The Washington herald., 1909-02-16
STORY OF MAINE
TOLD BY SIGSBEE
Continued from Page One.


ing sentiment said the naval officer in
opening While I do not think IL was
the primary cause OF the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, I believe Il was the pivotal event
upon which after esents turned
Held in Reserve.
The Maine. said her commander. was
held in reserve for some months. and
was then sent TO Key West. Fla. where
she was detained for a month. The only
object in keeping the vessel IN readiness,
said Admiral Sigsbee, was 10 protect
American citizens IN Havana should there
be trouble. II was arranged with Consul
General Lee. that should a message be
received BY the Names commander con
tanning the words Two dollars. the ship
was 20 proceed inside OF Two hours to
+ Havana
RumOrs were heard from Cuba. said
! the speaker. and hlibustering expeditions
were rapidly bringing matters to climax
/ The government. although urged by the
4 Cubans and by sentiment at home. hung
back. not caring 20 interfere unless a
crisis was precipitated-
On January @, Admiral Sicard an
chored his feet of Key West. The
Maine anchored with them and late;
/ proceeded 20 Tortugas- While an
chored there a boat came from the di-
rection Of Cuba and Immediately pro-
I ceeded 10 the flagship. A few minutes
+ later Admiral Sigsbee was called tc
+ the flagship and given orders to pro-
/ ceed Immediately 10 Havana
PIoted 20 MoOrings.
Arriving outside OF the harbor az :
( o'clock in the morning Of January %
/ the flags were hoistsd by which the
/ Spaniards might know that an Ameri-
J can vessel was IN the ofinE and want
ed a pilot. An Official pilot. under d.
rection Of the Spanish officials. was
sent out and brought the vessel to q
buoy in the hsrbor. where she was
/ brought 70 anchor. Salutes were fret
and. according TO international etI-
1uette. friendly relations were estab-
4 lished-
Admiral Sigsbee told Of the way he VA
received by the populace and army ant
navy officers. and Of going to bull fights
10 ascertain. II possible. the sentiment o.
/ the people with regard TO the Americans
be said the men were kept close aboard
-aA1R ~ A4NsNtA~ an Ef+-7+Aht --tNNAtAA
10 trouble was expected. said IN
officer. everything was going along al
usual Only four men were ashore oI
fthe night OF the calamity. The explosion
occurred at $40 O'Clock. just after TIT
men had turned IN. Most OF them wer'
in hammocks OF below decks. The officer
we're onsthe port side Of the upper decl
/ talking and smoking I was IN the sterl
cabin on the sUperstruCture with my OF
derly. Anthony. nearby. Holden an
Wainwright were in another cabin Vain
wright was the executive officer.
I was sitting In my cabin writing let
ters. The night was dark. oninous, ant
sultry. Il was much Ike tonight. onl,
much more still Not sound came from
the harbor but the gentle tapping Of tn
waves on the shores. I finished my las
letter and laid down ny pen.
As I sat stretching myself there cam
a vast roar. 2 terrific sound. followed b.
metallic reverberstions made by the fall
ing OF the guns and steel structures.
was almost stunned by the shock. y
man car ever describe the terrific nois
/ or the explosion The ship listed and al
the lights went out
ship Blown Up.
Remembering that the ports on IN
/ upper side we're open. I startei IN tha
direction. Before reaching there ny year
Of training asserted themselves. and
turned and groped my way back throGg
the narrow passage. Near the door
ran into some enc I asked who It was
and my orderly answered Anthony, sir
The ship is blown up and is sinking
There were no dramatics. Just a plai
statement Of fact
7 went on deck and was blinded
i, having been suddenly thrown int
: dense darkness. Ahead Ioomed q mas
sive shape. and OF the right and lef
OF ne were other forms. Confrontin
ne were the tall smokestscks. an
ahead z towering mass OF Wreckag q
the guns. coming tower. machinery
and bits Of Superstructure tangled an
E twisted into conglOmerate mass
I stood there a few minutes and the
) climbed 20 the poop deck where som
, Of the men were gathered.
The mass ahead began 10 blaze an
II ordered Wainwright the executiv
officer. to post sentries. for I hear
cheers from the land and thought IL
ship was attacked. Only sixteen {
the crew responded 10 the call tn
sunken. and the rest was sinking
asked Wainwright about flooding III
Z magazines and he told ne that n
! mains were broken. he then reporte
; that the bow magazine was Gnde
+ water. The after magazine, ne sait
would be submerged n minute TT
e fire was spreading rapidly and II
: boats were manned Only two rt
, NAMED Of the thirteen carried "
. / put or and began rescuing sailors wh
z were swimming IN the surf
+ To add 10 the horror Of the situate
: shells began 10 come from the mass
wreckage and as uccessfon OF deafenin
! crashes rang across the waters and Il
heavens were lit Up by a vast pyrotechn
display Some Of the shots struck II
e shore and others the Spanish vessel
causing them 10 move from their moo
I ings.
Rapidly Sinking.
Because Of the cheering on the wal
I did not Ike 10 leave the ship, but
!: she was rapidly sinking put my Office
!; into the gig and pulled for the Wa
, Line steamer City Of Washington A
irving there I found many Of my me
= wounded and dying
Admiral Sigsbee told Of the events 70
+; lowing the disaster. Of his being refus,
the privilege OF visiting his own vesse
and Of the burial OF nineteen of Il
sailors by the Spanish officials.
< The speaker also recOunted many thri
ing escapes. and for the moment tran
ported his hearers from the quiet Of Il
! church to the black, murky waters
. Havana Bay. lighted by the glow Of 4
2 burning battle ship A high tribute ";
- paid Chaplain John P Chidwick for h
- devotion 10 the men after the explosion.
y Presentation Of the cOlors. with the 3
2 lutte 70 the hag by the Isabel WORE
% Ball Flag Association followed Mr.
- Ball recited Your Flag and Ny Flag
p Miss DnralIa TEalch sang 4 sorrann sol