Bridgeton pioneer., 1898-02-17
100 KILLED, MANY WOUNDED
Capt. Sigsbee Notifies the Navy Department
of the Appalling Catastrophe-veil
of Mystery About the Disaster.
HINT OF A GRAVE SUSPICION
Request That Public Opinion be Suspended
Until Further Report. Important
Secret Message to Secretary Long.

HAVANA, Feb. 15.-At a quarter of 10
o'clock this evening, a terrible explosion
took place on board the United States
battleship Maine in Havana harbor.
Many were killed or wounded. All the
boats of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso
XIII are assisting.
AS yet the cause of the explosion is not
apparent.
The wounded sailors of the Maine are
ar able to explain.
1t is believed that the battleship is to-
tally destroyed.
The explosion shook the whole city.
The windows were broken in all the
houses.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press says he has conversed with several
of the wounded sailors, and understands
from them that the explosion took place
while they were asleep, so that they can
give no particulars.
All Havana is Wild.
HAVANA, Feb. 16 The widest con-
sternation prevails in Havana. The
wharves are crowded with thousands of
people. 1t is believed the explosion oc-
CURED in a small powder magazine.
At quarter of IL O'Clock what remains
of the Maine was still bnrning.
Captain Sigsbee and the other officers
have been saved.
1t is estimated that over one hundred
of the crew were killed, but it is impos-
sible as yet to give exact details.
The Wounded Being Cared For.
Admiral Manterola has ordered that
boats of all kinds should go to the assist
ance of the Maine and her wounded.
The Havana firemen are giving aid, tend"
ingsoarefuly to the wounded as they are
brought on she-c.
As.~sp When Explosion Occurred,
At isa terrible sight. General Solano
and the other Generals have been ordered
by Captain General Blanco to take steps
to help the Names crew in every way
possible.
h The correspondent of the Associated
Press has been near the Maine in one of
the boats of the cruiser Alfonso XIII and
saw others of the wounded, who cor
roborated the statement of those first in
terviewed that they were all asleep when
the explosion occurred.
Captain Sigsb se Wounded.
Captain Sigsbee says the explosion oc,
Cured in the bow of the vessel. He re-
ceived wound in the head. Orders
were given to the other officers to save
themselves as best they could.
The latter, who were literally thrown
from their hunks in their night clothing.
gave the necessary orders with great self
possession and bravery.
The first theory was that there has been
preliminary explosion in the. Santa
Barbara (magazine,) with powder or
dynamite below water.
Captain Sigsbee Tells of The Horror.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. l5.-The
Secretary of the Navy received the fol-
lowing telegram from Captain Sigsbee:
Maine blown up in Havana harbor at
$40 and destroyed.
Many wounded and doubtless more
killed and drowned.
Wounded and others are on board the
Spanish man-of-war and the Ward Line
steamer.
Send lighthouse tenders from Kew
West for the crew, and the few pieces of
equipment still above water.
No one had other clothes than those
upon him.
Public opinion should be suspended
until further report. All the officers are
believed to be saved.
Jenkins and Merritt not yet accounted
for. Many Spanish offers, including
representatives of General Blanco. are
now with me and express sympathy.
(Signed) SIGsBEE.
Mother Gray's Sweet Powders for Children.
Successfully used by Mother Gray, nurse
in the Children's Home in New York
Cure Feverishness, Bad Stomach, Teeth
ing Disorders, move and regulate the
Bowels and Destroy Worms. Over 10000
testimonials. They neuer fail. At all
druggists, 25c. Sample FREE. Address,
Alien s. OlmSted LAROv N "