Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-04
Admiral Sicard's Directions to the
Court of Inquiry.
DESIRABILTFY OF DOCKING VESSELS
Concentrating Naval Forces Near
the Philippines.
wARsHIPs REACH HONG KONG

the North Atlantic squadron, copy of the
precept for the court of inquiry upon the
less of the battle ship Maine. of which
Capt. w. T. Sampson is president, and
which Ia now sitting at Key West. The
orders convening the court are embodied
in a letter written by Admiral Sicard to
Capt. Sampson. dated Key West, Fla. Feb
ruary 10, 1893. as follows:
"A court of inquiry consisting Of your
self Capt. Sampson), as president, and Of
Capt. F. E. Chadwick and Lieut.. Com
mander William P. Potter, as additional
members, and OF Lieutenant Commander
Adolph Mark, as judge advocate, Is here
by ordered to convsne at noon on Mon
day, February q, 1895, or as soon there
after az practicable, for the purpose
of inquiring into the circumstances con-
nected with the loss by explosion Of the
United States battle ship Maine in the
harbor of Havana, Cuba, on the night of
Tuesday. February 10. 1898. The court IL
authorized to hold its sessions on board
any ship of the North Atlantic squadron,
or in the city of Key Vast, Fla, or in the
harbor the city of Havana, Cuba The
attention of the court is invited to the in
structions concerning the particulars to be
investigated in the United States navy
regulations.
The following described papers relating
to the loss Of the L. s. S. Maine on the oc-
casion referred to are attached to and
made part of this precept:
Il. The copy of a telegram sent by Capt.
c. 8. Sigsbee, at Havana, Cuba, to Com
mander James NJ Forsyth, U.S.N, at Key
West. Fla, without date, but probably sent
ca the night of February 49, as 1t was re-
ceived at Key West, Fla, by Lieut. Com
mander VIM. S. Cowles, U.S.N.. at o'clock
am. Of February 16, 1898, and by the
con1mander-in-chief at $50 am, February
16. at Dry Tortugas, Fla
80 A telegram sent by Capt. c. d. Sigs-
bee, U-S.N., to che commander-in-chief at
Key West. Fla, dated Havana, Cuba, Feb
ruary 16, 1895.
The court will diligently and thoroughly
inquire into all the circumstances attend
ing the loss of said vessel on the date
nemed, and upon the conclusion Of the in
yestigation will report to the commander
in-chief its proceedings, all the testimony
taken and the facts which it may deem
established by the evidence adduced, to-
gether with its opinion as to what further
proceedings, IL any, should be had in the
matter. The court will also report whether
or not the loss of said vessel was, on the
occasion named, In any respect due to fault
office or members of the crew of said
vessel, and II so. the names of such officers
or members OF the crew and in what re-
spect and to what extent any or either Of
them were so at fault or negligent.
If the court shall be of opinion that
further proceedings should be had in the
matter, 1t will include in it's report sue
eicnt statement as to the person or persons
which. such proceedings should be had.
The court will also report its opinion as to
tie cause or causes Of the explosion. or
other incidents that bore directly or indi-
Iectly upon the loss of the Maine.
1T will also record any information that
1t may be able to obtain by testimony and
evidence as to any person or persons not
connected with the navy OF the United
States who are, in its opinion, responsible,
in part or wholly, directly or indirectly, for
the explosion and loss of the Maine. and
will include their names in its opinion, to-
gether with the degree Of such RESPONSE
bility in each case.
tSigned) IN. SICARD.
Rear Admiral Commander-in-Chief, L. S.
Naval Force on North Atlantic Station"
Desirable to Dock Some Vessels.
The Navy Department feels that it would
be most desirable to dock some of the war
ships now at and near Key West, and IL
1t were not for the present condition of
affairs this course would be speedily adopt
ed The regulations provide for docking
every six months, in order to keep the bot
toms OF the big ships free from marine
growth. This period has been long exceed
ed in the case of several of the ships of
Admiral Sicards squadron The battle ship
Iowa Is the worst of in this particular, and
IL will be a year next month since she was
docked. The battle ship Massachusetts,
comes next. and 1t will be a year in May
since she was docked. Even in northern
waters this length of time without dock
Ing would leave the bottoms of the ships
badly fouled but 1t is considerably worse in
tropical waters, particularly those about
Florida, where the marine growth Is very
luxurious. The naval officials say this con-
cition is not so serious in injuring the hulIs
of the ships II is in crippling their move
ments. IL makes them slow to respond in
action. and practically prevents rapid ma
EeUYering.
While this condition is regretted. the
Navy Department has determined not to
attempt any docking at the present time
Instead of that, the expedient of having
the ships divers clean the bottoms will be
resorted to In cases Of need. This plan IL
far less satisfactory than the thorough
cleansing which can be given in q dock.
But II has the advantage of keeping the
ships In service. AT present 1t Is not
thought that the necessities of the case re-
Quire the divers to 80 to work.
In case pacific conditions continue for an
other month or six weeks the department
dock ready for use. In that case the ships
would be docked one at time, the Iowa
going first, the Massachusetts next. and SO
in the order of their greatest need The
can be removed. and tn bottoms repainted.
The emergency work of divers could stop
the fouling, but IL would not permit re-
painting, and the hulls would be left open
TO corrosion.
Concentrating Near the PHILIPPINES.
NohhrHduon OF the report that the
United States Is concentrating its naval
forces in Asiatic waters in the vicinity of
the PHILIPPINE Islands was received at the
Navy Department today in a cable mes
page from Commodore Dewey, command
iEg the Asiatic station, announcing the
arrival of the cruiser Boston and the gun
boat Concord at Hong Kong this morning
frcm cruise to Corea. Hong Kong is an
open Chinese port. and is regarded as the
most available place Of rendezvous for
United States warships in the event of an
emergency. requiring movement against
the Spanish forces in the PHILIPPINE Islands
TIE flagship Olympia and the cruiser Ra-
leigh. the latter recently detached from
the European station. are now anchored In
the harbor of Hong Kong. These four yes-
sels comprise practically the total naval
strength Of the United States In Asfatfc
waters, but they are believed to be able 10
cope successfully with any feet which
Spain could send against them in thai fxr
distant section of rhe world.
hepienfshing the Amnunitfon sup,ly
TIE Navy Department is making prep
arations to repienish the supply Of am