The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-03-31
A MISSION OF PEACE.


VI tfA tthTrt n uidu.Ol-"d' W w hbH
shored at the buoy; that he had rarely
known q. merchant vessel to be anchored
there, and that 1t was the least used
buoy in the harbor.
In describing the surroundings when
first moored to his buoy, Captain Sigs-
bee stated that the Spanish manof-war
Alphonso XII. was moored In position
now occupied by the Fern, about $50
yards to the northward and westward of
the Maine. The German ship Gniesenau
was anchored at the berth now occu-
pied by the Spanish man-of-war Segas-
pc, which is about 400 yards about due
north from the Maine. He then located
the German man-of-war Charlotte.
which came into the harbor a day or two
later, which was anchored to the south
ward of the Names berth, about four
or five yards
In describing the surroundings at the
time of the explosion Captain Sigsbee
stated that the night was calm and still.
The Alphopso XII was at the same
berth. The small Spanish dispatch boat
Segaspe had come out the day before
and taken the berth occupied by the
German man-of-war Gniesenau, which
had left The City of Washington was
anchored about 200 yards to the south
and east of the Names stern, slightly
on the port quarter. The Maine coaled
at Key West, taking on about $50 tons,
the coal being regularly inspected and
taken from the government coal pile.
This coal was placed generally in the
forward bunkers. No report was received
from the chief engineer that any coal
had been too long in the bunkers and that
the fire alarms in the bunkers were SEN
sitive. In SO far as the regulations re-
gardng in1ammables and paints on
board, Captain Sigsbee testified that the
regulations were strictly carried out in
regard to stowage, and that the waste
also was subject to the same careful
disposition. AS to the situation of the
paint room, he fixed 1t. as in the eyes
of the Ship just below the berth deck
the extreme forward compartment. AS
for the disposition of infiammables, they
were slowed in chests, according to reg
ulations, and when intlammables were
in excess of chest capacity. they were
allowed to be kept in the bathroom or
the admiraps cabin. Regarding the cleo
trio plant of the Maine, Captain Sigsbee
stated that there was no serious
grounding nor sudden flashing up of the
lights before the explosion, but sud
den and total eclipse. AS for regulations
affecting the taking of temperature Of
the magazines and so on, Captain Sigs-
bee said there were no special regula-
tons other than the usual regulations
required by the department He ex-
amined the temperature himself and
conyersed with the ordnance officer as to
the various temperatures and the con-
tents of the magazines, and, according
Sigsbee, the temperatures were never
at the danger point.
IT do not think there was any laxity
in this direction" said the captain, in re-
ply to a question of Judge Advocate
Mark.
He had no recollection of any work go
ing on in the magazines or shell rooms
on the day of the explosion. The keys
were called for IN the usual way on the
day in question and were properly re-
turned. At the time of the disaster the
two after boilers in the after fireroom
were in use, because the hydraulic sys
TEN was somewhat leaky
Speaking generally of his relations
with the Spanish authorities, Captain
Sigsbee stated that with the officials
they were outwardly cordial. The
members of the autonomistic council of
the government. however seemed to
have brought to the attention of the
navy department the fact that he did not
visit them, and that fact brought some
embarrassment to the government at
Washington. He took the ground to the
department that it was unknown ETH
quette to call on the civil members of
the colonial government other than the
governor. Without waiting for such an
order Captain Sigsbee made a visit af-
forwards, and he states was pleasant
ly received and his visit promptly re-
turned by certain members of the coun-
Gil
Later, a party of ladies and gentlemen
called and the president of the council
made a speech, which Captain Sigsbee
could not understand, but which was in
terpreted TO him briefly to which he re-
piled. MY reply" said Captain Sigs-
bee, was afterwards printed in a least
two papers in Havana, but the terms
made me favor the autonomistic govern
ment in the island / am informed that
the autonomistic government in Havana
is unpopular among large class OF
Spanish and Cuban residents. ! have no
means of Knowing whether my appar-
emit interference in the political concerns
Of the island had any relations to the
destruction of the Maine"
When asked whether there was any
demonstration of animosity by people
afloat, Captain Sigsbee said that there
was never on shore. as he was informed,
but there was ahoat. He then related
that on. the first Sunday after the
Names arrival ferry boat, crowded
densely with people, civil and military
returning from a bull fight in Regla.
passed the Maine and about 40 people
on board INDUCED in yells, whistles and
derisive calls.
During the stay in Havana. Captain
Sigsbee took more than ordinary pre-
cautions for the protection of the Maine
by placing sentries on the forecastle ami
poop, quartermaster and signal boys on
the bridge and on the poop A corpora
of the guard was especially instructed
to look out for the port gangway and the
off1cer of the deck and quartermastel'
were especially instructed to look QUO TO,
the starboard gangway; quarter watch
was kept on deck all night sentries
cartridge boxes were filled their arms
kept loaded, a number of rounds of rap
idfire ammunition kept in the pilot
house and in the spare captains pantry.
under the after superstructure was kept
additional charges of shell. close at hand
for the second battery; steam was kep7
up on two boilers. instead of one, and