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A SECTIONAL VIEW OF THE BATTLESHIP MAINE,
THE MAINE BLOWN UP BY A MINE.
REPORT OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY.AND THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
A Mine Destroyed The Ship—No Lax Discipline on Board.
Captain Sigshee Exomnerated. There Were Two Explosions, Says the Report, the
First of Which Lifted the Big Vessel-The Investigators Unable to Fix
the Responsibility For the Disaster—The President's Message to
Congress on the Report.
The following is the full text of th
report of the court of inquiry appoint
ed to investigate the disaster to th
Maine at Havana:
United States Steamer Iowa, First
Rate, Key West, Fla.,, Monday,
March 21, 1898.
After full and mature consideration
of all the testimony before it, the court
finds as follows:
1. That the United States battleship
Maine arrived in the harbor of Havana,
Cuba, on the 25th day of January, 1898,
and was taken te buoy No. 4, in from
five to six fathoms of water, by the
regular government pilot.
The United States consul general at
Havana had notified the authorities
at that place, the previous evening, of
the intended arrival of the Maine.
2. The state of discipline on board
the Maine was excellent, and all orders
and regulations in regard to the care |
and safety of the ship were strictly |
carried out.
All ammunition was stowed in ac-
cordance with prescribed instructions,
and proper care was taken whenever
ammunition was handled.
Nothing was stowed in any one of the
magazines or shell rooms which was
not permitted to be stowed there.
The magazines and shell rooms were
always locked after having been open-
ed, and after the destruction of the
Maine the keys were found in their
proper place in the captain’s cabin,
everything having been reported secure
that evening at § p. m. The tem-
peratures of the magazine and shell
room were taken daily and reported.
The only magazine which had an un-
due amount of heat was the after ten
inch magazine, and that did not ex-
plode at the time the Maine was de:
stroved
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CAFTAIN SAMPSON.
The torpedo warheads were all stow-
ed in the after part of the ship under
the ward room, and neither caused
nor participated in the destruction of
the Maine.
The dry gun cotton primers and de-
tonators were stowed in the cabin aft,
and remote from the scene of the ex-
plosion.
Waste was carefully looked after on
board the Maine to obviate danger.
Special orders in regard to this had
been given by the commanding officer.
Varnishes, dryers, alcohol and other
combustibles of this nature were stow-
ed on or above the main deck and
could not have had anything to do
with the destruction of the Maine.
The medical stores were stowed aft
under the ward room and remote from
the scene of the explosion.
No dangerous stores of any kind were
stowed below in any of the other store
rooms.
The coal bunkers were inspected daily.
Of those bunkers adjacent to the for-
ward magazines and shell rooms four
were empty, namely, B3, B4, B5, B6.
A5 had been in use that day, and
A 16 was full of new river coal. This
coal had been carefully inspected be-
fore receiving it on board. The bunker
RTA Sr HS -.
in which it was stowed was accessible
on three sides at all times, and the
fourth side at this time on account of
bunkers B 4 and B 6 being empty. This
bunker, A 16, had been inspected Mon-
day by the engineer officer on duty.
The fire alarms in the bunkers were
in working order, and there had never
been a case of spontaneous combustion
of coal on board the Maine.
The two after boilers of the ship were
in use at the time of the disaster, but
for auxiliary purposes only, with a
comparatively low pressure of steam
and being tended by a reliable watch.
These boilers could not have caused
the explosion of the ship. The four
forward boilers have since been found
by the divers and are in a fair con-
dition.
On the night of the destruction of
the Maine everything had been re-
ported secure for the night a: 8 p. m.
by reliable persons, through the proper
authorities, to the commanding of-
ficer. At the time the Maine was de-
stroyed the ship was quiet, and there-
fore least liable to accident caused by
movements from those on board.
3. The destruction of the Maine occ-
curred at 9:40 p. rm. on the 15th day of
February, 1898, in the harbor of Ia-
vana, Cuba, she being at the time
moored to the same buoy to which she
had been isken upon her arrival.
There were (wo explosions of a dis-
tinctly different character, with a very
short but distinet interval between
them, and the forward part of the
ship was lifted to a marked decree at
the time of the first explosion.
The first explosion was more in the
nature of a report, like that of a gun,
while the second explosion was more
open, prolonged, and of greater vul-
ume. This second explosion was, in
the opinion of the court, caused by the
vartial explosion of two or more of
the forward magazines of the Maine, ‘
4. The evidence bearing upon this, be-
BECRETARY ALGER.
ing principally obtained from divers,
did not enable the court to form a def-
Inite conclusion as to the condition of
the wreck, although it was established
that th. after part of the ship was
practically intact and sank in that
condition a very few minutes after the
destruction of the forward part.
