The Washington herald., 1910-09-22

The War Department yesterday received
preliminary report from Col, William
NJ Black, Engineer Corps. L. S. A., presl-
dent OF the board OF engineer officers en-
gagged in the work OF raising the wreck
OF the battle ship Maine. IL dealt with
his recent trip 10 Havana and said the
Cuban government had promised to Co
operate with the American engineers, and
/ President Gomez offered the use OF all
floating apparatus necessary. In addition
to making soundings and borings. the re-
port added. 1t is proposed TO sink two
cylinders Of piping TO study the character
OF the bottom Of the harbor.
| Col Blacks report says:
II arrived at Havana September Z. and
/ Immediately called on the American Min
lister. Mr.. Jackson. who stated his desire
| 10 assist the board In every manner POS
sible Mr.. Jackson, accompanied by my
/ self, called on the secretary of state for
Cuba. Senior Sanguily, by appointment,
the same afternoon. Senior sanguily re-
] celyed us with great cordially and eX-
| pressed desire 10 do everything In his
power 10 further the wishes OF the United
| States, and 10 aid in every possible way
in the work OF removing the wreck OF The
Maine from the harbor Of Havana. He
| arranged for US to have an interview with
| the President OF Cuba on the following
Friday. =
Visits Public Works.
ION the Sth, paid my respects 20 the
secretary OF public works, Senior Joaquin
Chalons and presented your letter. Senior
| Chalons stated that the floating plant
and personnel OF the department Of pub
/ lie works were entirely at the service OF
the United States 10 assist US In our
work
"On the 9th. Capt. Ferguson arrived at
Havana, and o. the same morning. &C
companied by the secNary OF state for
Cuba and the American minister, Capt
| Ferguson and myself paid our respects
TO President Gomez.
President Gomez stated that Cuba had
| but little opportunity OF doing anything
! for so powerful and rich a nation as the
United States IN return for all that ma
/ tion had done for Cuba, and that he was
( only too delighted 20 assist with all the
resources Of Cuba. He confirmed the
offer OF the secretary Of public works 10
/ loan TO the United States, without charge,
/ the floating plant necessary and also the
services Of the engineer in charge OF har-
| Dor works OF the island, Senior Manuel
| Lombillo-CIark. Mr. Clark IS a capable
engineer. well known 10 me. who pos
sesses a most intimate knowledge OF the
conditions in Havana Harbor, and
whose services viii be. without doubt of
great value to the United States.
ION application the President also d.
rected that the Cuban reservation IN
Casa Blanca formerly known as ''El Des-
tho" should be turned over FOR the use
OF the board for storage place for ma
| teTials. This reservation is conveniently
situated and has. along its front, a wharf
with depth Of twenty-five feet Of water
at its face.
Aid of Treasury Secretary.
| Il then called on the secretary. Of the
/ treasury. and received from him the as
surance OF the free entry Of materials
and plant
ION September 10. in company with
! Harper and LombillO-Clark, the wreck OF
the Maine was visited. A few hasty
| soundings were made which confirmed
/ the latest charts as TO the depth of
water surrounding the ship. and which
! showed as nearly as could be discovered,
/ that the keel lay at a depth OF from 8
10 10 feet bellows the bottom Of the har-
/ Dor.
/ "On the 9th a suitable Office room was
/ hired close 10 the harbor and overlook
| ing the wreck OF the Maine When I
/ left Havana on the 10TH Capt Fer
guson was expecting 70 begin the active
/ operations by studying the conditions OF
! the Maine and the surrounding bottom
| OF the harbor early In the week. in ad-
/ ditlon 10 the sOundings and borings, il
| is proposed 10 sink two Cylinders OF spiral
riveted pipe. one q inches IN diameter
| and one So. 10 pump them out and 10
| observe the inflow Of mud. II any If
/ practicable. an irregular cylinder, of
/ about or 3 feet diameter. Of steel about
| the piling wifi also be placed for further
| study OF the bottom.
| at wish to acknowledge my indebted
ness to the United States Minister. Mr.
| jackson, and TO the President of Cuba
and the members of his cabinet for the
material assistance received from them
| ali. WIN. BLACK"