The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-06-19
Explorers of the BattIeship
Maine Bring to Light Plates
and Other Chinaware.
ALSO AMMUNITION BOX,
AND OFFICERS SWORD
Electric Light Bib Hangs In
tact in After Part of Ship;
Thousands of Visitors.

HAVANA, June lS,-As the remains of
the battleship Maine gradually rise like a
grim. gray ghost above the slowly low
ering level of the turbid waters within
the cofferdam. the first details are most
interesting A curious relic of the dis
aster has been found The explorers last
night and this morning recovered plates
and other chinaware in the officers
quarters Some pieces were identified
later as parts Of the dinner service of
the captain and wardroom mess. All
were In a good state OF preservation. and
were found piled up as they had been
left by the stewards after the last din
ner.
This afternoon the searchers found on
the spar deck, adjacent TO the port tur-
ret, small ammunition box, such as
Is customsrlly distributed about the
decks. This contained congoulerated
mass OF six inillmeter cartridge clips for
the naval service rifle and number OF
short knife bayonets in metallic leather
covered scabbards. The clips OF the car
bayonets were reduced TO almost un
identlfiable masses OF rust, around which
We're clinging shreds OF leather sack
ings.
Result of Galvanic Action.
The disintegration OF the bayonets is
believed to have been the result OF gal
vanic action between the steel and the
brass cartridge cases in the medium of
sea water. This gives rise to specula-
ton regarding the effects Of galYanic
water, on which depends greatly the
possibility that the hull may not retain
sufficient strength TO warrant the strain
OF floating out any portion.
Pathetically interesting was the discoY-
cry of an officers dress sword found be-
hind the forward port Side door leading
from the officers quarters TO the spar
deck This door was found closed and
on being. forced open the sword was seen
upright In the corner. The inference is
that some officer Fastening TO the deck on
the hrst alarm and buckling on his sword
as he ran, was compelled TO abandon II
and escape in the rush of water over the
spardeck. The bronze sword hilt was
well preserved. but only. attached by
shredS of sword knot TO the blade which
was merely a ribbon OF rust inc!osed in a
black leather scabbard.
Electric Light Bulb Intact.
The only possibility Of identification Of
the sword is the chance that some officer
may recollect having abandoned the wea-
pom.
a curious indication Of the slight force
Of the explosion felt In the afterpart OF
the ship was an electric light bulb hang
ing intact from the roof of the super
structure.
Exploration of the interior continues to
be interrupted by masses of mud and
rubbish. Only the clearing OF portions
of the roof OF the after r-superstructure has
been completed. showing the effects of the
IRE on the charred deck planks
Other indications of fire are observed
around the combing OF the spar deck.
supposed 10 be adjacent to the galley on
the port side in which cooking utensils
are visible. The water level within the
'offerdam tonight stands at III feet, and
t is intended to, reduce the level FIVE feet
.omorrow, which probably will result In
urther interesting discoveries. The work
his afternoon was somewhat hampered by
orrential rains. Thousands of visitors
lieWed the wreck.