The herald., 1898-03-29
ABSIRACT OfHIIif TESTIMONY GIVEN

and that the fre alarms in the bunlers
were sensitive.
The regulations regarding innammables
land paints on board. Capt. eigsbee testi-
fed, were strictly carried out, In regard
ito storage, and that the waste also was sub
1ect to the same careful disposition.
AS to the situation Of the paint room, he
fixed 1t as in the leaves Of the ship" just
below the berth deck, the extreme forward
compartment. The infiammables were
stored In chests, according to the regula-
tion, and when in1ammables were In ex-
cess Of chest capacity. they were allowed
to be kept in the bath room Of the ad-
miral's cabin.
!. Regarding the electric compartment Of
ythe Maine, Capt. Sigsbee stated that there
was no serious grounding nor sudden far
|ing-u of tho lights before the explosion,
but a sudden and total eclipse. As for reg
[ulations Affecting the taking OF the tenn
.pcrature Of the magazines, etc., Capt. Sigs-
Ebee stated that there were no special reg
Eulntions other than the usual regulations
|required by the department. He exam
ined the temperature himself and con-
versed with the ordnance officer as to the
various temperatures and the contents of
the magazines, and, according to the opin-
lion Of this officer, as well as that Of Capt.
sigsbee, the temperatures were never at
q dangerous point.
II do not think there was any laxity in
this direction" said the captain. replying
to a question of Judge Advocate Mark.
He had no recollection of any work GO
ing ON In the magazine or shell rooms on
the day OF explosion. The keys were called
for In the usual way on the day In Ques-
tion, and were properly returned At the
time Of the disaster the two after-berths
In the after-hre rooms were in use. be-
cause the hydraulic was leaking somewhat.
Speaking generally Of the relations with
the Spanish authorities. Capt. Sigsbee
stated that with the officials they were out
wardly cordial. The members Of the au-
tonomist council of the government. how
ever, seemed to have brought the atten-
tion Of the navy department to the fact
that he did not visit them. and Il brought
embarrassment to the government at
Washington. He took the ground before
the department at Washington, that 1t waa
unknown etiquette to call on the civil men,
bers Of the colonial government, other than
the governors. without waiting for such
an order, Capt Sigsbee made visit after
ward and, as he states, was pleasantly re-
ceived. and his visit was promptly returned
by certain members Of the council.
A parties Of ladies' and gentlemen called
and the president of the council made a
speech. which Capt. Sigsbee could not un-
derstand, but which was interpreted to him
briefly, to which he replied.
my reply" said Capt. Sigsbee, was
afterward printed in at least two papers in
Havana, but the terms made me favor
autonomtstic government in the island. !
am informed that the autonomistic goy-
eminent in Havana is unpopular among a
large class of Spanish and Cuban residents.
/ have no means of knowing whether my
apparent interference In the political con-
Germs Of the island had any relation to tn
destruction of the Maine"
When asked whether there was any
demonstration Of animosity by people
afioat. Captain Sigsbee'said that there was
never on shore. as he was Informed, but
such rumors were afioat.
A ferryboat passed the Maine on one oc-
casion. and about forty people on board
engaged in yelling. whistling and derisive
calls. y ss- ~ s.ig
\ During his stay IN Havana Captain siss-
bee took more than ordinary precautions
for the protection of the Maine by placing
sentries on the forecastle and poop, quar-
antine and signal .buoys.
The corporal Of the guard was especially
instructed to look out for the. mort gang
way. and the officer Of the deck and quar-
termaster were especially Instructed to
look out for the starboard gangway: a
quarter-watch was kept on deck all night:
sentries; cartridge boxes were filed, and
their arms kept loaded rapid-fire ammuni-
tion was kept In the pilot room and in
the spare captains room, and under the
after superstructure were kept additional
supplies OF shells, close at hand for the
second battery; steam was kept up In two
bouers instead Of one, and positive in
structions were given to watch carefully
Al the hydraulic guns and report defects.
He said he had given orders to the mas
ter-at-arms and orderly to keep a careful
eye on everybody that came on board. and
to carefully observe any packages that
might be brought aboard, on the supposl
tion that some high explosive might be
employed. and afterwards to 20 over the
route these people had taken, and never
~ -~SS sAeA> ~ eho puIport Oh tQ6 order.
He states that very few people visited
the ship. Lieutenant Commander VAIN
wright being rather severe on visitors.
There were only two or three of the Span
ish. military officers who came on board
but, according to the captain they were
constrained and not desirous of accepting
much courtesy. This visit was during the
absence Of the captain. -
He said he made every effort to have the
Spanish officers visit the ship to show good
will according to the spirit OF the Names
visit to Havana. but with exceptions
stated, no military officers OF Spain WIS.,
ited the ship socially.
Captain Sigsbee then went into details
regarding the precautions in force. and
especially in relation to quarter watches,
which. he said. had never been rescinded.
In reply to the direct question Of whether
any Of the magazines or shell rooms were
blown up. the captain said 1t was ex-
tremely difficult to come to any conclu-
sion. The center Of the explosion was
beneath and little forward of the con-
ming tower on the port side. In the re-
gion of the center or axis Of the explosion
was the six-lnch reserve magazine, which
contained very little powder about sOc
pounds. The ten-inch magazine was in
the same general region, but on the star
board side. Over the ten-inch magazine
in the loading room Of the turret, and In the
adjoining passage . number of ten-lnct
shells were permanently located. Ac.