The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-02-23
POWDER MAGAZINE INTACT.
Divers Bring Up Powder Case For
a Ten Inch Gun.

Havana, Feb. GAN Important dis
coyery was made in the Maine TO-DAY.
me divers brought up powder case for
1o'lnch gun, which they took from the
part OF the battleship destroyed by The
explosion, and in which the main gun
powder magazine is situated. The gun
powder discovered was in a bag, and The,
bag was contained IN n copper case. The
case was entirely closed, but had an ex
terror mark as il some hard OBJECT had
struck 1t on tie outside, hue within the
gunpowder is absolutely intact. As the
case was in the forward magazine this
discovery IL conclusive proof that whether
or not tine magazine exploded, and IL is
the general belief it did not explode. at
ieast the most important part CT it re-
mains intact.
Any positive declarat ton about the mat
ter at THIS time is premature. Yet the
copper case with its powder bag intact
speaks fol- itself.
The case was taken from the Maine to
the Fern.
Inc divers failed to-day to place cleo
tric light apparatus inside the Maine as
the wire cbtainable in Havana is worth
less to1 that purpose. The work of the
divers Is progressing very slowly on ac-
count Of the paucity of materials
WrecElng tug Neptune is eagerly expected
l'oin Ney west. She will bring all nee
essary apparatus to raise the big guns
ana specially clear away many large OBJ
lects and iron pieces which are hamperinp
u'ers Among the objects brought up
to-day is the fine. silverware of the battle
snip which Was presented by the State of
Maine, aud also II loving cup presented
during the last visit Of the Maine to
New Orleans All the American ships
n port have their flags in full display in
honor OF Washington. The Spanish
ships are also iioatlng American flags.
Coehbler died this morning in San
Ambrosio Hospital. After frightful
agony, in which the poor sailor WAS de-
ilrious for several hours he fell into a
swoon ana passed peacefully away
hotter is still in very desperate condi-
ton and may die any time.
A sensational editorial is printed this
afternoon in La Lucia against Sigsbee
1t says SigsbPe is law fully forming n
part of the count of inquiry. La Lucha
aods That The captain is IA Judge in his
own case, and that therefore all conclu.
sions OF the court of inquiry will be in.
admissible to very principal Of Justice.
Inc court OF Inquiry, accompanied by
General Lee, called on B|anco this morn.
Ing and later On Admiral ManterolA.
New York, Feb :. - -Commndore
Bunce and Genaral Merritt ceremoniously
returneS Enlate's calls today. Each re.
mained quarter Of nm ho.r aboard tn.
Nizcnya, whose band played "Star Span.
gied Banner" when each patty departed.
the NiZcaya has contracted for b. and O.
coat which was transferred ~ the Span
! inrds from barges To the bunkers IN bags
all day Spanish officer carefully in
| spected so no bomb or other diaholical
substance could he included. The coal
ing is likely to occupy the greater part of
to morrowalso. The vessel leaves Thurs
day for the South. twas gaily bedecked
i'll honor OF the holiday. Some miscrcnnt
started the rumor tonight that i.ulate's
barge upset and the captain drowned.
Absolutely unfounded. Captain did rot
leave the ship all day.