Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-09
REPORTS ON MAINE
Explosion From the Outside,
Says Board of Experts.
NO RESPONSIBILITY FIXED
World Is Never Likely to Know Who
Fired the Mine.
MAGAZINES ALSO BLOWN UP
Destruction Due Directly to Battle
ships Own Explosives-Full
Report Not Published.
MAGAZINES ALSO BLOWN UP

An exterior explosion caused the de-
struction of the battleship Maine in the
harbor of Havana thirteen years ago,
according to the unanimous report of the
board Of army and naval experts which
has just concluded an investigation Of
the matter. But whether the engine Of
destruction was a mine, torpedo or
something else Is not stated.
The findings Of the board are contained
in the following statement given out by
Secretary Meyer:
The board finds that the Injuries to
the bottom Of the Maine were caused
by the explosion of a charge of q low
form Of explosive exterior to the ship
between frames % and 81, strake b,
port side.
This resulted In igniting and explOd-
Ing the contents of the six-inch re-
serve magazine, Aim, said contents
including n large quantity of black
powder.
The more or less complete explosion
Of the contents of the remaining for
ward magazine followed. The maga-
zine explosion resulted I'm the destruc-
tton OF the vessel.
May Withhold Report.
Secretary Meyer announced that there
would be no further statement made pub
lie regarding the report of the Maine
board until it had been carefully con-
sdered by the President and possibly
even then the details would be withheld.
The boards report is very long account
of the exact condition in which the wreck
was found, copiously illustrated by dia-
grams and blueprints. showing the loca-
ton and number of every frame and
plate affected by the explosion, or rather
the series Of explosions. for it is now
clear that there was more than one. One
member of the board was Of the opinion
that the .,port would never be published
in full, bat would be kept in the conf
Dental archives Of the Navy Department.
Set up in Secretary Meyers office were
the elaborate models of the wreck of the
Maine, employed by the board in making
it's researches in Havana harbor. THESE
models had been constructed by Naval
Constructor Ferguson, who has been In
constant attendance during the wreckinS
operations, and he will within day or
two give Secretary Meyer practical
demonstration of the boards theory of
the explosion, using the models as a
basis.
The boards declaration that "a low
form of explosive was used In the out
side explosion indicates a belief that a
mine and not a dirigible torpedo was the
instrument of destruction for the rea-
son that the Whiteheads are invariably
charged with gun cotton or other high
explosives. This only deepens the mys-
| terry of the destruction of the Maine A
mine charged with sufficient gunpowder
| to blow in the bottom of the ship must
have weighed several hundred pounds
| and to plant such mine and lay the
| electric connection necessary for Its dis
| charge would require the service of a
| number Of men. The mystery lies in the
| fact that not one Of these men has dis
closed the secret even after the lapse OF
| more than thirteen years, and with nc
fear of punishment Overhangtng them.
Ends Maine Inquiries.
Secretary Meyer indicates that the re-
port finally closes the story of the wreck
| Of the Maine and that there will be nj
| further proceedings in the nature Of ar
investigation. The remains OF the corpses
collected by the wreckers will soen b.
brought to Arlington for interment ant
the wreck iself will be removed from
Havana harbor and consigned to tn,
deep.
The members of the board. who hav
lust returned from Havana after maxim.
| a careful inspection of the wreck of tn
battleship laid bare by the army en-
| gineers, are Rear Admiral Charles L
| Vreeland, aid for inspections of the Nav.
1 Department: r NJ. Watt, chief construc
for of the navy. Col. William M. Blac