The following facts in regard to the
forward part of the ship are, however,
established by the testimony.
That portion of the port side of the
protective deck which extends from
about frame 20 to about frame 41 was
blown up aft, and over to port. The
main deck from about frame 30 to
about frame 41 was blown up aft, and
slightly over to starboard, folding the
forward part of the middle superstruc-
ture over and on top of the after bart.
THE OREGON.
This was, in the opinion of the court,
caused by the partial explosion of two
or more of the forward magazines of
the Maine.
5. At frame 17 the outer shell of the
ship from a point eleven and one-half
feet from the middle line of the ship
and six feet above the keel when in its
normal position has been forced up so
as to be now about four feet above the
surface of the water; therefore, about
34 feet above where it would be had the
ship sank uninjured. The outside bot-
tom plating is bent into a reversed V
shape, the after wing of which, about
16 feet broad and 32 feet in length
(from frame 17 to frame 25), is doubled
back upon itself against the continua-
tion of the same plating extending for-
ward.
At frame 18 the vertical keel is
broken in two, and the flat keel bent
into an angle similar to the angle
formed by the outside bottom plating.
This break is now about six feet be-
low the surface of the water, and
about 30 feet above its normal posi-
tion.
In the opinion of the court this ef-
fect could have been produced only by
the explosion of a mine situated under
the bottom of the ship at about frame
18, and somewhat on the port side of
the chin,
REAR ADMIRAL SICARD.
6. The court finds that the loss or tne
Maine, on the occasion named, was
not in any respect due to fault or
negligence on the part of any of the
officers or members of the crew of said
vessel.
7. In the opinion of the court the
Maine was destroyed by the explosion
of a submarine mine, which caused the
partial explosion of two of her forward
magazines.
8. The court has been unable to ob-
tain evidence fixing the responsibility
for the destruction of the Maine upon
any person or persons.
W. T. SAMPSON,
Captain U. S. N., President.
A. MARIX,
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. N., Judge
Advocate.
The court, having finished the inquiry
it was ordered to make, adjourned at
11 a. m. to await the action of the
convening authority.
W. T. SAMPSON,
Captain U. S. N., President.
A. MARIX,
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. N., Judge -
Advocate.
United States Flagship New York,
March 22, 1898, off Key West, Fla.
The proceedings and findings of the
court of inquiry in the above case are
approved.
M. SICARD,
Rear Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of
the United States Naval Forces on
the North Atlantic Station.
FITZ-HUGH LEE.
CARICOM a ana
TURRET
BERTH DECK
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STORES
A SS
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CAPTAIN SIGSBEE.
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
Thinks Spain’s Sense of Justice Will
Dictate a Course of Action.
Washington, March 28.—The presi-
dent today sent the following message
to congress:
To the congress of the United States:
For some time prior to the visit of the
Maine to Havana harbor our consular
representatives pointed out the ad-
vantages to flow from the visit of na-
tional ships to the Cuban waters in
accustoming the people to the pres-
ence of our flag as the symbol of good
will and of our ships in the fulfillment
of the mission of protection to Ameri-
can interests, even though no immedi-
ate need therefor might exist.
Accordingly on the 24th of January
| last, after conference with the Spanish
minister, in which the renewal of visits
| of our war vessels to Spanish waters
| was discussed and accepted, the penin-
sular authorities at Madrid and Ha-
vana were advised of the purpose of
this government to resume friendly na-
val visits at Cuban ports, and that in
I that view the Maine would forthwith
| call at the port of Havana. This an-
| nouncement was received by the Span-
ish government with appreciation of
the friendiv character of the visit of
the Maine, and with notification of the
intention to return the courtesy by
sending Spanish ships to the principal
ports of the United States. Meanwhile
the Maine entered the port of Havana
on the 25th of January, her arrival be-
ing marked with no special incident
besides the exchange of customary sa-
lutes and ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No appreciable ex-
citement attended her stay; on the
fidence followed the resumption of the
long interrupted friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was this immediate ef-
fect of her visit that the consul gen-
eral strongly urged that the presence
of our ships in Cuban waters should
be kept up by retaining the Maine at
Havana, or in the event of her recall
by sending another vessel there to take
her place.
