Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-19
He SERVED ON THE
BATTLESHIP MAINE

William McGuiness, who was a
member of the Maine Corps of the
old battleship Maine, is in Bangor for
few days having come down from the
northern part of the State where he is
working with Iumbermen, says the
Commercial. Mr. McGuiness was never
in Bangor before but found little trou-
bic in making many acquaintances as
everyone with whom he talked listened
With a keen interest to his story of the
sinking of the battleship Maine in Ha-
vana harbor.
Mr.. McGuiness joined the marines
OF the Maine at Norfolk, Va, several
months before the Spanish American
war broke out and remained on her
until she was sent to the bottom of the
sea in Havana harbor Feb. Is. 1898.
He was in the hospital for some time
after the sinking of the Maine and was
then sent to Key West, later being
placed on the Detroit. After the war
he returned to Charlestown where he
remained until his term expired
Mr.. McGuiness is man 40 years of
age and this seemed to be the only
thing that he didn't like to talk about
i'll connection with his experiences in
the navy. The navy is a great place
for a young man" he said IF he be-
HAYES h msclf If were young
enough | would go tomorrow. 1t
hurts me to read of the great crisis
that is facing us and that the navy
needs men | have been there and /
know and honestly | am telling YOU
the truth" he said again to a Com
morciai reporter Tuesday, when |
say that if they would take me | would
60 again"
Mr.. McGuiness in speaking Of the
sinking of the battleship Maine, sad:
Il was to go on duty at II O'Clock the
night the ship was blown up and about
10 O'Clock l was going to sleep and NOT
/ caring I" get into my hammock
stretched out in canvas chair on
the up. deck of the ship. About
1920 ot.uCh ! heard a crash and
dropped through the deck into the
boilers which were directly under
where | was resting. The captain's
orderly was crying out that the shin
was sinking fast and already MANY of
the men had been lost. Those who
were in their hammocks on the deck
below had no chance of escape. don't
know now | ever got out from the
holer but ! reached the berth deck
and jumped into the water where | re-
manned for about a half hour and was
picked up by some Spaniards. | was
badly burned about the face and hands
ard from my knees down was burned.
| remained in 1o
for four days and was then taken to
Key West.
The guard was standing quite close
70 me ana he started for the Captains
quarters but he didn't come back. The
bow of the ship was blown across the
deck and I saw one man hurled into
the air for several feet and he was not
seen afterwards. There We're 257 lives
lost"
MIR. McGuiness was the captain's or
derby at the time of the bon1bardrnent
of San Juan. The fleet had passed in
/ to the harhor all but one ship before
the sentry on guard noticed what was
going on. AS he saw the last ship
coming in he fired his rifle and in
few minutes the enemy was in sight.
Then the bombardment commenced at
once and the shells were hurled from
all the ship until the town was shat
tered
This veteran Of the Maine remained
with this feet until he returned to
Charlestown. He has served eight
years in the English army as mem
, Der Of the 9th Regiment and has a
brother in the service Of England at
the present time.