The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-23
CONTRACT
IS SIGNED.
Sec. Long and Wrccking
Cos. Agree on Terms.
BONUS TO RAISE MAINE.
Work Will Be Pushed Before the
Yellow Fever Season.
BONUS TO RAISE MAINE.
COMBUSTION THEORY GROWS.

Washington. Feb. 2S.-The plans OF
the wrecking expedition for the relief OF
the Maine were completed yesterday af-
ter long conferences between Secretary
Long and the representatives OF the
Merritt g. Chapman company OF New
York and the Boston Towboat company.
The companies had expected TO begin
work in Havana harbor in about a week.
but at the last moment Mr.. Long in
sisted that a provision should be made
for sending forward at once at least one
large wrecking boat. with divers and
equipment. This was agreed to, and
dispatch was sent TO the captain of the
seawrecker Right Arm. now at, Key
West. to suspend his private work there
and proceed at once TO Havana. II the
Right Arm has started north torpedo
boat Will be sent after her with orders
TO proceed to Havana. AT the same time
dispatch was sent to the New York
Cffice Of the company TO send two of the
most experienced divers by train 10 Key
West. when they will so 10 Havana and
Join the divers and wreckers on the Right
Arm.
The commander OF the Right Arm Is
ordered to place himself, with his div
ers and machinery. under the orders OF
Captain Sigsbee, who thus will be free
40 avail himself OF their services i'm the
recovery of bodies or any particularly
desirable pieces OF equipment or prop
erty. before the regular wrecking opera
tions begin. These are emergency steps
which precede the main wrecking expe-
cition. which will be outfitted al Boston,
New York and Norfolk
The terms OF the contract provide for
the payment to the wrecking companies
Of the sum of SS1l per day for their regu-
lar plant and an additional payment of
$500 per day for the use of the Monarch
while the latter is actually employed.
An express PROVISION is made that the
government may terminate the contract
at any moment. II is also provided that
the compensation shall not exceed the
sum of money $500 0000) appropriated by
congress for this purpose. Finally il is
provided that IL the companies succeed
I'm raising the Maine and towing her to
New York they shall receive a bonus of
100000.
In view of the large first cost OF the
Maine, about $4,000, 900. and the national
desire that she shall be raised. as evil
denced by the prompt and unanimous
a-tion of congress upon the joint resolu-
tion, Secretary Long believes that he is
fully justified in making the above terms,
though at first thought the per diem
compensation seems large. II must be
borne In mind. however. he said, that
this will constitute the largest wrecking
expedition ever equipped in this coun-
try. Moreover, the wreckers expressed
q willingness TO go TO work in the usual
way that they serve underwriters.
namely, to do the wrecking and then
take the award OF a board of arbitra-
tion. This plan, however, was not open
To the government, which is compelled
oy law TO fix exact terms in advance.
A clause of the contract requires the
companies 10 proceed with all dispatch
and in business like manner with the
work Of wrecking. and though this haste
ADDS 10 the cost OF the work IL is be-
Iieved to be necessary in view OF the
possibility OF the early appearance of
yellow fever at Havana harbor with the
approach OF the rainy season next
month.
IN addition 10 the emergency work 10
be prosecuted by the Right Arm. the
main expedition will be male up of
about leo men, including six skilled
divers; the wreckng steamer Under
writer Of Boston. of 600 horse power: the
wrecking steamer John G. Jones of Nor
toik, OF similar power; the iron barge
Lone Star OF Boston, capable of CARRYING
1000 tons; the floating derrick Monarch.
capable Of lifting 26O tons, the largest
hoating derrick in the country, and an
other derrick capable of lifting 80 tons.
The wreckers were loath TO express an
opinion as to their ability TO raise the
hull OF the Maine. Mr.. Chapman and
Captain Humphreys stated that moth
Ing but close personal inspection would
permit decision on that point. They
are hopeful, however. that the ship can
be brought TO the surface The Lone
Star will be used TO receive the turrets.
guns and wreckage, and as fast as loads
ore made up she will be towed to the
Norfolk navy yard
THE COMBUSTION THEORY.