At 40 minutes past 9 in the evening
of the 15th of February the Maine was
destroyed by an explosion, by which
the entire forward part of the ship
was utterly wrecked. In this catas-
frophe two officers and 264 of her crew
ferished, those who were not killed out-
right by her explcsion being penned
between decks by the tangle of wreck-
age and drowned by the immediate
sinking of the hull. Prompt assistance
was rendered by the neighboring ves-
sels anchored in the harbor, aid being
especially given by the boats of the
Spanish cruiser Alphonse XII and the
‘Ward line steamer City of Washington,
which lay not far distant. The wound-
ed were generously cared for by the
authorities of Havana, the hospitals
being freely opened to them, while the
earliest recovered bodies of the dead
were interred by the municipality in
the public cemetery in the city. Trib-
utes of grief and sympathy were of-
island. ;
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people of our country with crushing
force, and for a brief time an intense
excitement prevailed, which in a com-
munity less just and self controlled
than ours might have led to hasty acts
of blind resentment. This spirit, how-
ever, soon gave way to the calmer pro-
cesses of reason and to the resolve to
Investigate the facts and await mate-
rial proof before forming a judgment
as to the cause, the responsibility, and,
as the facts warranted, the remedy.
This course necessarily recommended
itself from the outset to the executive.
contrary, a feling of relief and con- .
fered from all official quarters of the ,
Ior only in the light of a dispassionate-
ly ascertained certainty could it de-
termine the nature and measure of its
full duty in the matter.
The usual proceedure was followed,
as in all cases of casualty or disaster
to national vessels of any maritime
state. A naval court of inquiry was at
once organized, composed of officers
well qualified by rank and practical
experience to discharge the duty im-
posed upon them. Aided by a strong
force of wreckers and divers, the court
proceeded to make a thorough investi-
gation on the spot, employing every
available means for the impartial and
| exact determination of the cause of
the explosion. Its operations have been
conducted with the utmost delibera-
tion and judgment, and while independ-
ently, pursued no source of informa-
tion was neglected, and the fullest op-
portunity was allowed for a simul-
taneous investigation by the Spanish
authorities.
The finding of the court of inquiry
was reached after 23 days of continu-
ous labor, on the 21st of March, and
having been approved on the 22d by
the commander-in-chief of. the United
States naval force on the North At-
lantic station, was transmitted to the
executive.
It is herewith laid before the con-
gress, together with the voluminous
testimony taken before the court.
Its purport is in brief as follows:
When the Maine arrived at Havana
she was conducted to the regular gov-
ernment pilot buoy No. 4, to which she
was moored in from five and one-half
to six fathoms of water.
The state of discipline on board and
the condition of her magazines, boilers,
coal bunkers and storage: compart-
ments are passed in review, with the
conclusion that excellent order prevail-
ed, and that no indication of any cause
for an internal explosion existed in
any quarter.
At 8 o'clock in the evening of Feb.
15 everything had been reported secure,
and all was quiet. At 40 minutes past
9 o'clock the vessel was suddenly de-
stroyed.
There were two distinct explosions,
with a brief interval between them.
The first lifted the forward part of the
ship very perceptibly; the second,
which was more open, prolonged and
of greater volume, is attributed by the
court to the partial explosion of two or
more of the forward magazines.
The evidence of the divers establishes
that the after part of the ship was
practically intact and sank in that con-
dition a very few minutes after the ex-
plosion. The forward part was com-
pletely demolished.
Upon the evidence of a concurrent
external cause the finding of the court
is as follows:
At frame 17 the outer shell of the
ship, from a point 111% feet from the
middle line of the ship and six feet
above the keel when in its normal po-
sition, has been forced up so as to be
now about four feet above the sur-
: face of the water, therefore about 34
‘ feet about where it would be had the
ship sunk uninjured.
The outside bottom plating is bent
into a reversed V shape, the after wing |
of which, about 15 feet broad and 32
feet in length (frame 17 to frame 25),
is doubled back upon itself against the
continuation of the same placing ex-.|
tending forward.
At frame 18 the vertical keel is
broken in two and the flat keel bent
into an angle similar to the angle form-
ed by the outside bottom plates. This
break is now about six feet below the
surface of the water and about 30 feet
above its normal position.
In the opinion of the court this effect
could have been produced only by the
explosion of a mine situated under the
bottom of the ship, at about frame 18,
and somewhat on the port side of the
ship.
The conclusions of the court are:
That the loss of the Maine was not
in any respect due to fault or neg-
ligence on the part of any of the of-
fieers or members of her crew.
That the ship was destroyed by the
explosion of a submarine mine, which
caused the partial explosion of two or
more of her forward magazines, and
That no evidence has been obtain-
able fixing the responsibility for the
| destruction of the Maine upon any
person or persons.
I have directed that the finding of
the court of inquiry and the views of
this government thereon be communi-
cated to the government of her ma-
jesty, the queen regent, and I do not
permit myself to doubt that the sense
of justice of the Spanish nation will
dictate a course of action suggested
by honor and the friendly relations of
the two governments.
It will be the duty of the executive
to advise congress of the result and in
the meantime deliberate consideration
§s invoked.
WILLIAM M’KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, March 28, 1898.
Some of the Boats That Will Have to
Sustain Our Homer in Event of War.
ream Tea EL PRR