The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-19
Mud Will Delay
 Barring The Maine All the Water Out of the Cofferdam, But a New Problem Confronts
 Engineers
PART OF THE KEEL EXPOSED
But Not Yet Possible to Tell What Caused the Explo-
 sion on Battleship

Havana, July 19-The process of re- moving the water surrounding the wreck of the Maine was practically completed last evening, when the wa ter level in the cofferdam had been lowered eighteen feet, leaving the wreck surrounded by islets of mud small pools and sinkhols of green slimy water, in which scuttled myriads of crabs and other small creatures The soundings showed nowhere a depth in excess of four feet. The dregS of water remaining Tn the cofferdam can be removed in a few hours, but it is now apparent that the engineers are confronted with an infinitely more serious problem, the removal of the mud in which the re- mains of the battleship are embedded from a minimum of thirty-seven feet to depth that can only be conjec- tured
 Although the water now is only two feet lower than in previous pumping operations, the revelations with regard to the shattered condition of the hulk have been vastly enlarged, owing to the lateral outspreading of the dis torted frames and plating, especially in the forward section, where the principal force of the explosion was expended. The structure of the bow as far aft as Frame IS has been ex- posed, permitting of an inspection of that part of the vessel.
 The double bottom is greatly ele- vated above it's normal position, ap- parently giving confirmatory evidence of a tremendous exterior explosion. To this view, however, the engineers in charge decline to commit themselves, merely admitting the Identification of the n9rtc of fha bottom Of fhn ship.
 In the confused mass of wreckage of the bow is to be seen a curved piece of steel This is believed to be what Ensign Powelson identified be- fore the Supreme Court of Inquiry as part of the flat keel of the Maine. Naval Constructor Ferguson, in charge of the examination of the wreck, de- clines to say whether he can fully confirm Powelson's Identification, but says that adjacent plates and beams are unquestionably from the vicinity of the keel.
 The wardroom and officers quarters on the starboard side are exposed, but owing to a considerable list the mud is level with the ceiling, precluding at the present time the possibility of exploration. The present intention is not to attempt to remove the trifling quantity of water within the coffer- dam, put 10 make preparations. to erect foundations for cranes and der ricks, with which to extract the heav- fest parts of the wreckage, after which a means for removing the mud will be decided upon The necessity for extensive excavations may consume several months.
 Among the developments as a re- suit of the pumping yesterday was the exposure of a section of the armor belt abreast the midship superstruc- ture. This is about level with the surface of the water, in normal posi- tion, but separated from the forward portion of the belt, which doubtless was blown out.
 Exploration of the gallery resulted in the discovery of two pots half full of beans and other articles for kitchen use, some of which at first were believed to be human bones.
 The hope of the discovery of the skeleton of many of the crew is dim- finishing on account of the unexpect- edly complete demolition of the berth deck.