The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-07
RAISING THE MAINE.

RAISING THE MAINE.
The contractor who has undertak
en- the task of raising the battleshiI
Maine from her resting place on the
bottom of Havana harbor says that
she has sunk no further into the mud
than when first she SANK. He also
says that a careful examination made
of her by divers reveals that the YES.
sci is not so badly injured as has been
thought and he feels confident OF
being able to float her and expects
to have her on the surface next fall.
Having been constantly under water
and consequently not exposed to the
air, he says her machinery is but
little damaged and he gives it as his
opinion that the ship can be made SER
viceable at a very reasonable cost. He
even says that the 100000 stock of
ammunition on board when the yes
sci went down will be saved intact.
The ship is said to be lying on an
even keel and has suffered no strain
because of her sinking.
The method to be pursued in her
notation is a simple one and of it's
success the contractor seems to have
no doubt. He will construct a bulk
head around the ship and of sufi-
cient height to reach the surface of
the water. The water remaining in
side of the enclosure will then be
pumped out and the hole in the bow
of the ship will next be patched. This
completed and all other possible leaks
repaired, the water will again be per-
mitted to enter the dam and it is
thought the ship will right herself and
float. Success of the plan is consid-
cred certain and easy, as the water
covering the wreck is only 37k feet
deep. The contractor is a Chicago
man named Newton F. Chamberlain
and has had a great deal of experience
in similar work.
There are several reasons why
everybody will hope the attempt will
prove successful. The first and prob
ably the strongest is one of senti-
al pride to see once more the same
flag float from the ship whose sinking
caused that flag to float in victory on
territory belonging to the nation which
is held responsible for the disaster
which overlook the gallant vessel and
which flag when raised over that ter
ritory signaled the daeth of .Aat ma
tons power in the western world
and freed thousands who for years
had been struggling for liberty and
freedom; the flag that still flies over
them and though it may and will soon
be lowered, will always be the aegis
under whic-- they will be secure
against the aggression and greed Of
other powers and which will always
be their shelter and protection in time
of danger. The second reason is that
it may result in throwing light upon
the nature of the explosion which sent
the vessel and so many of it's brave
crew to their death and clear up what
has never yet been satisfactorily
cleared up in the minds of the people
OF the nation. 1t may be futile to
hope that anything will be discov-
cred that may lead to the detection
of the men who caused the explosion.
but much of the uncertainty and
doubt which still enshrouds the en-
tire affair will then be removed.
The Maine again afioat and capable
of rendering service to the country
will be one, of the greatest triun,pns
OF American ingenuity and skill and
the romance and glory that will at
tach to the vessel will make her the
ride Of the American people and all
other ships of the navy will have TO
yield to her. Even the Olympia and
the Oregon will have to take second
place in the affection of the people,
it was the old Maine that MADE
possible the glory they have won and
with her afloat and steaming BY their
side the substance will have replaced
The shadow and Remember the I
Maine will have a new meaning ind
renewed force.