I I Ln p IJIBRARY OJ.~TH 1 I tjN sl~yr4 I f: *a I i The "Maine" ,..,4: CAPTAIN CHAIUAs DWid"T] ME U X The "Maine" An Account of her Destruction in Havana Harbor THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF Captain Charles U. S. N. \ TV S.. D. Sigsbee.I J4Nto I j __il i7 -.. v -- t -, —_ NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1899 Er.S5s' Copyright, I898, 1899, by THE CENTURY Co. THE DEVINNE PRES8 TO MY SHIPMATES OF THE "MAINE," THE DEAD AND THE LIVING, I DEDICATE THIS, MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF THE GREAT DISASTER. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS PAGE I OUR RECEPTION AT HAVANA.. I II THE EXPLOSION... 59 III THE WRECKING AND THE INQUIRY...125 APPENDICES APPENDIX PAGE A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE "MAINE".. 95 B FOR THE "VIZCAYA'S" SAFETY.. 203 C FULL FINDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF INQUIRY 207 D MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 2I3 E ENSIGN POWELSON'S PERSONAL REPORT TO CAPTAIN SIGSBEE ON THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION OF THE "MAINE ". 219 F FINDING OF THE SPANISH COURT OF INSTRUCTION [INQUIRY] 231 G NAMES AND RATES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE " MAINE'S" CREW.... 246 H BURIAL AND IDENTIFICATION LIST OF THE " MAINE'S " DEAD 257 vii f LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS CAPTAIN CHARLES DWIGHT SIGSBEE, U. S. N.. Frontispiece From a photograph by Parker, Washington, D. C. FACING PAGE THE CREW OF THE " MAINE " RETURNING FROM SHOREDRILL, AT FORT MONROE.......... 4 From a photograph by E. H. Hart, Brooklyn, N. Y. GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE, UNITED STATES CONSULGENERAL AT HAVANA............ 8 From a photograph by E. H. Hart, made on the deck of the " Montgomery." LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER ADOLPH MARIX, FORMER EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE " MAINE".... 12 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. CAPTAIN CROWNINSHIELD (DURING THE SPANISH WAR A MEMBER OF THE NAVAL BOARD) RECEIVING MR. HERBERT, THEN SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, ON BOARD THE " MAINE"........... 16 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. THE "MAINE" ENTERING HAVANA HARBOR, MORRO CASTLE ON THE RIGHT............. 20 VIEW OF HAVANA HARBOR FROM A WHARF IN REGLA - I 24 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. VIEW OF HAVANA HARBOR FROM A WHARF IN REGLA-II 28 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. ix List of Illustrations FACING PAGE THE "MAINE" SALUTING THE SPANISH FLAG AFTER MAKING FAST TO THE OFFICIAL BUOY, AT WHICH SHE WAS DESTROYED................ 32 LUNCHEON GIVEN AT THE HAVANA YACHT-CLUB AT I A. M., JANUARY 30, I898, BY UNITED STATES CONSULGENERAL FITZHUGH LEE, TO THE CAPTAIN AND OFFICERS OF THE U. S. S. " MAINE"....... 34 From a photograph by Gomez de la Carretez. FACSIMILE OF THE CIRCULAR HANDED TO CAPTAIN SIGSBEE ON HIS WAY TO THE BULL-FIGHT AND LATER SENT TO HIM THROUGH THE HAVANA POST-OFFICE. 37 CAPTAIN SIGSBEE, GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE, SEVERAL OFFICERS OF THE (" MAINE," AND CIVILIANS AT THE HAVANA YACHT-CLUB............ 40 From a photograph by Gomez de la Carretez. CAPTAIN SIGSBEE IN THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN ON BOARD THE "MAINE"............ 44 THE WARD-ROOM OF THE " MAINE "........ 48 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. CAPTAIN-GENERAL RAMON BLANCO........ 52 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. SIGNAL-DRILL ON THE DECK OF THE " MAINE"... 56 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. THE MAINTOP.................. 60 THE "MAINE " IN DRY-DOCK NO. 2, NEW YORK NAVYYARD................... 6 From a photograph by Enrique Muller. PRIVATE WILLIAM ANTHONY........... 64 From a photograph by C. J. Homer, Boston, Mass. INBOARD PROFILE OF THE " MAINE"....... 67 CHIEF MACHINISTS' CABIN............ 68 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. X List of Illustrations FACING PAGE PLANS OF MAIN AND BERTH DECKS....... 71 THE LAST SCENE ON THE SINKING DECK OF THE " MAINE"................... 72 MIDSHIP SECTION............... 73 PLANS OF PROTECTIVE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE DECKS. 75 FACSIMILE, REDUCED, OF CAPTAIN SIGSBEE'S MESSAGE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, " SECNAV" BEING THE TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS OF THE LATTER... 76 HOLD PLAN AND PLAN OF PLATFORM-DECK... 79 FACSIMILE OF THE DESPATCH WRITTEN ON AN ENVELOP, SENT ON THE NIGHT OF THE EXPLOSION...... 80 VIEW OF THE WRECK FROM THE STERN....... 84 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. THE CENTRAL SUPERSTRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE CONNING-TOWER, THROWN UPSIDE DOWN....... 88 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. THE AFTER TORPEDO-TUBE........... 92 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. LIEUTENANT FRIEND W. JENKINS......... 96 From a photograph by B. L. H. Dabbs, Pittsburg, Pa. ASSISTANT ENGINEER DARWIN R. MERRITT....96 VIEW MADE SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE EXPLOSION.. IO From a photograph by E. H. Hart. BOTTOM-PLATING, PROTECTIVE DECK, AND SECOND LONGITUDINAL SHOWING ABOVE THE WATER...... I04 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. FUNERAL OF NINETEEN OF THE " MAINE'S " DEAD, FROM THE MUNICIPAL PALACE, HAVANA...... I08 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. GRAVE OF THE " MAINE'S " DEAD IN THE CEMETERY AT HAVANA.................. 112 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. xi List of Illustrations FACING PAGE THE " MAINE'S " BASEBALL NINE AS ORGANIZED AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION............ II6 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. MINSTREL GROUP WHO PERFORMED AT THE ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN BY THE CREW OF THE " MAINE " TO THE CREW OF THE " COLUMBIA "........... 120 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. THE COURT OF INQUIRY ON BOARD THE ' MANGROVE " 25 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. SURVIVORS AT THE HOSPITAL, KEY WEST, MAKING THE INITIAL OF THE LOST SHIP.......... 127 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. ENSIGN W. V. N. POWELSON, U. S. N....... 128 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. KEY RECOVERED FROM THE WRECK OF THE " MAINE " 131 HAVANA PASSENGER-BOATS AROUND THE SPANISH CRUISER "VIZCAYA" ON A VISITING DAY..... 132 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. THE " MONTGOMERY" SALUTING AFTER MOORING AT HAVANA.................. 136 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. WRECKING WITH THE AID OF HYDRAULIC JACKS... 140 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. EXPERT DIVER ANDREW OLSEN PREPARING TO DESCEND 146 Redrawn from a photograph by E. H. Hart. GROUP OF PETTY OFFICERS ON BOARD THE " MAINE '. 152 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. REVOLVER-DRILL ON THE STARBOARD SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE " MAINE"............... 156 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. SPANISH DIVERS AT WORK OUTSIDE THE WRECK OF THE "MAINE"............i6o From a photograph by E. H. Hart. xii List of Illustrations FACING PAGE A VIEW OF THE SMOKING WRECK OF THE " MAINE," TAKEN EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER THE EXPLOSION 164 From a photograph by George Bronson Rea. LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER RICHARD WAINWRIGHT, EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE " MAINE"......... I68 From a photograph by E. H. Hart. LIEUTENANT JOHN J. BLANDIN.......... 172 From a photograph by R. W. Harrison, Selma, Ala. NAVAL CADET DAVID F. BOYD, JR.......... 176 From a photograph by Buffham, Annapolis, Md. SURGEON LUCIEN G. HENEBERGER........176 From a photograph by Prince, Old Point Comfort, Va. PAYMASTER CHARLES M. RAY........... 176 From a photograph by A. Farsari & Co., Yokohama, Japan. LIEUTENANT ALBERTUS W. CATLIN......1. I76 From a photograph by Ao E. Tuck, Gloversville, N. Y. CARPENTER GEORGE HELMS......... 176 From a photograph by R. Weiss, Brooklyn, N. Y. PAY-CLERK BRENT MCCARTHY.......... 176 From a photograph by A. Farsari & Co., Yokohama, Japa~n. GUNNER JOSEPH HILL.............. 176 From a photograph by S. Young, New York. NAVAL CADET ARTHUR CRENSHAW...... 80 From a photograph by Prince, Old Point Comfort, Va. PASSED ASSISTANT ENGINEER FREDERIC C. BOWERS. 180 From a photograph by Butler, Brooklyn, N. Y. BOATSWAIN FRANCIS E. LARKIN. I80 From a photograph by F. Gutekunst, Philadelphia, Pa. CHAPLAIN JOHN P. CHIDWICK........... 180 From a photograph by Anderson, New York. CHIEF ENGINEER CHARLES P. HOWELL....... 80 From a photograph by Pach Bros., New York. NAVAL CADET POPE WASHINGTON....... 1 80 From a photograph by Buff ham, Annapolis, Md. xiii List of Illustrations FACING PAGE ASSISTANT ENGINEER JOHN R. MORRIS.... 1 I8 From a photograph by Prince, New York and Washington, D. C. DIAGRAM SHOWING HOW A MINE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER THE " MAINE.'..182 LIEUTENANT JOHN HOOD............ 184 LIEUTENANT GEORGE P. BLOW........ I84 From a photograph by Moore, New Orleans, La. NAVAL CADET JONAS H. HOLDEN......... 184 From a photograph by Hart. LIEUTENANT GEORGE F. W. HOLMAN....... 184 From a photograph by Weiss, New York. LIEUTENANT CARL W. JUNGEN....... I84 From a photograph by Rice, Washington, D. C. NAVAL CADET WATT T. CLUVERIUS........ 184 From a photograph by G. Moses & Son, New Orleans, La. NAVAL CADET AMON BRONSON, JR........ I84 From a photograph by J. W. Taylor, Rochester, N. Y. THE SECOND-CLASS BATTLE-SHIP "MAINE," BLOWN UP IN HAVANA HARBOR, FEBRUARY 15, 1898.... 88 xiv THE "MAINE" I THE "MAINE" I OUR RECEPTION AT HAVANA THE explosion of the Maine at Havana, on February 15, I898, was the ultimate incident which impelled the people of the United States to regard Spain as an impossible neighbor. Although the war which followed was not founded on the destruction of the Maine as a political cause, that disaster was the pivotal event of the conflict which has terminated Spanish possession in the Western World. Considerations like these must continue to give the Maine a unique place in the history of the United States, especially since the character and magnitude of the disaster make it one of the most shocking on record. t The story of the Maine leading up to the explosion may be said to begin at the Southern I I The " Maine" drill-ground of the North Atlantic Squadron, as far back as October 9, I897. The New York, Iowa, Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Indiana, Texas, and Maine all now historic --- had been on a cruise along the New England coast, ending at Bar Harbor on August 31. From Bar Harbor they proceeded in squadron to the Southern drill-ground, about twenty-five miles to the eastward of Cape Charles, a locality set apart for drills by reason of its comparative remoteness from the common commercial route of coastingvessels, as well as its convenient depth of water for anchorage. The squadron was under the command of Rear-Admiral Montgomery Sicard. The night of October 8 terminated a period of hard work of the kind which brought overwhelming victory later. Part of the time had been spent at Hampton Roads in recoaling, and at Yorktown in sham fighting on shore, and in small-arms target practice. The days at sea had been spent in squadron evolutions, target practice, and signaling, and the nights, at least in part, in night-signaling, search-light drill, and in secondary-battery practice, simulating the conditions of attack by torpedo-boats. It was not mere routine; it was the business of warfare, pursued with stern official conscience, under a commander-in-chief who throughout his whole 2 .. g.... 1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~QQt~~~~~~~~~~~~~, 3 1 *. I i 'I. iiiII.....~i'iI i I..i' 'I~SE S' Ii~iII.I. 'i'.I I''iII' '.I I~i' g.q. j j.. l- j,;...E. ffi. j. jij 0 i j.g.j'. a.i. i r t j; tXV50W<1 ~ t tgB j i i E ii i M" ii i & ~ b ~ 1111|1111111|1111|1111111||x1~ ~~~~~~~ - ~r.|. 111111 i iii i | Ei -i iiiiii iiEXiJ mur j j lI g| jrWi~ii jj rj lj -ti 1| 11Nl|||11E X C lp srji: | e1 1 111 11 |~ i~~;R,iF:i,~ I ~M~: It E S X o,t T m '_ Our Reception at Havana spread arms, he paused for attention, and, getting it, gave the text, which was: "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley." He said various things strange to cultivated ears, but his sermon was effective, and deeply impressed those for whom it was primarily intended. Although my orders to Port Royal gave me no information as to the purpose, it was hoped at the time that the ship might be able to dock there; but the water outside the dock proved to be too shallow. It is probable, however, that in the visit of the Maine to Port Royal it was intended to have a United States man-of-war nearer Cuba. Many citizens were then very restless as to the safety of our own people in that island. I had no instructions to take any measures whatever; the Maine was simply awaiting further orders. She made good use of her time at Port Royal. The battalion was repeatedly landed and drilled at the station; every member of the crew was given target practice with small arms, and her ten-inch guns were tested for rapidity of fire. It was the custom in the North Atlantic Squadron to have aiming-drills every afternoon on week-days. No scheme alone can teach gunners to hit. Correct aim comes from practice - and more practice. 5 The " Maine" We left Port Royal on November I5, as already stated, and steamed north to the Norfolk navy-yard, where the vessel was docked and put under slight repairs. While at Norfolk, Lieutenant-Commander Adolph Marix, the executive officer, —and a very able one,- was detached. He was succeeded by Lieutenant-Commander Richard Wainwright, who afterward got his opportunity, and distinguished himself in command of the Gloucester, off Santiago de Cuba. The Maine and the Texas were the first of the modern steel battle-ships built by the United States. The Maine was originally designed as an armored cruiser, with a considerable spread of square canvas. Her sail plan in my possession shows her as a bark with squaresails to topgallantsails, but no headbooms. It was then contemplated to give her 7135 square feet of canvas. Later, sails were abandoned, and she was styled a second-class battle-ship. She was designed at the Navy Department and built at the New York navy-yard. Her keel was laid October 17, 1888; she was launched November I8, I890, commissioned September 17, I895, and left the navy-yard at.o A. M. on November 5, I895, drawing 22 feet and i inch forward and 21 feet and 8 inches aft. When fully supplied with coal and provisions she 6 Our Reception at Havana was " down by the head." The Maine differed greatly in appearance from all other vessels of the United States navy. Instead of one superstructure, as commonly seen, she had three, forward, after, and central. All were of the same breadth transversely. Their sides at the bow and stern were formed by the continuation upward of the outside skin of the ship. Along the sides of the superstructures there was a clear deck-space affording enough room for formations and drills. I have frequently been asked to state the color of the Maine's outside paintwork. Her hull was white to the rail; the superstructures, funnels, and masts, and all permanent fittings above the rail except the pilot-house, were dark straw-color. The pilot-house was of varnished mahogany. The boats and bower-anchors were white; the guns and search-lights were black. There were larger ships in the navy than the Maine, but none more delightful to command or to serve in. Her quarters were ample for everybody, although certain compartments were rather too hot for comfort in warm weather. The members of the crew were berthed chiefly in the forward and the central superstructures, and on the berth-deck forward of the junior officers' quarters. This distribution of the crew, when considered in connection with the region of the 7 The "Maine" explosion, explains the loss of so many of the crew as compared with the officers. The quarters of the officers were aft; mine were in the after-superstructure, all of which had been apportioned to quarters for a flag-officer and the captain. The Maine was not a flagship; therefore the captain acquired the admiral's quarters in addition to his own. The ward-room staterooms were on the berth-deck, below the captain's cabin. On the starboard side of the compartment immediately forward of the wardroom was the ward-room officers' mess-room; and forward of this, also on the starboard side, and in the same compartment, were the junior officers' quarters. All forward of this compartment was assigned to the crew. It was chiefly on the berth-deck that the greatest destruction of sleeping men resulted from the explosion. The Maine had two "winged" or "(sponsoned" turrets; that is to say, they were at the sides and projected a few feet beyond the hull. They were placed between the superstructures, one on each side of the ship, as is shown in the many photographs of the vessel. In each were two ten-inch breech-loading rifles. In addition, she carried six six-inch breech-loading rifles, besides seven six-pounder and eight one-pounder rapid-firing rifles. She had four above-water 8 NO MNUM K. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ HHE.