The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-02-18
AWFUL CATASTROPHE.
Battleship Maine Blown to Pieces in
the Harb0r at Havana.
SCORES OF MEN SENT TO ETERNITY.
Explosion on Board That Rended the
Steel Monster and Left
Her a Wreck.
Cause Of the Disaster Unknown-Most Of
the Crew Asleep at the Time-Havana
wildly Excited-Over 100 of the
Crew Killed--spaniards Rush
to the Rescue.

Crew Killed--spaniards Rush
to the Rescue.
Havana, Feb. 16.-At a quarter Of 10
o'clock last evening a terrible explosion
took place on board the United States
battleship Maine in Havana harbor.
Many were killed or wounded. ALL the
boats Of the Spanish cruiser Alfonso
XII assisted In rescuing the dead and
injured. As yet the cause of the ex-
plosion Is not apparent. The wounded
sailors of the Maine are unable to ex-
plain 1t. It is believed that the cruiser
is totally destroyed.
Death Came In Their Sleep.
The explosion shook the whole city.
The windows were broken in all the
houses. The correspondent Of the AS
ISOLATED Press says he has conversed
with several of the wounded sailors and
understands from them that the ex-
plosion took place while they were
asleep. so that they can give no par
ticulars as to the cause.
Spanish Admiral Orders the Boats Away.
The widest CONSERVATION prevails in
with thousands Of people. 1t Is be-
lieved the explosion occurred in small
powder magazine. At 10:45 o'clock
what remains of the Maine was still
burning. Captain Sigsbee and the other
officers have been saved 1t is esti-
mated that over 100 Of the crew were
killed, but 1t is impossible as yet to
give exact details. Admiral Manterola
ordered that boats of all kinds should
go to the assistance of the Maine and
her wounded. The Havana firemen
gave aid, tending carefully to the
wounded as they were brought on
shore. 1t was terrible sight. Gen.
eral Solano and the other generals have
been ordered by Captain General Blanco
to taken steps to help the Names crew
in every way possible.
Captain Sigsbee Wounded in the Head.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press has been near the Maine in one
of the boats of the cruiser Alfonso
XII, and seen others of the wounded,
who corroborate the statement Of those
first interviewed that they were al
ready asleep when the explosion oc-
Cured. Captain Sigsbee says the ex-
plosion occurred in the bow of the ves-
sci. He received a wound in the head.
Orders were given to the other officers
to save themselves as best they could.
The latter, who were literally thrown
from their hunks in their night cloth
ing, gave the necessary orders with
great self-possession and bravery. Adj
explosion was of a grenade shell that
was hurled over the navy yard.
Navy Department Hears the News.
Washington, Feb. 16.-The secretary
Of the navy has received the following
telegram from Captain Sigsbee: Maine
blown up in Havana harbor at $40 and
destroyed. Many wounded and doubt
less more killed and drowned. The
wounded and others are on board a
Spanish man-of-war and Ward line
steamer. Send lighthouse tenders from
Key West for crew and the few pieces
Of equipment still above water. Public
opinion should be suspended till further
report. All the officers are believed to
be saved. Jenkins and Merritt are not
yet accounted for. Many Spanish off,
GERS, including representatives Of CEN
eral Blanco are now with me and eX
press sympathy.
[Signedl "SIGSBEE."