Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28

lively low pressure of steam. and being
tended by reliable watch. These boilers
could not have caused the explosion off the
Ship The four forward boilers have since
been found by the divers, and are in fair
condition.
On the night of the destruction of the
Maine everything had been reported secure
for the night, at pm. by reliable per-
sors. through the proper authorities. to the
commanding officer. At the time the
Maine was destroyed the ship was quiet
and therefore least liable O accident caused
ty movements from those on board.
Explosions.
3. The destruction of the Maine occurred
at $40 pm. on the 18th day of February,
eighteen hundred and ninety-eight. in the
haroor or Havana. Cuba. she being at the
tnie moored to the same buoy to which
she had been taken upon her arrival
There were two explosions of a distinct
ly different character. with a very short
but distinct interval between them, and
the forward part of the ship was lifted to
marked degree ct the time of the first
explosion.
The first explosion was more in the ma
ture of a report, like that of a gun: while
| the second explosion was more omen. nro-
longed, and of greater volume This Sec
ond explosion was. in the opinion of the
court, caused by the partial explosion of
Two or more Of the forward magazines of
| the Maine.
Condition of the Wreck.
4. The evidence bearing upon this beinp
principally obtained from divers did not
enable the court to form a definite CON-
cicsion as to the condition of the wreck
although II was established that the after
| part Oh the ship was practically intact, and
| sank In that condition very few minutes
| after the destruction of the forward part.
The following facts in regard to the for
ward part of the ship are, however, estab-
| lished by the testimony:
Ihat portion of the port side of the
protective deck, which extends from about
| frame 30 to about Frame Al was blown
up AIT, and over to port. The main deck
| ucm about Frame 30 to about Frame Al
was blown up. aft. and slightly over to
| s'srpoard' toldlng the forward part of the
| middle superstructure over and on ton of
the after part.
This was, in the opinion of the court.
caused by the partial explosion of two or
more of the forward magazines of the
| Maine
D. At frame Ii, the outer shell of the shin
| from point eleven and one-half feet from
| the middle line of the ship. and six feet
1 aooVe the Keel when in its normal position
| mas been forced up so to be now about
| Tour feet above the surface of the water;
therefore, about thirty-four feet above
| where it would be had the ship sunk uniu-
| 1ured.
| Inc outside bottom plating is bent into
| a reversed vshape A the after wing of
winch, about fifteen feet broad and thirty
two feet in length (from frame Ii to frame
20 is doubled bac-- upon itself against the
continuation of the same plating extend
| ing forward.
AT frame Is the vertical keel is broken in
two, and the fiat keel bent into an angle
similar to the angle formed by the out
side bottom plating. This break is now
| about six feet below the surface of the
water, and about thirty feet above its nor
| NAL position.
In the opinion of the court this effect
| could have been produced only by the ex-
| plcsion of a mine situated under the bot
| tom of the ship at about frame Is and
somewhat on the port side of the ship
| q. The court finds that the loss of the
| Maine, On the occasion named, was not in
any respect due TO fault or negligence on
the part of any of the officers or members
| of the crew of said vessel.
/
| was destroyed by the explosion of a SUBJ
| marine mine, which caused the partial ex-
plosiou of two or more of her forward
| magazines.
| 5. The Court has been unable to obtain
evidence fixing the responsibility for the
destruction of the Maine upon any person
or persons.
wv. T. SAMPSON, Captain U. S. N,
| President
| A. MARK, Lieut.. Commander L. s. N.
| Judge Advocate
The court. having finished the inquiry it
was ordered to make, adjourned at IL IN.
| TO await the action of the converting aq-
1 thority.
| W. T. SAMPSON
Captain United States Navy. President.
| A. MARK,
| Commander. United States Navy, Judge
| Advocate.
L. S. FLAGSHIP NEW YORK.
| March 3D. 1898.
| OF Key West Fla
The proceedings and findings of the court
| Of inquiry in the above case are approved.
| NJ. SICARD,
| Rear A6r iral. Commander-in- Chief
| of the L. S. Naval forces on the
| North Atlantic STATEN