-~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I Our Reception at Havana torpedo-tubes on her berth-deck, all in broadside. The arrangement of her compartments was simple for a battle-ship, so she responded readily to any work done on her to make her look clean and orderly. She had two hundred and fourteen water-tight compartments, as ascertained by a recent inspection of her drawings. All that were not occupied by the officers or crew were closed at night. The following are statistics relating to her: extreme length, 324 feet; beam, 57 feet; displacement, 6650 tons; indicated horse-power, 9290; trial speed, I7.45 knots. She had an armored belt extending i80 feet at the waterline on each side, over which was a flat, armored deck. Joining the two forward ends of the belt was a heavy steel bulkhead, at the bottom of which was an armored deck that continued to the stem. The flat steel deck above armor dipped down abaft the belt, and was continued to the stern, one deck below, with a slightly diminished thickness. Her barbettes and turrets were of heavy steel. The barbettes rested on the armored deck below. A.more complete description of the Maine is given in Appendix A. From Norfolk the Maine was ordered to Key West, where she arrived on December i5, and moored in the harbor off the city. My orders there were confidential, but they were of such a 9 The "Maine" nature that they might at any time have been made public with propriety, had the government so desired. They were, in brief, that the Maine ~ was to proceed to Havana in case of grave local disturbances in that city, to give asylum to American citizens, and to afford them the usual protection. The immediate judgment as to the necessity for the services of the Maine was to come from General Fitzhugh Lee, United States consulgeneral at Havana. I promptly opened communication with General Lee, both by letter and by telegraph. My letters were sent in such a way as to be entirely secret. There was no impropriety in the measures that were taken. True or false, the Havana post-office was not free from the suspicion of delaying letters. It was arranged ^- between General Lee and myself that on the receipt from him, by telegraph or otherwise, of the words "Two dollars," the Maine was to make preparations to start for Havana two hours after further notice. The actual start was to be made on the receipt of a second preconcerted message. The form of our correspondence was a matter between General Lee and myself. Toward the last it was deemed necessary to make occasional tests to ascertain if telegraphic communication continued open. Therefore nearly every day I sent a message to General Lee, and he answered IO Our Reception at Havana it. Some of these were rather absurd. In one I inquired of General Lee the state of the weather on the south side of Cuba. He promptly replied that he did not know-which was quite as gratifying as if he had been fully informed. At another time I cabled, "What is the price of bullfight fans?" to which he replied, giving me quotations. Afterward I bought some of the fans commonly used, as souvenirs of a Havana visit, and they were lost with the Maine. One night, about six or seven o'clock, I received the preliminary message. The Maine was immediately prepared for sea. Knowing that Key West would be alert as to any sign of movement, I gave orders that all hands should repair on board immediately upon the firing of a gun from the Maine; then, in company with a number of the officers, I went on shore to a dance at the hotel, my particular object being to divert suspicion. I was asked a number of questions as to the departure of the Maine, but we had managed so well that some of the crew had already given out that we were going to New York. The final message to the Maine from General: Lee never came. During the whole visit I was kept fully informed as to the state of affairs at Havana. The riot that occurred in the streets on January I2, in which certain newspaper offices II The " Maine" were the chief object of attack, most naturally led us to fear that there might be danger to Amer\ ican citizens. It is probable that too great importance was attached to that riot by the press of the United States: early news is not always the most accurate news; nevertheless, it was sufficiently grave when viewed by a country which could not control the situation and whose interests were involved. The continued immunity of those who participated seemed to give promise of further trouble. Like most riots, that one was swelled by unexpected numbers-and purposes, too, probably. With excited mobs it is a short and rapid step from one purpose to another: the final purpose may have little or no relation to the first one. It did not appear that any demonstration was intended or made against Americans. A Spanish lady, an apologist for the riot, told me that it was begun by young Spanish army officers who were stung by insinuations or insults published by the \Havana press against the Spanish army in Cuba. In the same spirit that leads students to occasionally redress a wrong excitedly and by force, the young Spaniards made an attack on the newspaper offices; citizens then took part, and the trouble grew beyond the intention of those who began it. 12 IiL 11- u! I I q I w t I L 1 1 - fi g I6~ Els!Bi * f |S ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Iiuin.y~L;~~ 'L _,. '.~.~ DIIIII *l 1 i l I~~ l _ s: ~011~ CI "~8 "~. i~~~~~FIE OF TalA "MAIN a~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Reception at Havana While at Key West I was directed by the Navy Department to assist the collector of that port in operating against filibustering expeditions, I being senior officer present during the whole visit. At that time the Spanish press was indignant because it assumed that the United States was doing nothing to put a stop to filibustering. Certainly the American public had far / more ground for indignation; it was almost impossible to put a complete stop to filibustering where there were so many bases of operation as existed along the Florida reefs and on the coasts north of them. It was generally the case that when an expedition was able to leave the United States, it landed in Cuba according to schedule. At one time five vessels engaged in watching for filibusters were in touch with the Maine by telegraph; and the Maine's steamlaunches, as well as the Marblehead's launches, were out at night, bringing-to vessels moving out of Key West harbor. We did our work conscientiously. At Key West I both accepted and gave a few luncheons or dinners. People from ashore appear to enjoy shipboard entertainments beyond reason as conceived by those who entertain afloat; novelty garnishes the feast, I suppose. John R. Bell, my cabin steward, was a "char13 The " Maine" acter"- one of the lovable, old-fashioned sort of "colored folks." He had not much merit as a chef, excepting that he could always find delicate lettuce, even, it seemed, where it had never before been known. He was honest to the core, and true to his duties. I never knew him to give himself any pleasure on shore, excepting the sad one of decorating the grave of a naval officer whom he had loved and served. It was impossible to find fault with him without punishing one's self. One could object to his acts only by delicate suggestion or kindly subterfuge. Periodically he would make me a pound-cake. I would cut from it a single slice, which I would secretly throw away. The cake would then adorn my sideboard in its remaining integrity for many days, to Bell's evident pride. His range of desserts was small. When he felt that he had run through his gamut, and needed time to think, he would make me an apple-pie, a colossal monstrosity that I abhorred. I would eat of his apple-pie —the same pie-day after day until it neared its end, when immunity would be claimed on the ground of its extreme richness. It was Bell's habit to agree with me before I had fully expressed any wish or thought. He would agree with me audibly at every stage of a verbal direction. There were noble deeds known to 14 Our Reception at Havana me that he had done secretly year after year. No man can do more than his uttermost best, and that old Bell did habitually, according to his simple understanding. I had been to Key West many times, but not since 1878. In the meantime the city had grown and had polished itself amazingly. Formerly orders to visit Key West were regarded as nearly equivalent to confinement to the ship. The place had no attraction in itself, and there was hardly any exchange of courtesies between the residents and the naval officers. The market offered little but fish and turtle. But during the Maine's visit we had a most agreeable time, and made the acquaintance of many people. The city had decidedly "gone into society." Young naval officers were beginning to marry there, and with good reason, according to my view of the matrimonial market. Various cities, in turn, have appeared to hold the monopoly of naval marriages, notably Norfolk, Virginia, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Erie, Pennsylvania. Why not Key West, by way of geographical distribution? On Christmas eve, and again on Christmas night, the Maine was illuminated with hundreds of electric lights, to the great delight of the people of Key West, very few of whom had ever seen such a display. The arrangement of the 15 The "Maine" Maine's lights was worked out on board. It appeared to be generally conceded that it was surpassed only by that of the Brooklyn, which had been made at a navy-yard for Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The Maine's lights were strung fore and aft in a double rainbow, from bow to stern, and across the mastheads and funnels. There was also a row of lights completely encircling the ship along the ridge-rope of the awnings, which was at the height of the superstructure-deck. The following is quoted from one of the local newspapers: "The beautiful illumination of the battle-ship Maine, on Christmas eve and night, was one of the finest displays of electricity ever witnessed in the city, or perhaps in the South. Hundreds of incandescent lights from the bow to the stern, up the masts and funnel, and around the ship's sides, made her one mass of lights. It was a picture not often seen in the tropical regions." It became known after a time that the other large vessels of the North Atlantic Squadron, under command of Rear-Admiral Sicard, were to come to the waters about Key West for fleet drills and evolutions. At that time of year it was impracticable to have the drills elsewhere. The United States could not afford to abandon its best winter drill-ground for no other reason 16 i;rllliilil'llBI.ilir::ll;l~ I~~rlC'll"lB1.FB"re'l:l-iri,.ilir IslB j;:l!"lll"lla~i~;::::(:.:-?~/:il,_...';I.::~,),L..sl:11~lj:jlhs:::::;:::I;:I:;lll::(l:ll:ilj Ik;i.WfE~i~r2;: n aB:;.a; Sill,.Wi~~ ~I~Wi,.iE Bl.rSlib6Enl:S*~M:::::~ i :::i::1I;lli~.:i;ls:;:li~ii!il,,,,,l.,.,,,;,,,,;,,,.,,,,,!;..:,..,,.,.,...,. li~:1;,:11:~:.:1~1;.l~:::iH::.~l..,!~I*~r~8:j-,..ICI~~ll;.~:;" 1:~1111~:'!~:'ra:.;:?*;~ '.. ~~8.":~~, ~~~~, ~~-, ~~:.~E~~,:~~~.'~I'EE::C:~ i[l I;i'lnr c; nll"~4'Llli'll'`*~l~W3; F,~,?~~~;E,I."~,a;jW~, %YB:l ~il-~'IC~,.;:~i~,r~~i I~vila~ii """":~,:;SE:i':~~I~~i 1"1,, 1-. ~.:P~,~~.,Z ~,E "~I~~';~~~ a,.~~r '~~::r';'~'l.:,:,~: "IL x""~~"~, I~.. ~~ gc:__ii.i —ii i, 11g 'l"""; irr:ill-~" i 'il(-8~i:ii.": ll:~.I~~~ 1;,1,. ~~~'~~I~~,IS Ill.l..""i'.`"":. ""~l~"':`':"""a:~,I:~~rl:~:i~'~~~:~ c:::-r:i:W-" ~'I'`~' '~i. -i; ~I~is,; ,~~ .~.i ~.lrlE~~r~.lr~ 1:-`~-:;~~~~-~~`;~;~1~i, ~1R ~~:~~~~~,~:.;.~i~; ~;~~~,i-. ~~...'~''.."''~:.~.I:..:'.Z;~; ~;~ i~,." ~ [,. ~*,._,-a;~fl~a wis-r~ ".-i~i I,~~.~~"',"w 'si Our Reception at Havana than its proximity to Cuba. The squadron came and had its drills, as intended, but until war was opened never went nearer to Cuba than Key West and Tortugas, nor, so far as my knowledge goes, was it ever intended that it should. During our visit to Key West I had inquired as to the best pilot for the reefs. There was a general concurrence of opinion that Captain Smith was the best man. He held himself subject to my call during our whole stay at Key West, when I might have been obliged to go out at night with the search-lights. Very few vessels of the Maine's draft had ever entered Key West harbor, for the reason that there is not enough water inside to allow deep-draft vessels to swing clear of their anchors. The bottom is hard, so anchors do not bury. There is no great difficulty in piloting, except that it is advisable to hold rigidly to the channel, which is narrow, so far as its depth has been tested by vessels passing through. The danger to be feared arises from the possibility of striking detached "coral heads" that have not been detected in the surveys that have been charted. A number of these heads at Key West and Tortugas have been discovered by the contact with them of United States men-of-war. The squad17 The "Maine" ron was duly reported off Jupiter Inlet, on its passage south. We knew, therefore, at Key West, very nearly the hour when it would arrive off the reefs. The Maine had received orders to join the squadron when it appeared. It. arrived off the reefs on Sunday, January 23, I898. I sent ashore for our pilot, who in response was obliged to report that the pilot commissioners refused to let him take the Maine out, because their local rule of precedence required that the pilot who brought us in should by right take us out. I appealed against this rule as being merely one of local convenience or comfort, out of all proportion to the value of the Maine and the important public interests involved. The board of pilot commissioners weakened not - neither did I. The Maine went out without a pilot; so somebody lost nearly one hundred and fifty dollars, which remained in the coffers of the United States. While passing out I made sketches and copious notes of all the ranges and bearings used by the Maine, intending to formulate them and send them to the commander-in-chief, in the hope of relieving others of our vessels from petty and vexatious rules. My sketches and notes were lost with the Maine. After the departure of the Maine, the torpedo-boat Cushing, Lieutenant Albert i8 Our Reception at Havana Gleaves, was charged with the maintenance of communication with General Lee. On Sunday, the squadron, which included the New York, Iowa, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Texas, arrived off Key West. These vessels were joined by the Maine, Montgomery, and Detroit, from Key West harbor. When I went on board the flagship New York to report to Admiral Sicard, he looked so ill that I was greatly pleased at having ordered in advance all the arrangements at Key West that were deemed by him necessary to maintain and report communications with General Lee. Continued ill health made it necessary, about a month afterward, for Admiral Sicard to relinquish the command of the United States naval force on the North Atlantic station. It was only natural that I should greatly regret the detachment of Admiral Sicard. He had done me the honor to suggest that I take command of his flagship on the detachment of Captain Silas Casey, when the latter concluded his tour of sea service. After long consideration, I requested permission to decline the command of the New York, for the reason that there was a greater field for the acquirement and exercise of professional skill in a separate command. Underlying my declination was also the hope that I might, ultimately, reach Havana with the Maine. I9 The " Maine" That night the squadron, eight vessels in all, remained at anchor outside the reefs off Sand Key light. The next day it got under way, and steamed west for Tortugas. In the afternoon we sighted a large English steamer aground on the reef to the westward of Sand Key. She signaled for immediate assistance. The Detroit was sent to aid her, and the remainder of the squadron stood on. About 6 P. M. the squadron anchored for the night on the bank, about ten miles to the southward of the southeastern entrance to Tortugas Roads. After anchoring, the vessels were directed by signal to bank fires. Approximately at nine o'clock, while all the vessels were engaged in receiving night-signals from the flagship, the Maine, which was occupying an easterly berth, sighted a vessel to the eastward making Very's signals to attract attention. The flagship, being well to the westward, did not see her for a long time. From the disposition of the lights shown by the arriving vessel, it was evident that she was of a very low free-board and very narrow beam. This, with her high speed of approach, convinced me that she was a torpedo-boat coming from Key West. I surmised that she was coming with despatches for the commander-inchief. It occurred to me, also, that she was bringing orders for the Maine to go to Havana. It 20 ~;i "ln: ~$;1 I 18" i ""'"~B %11 ~~~ I8n; ~~ HB.,4"" i 1 ~~;~;,RP " 1 31 xr; %"":,;~in, as E~ii ~, ~ii~ "llhi; I ar I"% " ~uii~I ~i~~I ~~;ili rr:r ElIl r"lil""];i*iil I "iiPII L?3~i: slac~:~~: j~r~"~~'",gi l~~s i~i ~ ~i8I"',~~8 a""ll::~: I~ II i;,i '~"""rril iRlf? "x;:I~~ Bi";gl 6l.arr~~n~ roza r: p.jij C ~YI;II'8 ioI C3 ssl ai, (3 rli ~~ii ~i":iP;an %I~ C),,,,r. a B "" 11 I~~n HF '"" "~;l;i:al g,;~;g ~,,,:ss~ralinl;er "" Ilxb!l~~:, ~iad g g rrrr w ilxi~~ "ili"Ji ~~iH~ f ~?"PB" i: R I I:li "'i""';l il~ CI; ii~.." i:8irii 411 181 I Our Reception at Havana was an intuition, but nothing more. Without waiting for a signal from the commander-in-chief, I ordered fires spread and preparations made for getting the Maine under way. The gig was also lowered and manned. The stranger proved to be the torpedo-boat Dupont, commanded by Lieutenant Spencer S.Wood. She reached the flagship about a half-hour after we had sighted her. Then there was an interval of suspense, which was concluded by a signal made from the flagship for the Maine to prepare to get under way, and for her commanding officer to report on board the flagship. The Maine at once replied, " All ready." I was in my gig and away almost before the signals were answered. It was a very dark night. The sea was rough and the tidal current strong. Suddenly the Dupont appeared right ahead of the gig, as if she had risen out of the sea. Her one visible light almost blinded me. She had seen us, but we had not sighted her until close under her bow. We made fast alongside. I went on board, and then sent the gig back to the Maine. The Dupont steamed near the flagship, which vessel sent a boat for me. There was more rough work in boarding the New York. I reported to the commander-in-chief, in obedience to signal. Admiral Sicard announced that he had received instructions from the Navy Department to send 21 The "Maine" the Maine to Havana. I do not know personally the precise reason which induced the United States government to act at that particular time. On the 24th of January, the day during which the events just recorded took place, General Lee received the following telegram from the Department of State at Washington: It is the purpose of this government to resume the friendly naval visits at Cuban ports. In that view, the Maine will call at the port of Havana in a day or two. Please arrange for the friendly interchange of calls with the authorities. On the afternoon of the 24th, General Lee went to the palace and notified the authorities and read the telegram to them. Immediately after receiving the telegram, however, he sent