Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-08
TIE STORY OF THE MAINE
An Interesting Lecture by the
Rev. John P. Chadwick.
DELIVERED IN THE OPERA HOUSE
A Large and Appreciative All
dience Present.
The Sinking of the Battieship Maine in
Havana Barbor Graphically Described by
the Vessels ChapIaln-The Lecture for the
Benefit of st. Patrick's Church.

With graphic word pictures, the
Rev. John P. Chadwick lectured for
Church, before goodly audience in
telling his charmed hearers the story
which went to the bottom of Havana
chaplain WAS introduced by John S.
ments and was most cordially received.
He showed himself to be an eloquent
and forcible speaker. He first took
failure TO come at the previous date
announced for his lecture and expressed
his thanks that so many people had
gathered to hear him on such warm
night as last night In taking UP his
lecture he dwelt briefly on the spirit
OF humanity and sympathy displayed
by other nations when the American
sailors were sacrificed in the de-
struction OF the Maine, the first
martyrs in the Spanish war.
Father Chidwick carried his rapt
listeners down to Dry Tortugas on
January 25th, the Maine being there
with the feet, when a torpedoboat
brought message to the New York
and the New York, which was flag
ship, put up a signal directing that
the Maine be ready to sail in two hours
and calling her captain to the New
York. The men on the Maine expected
if they were ordered to Havana they
would have action. Upon the captains
return from the New York, the men
were called to general quarters and at
the appointed hour the Maine left the
fleet. She reached Havana harbor and
on the first morning of her presence
there her decks were cleared for action.
They were ready to do or die as their
country might ask Of them. Although
they did not have an opportunity to
pull lockstring in their own defence
or in behalf of their country, yet they
died at their posts and they deserve
all the honor given those who died in
the shot and sweep Of battle.
On Monday, the 14th of February,
the men on the Maine heard that o
great event was to happen in Havana,
A vigilant watch was kept, but nothing
occurred.
On Tuesday, February 10th, the mon
had retired to their hammocks; and
the officers had retired almost every
one to his room. All the officers were
on board except four and only one Of
| them was senior officer. The angel
of death gave no sign of his presence
| until his bright sword leaped from its
| scabbard and $50 brave men were saori-
feed. The chaplain was In his room
about 20 minutes of 10 o'clock, when a
| dull, heavy sound was heard, the ship
| lurched and the lights we-t out The
first thought was that the war had
begun and the ship had been struck.
Rushing upon deck, he saw the ship
from amidship forward ablaze and un
from the dark waters came means and
cires of men, "Oh, my God save NE. -
Father Chadwick gave to them abso-
luton; told them to mention the name
of Jesus, and to keep up their courage,
as boats would come TO their rescue.
Capt Siesbee was at his post giving
orders. There were no men to obey,
| but the officers let down the boats, and
our boats with those of Spanish vessels
went together to gather in the precious
freight. One OF the injured men was
heard to say to his comrades "Oh
boys, don't let the Spanish hear US. I"
They felt that the Spanish had fred
oil our vessel and he did not wish the
Spanish to know what they had accom-
| plished.
After the work of rescue had been
pursued for about 20 minutes the
| American boats were pulled to the
City of Washington, which was lying
| in the harbor and there the wounded
we're ministered to. Others who had
been taken to the Spanish vessels were
treated by the Spanish doctors; and
afterwards the wounded had the best
care and attention In the hospitals OF
Havana Ground for the burial Of tho
victims was given by the bishop of
Havana.
The chaplain touched briefly upon
some events Of the war. Ii united this
whole country. 90 that there was no
question of color, Of religion or OF pro
fession. He, paid a tribute to the
women Of the Red Cross and to. the
Sisters of Religion who did all in their
power to alleviate the sufferings of the
wounded.
| He reminded his hearers that it was
no new thing for an American navy to
accomplish great victories, and men
toned some Of the battles in our
previous wars. Success was achieved
| in the war with Spain by. the army
and the navy going hand in hand. He
closed with brilliant peroration,
pointing out that the finger of God is
written on every page of American
history; that IL was God who laid the
keel Of the Ship of State, and placed
the Goddess OF Liberty on board. AS
he closed with quotation from Long
fellows "Ship Of State" enthusiastic
applause was given.
In addition to the lecture, the enter
tainment included musical numbers by
chorus directed by L. B. Preston,
and by the singing section of the VIII
mington Turngemeinde, and reci'
tation by Master Willie Mclaughlin,
who won applause for his rendition Of
1.-THE Battle of Manila Bay Owing
to the recent death of Charles p.
Preston, brother of L. B. Preston, the
latter did not appear on the stage, but
directed the chorus from the wings.
Among those on the stage were
Bishop John j. Monaghan, the Rev.
M. X. Fallon, the Rev. Peter Donaghy,
Department Commander w. Fl. Moystir
of the Grand Army of the Republic,
William @. Baugh, W. A. Reilly anc
other Grand Army men, DR.. e. @.
Shortlidge, Police Commissioners j. B.
Clarkson and A. j. Hart, A. A.
Capelle, Sheriff John f. Taylor, Lev
A. Bertoette, Capt. Philip Reybold,
Henry G. Conrad, W. II. Curry and
Collector of the Port W. II. Cooper.