New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-18
PLENTY OF EXPLOSIVES ON BOARD.
THE MAINE LITERALLY SUPPLIED. But THE
POWDER WAS CAREFULLY STORED

AND WATCHED.
After an investigation TINT covered nearly all dav
yesterday. tho naval officials connected with the
Ordnance Department became convinced last night
that It was no accident that caused the partial
destruction OF the Maine Tuesday night. The
officers communicated with Washington and So
cured complete data concerning the Maine and the
disposition OF Its ammunition and explosives sup
pemenfing II with their own records. and last
night for the first time since the catastrophe hap
pened. the opinion OF most OF the officials In the
Ordnance Department which is under the super
vision OF Commander William Swift IS that
torpedo was exploded under the bottom of the
Maine and close TO the ten-nch magazine Com
mander Swift, would not talk for publication for
obvious reasons. AS able-bodied and expert
enced officer. he is likely TO be placed I'm charge Of
a vessel should war be declared between the United
States and Spain. The Ordnance Department Off
seem to hold the opinion that if the ten-inch
ma gazire was the which exploded the vessel
generally wrecked forward that II will be
difficult 10 prove that torpedo caused the mis-
chief One of the officers said yesterday
The only ammunition the Maine that was
capable OF being exploded from defamation or
sudden Jar OF any kind what is known rs the
fixed or small arm ammunition. located amidships
forward. This magazine is from sixteen to eighteen
feet from the side OF the vessel but the bottom OF
the magazine IS close TO the bottom Of the vessel.
70 that 1t would be comparatively easy. If
to reach this magazine. which contains large
number OF rapi1-fire cartridges all ready for use
The bottom OF this magazine IS only four or five
feet from the water and would be easily reached
by the explosion caused by torpedo under the
hull. II the damage 10 the Maine had primarily
been caused by an automobile torpedo the chances
about nine Of ten TIM, the vessel would not
have sustained great shock. and few II any lives
would have been iost The torpedo would have
torn a comparatively small hole In the bottom OF
the Maine. and she would have sunk at her anchor
would fall when stabbed In the back without know
Ing exactly what hit him. IT, however, the torpedo
hai been placed under the Maine so n To have
reached the bottom OF one OF the magazines tie
result would have been different The Whitehead
torpedoes which principally used by the United
States Government, contain 20 pounds of gun cot
ton. and this Is sufficient TO cause n good deal OF
damage I, would tear large enough hole TO sink
any war vesse despite lively work with the pumps
'"rhe f.. w. Bliss Company. OF this city turns out
a great many Whitehead torpedoes for the Govern
ment, and will doubtless be called upon to manu-
facture a good many between now and July l. The
range Of whitehead torpedo Is about one thou
sand yards. and at this distance they can be
sighted go as 10 strike a comparatively small oh
ject. II is a nice art tc send from the PROV
Of torpedo-boat OF these death-dcallng mis-
sllcs The question OF tide and wind must bee
figured upon. and II the water Is rough. that must
be taken into account. The torpedo travels from
eight twelve feet below the surface OF the water
and darts along Ns course OF eight hundred or one
thousand yards In few seconds.
The magazine whicn was exploded by the tor
pedo under the Maine. taking IL for granted that
IL was torpedo, was either the middle magazine
forward. In which kept the ammunition for
me s"'nch guns or the ten-inch magazine on the