the following reply to the Department of State: Advise visit be postponed six or seven days to give last excitement time to disappear. Will see authorities, and let you know. Governor-general away for two weeks. I should know day and hour visit. In the morning of the 25th, only a short time before the arrival of the Maine in Havana, General Lee sent the following telegram: At an interview, authorities profess to think United States has ulterior purpose in sending ship. Say it will obstruct autonomy, produce excitement, and most probably a demonstra22 Our Reception at Havana tion. Ask that it is not done until they can get instructions from Madrid, and say that if for friendly purpose, as claimed, delay unimportant. After the arrival of the Maine, General Lee telegraphed to the Department of State as follows: Ship quietly arrived, 11 A. M. to-day; no demonstration so far. The same day he received from the Department of State the following telegram, dated the 24th: Maine has been ordered. Will probably arrive at Havana some time to-morrow, Tuesday. Cannot tell hour. Possibly early. Co6perate with the authorities for her friendly visit. Keep us advised by frequent telegrams. My orders were to proceed to Havana and make a friendly visit. I was left to act according to my own judgment in the usual way; that is to say, it was undoubtedly assumed that I would know how to act on my arrival in Havana, and it was intended to hold me responsible for my action. The situation seemed to call for nothing more than a strictly careful adherence to the well-known forms of naval procedure and courtesy. It was to be expected that the Spanish people in Havana would prefer that the Maine should stay away; but with a lingering insurrection, the end of which was not in sight, with American interests in Cuba affected adversely, 23 The " Maine" and American citizens in Cuba alarmed for their safety, the United States had decided to show its flag from a public vessel in Cuban waters. It is quite certain that I gave myself no concern over the diplomatic peculiarities of the situation. My vessel was selected to go to Havana, and I was gratified at the choice, just as any other commanding officerwould have been. I volunteered the remark to Admiral Sicard that I should try to make no mistakes. I rejoined the Maine by the same means that had been employed to reach the flagship. The Maine got under way about I i P. M., and stood to the southward into the Gulf Stream. I wrote a long order in the night order-book relating to preparatory work to be done on the morning watch, and then turned in for the night. I did not desire to reach Havana at early daylight, but rather to steam in when the town was alive and on its feet; therefore a landfall was made at daylight the next morning, well to the westward. That was on Tuesday, January 25. The vessel was then slowed down and the decks were straightened up, so that she might present the usual orderly appearance for port. The crew was required to dress with exceptional neatness in blue; the officers were in frock-coats. When all was ready, the Maine was headed to 24 W-reck ~ ~~e~ Mach~~~~~~~~~~~~~na and boatslanding. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i4 VIEW~~ OF ~ R A H~INRG Our Reception at Havana the eastward, nearly parallel to the shore-line of the city, and toward the entrance. She was sent ahead at full speed as she passed the city, and the United States national ensign was hoisted at the peak, and the "jack" at the foremast-head. This disclosed at once the nationality and purpose of the vessel; that is to say, the Maine was a United States man-of-war that desired a pilot to enter Havana harbor. All pilotage in and out of Havana, or within the harbor, is under the direction of the captain of the port, who is a naval officer. The pilot service is entirely official. No United States vessel had visited Havana \ during the previous three years. There was much ) doubt as to the nature of our reception -to me,, at least, there was doubt, for I was not aware of the character of the diplomatic exchanges. I was sincerely desirous of a friendly reception, but it was my affair to be ready for all emergencies. The Maine was in such a state of preparation that she could not have been taken at much disadvantage; nevertheless, she presented no offensive appearance, and meant no offense. On board United States men-of-war it is commonly only a short step from peaceful appearance to complete readiness. A pilot put off promptly to the Maine, and 25 The "Maine" boarded her to seaward of the Morro quite in the normal way, without objection or unusual inquiry. He took her in through the narrow entrance slowly, and with such care and excellent skill that I complimented him for it after we were made fast to the buoy. I also commended him to the captain of the port later. The forts, shores, and wharves were crowded with soldiers and citizens. A few riflemen could have cleared our decks when in the narrow entrance and under the shadow of the lofty Morro and Cabaria. Whatever feeling there was against us was kept in check by the populace. There were then in the harbor, moored to permanent mooring-buoys, two other men-of-war: the Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII, which never changed her position, from the time the Maine arrived until the Maine was sunk; and the square-rigged German training-steamer Gniesenau. The Maine moved slowly in, passing between the two men-of-war, and was moored to a mooring-buoy chosen by the pilot, about four hundred yards south of the German vessel in the man-of-war anchorage off the Machina or Naval " Sheers." She never left this buoy, but carried it down with her when she sank. It was approximately in the position of buoy No. 5, as shown on chart No. 307, published by the United States Hydrographic Of26 Our Reception at Havana fice, but was known at Havana as buoy No. 4. At the time of the explosion of the Maine, the Spanish despatch-boat Legazpi occupied the berth which had been held formerly by the Gniesenau, buoy No. 3; the Alfonso XII was at No. 4 of Chart 307. The day after the arrival of the Maine, the square-rigged German trainingsteamer Charlotte entered the harbor. Other vessels were anchored or moored in localities more or less remote from the Maine - two hundred yards and upward. Probably no forms of etiquette are more stable than those observed among navies in reciprocating courtesies. They are laid down in the navy regulations, and are established by rigid international convention. Those relating to reciprocal courtesies between naval ships and military and civil authorities are quite as well established; they are known in all ports much frequented by naval vessels. On the arrival of a foreign vessel in port, the senior naval officer present of the nation to which the port belongs sends an officer of the rank of lieutenant, or below, to the commanding officer of the arriving vessel, with an offer of civilities, or to express the wish of the naval authorities to give any assistance in their power. On the departure of the officer who makes this " visit of ceremony," an officer of the arriving vessel is 27 The " Maine" promptly despatched to acknowledge the visit and to express the thanks of his commanding officer. The next step, in respect to visits, is for the commanding officer of the arriving vessel to call on the commanding officers of and above his own rank in the navy of the nation to which the port belongs. These visits must be returned, by convention, within twenty-four hours. It is also customary to visit the highest civil officer and the highest military officer. By these forms of naval ceremony, I was required to make visits at Havana to the captain-general (who is also governorgeneral), the Spanish admiral in charge of the station, the captain of the port, and the captain of the Alfonso XIL. Visits are also exchanged in the United States service between the captain of an arriving man-of-war and the consular representative of the United States. General Fitzhugh Lee, as consul-general, was entitled to the first visit. In command of the Maine at Havana, I had.but one wish, which was to be friendly to the Spanish authorities, as required by my orders. I took pleasure in carrying out my orders in this respect, and sacrificed every personal inclination and promise of pleasure that might have interfered. The first Spanish officer to come on board was a naval lieutenant who represented the cap28 1Xli -X. s~ ~~~~~ i rj~ ~~~~i. ~~, I -iBB:~ I. — ~e;:1~ " ~-i --- ~?r~, sL~~ IQ ~r ~p- 7;i. ~;,xi~I-~ .3 i- I i;ii; BiE ~E~ ~ -;~~ ~-~ ~:II..:1"~, i:i~ I; ~ ; '' El ~~ ~ xr ~~B r;~r.: _8~; at ip I,~:r~ ~ I r r;: ;I s~ ~i~ ~~:;, ~ D., 6? ~1-~~ ri: -: ai~ -~r a; ~?a~; ~s I ~.!6. j; _-~ I~i~:i" ~i' i ~:rrr a.1:,~ ii ~, a: I. "~:~..: j: ~ ~~ -I~ -~,i ~D ~,l.:B \~ r'l~~ L, "`I~~ ~~ - ~ ''~ ir.~~,:,~ ';,: "~l.~~`r;~~ , cr.l'~~I~~~~ g ~,,,~. ~ — ~,, -i~ ii ~;:,~L. L ~s —; nl ii~ 3if;r$B~tJrc: 6E6 f3LPibijg2;t-lr3. isir~f TEFG" f iiii t 031?f: -c iE" i —~ Our Reception at Havana tain of the port. His bearing was both dignified and polite (which, by the way, is invariably the rule with Spanish naval officers), but I thought he looked embarrassed and even humiliated in carrying out his duty. I greatly regretted that such should be the case, and did all that I could to make him feel at ease. After the arrival of a second Spanish lieutenant, who seemed to take matters more philosophically, and of a German naval lieutenant, the naval officer who had arrived first appeared to lose his embarrassment. I made all the visits required of me by usage, and was everywhere received with courtesy. It is hardly to the point whether there was any great amount of actual friendliness for us beneath the surface. The Spanish officials on every hand gave us absolutely all the official courtesy to which we were entitled by usage, and they gave it with the grace of manner which is characteristic of their nation. I accepted it as genuine. It is not essential to enter here into the details of usage in connection with gun salutes. It is enough to say that convention required the Maine to salute the Spanish national flag, and also to salute Admiral Manterola. But such salutes are given only when it is known that they will be returned. I therefore deemed it prudent to determine this point, although the visit of a Spanish 29 The " Maine" officer to the ship would ordinarily be thought sufficiently convincing. In the course of conversation with the Spanish naval officer who was the first to visit the Maine, I said: "I am about to give myself the honor of saluting your national flag; from which battery will the salute be returned?" He replied: "From the Cabana." With that assurance, both salutes were fired and returned. The salute to the Spanish admiral was returned by his flagship, the Alfonso XII. Shortly after the arrival of the Maine, I sent my aid, Naval Cadet J. H. Holden, ashore to report to General Lee, and announce that I would soon follow. I gave orders that no officers or men of the vessel should go ashore, unless by my express order. It was desired first to test public feeling, private and official, with reference to the Maine's visit. My visit to Admiral Manterola was made in full dress, with cocked hat, epaulets, etc. I landed at the Machina, the manof-war landing, which is virtually at the Spanish admiral's residence. There was a crowd assembled, but only of moderate size. There was no demonstration of any kind; the crowd closed in about me slightly. I thought the people stolid and sullen, so far as I could gather from an occasional glance, but I took very little notice of anybody. On my return, however, I noted carefully 30 Our Reception at Havana the bearing of the various groups of Spanish soldiers that I passed. They saluted me, as a rule, but with so much expression of apathy that the salute really went for nothing. Some members of a group would salute, while others would not. They made no demonstration against me, however, not even by look. The same day I made my visit to General Lee, and arranged with him for my visit to the acting captain- and governor-general, who at that time was General Parrado, Captain-General Blanco being absent on a tour of the island. It is customary in the case of high officials to make the visit at an appointed time. When I made my visit, on January 27, accompanied by General Lee, there seemed at first to be a probability of embarrassment. We called at the palace of General Blanco at the appointed time, and apparently nobody there knew anything about our appointment. The ever-present American newspaperman relieved the situation; he ascertained that General Parrado was in a residence across the way, where he was expecting us. We promptly repaired the mistake, and were received by General Parrado with great courtesy. He had a table spread with refreshments for our benefit. All of my official visits were returned promptly. General Parrado returned my visit in person, 31 The "Maine" and was given the salute of a captain- and governor-general; that is to say, of the governor of a colony- seventeen guns, the same salute which is prescribed for the governor of one of the United States. All visits were made without friction and with courtesy on both sides, and apparently with all the freedom of conversation and action usually observed. I showed General Parrado through the Maine, and he seemed much pleased. It had been announced in the local newspapers that there would be a series of bull-fights in Havana, in which would appear Mazzantini, the famous "gentleman bull-fighter of Spain." I had decided to go to a bull-fight, notwithstanding the day of its celebration was Sunday. I was anxious to know from my own observation the true feeling of the people of Havana toward the Maine. Learning that the common people were likely to be greatly excited at the bull-fight, I decided that my presence there would afford the very best opportunity for my purpose. I told General Parrado of my intention, and he at once offered me a box. I declined the offer, saying that some of the officers of the Maine and I would go simply as ordinary observers. However, within a day or two, General Parrado sent me tickets for a box, which was an act of kind32 Ic ~ara;;.i`~~ E i;r ~.;l:,"i~~,a r~rX~.P: _:~w~:Bi. I~ pa I...... .. iiL. s" ~;"~"IB,pl:'::, '?; ~I ~II'~:VY,.l,i~.".;liai ~;~:. ~Iiy: iis~ gs iEBi:Ili:: *r;i nm:IIIII""XI""IIIII...' ii. ar ii ~~.i"E 1;11:i.;i.lrllr'"" ""li?"" rE; ~1Silw'"'"",,dl~ I~IIp;,,~;~'i:Ui:,~~ "~" ~'j;-~;~_:rsii;iiil irxpr~ lai~iil aii a siC~ " ia I~.i,8l._i_:pil'"i" """:Y:;~:~yi: 86:LHII sE " ": . "s~$la !giiBI! ..,~~,i~,,,,iri ,,,,, IFs `g"i ~s "; ~S-: ; ~~:~ill ~; "''" '~; lj si~~-;;~ii"- """' ~~i inE;"~ 9 ii g pT, i~Ii s ~" ~' Bar WIBLH "~1 'il~-'i `:Bli;3~-r-dax,:~: ~:~ Aiib~ iC gg ~rii~~ ~~ ~,, iaa~~_~ c~, .a ; ; lloi iii-ai, -i llp.~~W:iBLYl"i;--ia i"""'i~'";'i"l r"l,,;.IS'~i;"'"L.9~ "i r8i ~"iii; I'dic Ir III ilu I;II"""""C11XIR,E:"r~r"l"."~.Ri! Ili'?i"'";:'~ ~~:"":'jBXi 1. q Iri""" "~iIO; ri88i ~5~ gX ag ii~~ Zi "-' ~~r~rr.. "":BEtli" Ip"'iiE%"" 15, ~~ air ~ ~I;; ~ I : ~~ ~~i ~" "' :~iie~, raa:. R s~.; dQ t; ~n' ilyl:-~ ~_i~ii -~I".iB...I Q"RI~E'..~::,,~iQli~ VI ~6~I i:.s91;~-I~ II. s. I~~~ 1~! gibi;~ax;.,i:jB~~xg':.";.. i ~s~1 X~` i~ ~sill -6"."" ai~ i~; ~""~H" qie ~"85 8~ I i'~~~ I BS _iQ~...~~ iiHEBI~i qq H? n ~~95~ a3P;, "? ,~s Itrre ""?il;_iSISJilLf BrilLiC13CS~f~f~f: TIBE; rEiIjf. - ets"i i 13111 TO Tjj- CL1`I-"II;ICr af-JilJi iSllf GEf6H IfIJii I LS A"1,.f'1,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Reception at Havana ness greatly appreciated by us. Later he sent a case of fine sherry to the officers of the Maine. The Maine had been for so long away from our large cities that I lacked anything distinctly American that would have been appropriate to give to General Parrado to express in a reciprocal way our appreciation of his gift, so I sent him, with the best of good wishes, a copy of my own work on "Deep-Sea Sounding and Dredging," published by the United States Coast Survey in i880. On the first Sunday after the arrival of the Maine at Havana, General Lee gave a luncheonparty to the officers of the ship, at the Havana Yacht-Club at Marianao, a place on the sea-shore, about eight miles west of Havana. There we met some Cuban gentlemen, one or two members of foreign consulates, and a number of press correspondents. In going there I was taken by the sea route, in a small steam-launch owned by one of the Cuban gentlemen. We went close alongshore, past all the batteries west of the entrance. There was no impropriety in this, because one could see the batteries to better advantage merely by driving along one of the most frequented driveways of the city. At Marianao there was a small Spanish garrison. Sentries were posted at various places, and at one time, I believe, they 3 33 The " Maine" had occupied the roof of the club-house. There was no excitement or even special interest shown by the soldiers at the appearance there of United States officers. The entertainment passed off very pleasantly. General Lee toasted the naval party, and we toasted General Lee. Short complimentary speeches were made on each side. The box at the bull-fight which had been provided us by the courtesy of General Parrado contained six seats. I reserved one ticket for General Lee, one for Naval Cadet Holden, and one for myself. The other three I sent to the ward-room and the junior officers' mess, to be chosen by lot. The party, therefore, consisted of six people. We returned to Havana from the yacht-club by train, and could not help remarking the suitability of the country for guerrilla warfare. While we were yet in the train, an American gentleman discussed with us the propriety of going to the bull-fight. He explained that the common people on such occasions were generally greatly excited, and as our visit to Havana was not well regarded by the populace, there was a probability that one single cry against us might set the audience aflame. I believed that it was inconsistent with the friendly visit of the Maine that her officers should not be accorded the same freedom of appearance and 34 maF ZG * Aug Hri 1~; BYUIEDs SATES CONs; ORKXER L' TEEHUG 1X m BET o TaE ATI E X K 3 'MAINB~: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *0.1? IT 8 I Our Reception at Havana action that was permitted to officers of other navies, therefore I reasserted our intention to go. Our friend said: "Well, if they will allow you there, they will allow you anywhere." As we emerged from the train and passed out of the station on our arrival at Havana, I was handed by somebody (I think by one of the newspaper correspondents) the bellicose circular which has since been published in the newspapers. It was a small printed sheet containing a protest to the public against submission to a visit from the 'Maine, and, translated, reads as follows: SPANIARDS! LONG LIVE SPAIN WITH HONOR! What are you doing that you allow yourselves to be insulted in this way? Do you not see what they have done to us in withdrawing our brave and beloved Weyler, who at this very time would have finished with this unworthy, rebellious rabble who are trampling on our flag and on our honor? Autonomy is imposed on us to cast us aside and give places of honor and authority to those who initiated this rebellion, these low-bred autonomists, ungrateful sons of our beloved country! And, finally, these Yankee pigs who meddle in our affairs, humiliating us to the last degree, and, for a still greater taunt, order to us a man-of-war of their rotten squadron, after insulting us in their newspapers with articles sent from our own home! Spaniards! the moment of action has arrived. Do not go 35 iVIVA ESPANA QON HONRA! jQut6 haceis quo os dejas insultar de esa inanora? 