The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-12
THE OPINION OF
CAPTAIN PERAL.
CCont'nued from First page)

beams Of stanchions are found the ex-
plosiOn so changed their positions.
I've think we have located the ram or
PROV, but not in the position supposed.
The forward turrst. mounting two large
guns, was blown clear of the hull into
the water on the starboard side. We
shall continue our work and try TO eX-
anime the hull forward down to the keel
1t is possible that We may propose 20
the American authorities 10 raise the
hull by means Of the floating dock,
brought from England and now IN Hay-
ana harbOr
REASONS FOR BELIEF.
eve cannot believe there was an exter-
nal explosion OF a torpedo, for the fol-
lowing reasons:
a torpedo following tho line of least
resistance must have blown a great hole
I'm the mud at the bottom of the harbOr
no such hole was found.
a torpedo must has thrown n large
mass of water into the air II exploded at
a depth Of only twenty-five feet or so. or
az least have produced a wave reaching
tho other ships and the shore Of the ha~-
Dor. W. have examined everyone on ship
board or shore who saw the explosion;
but no one can be found who remarked
any upheavai Of the water or q big weve.
~ torptd1 explosion always kills fish
IN the vicinity. No fish were killed by the
Maine disaster. as fishermen who have
known the harbOr for many years, testi-
IS.
'To produce the effects noted in the
wreck torpedo would have to be OF
enormous size. fully $50 or 200 k'los.
81 am therefore of opinion that the ex-
plosion occurred within the ship. / know
and respect Captain Sigsbee and I be-
licve the American regulations affecting
naval conduct which I have read and
found admirable, were carefully observed.
But some things which cannot be toreseen
are bound to happen in any navy. / have
teen reading OF the explosion on the
English ship Dolerel, which the English
believe was caused by chemical combus-
ton i'm the paint used for quick drying.
] have also read an English account Of
shells that were found burst open be-
cause of hare ening paints that split and
produced heat. thus flashing the powder
IN the interior Of the shell.
MAKES NO CHARGES.
"As i have said. while do not believe
there was any carelessress on the part
of the officers Of the Maine I do believe
that there was an accident which could
not possibly have been foref cen. Such
which arr IN possession of the court
When our court of inquiry finally decides
its judgment will be in accordance with
the lest evidence that can be produced.
We are having plans, diagrams and
drawings OF the wreck made as fest as
the divers are able to give us definite
information"
Cap II Peral was most courteous dur
ing the entire interNieW. re 'uuSifd .fd
some Of the points he made by ink
sketches on the desk before him. II
spoke as Judge would whose mind Wa
ready TO WEIGH any evidence brought be-
fore the court over which he presided.
II should be borne I'm mind that this T.
the fret and only interview he has gwen
any one.
Canaan Perai requested this CORE
spondent 10 make ~ known that j N''
granted the interview in his unofficial
capacity. and not az president of the
Sua"isr court % inquiry, which the laws
forbid him TO DO.