Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-13
Mistrllanrou5 Grading.
THE STORY OF THE MAINE.
Shocking Tragedy of Havana Harbor
In 1898.

tons, with a main battery of four 10
inch guns. She was built in 1888 from
English plans-for We didn't know
much about battleships then-and she
cost in round numbers $2,5O0,O0O. On
February 16 1898, she was blown to
bits while lying in the harbOr of the
friendly city of Havana, Cuba. From
that incident sprang the Spanish
war.
Since then the wreck has lain, half
in and half out Of the blue water of
Machina, with 6S skeletons of the
brave men who manned her lying in
side her shattered steel hull. Despite
repeated efforts it was only on We'd
nesday of this week that congress
passed the bill making possible the
wrecks removal.
The feeling between Spain and the
United States had been growing more
and more bitter during 1897. Gomez
and Maceo, with the rag tag rebel
army" had been harrying the Span
ish forces on the island and Capt. Gen.
Weyler had put into execution his
scheme of recommendation, whereby
the people of the rebellious districts
were huddled into camps under mill
itary guard. Here, according to re-
port, they were scientifically starved.
Meanwhile Gomez and Maceo were
adding to the suffering by burning all
the tobacco and sugar plantations they
could reach-each side was trying to
cially-the Hearst Journal had res
cued Evelina Cisneros from a dungeon
keep, the Three Friends was busily
running in filibuster and ammunition
from Florida, a congressional commit
tee had made a solemn inspection and
report of conditions on the island and
all America was sizzling with the
growing belief that Spanish rule in
Cuba was one of tyranny and hideous
cruelty THE flag of blood and gold,"
the Journal called the red and yellow
ensign over MORO. So did most con-
temporaneous nigh school orators.
Enter the Maine.
In the midst of this feeling the
Maine, then lying at the Pensacola
yard, was dispatched for a friendly
visit" to Havana. The order which
sent her there has since been most
bitterly criticised. The presence Of
white fighting ship with the Stars
and Stripes over her staffrail was
bound to rouse violent anger in the
Latin American bosoms, bound to pro-
mote jubilation among the revolution
ary Cubans, bound to make things
more unpleasant for Minister FitZnugh
Lee and other American citizens in
Havana. However, the state and navy
departments seemed to think a warship
the necessary protection for Americans.
The Maine went.
1t Is related that when the Maine,
entering the harbor barked a salute
from her little siX-pounders at the
grim Morro her men were all at quar-
ters behind the 10-incn guns in the
turrets and the ship was stripped for
action. 1t is also related that there
never was a more serious and solemn
naval function than when Capt. Sigs-
bee, in full dress uniform received the
Spanish officers who came over the
starboard gangway. A Spanish cruis-
er lay nearby, but the blue jackets Of
the two vessels did not fraterniZe. In
deed Capt. Sigsbee allowed mis- men no
shore liberty.
The Maine came in on January 25.
Havana harbor was filthy beyond be-
lief in those days. To avoid stirring
up the sewage which formed the har-
bor's bottom ships did not anchor:
instead they were assigned by the cap
tain of the port to fixed mooring
buoys. The Names first mooring was
we'll up toward old La Punta Fort.
Subsequently she was moved down op-
posite the shears of the old Spanish
navy yard. Afterward this change by
Spanish authority was regarded as in
tensely significant.
The Tragedy.
February 16 was a quiet, starlit
tropical night. Capt. Sigsbee was writ
ing in his cabin. Marine Private Will
liam Anthony was the orderly on duty
outside his door. Most of the twenty
six officers and practically all the 32S
enlisted men were aboard. A stringed
| orchestra was playing on the Spanish
| cruiser. Havana was ablaze with
lights. From the Gale San Isidro,
which lies close to the water front,
| foated the sounds Of revel.
At $40 there came a terrific explo-
sion. The forward part of the Maine,
where was situated the forecastle,
leaped high out of the water. Instantly
followed another explosion amidships-
at least so say some of the Names
survivors and several good American
citizens who We're sitting on Machina
wharf, or what is now the Malecon-
the ship seemed split asunder, there was
lurid glare, showing for an instant
the rending hulk with bodies flying
through the air. then darkness
| Sigsbee came charging from his
cabin. Here was where Bill Anthony
won undying fame. Like Bulwer Lyt-
tons Roman sentry, who stood at his
post by the gates of Pompeii, while
the terrified city fled past him and the
red glare of Vesuvius shone on the
brazen helmet and grim face of man
who knew only that he was a soldier
Of Rome not yet relieved from duty,
Anthony remained the captains or
derby. In the blackness Sigsbee rushed
against him. The deck was a slew
Anthony saluted.
II have to report. sir, that the ship
is blown up and is sinking" he said
Boats came flying from the shore
from the Spanish man o war and from
a Ward liner lying close at hand. For
the most part they were too late. the
sleeping men in the forecast probably
never knew what had happened. They
We're shattered by the explosion o1