4No vois lo quo nos han hecho retirando A nuestro valiente y querldo Weylor, que Li estas- hoias ya hubi6ramos acabado c-on esta indigna calnalla insurrecta quo pisotea nuostra bandera y nuestro Jaoi~or? Nos imponen la Autonomia para echarnos A~ un lado y dar los puestos do honor y fliando A aquellos quo iniciaron esta rebelion, estos mal nadidos. autonomistacs, hijos ingratos de nuestra querida patriu.l Y por Altimno, estos cochinos yainkees que so 'mezclan en nuestr~os asuntos, humi'llkndonos hasta el 6iltino grrado, y para m~is vojfimen nos mandan uno de loss barcos tie guerra do sui RodrIdn esudra despues deo insultarnos en sus digryios y desde xiuestra casa Espajiolesl Lleg6 el mnomento'do accion, no dornmiteis! Enseil'emos A osos vile-s traidores quo todavila no hefflof perdido la verguiienza y quo sabetnos protestar con la energfi quo correspond-e A unaanacion digna y f'uerte como, Os sierupre sertS nuestra Espah a! Mueran los amneri'canos! Mumr la A(I'Cnoitua! Viva Espa-ia! Viva Weyler!1 FACSIMILE OF THE CIRCULAR HANDED TO CAPTAIN SIGSBEE ON HIS WAY TO THE BULL-FIGHT AND LATER SENT TO HIM THROUGH THE HAVANA POST-OFFICE. The words underscored, with the hand pointing to them, mean "Irotten squadron." Our Reception at Havana to sleep! Let us teach these vile traitors that we have not yet lost our pride, and that we know how to protest with the energy befitting a nation worthy and strong, as our Spain is, and always will be! Death to the Americans! Death to autonomy! Long live Spain! Long live Weyler! I put it in my pocket, and we went to the bullfight by means of the ferry plying between Havana and Regla. I have been asked many times what I thought of the circular. At the time I thought it of no importance whatever, and I have not changed my opinion. It could only have been the screaming appeal of some bigoted and impotent patriot. When a would-be conspirator finds it necessary thus to go out into the public streets and beg anonymously for assistance, he demonstrates that he is without friends of executive spirit. Circulars of that kind are not uncommon in Havana. General Lee received them frequently. In his case, the date was generally set for his destruction. He gave himself no concern over them, but let it be known generally that any one attempting to injure him bodily would be treated very summarily by himself. His poise in matters of that kind made murderous bulletins positively humorous. There had formerly been a bull-ring in Havana, a well-appointed one, but for some reason 37 The "Maine" it was closed, and the smaller ring at Regla, across the bay from Havana, had taken its place. When we arrived at the ring, we found that our box was high up above the rows of seats, and close to the box occupied by General Parrado, who was the presiding official at the sport on that day. Members of his staff were with him. Stationed at intervals throughout the audience were individual soldiers, under arms, and there were about twenty assembled in the seat directly in front of our box. General Parrado bowed to me pleasantly, but I thought that he and the officers about him were not entirely free from embarrassment because of our presence. General Parrado was always especially kind in his intercourse with me. I felt very friendly toward him. Occasionally, on looking up suddenly, I detected glances at me, on one side or another, that were far from friendly. That was to have been expected; but on the whole the forbearance of the audience was remarkable and commendable. Six bulls were killed during the day. Our party arrived as the first one was being hauled away dead. After the fifth bull had been despatched, it was decided, as a considerate measure in favor of General Parrado, that we should leave the building and return to Havana early, so as to avoid the crowd. We therefore 38 Our Reception at Havana left very quietly, just before the sixth bull entered the ring. We tried to reach the ferry promptly, so that we might return to Havana on a steamer having but few passengers. Three members of our party were successful in this attempt; but General Lee, Lieutenant Holman, and I failed. On our arrival, a steamer had just left the landing. We then hailed a small passenger-boat, and were pulled to the Maine. While General Lee and I were conversing on the quarter-deck of the Maine, a ferry-boat came across the bay, carrying back to Havana a large number of people from the audience. There was no demonstration of any kind. The passengers were doubtless those who had left early, hoping, like ourselves, to avoid the crowd. The next ferry-boat was densely crowded. Among the passengers were a number of officers of the Spanish army and of the volunteers. As the ferry-boat passed the Maine there were derisive calls and whistles. Apparently not more than fifty people participated in that demonstration. It was not general, and might have occurred anywhere. I have never believed that the Spanish officers or soldiers took part. It is but fair to say that this was the only demonstration of any kind made against the Maine or her officers, either collectively or individually, so far as was made known to me, during our visit. 39 The " Maine" Adverse feeling toward us was shown by the apathetic bearing of soldiers when they saluted, or of tradesmen when they supplied our needs. After the Maine had been sunk, and when the Montgomery and the Fern were in Havana, Spanish passenger-boatmen exhibited bad temper by withholding or delaying answers to our hails at night. The failure of the Spanish authorities to compel the boatmen to answer our hails impressed me as being very closely akin to active unfriendliness. It was at the time when the Vizcaya and the Oquendo were in Havana, using picket-boats and occasionally search-lights at night, apparently to safeguard themselves. Hails were made sharply and answered promptly between the Spanish men-of-war and the boats constantly plying about the harbor at night. It must have been plain on board the Spanish menof-war that the boatmen were trifling with us. This was after the Vizcaya had visited New York. The feeling of moral responsibility in the United States for the safety of the visiting Spanish cruiser, as against a belief that she would be molested, is exemplified in Appendix B, which contains an extract from the New York " Herald" of February I9, 1898. I have been taken to task on some sides in the United States for going to a bull-fight on Sun40 ,I; sE:~~~~~~~ I it g:ip 8rE'.~~;a I n 8lbi: ~ r"""""""~"""";. er irrs fbi I-ji 8~~i.;i~~~-;-S;t2;I rrB n I .I! H is g;l;ggi rij t uf t I .~" "'C";`E 'p :ar Our Reception at Havana day. Perhaps I should confess that I attended two bull-fights in Havana, on successive Sundays, that being the only day, I believe, on which bull-fights take place. On the second occasion I went with an American friend and a party of Cuban gentlemen who stood well with the Spaniards. This visit was neither attended nor followed by any demonstration unfavorable to Americans or the Maine. We entered, remained, and left quite in the usual way. Two bull-fights exhausted all interest that I felt to see that historic sport. The love for domestic animals which is part of an American's nature -ingrained from babyhood - revolts at the sight of a poor, non-combatant horse calmly obeying the bridle while his entrails are streaming from him. To comprehend the Spanish bull-fight, it should be considered as a savage sport passed down from generation to generation from a remote period when human nature was far more cruel than at present. If the sport had not so developed, it is a fair inference that it could not now be instituted or tolerated. Similar considerations might be thought to apply to our own prizefights; but the highest class of people habitually attends bull-fights, while this is not true of prizefights. During the progress of the last bull-fight that I attended, several poor, docile, passive horses 41 The "Maine" were killed under circumstances that were shocking to the American mind. In a box near that which my friends and I occupied, a little girl ten or twelve years of age sat apparently unmoved while a horse was prostrate and dying in prolonged agony near the middle of the ring. As to the circular that was given to me before going to the first bull-fight, it may be stated that I received a second copy through the Havana mail. The second copy was probably sent by some American who judged it to be important. I sent it home, and afterward it was reproduced in the newspapers. It is reproduced here. I think General Lee sent a copy of that circular to the secretary-general of Cuba, Dr. Congosto. There was nothing to do in respect to the circular, even though I had believed it an influential attempt to foment disturbance. Every precaution that could be taken against injury or treachery was taken on board the Maine, so far as could be permitted under the restrictions of my orders requiring me to make a friendly visit. If one, when dining with a friend at his home, were to test the dishes for poison, he would not be making a friendly visit. The harbor could not be dragged without giving offense; it could not be patrolled by our own picket-boats at night, nor could the search-lights be kept going: but every 42 Our Reception at Havana internal precaution was exercised that the situation suggested. There were sentries on the forecastle and poop, quartermaster and signalboy on the bridge, and a second signal-boy on the poop, all of whom were charged with the necessity for a careful lookout. The corporal of the guard was specially instructed as to the port gangway, and the officer of the deck and the quartermaster as to the starboard gangway. Instead of the usual anchor-watch, a quarterwatch was kept on deck at night. The sentries were supplied with ammunition; a number of rounds of rapid-fire ammunition were kept in the pilot-house and in the spare captain's pantry inside the after-superstructure. An additional supply of shells was kept at hand for the six-inch guns. In order to be prepared more completely to work the hydraulic mechanism of the turrets, steam was kept up on two boilers instead of one; special instructions were given to watch all the details of the hydraulic gear and to report defects. The officer of the deck was charged by me to make detailed reports, even in minor matters, acting on the suspicion that we might be in an unfriendly harbor. I personally instructed the master-at-arms and the orderly sergeant to keep a careful eye on every visitor that came on board, and to charge their own subordinates to 43 The "Maine" the same purpose. I instructed them to follow visitors about at a proper distance whenever the ship was visited below; they were carefully to watch for any packages that might be laid down or left by visitors, on the supposition that dynamite or other high explosives might be used. They were also required to inspect the routes over which visitors had passed. The officer in charge of the marine guard was required to make at least two visits during the night to the various posts of the vessel. The dipping lines or hogging-lines of the collision mat -a large mat to haul over holes, under water, in the hull -were rove and kept standing. The purport of my own orders and instructions was that we should consider the Maine in a position demanding extreme vigilance, and requiring a well-sustained routine both by day and by night. Until the night of the explosion nothing whatever was developed to show that there was any special need for extreme vigilance. Many people visited the ship, chiefly in parties. It is probable that nearly all were Cubans. These were chiefly representatives of the refined class in Havana, who took great pride in visiting the ship more, perhaps, than I could have wished, in view of the situation. There must have been three or four hundred of them on board from 44 OAPTAIN $1GSNKE IN THE CAPTAIN'S CAIN ON BOARD THE " MAI" The Admirial's cabill, imilarly arraied, is sear to the r th i trogl the opet, wide doorwayt , l Our Reception at Havana time to time. They were warmly demonstrative toward us, and at first were inclined to ask us to return their visits. I believe some of the Maine's officers took advantage of their invitations; but I always explained that my position in Havana was a delicate one, that I desired to know socially both the Spaniards and the Cubans, but that I should not feel free to accept hospitalities from Cubans until the Spanish people first showed a willingness to accept the hospitalities of the ship. I often made inquiries in a rather jocular way as to the politics of the ladies who visited the ship. The ladies pointed out to me visitors of different shades of opinion, but I have my doubts whether any of them were really in sympathy with the Spaniards. I let it be known everywhere that it would please me greatly to entertain the Spanish people on board, and made considerable effort to bring about the desired result, but without success. It was evident that the Spaniards would y not visit us socially; they would do their official duty, but would not go beyond it. I finally decided to make a very special effort. I knew two charming young Spanish ladies of Arerican descent on their mother's side. Both were engaged to be married to Spanish army officers. Their father had been a Spanish officer. All their associations had been in Spanish 45 The " Maine " military circles. They assured me that it was a mistake to suppose that the Spaniards would not visit us in a friendly way. To demonstrate their view, they offered to bring aboard the Maine, on a certain day, a party of Spanish officers. The ladies came at the appointed time, their mother being one of the party; but with them there was only one Spanish officer, and he was in what we might call a civil branch of the army. Each lady gave a somewhat different excuse for the absence of the officers, which only served to make it clear that the officers would not come at all, and that there was a general understanding that the ship should not be visited by Spanish officers, except officially. I then believed that I had made all the effort that was proper to put the visit of the Maine on a friendly plane socially. I made no effort thereafter beyond continuing to make it known in a general way that Spaniards would be welcomed. For about two days after the arrival of the Maine, her officers were not permitted to go ashore; after that they went freely, day and night. During the whole visit the crew remained on board, with the exception of an occasional visit to the shore, on duty, by some well-trusted petty officer. I regretted very much to retain the crew on board, because it had been my cus46 Our Reception at Havana tom to give liberty freely before visiting Havana. Even the bumboatmen did not seem to care especially for the custom of the men, doubtless because of the undercurrent of feeling against us. The crew never complained not in a single instance that I am aware of; they took the situation philosophically. I myself drove through the streets of Havana, day or night, entirely alone, just as I liked, without hindrance of any kind. To all outward appearance Havana was as orderly a city as I have ever seen. It was impossible to be at Havana without hearing much about reconcentrados. I never spoke of them to Spanish officials, but at different times conversed with non-military Spaniards on the subject. To my surprise, they were perfectly frank and outspoken in their admissions of the terrible suffering and death that had been wrought. The statistics that they gave me were not diminished as compared with those received from the Cubans; in fact, their figures were higher as a rule; but there was this difference: the Cubans placed the blame upon the Spaniards, and the Spaniards upon the Cubans. A Spanish lady, in speaking of General Weyler in connection with the reconcentrados, said of him that he was not a man of sentiment, but cold by nature, a soldier with a stern sense of duty. 47 The "Maine" Prior to the destruction of the Maine, I was unwittingly involved in one case of official friction. According to precedents, I was entirely in the right. The autonomistic government of Cuba had been established by General Blanco. The members of the government were muchrespected gentlemen of the island. As captain of the Maine, I was not expected to show any political preference, but it was my duty to preserve good relations with the government as it existed. In visiting the captain-general, who, as already stated, is also the governor-general, and the naval authorities, I thought I had fulfilled all the courtesies required by usage; therefore it had not occurred to me to visit the civil members of the autonomistic council. In my cruises about the West Indies, I had made visits to colonial governors and to the naval and military authorities; but it had never been expected of me to visit the members of the legislative council of a British colony. I was therefore greatly surprised to find that it had been reported to the United States government in Washington that I had failed to visit the members of the autonomistic council. I received several telegrams from the Navy Department referring to the matter. The despatches may not have been clearly deciphered on board the Maine, but I did not gather from them that I 48 TVIIE WARIROM OF 1FF g MAI\F Licutcant - mS nandr Ma~il left foeegeouln 1,} execuetve v rf) the Mutuv wee thes phetegttph twts tteades tttsasteeeeeebefrettbeeeeeielte 1dteredisJt~dee-deaattheeX lre ef ltttttey Chtti Chltic e~ 1 te~lS the ie d e IS eke he c fceiegkie~i~ tl, B }St C ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Reception at Havana was required to make a visit to those officials. I hesitated to act without decisive orders after the matter had been carried to the government at Washington. Finally, I thought that I could detect in the telegrams a desire on the part of the Navy Department that I should, of my own volition, make the visit. General Blanco had then returned to Havana, where he resumed his custom of giving receptions to gentlemen on a certain night in each week. General Lee had made an appointment for me to visit General Blanco officially the next day, and I took advantage of the reception to promote good feeling. In civilian's evening dress, I attended General Blanco's reception with General Lee, and took pleasure in the act. I said to General Blanco that I attended his reception that evening informally, and that I would come officially the following day, according to appointment. General Blanco is a fine type of the Spanish gentleman -a man of distinguished bearing and address. I remarked to General Lee that the captain-general might pass for a very benevolent United States senator. This was a double-edged compliment, intended to cut favorably in both directions. At the reception and on all other occasions General Blanco received me most kindly. 