Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-29

a conspiracy existed. But nothing is def
nitely stated which fixes any responsibility
upon Spain or her subjects.
Consul General Fitzhugh Lee appeared
before the court March s. His testimony
related to the official formalities preceding
the Names arrival. On January "a he re-
ceived a message from the state depart
ment saying that the Maine would be sent
to Havana on friendly visit to resume
the regular status of naval relations be-
tween the two countries, and he was or
dered to make arrangements at the palace
for the interchange of official courtesies.
After a call at the palace he sent the
state department a cipher message saying:
Authorities profess to think the United
States has ulterior purpose in sending the
ship. Say it will obstruct autonomy and
produce excitement and most probably a
demonstration. Ask that it not be done till
they can get instructions from Madrid.
Say that If for friendly purpose, as claim
ed. delay is unimportant."
1t was too late. however, the Maine had
already sailed. She arrived next day and
Lee reported her arrival to the state de-
partment.
Captain Sigsbee. in testifying before the
court of inquiry when It convened in the
harbor of Havana, Monday, February 2l,
said that he assumed command of the
Maine on April 10. 1881, and that his ship
arrived in the harbor of Havana the last
time, January "a, 1898. The authorities at
Havana knew of the Names coming, Con-
sui General Lee having Informed the au-
thorities according to official custom. After
taking on an official pilot, sent by the cap
tain of the port of Havana, the ship was
berthed in the man-of-war anchorage off
the Machina, or the Shears. According to
his understanding, Il was one Of the regu-
lar buoys of the place.
He then stated that he had been in Ha-
vana in 1872 and again in 1885. He could
not state whether the Maine was placed i'll
the usual berth for men-of-war, but SAID
that he had heard remarks since the cxplos-
ion. using Captain Stevens, temporarily in
command of the Ward line steamer City of
Washington. as authority for the statement.
that he had never known in all his expert
ence, which covered visits to Havana for
five or six years, a man-of-war to be an
chored at that buoy; that he had rarely
known merchant vessels to be anchored
there, and that 1t was the least used buoy
In the harbor.
In describing the surroundings when first
moored to this buoy. Captain Sigsbee stated
was moored in the position now occupied by
the Fern about go yards to the northward
and westward of the Maine. The German
ship Griesenau was anchored at the berth
now occupied by the Spanish man-of-war
Legaspe, about 400 yards about due north
from the Maine. He then located the Ger
man man-of-war Charlotte, which came in
to the harbor day or two later, which
was anchored to the southwark of the
Names berth. about 400 or 500 yards.
In describing the surroundings at the
time of the explosion, Captain Sigsbee
stated that the night was calm and still.
The Alphonso XII. was at the same berth.
The small Spanish dispatch boat Legaspe
had come out the day before and taken the
berth occupied by the German man-of-war,
the Griesenau, which had left. The steam
er 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 in
spected and taken from the government
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 the fire
alarms in the bunkers were sensitive.
Insofar as the regulations regarding in
fiammables and paints on board, Captain
Sigsbee testified that the regulations were
strictly carried out In regard to storage
and that the waste also was subject to the
same careful disposition. AS to the situa-
tion Of the paint room, he fixed it as in the
''eyes of the ship" Just below the berth
deck, the extreme forward compartment.
AS for the disposition of inf1ammables, they
were slowed in chests according to the reg
ulat;ons. and when infiammables were in
excess OF chest capacity they were allowed
to be kept in the bathroom Of the admirals s
cabin.
Regarding the electric plant Of the Maine.
Captain Sigsbee stated that there was no
serious grounding, nor sudden faring up of
the lights, before the explosion, but a sud-
den and total eclipse. AS for regulations
regarding the taking of the temperature of
the magazines, etc, Captain Sigsbee said
there were no special regulations other than
the usual regulations required by the de-
partment. He examined the temperature
himself and conversed with the ordnance
officer as to the various temperatures and
the contents Of the magazines, and. accord
ing to the opinion of this officer, as well as
Sigsbee, the temperatures were never at the
danger point. II do not think there was
any laxity in this direction" said the cap
tain in reply to a question Of Judge Advo-
cate Mark.
He had no recollection af any work going
on in the magazine 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 promptly returned. At the time of
the disaster the two after boilers in the
after fireroom were in use because the
hydraulic system was somewhat 1eaky.
Speaking generally of his relations with