The Caucasian., 1911-07-25
THE MAINE DISASTER
Layer of Thin Mud Hides the Secret.
Gigantic Engineering Feat.

|
Havana, July 23.-The second step
in the great task Of uncovering the
Maine was completed today with the
pumping of the last few feet of wa
ter surrounding the dismembered
| hull. The bottom of the cofferdam is
now nothing but thin mud, which
hides the secret of the disaster.
The cofferdam, the first of such
magnitude ever attempted, stands as
a gigantic monument to the skill OF
the United State Aarmy engineers.
From the top of the piling to the
floor inside it measures 25 feet and
is an impressive sight. One may
stand below its edge and watch the
sails and tunnels of ships moving
Ioutside the dam far above the head
of the spectators.
Though several of the caissons
lean inward at rather sharp an
| gle, each is braced against the other
in sort of cutilever idea. No weak
spots have developed, although the
caissons are now bearing nine
tenths of the total pressure required.
The work of driving the piles.
which several local engineers de-
clare was one of the greatest
achievements of modern engineer
ing, commenced last October, and on
account of two accidents was not
finished until June 7, when pumping
h.gan. Tt was a herculean task to
construct twenty cylindsrs so as to
exactly surround the wick. Each is
composed of 200 steel piles rs feet
long, driven into the thin mud to the
bottom in thirty feet of water. This
was accomplished by Major Fergu-
son with only two accidents. The en-
gineers are enthusiastic in their
praise of the work, and it is suggest
ed that this style of construction be
known in the future as the Ferguson
|cCfferdam, although Major Ferguson
mcdestly insists that the design is
that of Major Patrick, and suggests
that it be named the Maine Golfer
dam.
The vessel now lies in mud which
is higher than the berth deck on the
port side, and so thin that the first
ten feet probably will be easily
pumped out with an ordinary sue
tiCn dredge. The rest can be taken
out with larger dredge with the
assistance of an agitator which stirs
up and mixes the mud.
1t is about thirty feet from the
Isurfacs in the mud to the keel at the
stern, but it is impossible to say how
far down the keel is forward. The
havoc is so great forward of the en-
gines that the mud hides the most
interesting part of the wreck, but it
| Is easy to see that the damage is
such that none expects that any part
of the vessel will ever be floated.
AS the thin mud is pumped out a
force of men will be set to work dig
glng out the thick mud which fills
the entire interior of the wreck.
This work begins tomorrow, and the
very first effort will be directed to-
ward finding the body of Darwin
Merritt, naval engineer, known to
have perished on the berth deck. His
lparents have spent thousands of
ldollars in the last twelve years with
the hope of recoverig his bondy.
This work is ncharge of Capt. Dean
1'ilford of the quartermaster's de-
|partmet. Then bodies taken out of
the wreck are being placed in metal
Icoffins and take non board the col
lier Leonidas. Eleven bodies have
Inow been found out of total of Sc
Imissing. Identification of course is
impossible, as all of these were un-
|Gerneath the wreck of the coming
ltewer and apparently were enjoying
| The evening breeze in the passage
way on the starboard side of the en-
igine room. Those in similar posi-
ltion on the port side apparently hae
La better chance for their lives. Many
lbodies are visible pinned under tons
lof metal and can not be recovered
Iuntil the wreck is dismembered.
i The engineers will give no Opinion
las to how long it will take to com
lpletely expose the wreck.