4 49 The " Maine" Soon after our arrival at the reception, General Lee introduced me to Dr. Congosto, the secretary-general of Cuba. Dr. Congosto immediately said: " May I introduce you to the members of the autonomistic council? " I replied that the introduction would give me great pleasure, and that I should gladly have acted on an earlier invitation. I was then introduced to several members of the council, including Sefor Galvaez, the president. All were men that one would feel honored to meet, whether officially or privately. I thought I had a right to speak plainly, because I had been put in a false position. I informed the gentlemen that there had been no time since my visit to Havana when I should not have given myself the honor of visiting them immediately had I received an intimation that a visit would be agreeable. I stated that I had not made a visit because no precedent for it in naval etiquette was known to me, and that visits to civil officials on shore, if in excess of usage, might not be taken kindly, because a return visit afloat might be inconvenient. I expressed the pleasure that I should take in going as far beyond precedent as might be agreeable to them. If permitted, I should visit the council officially the following day, after which I hoped the gentlemen of the council would visit the Maine and receive a salute. 50 Our Reception at Havana The next day, with General Lee, I called on General Blanco officially, just as I had called on General Parrado when he was representing General Blanco. I admired General Blanco as a man and as a patriot, and desired to receive him on board the Maine and do him honor. I gave him an urgent invitation, stating at the same time that I knew it was not necessary etiquette for him to return my visit personally. He seemed pleased, and remarked pleasantly that there was a decree against captains-general visiting foreign men-ofwar, for the reason that many years ago a captaingeneral, while visiting an English man-of-war, had been abducted. I replied that on merely personal grounds I would be glad to run away with him, but I promised good behavior. He stated that it might be possible to make a visit-he would think it over. I assured General Blanco that the visit of the Maine was sincerely friendly, and that my orders contemplated nothing further than the ordinary visit of a man-of-war. He expressed his appreciation of my commands against giving liberty on shore to the Maine's crew, and asked, as had other officials, how long the Maine would remain at Havana. To this question I always made the same reply, viz., that when our war-vessels were in telegraphic communication with the Navy Department it was not customary to include in 5I The " Maine" their orders the time of their departure from a port; they were required to await further orders. I repeated to General Blanco what I had already said to General Parrado, that I hoped the Spanish men-of-war would reciprocate by reviving their friendly visits to the United States; that the cordiality of their reception could not be doubted. An exceptionally pleasing ceremonial feature terminates a visit to Spanish officials. It was observed in this case. After taking leave in the usual way, in the room where the interview was held, General Blanco and Dr. Congosto accompanied us to the head of the stairs, and the civilities were repeated. There they remained until we had reached the first landing below, when we turned, and the visit was ended by mutual salutation. After leaving General Blanco, I, called on the members of the council, and was received with cordiality. I think the members of the autonomistic government had really felt that I was trying to evade a visit. I was glad to convince them to the contrary. It was well known to the authorities at Havana that General Lee had expressed officially an unfavorable opinion as to the influence and acceptability of autonomy in the island, and they were keenly sensitive on the subject. They may have believed that I was trying to weaken autonomy; if so, an invitation to visit the council would have made a test. 52 CMTMiNGBUJ11RA EAMON BL ~laN.-r I Our Reception at Havana The gentlemen of the council returned my visit promptly. They were received with honors, and shown through the Maine. We greatly enjoyed their visit. Near the close, refreshments were served in my cabin, and Senor Galvaez made a complimentary speech in Spanish, which was interpreted to me briefly. The last thing that I desired was to involve myself in the politics of the island. I conceived that it would be highly injudicious on my part, as a foreign naval officer, to seem to take sides in any way, either by expression or by action. I made a response to Sefior Galvaez's speech, assuring him that it had given me much gratification to make my visits to the council, and renewing my statement that I should have made an earlier visit had I known that it would have been agreeable. I welcomed them formally to the ship, and expressed the hope that they would return with their families and friends, and make social and informal visits whenever they thought they could find pleasure on board. Believing that the gentlemen of the council were desirous that I should give some expression of approval of the autonomistic form of government, I evaded the point, and said only: " I beg to express my admiration for the high purpose of your honorable body." My reply was afterward printed in at least two newspapers in Havana, but the terms made me favor autonomistic gov53 The "Maine" ernment for the island. I disliked this result when I considered it in connection with the censorship, but raised no protest against it. Judging from outward evidence, the autonomistic government was then unpopular and without effective influence, as reported by General Lee. My courtesy to the members of the council could hardly have gained popular favor for the Maine. The next day the families and friends of the members of the council, including ladies, came aboard, and were received by me and the officers. It was a merry party, and many evidences of good will were given. This ended the only frictional incident prior to the destruction of the Maine. While lying in the landlocked harbor of Havana, the Maine looked much larger than her actual size; she seemed enormous. Doubtless her strength was overestimated by the populace of Havana. The people apparently believed that we had sent our best ship to make a demonstration. There was much misconception on all sides, even among Spanish officers, as to the fighting strength of the United States navy. Evidently the Spaniards did not regard us as their equals in battle; their traditional pride made them overestimate their own fighting ability — or underestimate ours. On the other hand, to 54 Our Reception at Havana show how people may differ, I have never known it to be entertained in our own service that the Spanish navy could match ours. The Spanish naval officers that I met were alert, intelligent, and well informed professionally. They all had their polished national manner. Superficially, at least, their vessels were admirable; they seemed clean and well kept. Their etiquette was carefully observed, but apparently their crews were not comparable with ours, either in physique or in intelligence. I saw very little drilling of any kind on board the Spanish men-of-war at Havana. After the destruction of the Maine, General Weyler was credited in the press with the remark that "the Maine was indolent." If General Weyler did in fact make the remark, he must have got advices relative to the Maine that were not well based on observation. While at Havana, the Maine had no drills on shore, as a matter of course, but afloat she carried out her routine of drills day after day, except that she omitted "night quarters" and "clearing ship for action," as likely to give rise to misunderstanding. She also exercised her boats under oars and under sails, and had gun-pointing practice with the aid of a launch steaming about the harbor. In this latter practice, care was taken that our guns should never point toward the Spanish 55 The "Maine" men-of-war. Every morning and evening the crew were put through the development drill. Most of the drills of the Maine were in plain view from without, by reason of her structure; she had no bulwarks on her main or upper deck. After the destruction of the Maine, and while the Vizcaya and Oquendo were in the harbor, we could observe no drills taking place on board those vessels, although it is possible that they might have gone on without our being able to observe them. There was much ship-visiting on board. In everything they did, except in respect to etiquette, the practised nautical eye could not fail to note their inferiority in one degree or another to the vessels of our own squadron at Key West. Our vessels were then having "general quarters for action " three times a week, and were keeping up their other drills, including nightdrills, search-light practice, etc. Vessels of the Vizcaya class, in the captain's cabin and officers' quarters, were one long stretch of beautiful woodwork, finer than is the rule on board our own vessels. The smaller guns of their primary batteries, and the rapid-firing guns of their secondary batteries, were disposed between the turrets on two decks in such dovetailed fashion that in order to do great damage an enemy needed only to hit anywhere in the region of the funnels. I 56 l"i"l" ii,. I~ I ;rs~.~,~,~~~1,,.~a r::r~i~ -, w '".k:.'.~ .-."~.X _i,,iir ~i a~.r LI ri~~ ~~it:9;~g xii ei H, ik*~: .Wp_.Elii Bi "~ ij ~i~ ~ii. rai BBBI.a ~s?, Ir - : ~~u — ~~ gF. ~~"eap:811i~i~~ipi,~i~i:,:'':~; ~":~~~~'"'i";~ 8. ~jl '"":;1 aiiittti I" " ~';",i illii ~ ~ ~i -~'" :Bi: "" se?r...O i~ rr ~"i :; i~~~,;l;l~~~c~~~ " I 'EI i ~i:E ~I;~irx """: ~~ it "au i1113 i~: ir~ -iii ~ ~u~ssir;n ~i ~ r"l' ;.~~l.t ;~I~~ ~:~i, ~C i~- ~iri~ ~iii ~:~;li 1; J ~. '"" ~ ~Q: '$.~ L, ;~ si,;. ~ ~~,~;i:~ rr~~~~ 1;1~ '"'"' 81,~"~;:i l~~.:i.''"B:~~~ ;"i EQi.: i ~" ii,ai~1S "" "" ~;1;~ ~; ~ri. ~.-si a.jE ~:, '~~~-;~ 1,: ~";~;~ ~i'" iiiii mO nIE s ipiS i iFI1 Iit ~ ~-~; IW1 ~.f.ii ~, ii ~1 Ia F1F~-~ "' 1 ~,,~s:!! s~ alFi~F ~~ -i~:t II,.;;; ; i,.,,,,,,,,i; ~'::~i" ~I~'~;~ '* ~iFii ~r~ ~-i ~,~~yl"i";~ni BLii 8""~ ~S9i: lai;P~c"""~Ci~ ~ii~ Is il~ r""~'"~ rri;;;...i,,,., s'. ipu~.~~ Pln o is: '~~;" Iru ~G -~.E:~-; jx: Xli li "'" ~;I ixI '~~a,,,, ;';$~'"";"Io --- iii?.~ral V1 ~-~"".:i3Hia,~'' ~~I s~-n.~hs:;""""~''; P~.. ii-~., ~-~ I.X: .,,,.,i ri-3'sii-:ft31;jI f3t- "16Lli ilQ gli 7"WEi;ii6ix.2t r~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Reception at Havana remarked several times - once to Admiral Sampson, who was then Captain Sampson of the court of inquiry on the destruction of the Maine -that the Spanish vessels would be all aflame within ten minutes after they had gone into close action, and that their quarters at the guns would be a slaughter-pen. Future events justified the statement. Afterward, when I boarded the wreck of the Infanta Maria Teresa near Santiago de Cuba, her armored deck was below water, but above that there was not even a splinter of woodwork in sight; in fact, there was hardly a cinder left of her decks or of that beautiful array of bulkheads. It may have been that the Maine remained longer in Havana than had originally been intended by the Navy Department. It was expected, I believe, to relieve her by another vessel; which vessel, I do not know. I had hoped that the Indiana or the Massachusetts would be sent to dispel the prevailing ignorance among the Spanish people in regard to the strength and efficiency of our ships. The department may not have accepted my views. Before reciting the details immediately connected with the destruction of the Maine, it may be said that I did not expect she would be blown v up, either from interior or exterior causes, although precautions were taken in both directions. 57 The " Maine" Nevertheless, I believed that she could be blown up from the outside, provided a sufficient number of persons of evil disposition, and with the conveniences at hand, were free to conspire for the purpose. It was necessary to trust the Spanish authorities in great degree for protection from without. I believe that the primary cause of the destruction of the Maine was an explosion under the bottom of the ship, as reported by the court of inquiry. II THE EXPLOSION ON the night of the explosion, the Maine, lying in the harbor of Havana at the buoy where she was moored by the Spanish pilot on her entrance into the port, was heading in a direction quite unusual - at least, for the Maine. In this connection it should be explained that Havana is in the region of the trade-wind, which, however, is not so stable there as farther to the eastward, especially in the winter months. During the day the wind is commonly from the eastward, and about sundown it is likely to die down. During the night there may be no wind at all, and a ship swinging at her buoy may head in any direction. On the night of the explosion the Maine was heading to the northward and westward, in the general direction of the Machina, or naval " sheers," near the admiral's palace. Some of the watch-officers said afterward that they had not 59 The " Maine" before known her to head in that direction at Havana. I myself did not remark any peculiarity of heading, because I had not been on deck much during the night-watches. Stated simply as a fact, the Maine was lying in the position in which she would have been sprung to open her batteries on the shore fortifications. If an expert had been charged with mining the Maine's mooring-berth, purely as a measure of harbor defense, and having only one mine available, it is believed that he would have placed it under the position that the Maine occupied that night. A short distance astern, or THE MAINTOP. nearly astern, was the AmeriThe Stars and Stripes flying at can steamer City of Washhalf-mast over the wreck of the Maine, and above the flag is seen, ing n Frank Stehanging from a line of the signal- raptal n yard a swab blown from the deck. The vens, of the Ward line. The A fonso XII and the Legazpi occupied the berths mentioned heretofore. They were on the starboard side of the Maine. There were other vessels in the harbor, but they were more remote from the Maine's berth. It was a dark, overcast night. The atmosphere was heavy, and the weather unusually hot and sultry. 60 ai THlE AIE "1IX DRDJK ( 2, NEW TO NAYAI The Explosion All of the twenty-six officers1 were aboard excepting Passed Assistant Engineer F. C. Bowers, Naval Cadet (Engineer) Pope Washington, Paymaster's Clerk Brent McCarthy, and Gunner Joseph Hill. The members of the crew, three hundred and twenty-eight in number, were on board as usual. One of the steam-launches was in the water, and riding at the starboard boom. The crew, excepting those on watch or on post, were turned in. The men of the quarter-watch were distributed about the deck in various places, wherever they could make themselves comfortable within permissible limits as to locality. Some of the officers were in their state-rooms or in the messrooms below; others were on the main or upper deck, in or about the officers' smoking-quarters, which were abaft the after-turret, on the port side, abreast the after-superstructure. I was in my quarters, sitting on the after-side 1 The officers of the Maine at the G. Heneberger; paymaster, Charles time were: captain, Charles D. M, Ray; chief engineer, Charles P. Sigsbee; executive officer, Lieu- Howell; passed assistant engineer, tenant-Commander Richard Wain- Frederic C. Bowers; assistant enwright; navigator, Lieutenant gineers, John R. Morris and Darwin George F. W. Holman; lieuten- R. Merrltt; naval cadets (engineer ants, John Hood and Carl W. division), Pope Washington and ArJungen; lieutenants, junior-grade, thur Crenshaw; chaplain, John P. George P. Blow, John J. Blandin, Chidwick; first lieutenant of maand Friend W. Jenkins; naval ca- rines, Albertus W. Catlin; boatdets, Jonas H. Holden, Watt T. swain, Francis E. Larkin; gunner, Cluverius, Amon Bronson, Jr., and Joseph Hill; carpenter, George David F. Boyd, Jr.; surgeon, Lucien Helms; pay-clerk, Brent McCarthy. 