Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-19
Discovery by Workmen on the
Battleship Maine.
MAY RAISE HALF OF HULL
Exploration of the Interior of the
Vessel.
STEEL SWORDS EATEN AWAY
Army Engineers Astonished at the
Deterioration Caused by the
Salt Water.

HAVANA, June 1a.-The first human
parts to be recovered from the wreck OF
the American battleship Maine were dis
covered today when workmen, removing
mud and debris from the spar deck just
forward OF the after superstructure. dis
covered the b,ackened and coral-incrust-
ed bones of q left forearm and right
foot.
The bones were taken In charge by an
undertaken and placed in a receptacle
aboard the collier Leonidas. OF course.
there is nothing to suggest Identification.
lshed by the subsequent discovery of
other objects in the immediate vicinity.
The water in the cofferdam inclosing
the wreck had been lowered thirteen feet
below normal this forenoon, revealing
considerably more of the craft, especially
amidships. A superficial examination OF
the most recently uncovered portions has
tended somewhat TO revive the hope that
il will prove possible TO float the after
half or more of the hull.
It is expected that the water will be
lowered by a total Of fifteen feet by
nightfall, and it is planned to hold it at
that mark and proceed with the explora-
tion of the interior of the hull
Exploring the Superstructure.
Pumping out the cofferdam about the ship
goes on slowly. the army engineers in
charge giving most of their attention to
the condition of the dam. which is in
excellent shape. Water from hose was
the surface was well cleaned off. En-
gineers who explored the exposed parts
of the vessel, found on entering the after
superstructure a quantity of dishes laid
out on the mess table. Many of them
were unwashed and gave indications of
having been left by mess attendants, who
were surprised at their evening meal
when the explosion occurred The of
hcers, of course, had finished their meal
long before, as the explosion was after 9
o'clock.
On clearing off the spar deck an am
munition box was found just aft of the
port turret. which contained, besides a full
complement of ammunition. clips for hand
rifles and several hand swords.
Steel Swords Eaten Away.
The lead and brass of the cartridges
was little injured. but the steel swords
practically were eaten away by the salt
water. which the engineers take as an
indication of the condition of the entire
hull. Officers dress swords in scabbards
were found leaning against the starboard
wall Of the deckhouse with the leather in
good shape, but with the steel so badly
eaten that II fell apart when picked UP.
The engineers were aStonished that the
steel should so deteriorate in the water.
and the only explanation Is egalvanic
action.
Electric Bulbs Found Intact.
Several electric bulbs are said to have
been found whole, which. with the fact
that the crockery was unbroken on the
mess table, indicates that the explosion
was not felt TO any extent aft
Gen. Bixby expected to depart for the
Uni,ed States today and an attempt was
made 10 pump as much as possible be-
fore he started. The outlook now is that
;ne pumping will go on slowly but stead
lily till the cofferdam is all unwatered.
Relics From the Maine Wreck.
NEW YORK. June 19-On board the
steamship Bayamo. of the Ward line. the
first set Of relics taken from The wreck of
the battleship Maine arrived in Brooklyn
yesterday and were carried to Governors
Island. where they will remain in the
war museum until orders 70 rtheir final
disposition are issued
The object of greatest interest in the
first consignment was a part of the fore
mast about nifty feet long 1t was dashed
TO the deck of the Bayamo and proved to
be an object of unending interest TO the
passengers.
part OF the rail of the fighting top
also was on board the steamship TO-
Eether with a range finder They were
consigned TO Col. Little on Governors Is
land The mast and the two other OBJ
Jects were covered with barnacles coral
and other sea growths, and In some places
Were SO thickly coated that they resem-
bles nothing but great bundhes of coral