The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-17

Especial Gable to The Tim.s.pispatoh. !,
Havana, March ia great hollow,
square Of vessels, ranging in size from
li.ooe-ton lighting machine to lit :
II. auxiliary sasolcne- propelled fish.
Ing smack, took up positions late this
afternoon in the sluggish waters OF
the Gulf of Mexico outside of the cuba n
SEA limit. Within the square. moving
Gloviy up and down OH the breast of
Ia Underwriting swell that was in
marked contrast TO the mountainous
waves thai have retarded navigation
for the last two days, was an oblonr
shaped object completely covered with
a magnificent new American nag On
top of IL rested 1900 beautiful roses
which glistened and glowed in kaleid-
cscopic arrangement Of colors in the
ccpper-tinted rays OF tina late afternoon
sun y Sast was held in position by q
steel hawser that stretched from IL to
the big ocean tug osceola. OF the United
States navy.
Underneath the nag vas all that was
left of the old second class battleship
Maine. the destruction OF which on a
warm February night in the harbor OF
this city changed the map Of the West
ern Hemisphere. and removed from II
spain. hrst brought to it's waters by
the discoverer of the Western land,
Christopher Columbus
the scene was tho most remarlea hi Q
of It's kind in history. Never perorc
had lighting machine, the pride OF 4
nation, been raised from The dead to
be again buried with the honors that
arc paid only to a world power. And
on one OF the craft that waited with
flushed engines for the signal that
would send the battered ana rustcd
hulk to its native element. in hermit
cally sealed collins covered by the fla 2
fer which they had died, were tile
whitened bones Of the bravest OF that
gallant ships company. They, 100 were
going home. After fourteen years inn
prisonment In the watoIy coffin. main
tainng guardianship that seemed to
warn away ell profanc hands, these
men who lost their lives that thu is
land republic might DO free. were al,
last TO be laid in the heIIowed soil Of
the Satiopai Cemetery at Arlington.
The Maine and its escorting flotilla
passed out OF Havana harbor at $40
O'Clock this afternoon The naS and
tlower-covered hulk was preceded by
the big gray cruisers birmingham and
North Carolina. Between them attach
cd to the wreck by twin steel hawsers
that had been made fast to improvised
butts" was the big tug Osceola On
either side were the little revenue cut
Cuban navy. Behind. stringine out in
irregular formation, came many ex-
cIrsion craft and small steamers bear
iEg loyal Americans and Cubans 10 nav
their last tribute OF respect to tho bat.
tered old warrior that had been more
powerful in death than in life.
Slowly the procession stea med north
westward until the landmarks at the
entrance of tho harbor were hull down
and only siiadowy objects in the wan
ing sunlight. Every craft In the limo
had it's ensign at half staff. and most
of them were draped In sombre crepe
as she passed out of the harbor tho
forts had saiuted the Maine and the
salute--a national one-had been re-
piled to by the light guns of tho great
armorcd lighters OF the American navy.
The tribute seemed to have Il dcpress-
Ing effect on every one. Thore was no
noise on tho various boats. a pail OF
depression, that seemed TO be felt nv
all. subdued even tho volatile Cuban
sailors. 1t was n real funeral, and one
whose solemnity can hardly ever he
forgotten by those who took part.
Suddenly signal officer on tho for
' -- L.