61 The " Maine" of the table in the port or admiral's cabin. As previously stated, the Maine had been arranged to accommodate both an admiral and a captain. For this purpose her cabin space in the aftersuperstructure had been divided into two parts, starboard and port, which were perfectly symmetrical in arrangement and fittings. Looking from one cabin into the other through the large communicating doorway, one cabin was like the reflection of the other seen in a mirror. The two cabins were alike even in furniture. One of the illustrations in the book shows me sitting at the starboard-cabin table looking at the log-book. At the time of the explosion I was sitting in the port cabin in the corresponding position. The situation would be shown precisely if that illustration were reversed by reflection in a mirror. About an hour before the explosion I had completed a report called for by Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, on the advisability of continuing to place torpedo-tubes on board cruisers and battle-ships. I then wrote a letter home, in which I struggled to apologize for having carried in my pocket for ten months a letter to my wife from one of her friends of long standing. The cabin mess-attendant, James Pinckney, had brought me, about an hour before, a civilian's thin coat, because of the prevailing 62 The Explosion heat; I had taken off my blouse, and was wearing this coat for the only time during the cruise. In the pocket I had found the unopened and undelivered letter. Pinckney, a light-hearted colored man, who spent much of his spare time in singing, playing the banjo, and dancing jigs, was for some reason in an especially happy frame of mind that night. Poor fellow! he was killed, as was also good old John R. Bell, the colored cabin steward already referred to, who had been in the navy, in various ratings, for twenty-seven years. At taps (" turn in and keep quiet "), ten minutes after nine o'clock, I laid down my pen to listen to the notes of the bugle, which were singularly beautiful in the oppressive stillness of the night. The marine bugler, Newton, who was rather given to fanciful effects, was evidently doing his best. During his pauses the echoes floated back to the ship with singular distinctness, repeating the strains of the bugle fully and exactly. A half-hour later, Newton was dead. I was inclosing my letter in its envelop when the explosion came. The impression made on different people on board the Maine varied somewhat. To me, in my position, well aft, and within the superstructure, it was a bursting, rending, and crashing sound or roar of immense volume, largely metallic in character. It was followed by a suc63 The " Maine" cession of heavy, ominous, metallic sounds, probably caused by the overturning of the central superstructure and by falling debris. There was a trembling and lurching motion of the vessel, a list to port, and a movement of subsidence. The electric lights, of which there were eight in the cabin where I was sitting, went out. Then there was intense blackness and smoke. The situation could not be mistaken: the Maine was blown up and sinking. For a moment the instinct of self-preservation took charge of me, but this was immediately dominated by the habit of command. I went up the inclined deck into the starboard cabin, toward the starboard airports, which were faintly relieved against the background of the sky. The sashes were out, and the openings were large. My first intention was to escape through an air-port, but this was abandoned in favor of the more dignified way of making an exit through the passageway leading forward through the superstructure. I groped my way through the cabin into the passage, and along the passage to the outer door. The passage turned to the right, or starboard, near the forward part of the superstructure. At the turning, some one ran into me violently. I asked who it was. It was Private William Anthony, the orderly at the cabin door. He said 64 PRIVATE WILLIAM ANTHONY I I. The Explosion something apologetic, and reported that the ship had been blown up and was sinking. He was directed to go out on the quarter-deck, and I followed him. Anthony has been pictured as making an exceedingly formal salute on that occasion. The dramatic effect of a salute cannot add to his heroism. If he had made a salute it could not have been seen in the blackness of that compartment. Anthony did his whole duty, at great personal risk, at a time when he might have evaded the danger without question, and deserved all the commendation that he received for his act. He hung near me with unflagging zeal and watchfulness that night until the ship was abandoned. I stood for a moment on the starboard side of the main-deck, forward of the after-superstructure, looking toward the immense dark mass that loomed up amidships, but could see nothing distinctly. There I remained for a few seconds in an effort to grasp the situation, and then asked Anthony for the exact time. He replied: "The explosion took place at nine-forty, sir." It was soon necessary to retire from the main-deck, for the after-part of the ship was sinking rapidly. I then went up on the poop-deck. By this time Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright and others were near me. Everybody was impressed by ~5 65 INBOARD PROFILE '- Fm INBOARD PROFILE OF THE "MAINE." The star near the foremast indicates the height to which some of the keel-plates were blown, and the dotted lines leading down from it the lifting of the keel. The Explosion the solemnity of the disaster, but there was no excitement apparent; perfect discipline prevailed. The question has been asked many times if I believed then that the Maine was blown up from the outside. My answer to this has been that my first order on reaching the deck was to post sentries about the ship. I knew that the Maine had been blown up, and believed that she had been blown up from the outside. Therefore I ordered a measure which was intended to guard against attack. There was no need for the order, but I am,,writing of first impressions. There was the sound of many voices from the shore, suggestive of cheers. I stood on the starboard side-rail of the poop and held on to the main-rigging in order to see over the poop-awning, which was bagged and covered with debris. I was still trying to take in the situation more completely. The officers were near me and showing a courteous recognition of my authority and responsibility. Directions were given in a low tone to Executive Officer Wainwright, who himself gave orders quietly and directed operations. Fire broke out in the mass amidships. Orders were given to flood the forward magazine, but the forward part of the ship was found to be under water. Inquiry as to the after-magazines and the guncotton * /s The " Maine" magazine in the after-part of the ship showed a like condition of those compartments, as reported by those who had escaped from the ward-room and junior officers' quarters. In the captain's spare pantry in the after-superstructure there was spare ammunition. It was seen that this would soon be submerged, and that precautions in respect to the magazines were unnecessary. The great loss of life was not then fully realized. Our eyes were not yet accustomed to the darkness. Most of us had come from the glare of the electric lights. The flames increased in the central superstructure, and I directed LieutenantCommander Wainwright to make an effort to play streams on the fire if practicable. He went forward on the poop-awning, accompanied by Lieutenant Hood and Naval Cadets Boyd and Cluverius, making a gallant inspection in the region of the fire, but was soon obliged to report that nothing could be done. The fire-mains and all other facilities were destroyed, and men were not available for the service. We then began to realize more clearly the full extent of the damage. One of the smoke-stacks was lying in the water on the starboard side. Although it was almost directly under me, I had not at first identified it. As my eyes became more accustomed to the darkness, I could see, 68 $0 to I -The Explosion dimly, white forms on the water, and hear faint cries for help. Realizing that the white forms were our own men, boats were lowered at once and sent to the assistance of the injured and drowning men. Orders were given, but they were hardly necessary: the resourceful intelligence of the officers suggested correct measures in the emergency. Only three of our fifteen boats were available-the barge, the captain's gig, and the whale-boat. The barge was badly injured. Two of these were manned by officers and men jointly. How long they were gone from the ship I cannot recall, but probably fifteen - minutes. Those of us who were left on board remained quietly on the poop-deck. Nothing further could be done; the ship was settling rapidly. There was one wounded man on the poop; he had been hauled from under a ventilator on the main-deck by Lieutenants Hood and Blandin just as the water was rising over him. Other boats, too, were rescuing the wounded and drowning men. Chief among them were their boats from the A Ifonso XII, and from the steamer City of Washington. The visiting boats had arrived promptly, and were unsparing of effort in saving the wounded. The Spanish officers and crews did all that humnity.and^_galantry could com.ass. During the absence of our boats the 69 THE MAIN-DECK. The x in the admiral's cabin shows where Captain Sigsbee was sitting, and the dotted line from it indicates his course in escaping to the quarter-deck. THE BERTH-DECK, ON WHICH MOST OF THE OFFICERS AND CREW WERE QUARTERED. Only two persons escaped from the space between the bow and the x near the after-turret. The star indicates where one of the two men saved from the berth-deck was sleeping. The Explosion fire in the wreck of the central superstructure became fiercer. The spare ammunition that had been stowed in the pilot-house or thrown up from the magazines below was exploding in detail. It continued to explode at intervals until nearly two o'clock inthe morning. At night it was the custom on board the Maine to close all water-tight compartments except the few needed to afford passageway for the crew. They had been reported closed as usual that night. Down the cabin skylights the air could be heard whistling through the seams of the doors and hatches, indicating that even the after-bulkheads had been so strained as to admit the water into the compartments. Presently LieutenantCommander Wainwright came to me and reported that our boats had returned alongside the ship at the stern, and that all the wounded that could be found had been gathered in and sent to the Spanish cruiser and ithe City of Washington and elsewhere. The after-part of the poop-deck of the Maine, the highest intact point above water, was then level with the gig's gunwale, while that boat was in the water alongside. We had done everything that could be done, so far as could be seen. It was a hard blow to be obliged to leave the Maine; none of us desired to leave while any 71 The "Maine" part of her poop remained above water. We waited until satisfied that she was resting on the bottom of the harbor. Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright then whispered to me that he thought the forward ten-inch magazine had been thrown up into the burning material amidships and might explode at any time, with further disastrous effects. He was then directed to get everybody into the boats, which was done. It was an easy operation; one had only to step directly from the deck into the boat. There was still some delay to make sure that the ship's stern had grounded, and still more because of the extreme politeness of the officers, who considerately offered me a steadying hand to step into the boat. Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright stood on one side and Lieutenant Holman on the other; each offered me a hand. I suggested the propriety of my being the last to leave, and requested them to precede me, which they did. There was favorable comment later in the press because I left last. It is a fact that I was the last to leave, which was only proper; that is to say, it would have been improper otherwise; but virtually all left last. The fine conduct of those who came under my observation that night was conspicuous and touching. The heroism of the wounded men I did not see at the time, but after72 THE EAST.909N~i ON TUR AINKINO DNS...... I The Explosion ward good reports of their behavior were very common. The patient way in which they bore themselves left no doubt that they added new honors to the service when the AMaine went down. MIDSHIP SECTION. Only half of the bridge and smoke-stack are shown. Our boats pulled to the City of Washington. On the trip I called, or sent, to the rescuing boats, requesting them to leave the vicinity of the wreck, and informing them that there might be another explosion. Mr. Sylvester Scovel, the newspaper 73 THE PROTECTIVE DECK. THE SUPERSTRUCTURE-DECK. The Explosion correspondte.., was asked to translate my request to the Spanish boats, which he did. On arriving on board the City of Washington, I found there a number of our wounded men. They had been carried below into the diningsaloon, where they had been placed on mattresses. They were carefully tended by both officers and crew of the vessel. Every attention that the resources of the vessel admitted had been brought to bear in their favor. The City of Washington, then under command of Captain Stevens, did great service. The same was true of the A fonso XII, and, it may be, of the other Spanish vessels also. One or more wounded men were cared for on board the Spanish transport Colon. I walked among the wounded some minutes, and spent a few more in watching the fitful explosion of ammunition on board the Maine. Then I went to the captain's cabin, and composed my first telegram to the Navy Department, a facsimile of which faces page 76. I had already directed that a muster be taken of the survivors, and had sent a request to the captain of the Alfonso XII that he keep one or more patrol-boats about the wreck. The relations between the United States and Spain had reached a condition of such extreme tension that the pa75 The " Maine" tience of the people of the United States was about exhausted. Realizing this fully that night, I feared the result of first impressions of the great disaster on our people, for I found it necessary to repress my own suspicions. I wished them, as a matter of national pride and duty, to take time for consideration. Naval officers, no less than other citizens, have unlimited confidence in the sober judgment of the people of the United States. It seemed also to be a duty of my position to sustain the government during the period of excitement or indignation that was likely to follow the reception of the first report; therefore I took the course of giving to my telegram an uncommonly strong advisory character. The facsimile illustration of the telegram shows that, after advising that public opinion be suspended, and signing my name, I erased the name, and added a few more words relative to the visit and sympathy of the Spanish officers. I added these additional words to strengthen the quieting effect of the telegram After my name had been signed in the first instance, I was informed that a number of Spanish officers-civil, military, and naval-had arrived on board to express sympathy. I went out on the deck, greeted these gentlemen, and thanked them for their visit. Among them were Dr. Congosto, secre76 HAIVOL RIifjXj OF CAPTAIN 8IGSBEEIS MESSAGE TO TOF SFOUFTAKY OF TOE NAYjT oECN PANO T TELERAPIC ADRE OF TIE LATTETR '. or I I The Explosion tary-general of the island; General Salano, chief of staff to General Blanco; the civil governor of the province, and a number of others whose names I cannot now remember. I think the captain of the Alfonso XII was also there. After asking them to excuse me for a few moments, to complete my telegram, I returned to the captain's cabin, erased the first signature, and added the additional words. I then called in Dr. Congosto, read the telegram to him, and stated that, as there would be great excitement in the United States, it was my duty to diminish it so far as possible. Dr. Congosto had been a Spanish consul in the United States, and a practising physician there for a number of years. He remarked feelingly that my telegram was "very kind." The next step was to get the despatch over the cable. It was written about fifteen minutes after we left the Maine, and had to be taken ashore in a boat, and thence in a cab to the telegraph office. It must therefore have reached the cable office about eleven o'clock. There was a likelihood that the office would be closed at that time of night, but Dr. Congosto promised me the right of way over the cable, and gave directions that the office, if closed, should be reopened. I requested Mr. George Bronson Rea, then cor77 I -- - - -. - * t" THE HOLD PLAN.. Z./ Wm, c-c -~ rnr~ WGHNE ROOM _. ' EN6INE AOM::^: I 3sr!a$ 1 CUAU i CuAl. CI AL ~~Fl~~ 1~~1fl ~~~I mqwe7wiLfoER 0Ll j4 i * --- i -— F COAL COAL 86PLATORM-DEC i 36 _LR POfL lM-DECW =CRE jrks ^gjE^ ljo * --- —. c J/O CoLeR ac I c a:L ' *^ X_ io *STO5s COAL COALB5, A cN O H 10 - Y3~~~~~~it lh l er1-ZT COAL COAL I COAL,. _ _ _, P.._: I= THE PLATFORM-DECK. The Explosion respondent, I think, of "Harper's Weekly," to carry the telegram ashore and send it. He readily consented. At the same time he also sent for me a telegram to Commander Forsyth, commandant of the naval station at Key West, conveying information of the disaster to Admiral Sicard. At the office he transcribed them to the regular forms; then, it appears, he sent the original of the longer despatch to a New York newspaper, where it was reproduced. Mr. Rea soon afterward volunteered to return me the original of the latter. It is through his courtesy that it is now in my possession. At the time it was written it did not occur to me that the document would be deemed worthy of preservation. It has been said in criticism that I should have used the word "judgment" instead of "opinion" in framing my telegram. "Opinion" was the more diplomatic word under the circumstances. The other might have given rise to a contention with the censor. It will be shown later how censorship in Cuba was applied to an official despatch from me to Washington announcing the grounding of my vessel by a Spanish pilot. Having disposed of the telegram, I returned to the Spanish officials. They seemed especially desirous of having my opinion as to the cause of the explosion. I invariably answered that I 79 The "Maine" must await investigation. General Salano, a handsome and distinguished-looking officer, of dignified bearing and address, declared to me that the Spanish authorities knew nothing whatever as to the cause of the destruction of the Maine. He said that he made the assertion as a man, an officer, and a Spaniard. I assured him of my ready acceptance of his statement, and remarked that I had not yet permitted myself to give any thought to the question of responsibility for the disaster. The Spanish officers remained only a short time. In the length of their visit, and the character of it, they showed exquisite tact. General Fitzhugh Lee arrived on board the City of Washington soon after we boarded her, and remained all night, I think. It has always seemed to me that it took high courage for the United States consul-general to traverse the city and the water during the uncertainties of those early hours. After the first muster that night it was reported to me that only eighty-four or eighty-five survivors could be found. Recent summary (see Crew List and Mortuary Statistics, Appendices G and H) shows that only sixteen of the crew were wholly unhurt. Two officers and two hundred and fifty men were killed. One hundred and two people were saved, but later eight of these died 80 :C,111~:~ E,, as,, IC ICiiir III1 E;lrir I8 ~ i "-" "'' i,-. "j r'R ~, ~~,, 80; i iiiiiii p~a ~,H:rl:~i rrlxi 111 iiiii;:Q r ~~~; liilijliil;; "`-:"i:i.