all the members OF the court.
II does not refer 10 the existence or nom
existence of the mine in the harbor OF Ha-
vana. except In the specific finding that
mine was exploded under he ship. and the
opinion shat the explosion Of the Two mag
aziues was caused by the explosion of a
mine.
The report as a whole is a formal dis
passionate recital or the facts and hears
pf frfr nfff ri III. -
marks naval procedure. II is brief not ex-
ccedlaE sac words. and among the eight
points goes 10 the greatest length under
The second heading. which deals with the
discipline and order of the ship.
The court specifies with extreme minute
mess, the last detail of the satisfactory con-
dition Of everything on board being given.
The normal tempefa turs of the large for
ward ma gaines ~ O'Clock only an hour
ara forty minutes before tho explosion
disposes OF the question Of accidental COM
bustlon withfp these magazines. While
the court holds that these MAGAZINES did
not explodc from internal causes. they are
nevertheless 81 the opinion that the expio-
sion ~ he mine Under the port side Of ire
ship caused the explosion Of the two rnaxa--
zines. THIS WI explain the remarkable
dsssructior wrought the EXPLOSION thu.
being shown TO have combined The force Of
a mine without ard two magazines within.
The TWO explosions Which the court finds
20 have occurred with a very short inter-
val between. ia an additional detail show
ing that TWO forces operated in causing
'he destruction. The finding that the ship
lifted On rle first explosion indicates NJ.
external source. ard one Of tremendous
power. 20 By able 20 lift a ba:tiesnip OF
thousands OF tons The character OF tie
wt~ckage, 'echni7aiiy described In the f,rth
par II the report. from which the court
dsdue0a that miro vas exploded under
! Tire snip % the pcrt side. sustalns the view
.aEen ny some experts shortly after the
disaster taat the force ~ the explosion,
was exsrted from port 10 startoard
The feature u the report az deepqsf IN
teTesf % the navy IS the complete ex0nars-
sson az capt. Sgsbes and All on board
contained 10 the second fading setting
forth She perfect order and fiscipi.ne pre-
vaiiine on fse ship. ard more directly
stated ira .he sixth nnllnR which declares
tae disaster 20 Je 10 fault OF those On
board
TIE Inability % the court to End evidence
- tx responsibility. az stated IN ta. eighth
part. nakts tho report 80 guarded In ex-
preston % blame that neither Spain nor
che spanish are naenffGned Throughout
Tae m0te heart we pat iuto & task The
Fighter Cur taiI becornss
Duty inquiries w hat ru,4ss dom ~