~~~~c """c~..~~~~~.~~ I~-.~ 111 1 lll;llllllr'l"~i i, iji iii ri I bb"iij8~bi I ; '-:.'" i~axc8p ~i.~~:;~iiiilS:, 15" IB ,i- $ii?i8 X " E Ii:"";pp~ ~:!!:~~~r~:~~:~a;ir;. ~.CI. '~;;;~ ~E~:: liiia~~~ c~~5 I I~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Explosion at Havana. Some of the wounded were taken to the landing at the Machina, where they were cared for by the fire organizations of Havana. The wounded who were gathered in by the Spaniards and Americans that night were sent to two hospitals in Havana, the Alfonso XIII and the San Ambrosio. I was inclined to feel offended when the commanding officer of the cruiser Alfonso XII did not refer to me before he sent the wounded ashore; but I soon came to the conclusion that he had used his best judgment, and with every desire to be kind and sympathetic. The subsequent treatment of our wounded by the Spaniards was most considerate and humane. They did all that they habitually did for their own people, and even more. This paper was given the form of a personal experience, first, because I alone was personally connected with the complete chain of incidents to be recited; secondly, because the form promised less labor of preparation in the time at my disposal. But the explosion, and its immediate consequences, were too momentous and harrowing, and too varied, to be narrowed down to the view of one person, even in so personal a narrative. None can ever know the awful scenes of consternation, despair, and suffering down in the forward compartments of the stricken ship; of 6 8i The "Maine" men wounded, or drowning in the swirl of water, or confined in a closed compartment gradually filling with water. But from those so favorably situated that escape was possible, much may be gathered to enable us to form a conception of the general chaos. It is comforting to believe that most of those who were lost were killed instantly; and it is probably true, also, for many of the wounded who recovered had no knowledge of the explosion; they remembered no sensations, except that they awoke and found themselves wounded and in a strange place. The phenomena of the explosion, as witnessed by different persons, and the personal experiences of officers and men, may be derived from the " Report of the Naval Court of Inquiry upon the Destruction of the United States Battle-ship Maine."" I have, in addition, reports from the officers of the Maine, and my recollections of conversations with those who were informed in various directions. Before the court, Captain Frederick G. Teasdale, master of the British bark Deva, testified as follows: He was aboard the Deva, which was lying at a wharf at Regla, from a quarter to half a mile from the Maine. He said, in continua1 United States Senate Document No. 207, Fifty-fifth Congress, Second Session. 82 The Explosion tion of his previous testimony: "... sitting at the cabin table writing when I heard the explosion. I thought the ship had been collided with. I ran on deck when I heard the explosion. I felt a very severe shock in my head, also. I seized my head this way [indicating]. I thought I was shot, or something. The transoms of the doors of the cabin are fitted in the studs on the side, and they were knocked out of place with the shock. The first seemed to be a shot, and then a second, or probably two seconds, after the first report that I heard, I heard a tremendous explosion; but as soon as I heard the first report,it was a very small one,- thinking something had happened to the ship, I rushed on deck, and was on deck just in time to see the whole debris going up in the air.... The stuff ascended, I should say, one hundred and fifty or one hundred and sixty feet up in the air. It seemed to go comparatively straight until it reached its highest point of ascent; then it divided and passed off in kinds of rolls or clouds. Then I saw a series of lights flying from it again. Some of them were lights -incandescent lights. Sometimes they appeared to be brighter, and sometimes they appeared to be dim, as they passed through the smoke, I should presume. The color of the smoke, I should say, was a very 83 The " Maine" dark slate-color. There were fifteen to twenty of those lights that looked like incandescent lights. The smoke did not seem to be black, as you would imagine from an explosion like that. It seemed to be more a slate-color... Quantities of paper and small fragments fell over our ship, and for some time after." Mr. Sigmund Rothschild, a passenger on board the City of Washington, went on deck about half-past nine with his fellow-passenger Mr. Wertheimer. They drew chairs toward the railing. Mr. Rothschild testified: "In doing so, I had brought my chair just about in this condition [indicating], and had not sat down when I heard a shot, the noise of a shot. I looked around, and I saw the bow of the Maine rise a little, go a little out of the water. It could n't have been more than a few seconds after that noise, that shot, that there came in the center of the ship a terrible mass of fire and explosion, and everything went over our heads, a black mass. We could not tell what it was. It was all black. Then we heard a noise of falling material on the place where we had been right near the smokingroom. One of the life-boats, which was hanging, had a piece go through it and made a big hole in it. After we saw that mass go up, the whole boat [Maine] lifted out, I should 84 ~r.-x ~.B.r~,Sdii,,:b B.Bj "1:..., -;i;r -,I I, aI rr n; *8. 8'~ 1 li~~I~;~Ii s;, i 21 a; a ti I i~8;r~ 1 1., " '-~~~~ li~ 'I*::::::;li.~,,:l: .~~;il~::~ll; I: ;~1~ls1' i"lEIi a B rlil ..~81;,'1.;~ 4~ a~i ~;k~.-~ L i~~' ~'~'.:~~.....iil.~~i i~ api;i~ sc,,,.nl 9 ~:~~,~. 8.~;.1:8:a:~;"" "~~ ~i ""~"8; 1 r"l*iT1E ~~~:1:?~~..I.P~"."; ' '"'~':~" ~lliPI;"'1:;:,;E~1 ,Be;::; EIA"IBE.';i-~-o ~,;a; ''~"'~ lr~g"r~i""iil:z;~a; rr q;hi?~l XPil;:~.iii~.8 'irli """"'~ "" ~n.,~i '': s-;,;:~~Insr, ~k:llii ~b; i~8;~lii li(" Illsi ',1~01' The Explosion judge, about two feet. As she lifted out, the bow went right down... We stood spellbound, and cried to the captain [of the City of Washington]. The captain gave orders to lower the boats, and two of the boats, which were partly lowered, were found broken through with big holes. Some iron pieces had fallen through them. Naturally, that made a delay, and they had to run for the other boats, or else we would have been a few minutes sooner in the water. Then the stern stood out like this, in this direction [indicating], and there was a cry from the people: 'Help!' and ' Lord God, help us!' and 'Help! Help!' The noise of the cry from the mass of human voices in the boat [Maine] did not last but a minute or two. When the ship was going down, there was the cry of a mass of people, but that was a murmur. That was not so loud as the single voices which were in the water. That did not last but a minute, and by that time we saw somebody on the deck in the stern of the ship, and it took about a few minutes when the boats commenced to bring in the officers. [The last to come on board.] We took them to our rooms. A great many of them came without anything on but a pair of pants and nothing else. That is about the whole story in regard to the shot." Mr. Louis Wertheimer, 85 The " Maine" another passenger aboard the City of Washington, gave testimony to the same effect. In his testimony First Officer George Cornell of the City of Washington said: " I was standing on the gangway, and giving the quartermaster orders to call the men at five o'clock in the morning. While I was standing there I heard a rumbling sound, and we saw the Maine raise up forward. After that the explosion occurred, and the stuff was flying in the air in all directions. She sank immediately at the forward end." Captain Frank Stevens, master of the City of Washington, testified: "I heard a dull, muffled explosion and commotion, like as though it was under the water, followed instantly by a terrific explosion, lighting up the air with a dull red glare, filling the air full of flying missiles, which lit all around us. We were struck, I think, in four places." It has been said before that some of the Maine's officers and some of the crew were on the main or upper deck at the time of the explosion. We have the testimony of some of them relative to the phenomena. Lieutenant John Hood was one of these. His testimony is very interesting. I quote it at some length: "I was sitting on the port side of the deck, with my feet 86 The Explosion on the rail, and I both heard and felt - felt more than I heard-a big explosion, that sounded and felt like an under-water explosion. I was under the impression that it came from forward, starboard, at the time. I instantly turned my head, and the instant I turned my head there was a second explosion. I saw the whole starboard side of the deck, and everything above it as far aft as the after-end of the superstructure, spring up in the air, with all kinds of objects in it-a regular crater-like performance, with flames and everything else coming up. I immediately sprang myself behind the edge of the superstructure, as there were a number of objects flying in my direction, for shelter. I ran very quickly aft, as fast as I could, along the afterend of the superstructure, and climbed up on a kind of step. I went under the barge, and by the time I went up on the superstructure this explosion had passed. The objects had stopped flying around. Then I saw on the starboard side there was an immense mass of foaming water and wreckage and groaning men out there. It was scattered around in a circle, I should say about a hundred yards in diameter, off on the starboard side. I immediately proceeded to lower the gig, with the help of another man. After I got that in the water several offi87 The "Maine" cers jumped in it, and one or two men. In the meantime somebody else was lowering the other boat on the port side. I heard some groans forward, and ran forward on the quarter-deck down the poop-ladder, and I immediately brought up on an immense pile of wreckage. I saw one man there, who had been thrown from somewhere, pinned down by a ventilator." THE COURT. "May I interrupt Mr. Hood a moment? He said several officers jumped into the gig. He does not say for what purpose or what they did. That might leave a bad impression unless he states what the object was." ANSWER. "They jumped into the gig, commanded to pick up these wounded men whom we heard out in the water. The orders had been given by the captain and the executive officer to lower the boats as soon as they came on deck. I spoke of lowering the gig because I was on the deck before they got up there, and began to lower it anyway, to pick up these men. As I was saying a minute ago, I found this one man lying there on the quarter-deck in this wreckage, pinned down by a ventilator. With Mr. Blandin's help we got him up just in time before the water rose over him. The captain and the executive officer ordered the magazines to be closed 88 THE CENTRA SUERSTRCTURE~ INCLUDiNG THE CONINCTOWER THROW UPSINE pow N u E~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Explosion [flooded]. We all saw at once that it would be no use flooding the magazines. We saw that the magazines were flooding themselves. Then the captain said he wanted the fire put out that was starting up in the wreckage. I made my way forward through the wreck and debris, up to the middle superstructure, to see if anything could be done toward putting out this fire. When I got there I found nothing could be done, because the whole thing was gone. "When I climbed up on this wreck on the superstructure I saw similar piles of wreckage on the port side which I had not seen before, and I saw some men struggling in that, in the water; but there were half a dozen boats there, I suppose, picking them up and hauling them out; and after pulling down some burning swings and things that were starting to burn aft, to stop any fire from catching aft, I came aft again out of the wreckage. There was no living thing up there at that time. Shortly after that we all left the ship. There were two distinct explosions, —big ones,- and they were followed by a number of smaller explosions, which I took at once to be what they were, I suppose-explosions of separate charges of the blown-up magazine. The instant this first explosion occurred I knew the ship was gone completely, and the 89 The "Maine" second explosion only assisted her to go a little quicker. She began to go down instantly. The interval between the two was so short that I only had time to turn my head and see the second. She sank on the forward end - went down like a shot. In the short time that I took to run the length of that short superstructure aft, the deck canted down, showing that her bow had gone at once. "At the same time the ship heeled over considerably to port, I should say about ten degrees, the highest amount, and then the stern began to sink very rapidly, too; so rapidly that by the time I got that gig lowered, with the assistance of another man or two, the upper quarter-deck was under water, and the stern was sinking so quickly that when I began to pick this man up, whom I spoke of on the quarter-deck, the deck was still out of water. Before I got this ventilator off him-it did n't take very long, as Mr. Blandin assisted to move that to get him up - the water was over my knees, and just catching this fellow's head, the stern was sinking that quickly. The bow had gone down, as I say, instantly." Special interest attaches to the personal experiences of Lieutenant John H. Blandin, who has since died. The disaster appeared to affect him greatly, and led, doubtless, to the impairment 90 The Explosion of his health. He had made an unusually long tour of continuous sea duty, and had suffered considerable disappointment because of his failure to secure his detachment from the Maine. For certain public reasons it had not been granted him, but it would have come soon. He said: "After the third quarter-watch at nine o'clock was piped down, I was on the starboard side of the deck, walking up and down. I looked over the side, and then went over to the port side and took a look. I don't remember seeing any boats at all in sight. I thought at the time the harbor was very free from boats. I thought it was about three bells, and I walked over to the port side of the deck, just abaft the after-turret. Mr. Hood came up shortly afterward, and was talking to me when the explosion occurred. I am under the impression that there were two explosions, though I could not be sure of it. Mr. Hood started aft to get on the poop to lower the boats, I suppose, and I followed him. Something struck me on the head. My cap was in my hand. My head was slightly cut, and I was partially knocked over, but not stunned. I climbed on the poop and went on the starboard side, and found Captain Sigsbee there. I reported to him. He ordered the boats lowered at once to pick up any of the wounded. The officers very rapidly got 91 The " Maine" on the poop, and there were one or two men there, but very few. "The barge and gig were lowered, and just then I heard a man crying out down on the quarter-deck. Iwent to the ladder, and I saw Mr. Hood trying to pull a ventilator off the man's legs. He was lying in the wreckage, jammed there. The water then was not deep. I went down and helped Mr. Hood to pull this ventilator off, and carried the man on the poop, with the help of Private Loftus, I think it was. It was a private man [marine]. Then the captain told Mr. Wainwright to see if anything could be done to put out the fire. Mr. Wainwright went forward to the middle superstructure, and shortly afterward came back and reported to the captain that it was hopeless to try to do anything. Then in a very few moments the captain decided that it was hopeless, and gave the order to abandon ship. Boats came from the Alfonso Doce, and two boats from the City of Washington, and those, with our boats, picked up the wounded and sent most of them, by the captain's order, to the A fonso. There were thirty-four sent there. We abandoned ship, the captain getting in his gig after everybody had left, and went to the City of Washington." One of the narrowest escapes of an officer was 92 9~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~9 H -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[?~ HZ1 ~ ~1. ~~ HZP HZJ HZiD HO~ ~i,, HZ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ini HZ3 H0c ial" H0~~~~~~~~~~~~ H~~~~~~~~~ rI H~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I: The Explosion that of Naval Cadet D. F. Boyd, Jr. I quote a large part of his report to me. It gives all that is known of the case of Assistant Engineer Darwin R. Merritt, who was drowned. "About nine-thirty, as well as I am able to judge, on the night of February 15, Assistant Engineer D. R. Merritt and I were sitting in the steerage [junior officers' mess-room] reading, when I heard a dull report, followed by the crashing of splinters and falling of the electric-light fixtures overhead. The lights were extinguished at the first report. I was struck by a small splinter and dazed for a moment. I grasped Mr. Merritt by the arm, exclaiming: 'Out of this! Up on deck!' Together we groped our way out of the steerage, and along the bulkhead in the after torpedoroom, where we met a cloud of steam and tremendous rush of water. The force of the water separated us, and as I was lifted off my feet, I caught a steam-heater pipe, and reached for the steerage-ladder. It was gone. I worked my way along the steam-pipe until I reached the port side of the ship. Water was rushing through the air-port, and as I reached the side, I heard some one cry: 'God help me! God help me!' I think it must have been Merritt. At that moment I found the two torpedoes that were triced up under the deck-beams, and twining my legs 93 The "Maine" around them, I worked my way inboard.' The water was then at a level of about one foot from the deck-beams. At that moment some burning cellulose flared up, and I was able to reach the hatch-coaming and work my way up on deck. I rushed on the poop, and there found Captain Sigsbee, Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright, Lieutenants Holman and Hood, and Naval Cadet Cluverius. The remaining boats were away, picking up these men in the water. LieutenantCommander Wainwright and I then went on the quarter-deck awning and on the middle superstructure to help out any wounded. "When the captain gave the order to abandon ship, we were brought over in the Ward line steamer City of Washington's boat. The boats present, as well as I remember, were two of our boats, two from the City of Washington, three from the A fonso XII, and several shore boats." The circumstances connected with the loss of Lieutenant Friend W. Jenkins have been involved in much mystery. Lieutenant Holman testified that he himself, together with Lieutenants Jungen and Jenkins and Chief Engineer 1 The ladders and hatches by deck, when the compartment was which the officers and others es- nearly full of water, and worked his caped were inboard from this tube. way to the hatch. Naval Cadet Boyd clasped his legs Lieutenant Jenkins's body was around the torpedoes slung to the found wedged against these torpeceiling, or underside of the main- does. 94 The Explosion Howell, were in the officers' mess-room. All were saved but Lieutenant Jenkins. Messattendant John H. Turpin (colored) was in the ward-room pantry, which is next forward of the officers' mess-room. In his testimony Turpin says: "It was a jarring explosion -just one solid explosion, and the ship heaved and lifted like that, and then all was dark. I met Mr. Jenkins in the mess-room, and by that time the water was up to my waist, and the water was running aft. It was all dark in there, and he hollered to me, and he says: 'Which way? I don't know what he meant by that. I says: 'I don't know which way.' He hollered again: 'Which way?' I says: 'I don't know, sir, which way.' And he hollered the last time; he says: 'Which way?' I says: 'I don't know, sir.' Then I was groping my way, and the water was up to my breast. Mr. Jenkins started forward, and then the whole compartment lit right up. That whole compartment where the torpedoes were lit right up, and I seen Mr. Jenkins then throw up both hands and fall, right by the steerage pantry. Then I groped my way aft, and got to the captain's ladder - the ladder coming out of the wardroom -just as you come out of the ward-room to go up in the cabin. When I got there the ladder was carried away, and somehow or other 95 The "' Maine" the man-rope kept fast upon the deck, but the ladder got adrift from it down below in the water. By that time the water was right up even with my chin. Then I commenced to get scared, and in fooling around it happened that a rope touched my arm, and I commenced to climb overhand and got on deck." Fireman William Gartrell was in the steeringengine room, two decks lower than the officers' mess-room. He was lower down in the ship than any other man that escaped. To reach the level of the officers' mess-rooms he had to run forward about twenty feet, pass through a doorway, spring across to a ladder, climb up two flights of ladders, and pass through another doorway a narrow and difficult route under the best of conditions (see profile of the Maine). I quote his testimony in part: "I could see through the door, sir. It was a kind of a blue flame, and it came all at once. The two of us jumped up, and I went on the port side up the engine-room ladder, and Frank Gardiner he went up the starboard side - at least, he did n't go up, because he hollered to me. He struck the door right there where the partition separates the two doors, and he must have struck his head. He hollered to me; he says: ' O Jesus, Billy, I am gone.' I did n't stop then, because the water 96 LIEUTENANT FIEND W. JKNKIFA~ ASSISTANT ENGINEER DARWIN gX yTT WHO WAS LOST. WHO WAS LONTE The Explosion was up to my knees. I made a breakas quick as I could up the ladder, and when I got up the ladder into the steerage-room the ladder was gone. Everything was dark. I could n't see nothing; everything was pitch-dark, and I gave up, or I started to give up. There was a colored fellow with me; I did n't know his name until afterward. His name was Harris. We got hold of each other. I says: 'Let's give up; there is no hope.' I started in to say a prayer the best I knew how, and I heard a voice. It must have been an officer; it could n't have been a man's voice, because he says: 'There is hope, men.' I knew from that that he was an officer. After that I seen a little light. It looked like an awful distance from me, but I made for that light, and when I got there it seemed like I could see the heavens. I got jammed in the ladder. My head was right up against the deck. I seen the ladder, and I caught hold of Harris, and the two of us hugged each other.... The ladder was hung crossways on top. There was n't no ladder that we could walk up. The ladder was up above us.... I don't know whether I got out first, or this colored fellow, but when I did get out I tried to say a prayer. I looked where I was, and I saw the heavens and everything, and I tried to say a prayer or something, and I 7 97 The " Maine " fainted away. I felt some one picking me up, and they throwed me overboard." The foregoing extracts refer to those who escaped from that part of the ship that was not destroyed. The fearful loss of life was forward. I believe only two men escaped from the berthdeck forward of the officers' quarters, the principal sleeping-quarters of the crew, namely, Charles Bergman, boatswain's mate, and Jeremiah Shea, coal-passer. I regret that I have no report of Shea's experience. He was sleeping below the great pile of wreckage that is the most prominent feature in the pictures of the wreck. Afterward, when asked to account for his miraculous escape, he replied: " I think I must be an armor-piercing projectile, sir." Bergman was turned in, in his hammock, which was swung from the beams in the forward crew-space, just abaft the "brig," or prison, on the starboard side. In his testimony Bergman says: "I heard a terrible crash, an explosion I suppose that was. Something fell, and then after that I got thrown somewhere in a hot place. Whereever that was I don't know. I got burned on my legs and arms, and got my mouth full of ashes and one thing and another. Then the next thing I was in the water - away under the water somewhere, with a lot of wreckage on top 98 The Explosion of me that was sinking me down. After I got clear of that I started to come up to the surface of the water again, and I got afoul of some other wreckage. I got my head jammed in, and I could n't get loose, so I let myself go down. Then it carried me down farther. I suppose when it touched the bottom somewhere it sort of opened out a bit, and I got my head out and started for the surface of the water again. I hit a lot of other stuff with my head, and then I got my head above the water. I got picked up by a Spanish boat, one of these shore boats, I think." The narratives of others might be continued at much greater length, but the advisability is lessened by the existence of a very complete record in the report of the court of inquiry. At 2 A. M. on the night of the explosion I lay down in a state-room of the City of Washington, hoping to get enough sleep to give me a clear head for the difficulties of the following day, which I knew would be great. The bunk was uncomfortable, the weather hot, and the stench from the harbor water disagreeable. A few feet from my state-room the wounded lay. Some of them groaned pitifully, and doubtless unconsciously; one had nausea. I tried hard to ignore all disturbances, but got very little sleep that night. At daylight I again went among the wounded 99 The "Maine" men. As I patted a wounded Japanese messman on the shoulder, the poor fellow looked greatly pleased, and made a futile effort to rise up and be respectful. Then I gazed long and sadly at the wreck of the Maine. How great the destruction! She had settled in the mud, and her poop-deck, where we had stood at the last moment, was under water. There was no part of her hull visible except that torn and misshapen mass amidships and three pieces of steel jutting out of the water farther forward, one of which was from the bottom plating of the ship. The forward part of the central superstructure had been blown upward and somewhat to starboard, and had folded back on its after-part, carrying the bridge, pilot-house, and six-inch gun and conning-tower with it, and completely capsizing them. The broad surface that was uppermost was the ceiling of the berth-deck, where many men had swung from beam to beam in their hammocks the night before. On the white paint of the ceiling was the impression of two human bodies,- mere dust,- so I was told afterward. The great pile was so torn, twisted, and confused with structural details that the identification of visible parts was only possible after careful study The foremast had toppled over forward and dis appeared. Only one end of the fore signal-yar i:i^ tr;:a i X I100 ;i,,,iiiiijii;iii:;o"pc"~;";8:Hi :IW:i:~~R:i8i?~:;,r;P;~i,,I,: c,~~:,,,,,;:n;,,l: I-~~~ rll , x~~,,;;x; j~*~i;c rc~r ~a"'j jlx8nElia s~~s i~~ ~ ~~,#x~m Il?i~"vcil~ nsx-ii-d aa~:,~~;; l'i r:,xJ ~Illi.rul~~ II~1I;~~ ~.i~,li~. ~:l;~i!~,irl.:~i~ 1..1~ ~~~~~~':~~ ~~~-~~~ii~ "':.~~i - i~,~~;;vi~ ~: s~s;i :,"8"';;~-~ ~~;;u,::;,~ I"'"~ ij:~ ~~ a dW.. ~Ii,, ~a:,..i. ~.-: —;,,,l,,,,!.,,.r::,.,;!. ~~n!1~11~:i!,,,,,,,,, i,;,,,, C ~~.,,,,: ~;, ~;. 6"1~,ic 5 " f,;;~ 8~ p ~8~~:,~,I, The Explosion was above water; this was well forward of everything else, and looked like a spar-buoy. Even the mooring-buoy had gone down. The cellulose from the coffer-dams was still burning. The Alfonso YII and the City of Washington had shifted their berths farther from the wreck during the night, to avoid the bursting rapid-fire ammunition. The Spanish patrol-boats were on duty. But saddest of all was the reflection that many dead were down there in the wreck, and that many homes were made desolate. It was not difficult to conceive what the day and the water would bring forth. My thoughts naturally turned toward Jenkins and Merritt, whose safety was in doubt; we had not wholly given them up for lost. Inquiries were made as to their movements the night before, but no hope could be built up. The officers of the Maine were in good physical condition that morning: none showed signs of nervous shock. The same is true of the uninjured men. None had saved more than he had upon him when the explosion came, and some had been wet by the filthy harbor water; kindhearted passengers and officers of the vessel had supplied deficiencies so far as possible, but we were a gruesome party. During the day the United States despatch-steamer Fern, Lieutenant-Commander W. C. Cowles commanding, IO0 The "' Maine? arrived. So did the steamer Mangrove of the United States Lighthouse Establishment, with Commander Samuel Belden, U. S. N., on board, and the American passenger-steamer Olivette of the Plant line. Assistant Surgeon Spear of the flagship New York and Surgeon Clendenin of the army post at Key West came to render assistance. The day after the explosion of the Maine, I sent to Key West, by the Olivette, every officer and man that could be spared or who could travel. My desire was to retain no one in Havana that could get away; and thereafter the wounded men were taken from the hospitals and sent to Key West as soon as they could bear the journey. Miss Clara Barton, in behalf of the Red Cross Society, offered to place a specially prepared hospital at my service for the wounded men. The offer was gratefully declined on the ground that any removal at all should be to Key West. I retained on duty in Havana LieutenantCommander Wainwright, Paymaster Ray, Dr. Heneberger, Chaplain Chidwick, Lieutenant Holman, and Naval Cadets Holden and Cluverius. I also retained my orderly, Private William Anthony, and a very worthy gunner's mate named Bullock. The greater part of that day was spent on the water, on board the visiting vessels already named, receiving reports, parting I02 The Explosion with the officers and men, and preparing for the work to come. In the forenoon I sent the following telegram to the Secretary of the Navy: Advise sending wrecking-vessel at once. Maine submerged except debris. Mostly work for divers now. Jenkins and Merritt still missing. Little hope for their safety. Those known to be saved are: officers, 24; uninjured, crew, I8; wounded now on Ward line steamer, in city hospitals and hotels, 59, so far as known. All others went down on board or near the Maine. Total lost or missing, 253. With several exceptions, no officer or man has more than a part of a suit of clothing, and that is wet with water. Ward steamer leaves for Mexico at 2 this afternoon. The officers saved are uninjured. Damage was in compartments of crew. Am preparing to telegraph list of saved and wounded. Olivette leaves for Key West at I P. M. Will send by her to Key West officers saved, except myself and Wainwright, Holman, Heneberger, Ray, and Holden. Will turn over three uninjured boats to captain of port, with request for safe-keeping. Will send all wounded men to hospital in Havana. The following telegram was received from the Secretary: The President directs me to express for himself and the people of the United States his profound sympathy with the officers and crew of the Maine, and desires that no expense be spared in providing for the survivors and caring for the dead. The Olivette and the City of Washington left during the afternoon, the latter for Vera Cruz, Mexico, the wounded men having been transferred from her to the San Ambrosio Hospital. I03 The " Maine" At 4 P. M. I went ashore and took up my quarters at the Hotel Inglaterra, where General Lee lived. Others of the Maine's officers were there with me or at another hotel near by. LieutenantCommander Wainwright preferred to remain on board the Fern with his friend, LieutenantCommander Cowles. Anthony and Bullock went with me to the Inglaterra. This hotel occupies a central position with respect to the harbor, the palace, the cable office, the consulate, the morgue, and the cemetery. It was the rational residence for me at the time. I remained there about a week. There were many evidences that the people of Havana, as a body, gave us sincere sympathy, at least at that time. That day, General Lee, whose opportunity for judging was better than mine, sent the following telegram to the Department of State: Profound sorrow expressed by government and municipal authorities, consuls of foreign nations, organized bodies of all sorts, and citizens generally. Flags at half-mast on governorgeneral's palace, on shipping in harbor, and in city. Business suspended; theaters closed. Dead number about 260. Officers' quarters being in rear and seamen's forward, where explosion took place, accounts for greater proportional loss of sailors. Funeral to-morrow at 3 P. M. Officers Jenkins and Merritt still missing. Suppose you ask that naval court of inquiry be held to ascertain cause of explosion. Hope our people will repress excitement and calmly await decision. 104 BOTTOMTLATING; PROTECTI DECK~ AND SECOND LONGITUDINAL SHOWING VE THE WATER. The Explosion The swirl of responsibilities in which I found myself can well be understood. I had lost my vessel and more than two hundred and fifty of my crew in a foreign port, politically unfriendly at least, where I could not command the resources that were needed. It was a land of one creed. The recovery of the dead was reported to me hour after hour; more were down in the wreck. State papers must be recovered, the vessel protected, the dead assembled, coffined, and buried. Bereaved families and friends would be emotional, and might not be satisfied with my measures. There were questions of diplomacy, policy, investigation, resources, and expense; there were telegrams, private and official, to answer and to frame, during the day and far into the night, and statistics to gather and report. The situation was complex and trying. Although without personal dread of the responsibility as relating to myself or my career, I was much concerned to do only that which would meet the approval of my own government and of the relatives of the deceased men of the Maine. We were face to face with innumerable difficulties when a large measure of relief came from an unexpected source. That night General Blanco, accompanied by the mayor of Havana, visited me at the hotel, where they personally 105 The " Maine" expressed their sympathy and made offers of service. They requested that the authorities of Havana be allowed to give public burial to the dead already recovered from the Maine, in order that public sympathy and sorrow might be shown, and honor done the dead. While it seemed probable that the acceptance of this offer would not meet with approval on all sides among Americans who were most concerned, it was accepted with suitable acknowledgments. General Lee thought as I did in the matter. It is gratifying to remember that we were always in harmony. Relative to the visit of General Blanco and the mayor of Havana, I sent the following telegram to the Secretary of the Navy: General Blanco called on me personally at the hotel last night, and also the mayor of the city. They have requested me to permit the government here to give a public burial to the dead already found, in order that public sympathy may be expressed thereby, and due honor shown the dead. Ground for the burial has been secured. It is assumed that I am expected by the department to bury the dead here. In fact, it would be impracticable to transport remains to the United States. Means and facilities are lacking. I have accepted the offer of the authorities, and there will be a public funeral at 3 o'clock to-day. All here from the Maine will go; also a delegation from the Fern. Fifteen bodies recovered during operations. [Further] operations prevented by rough weather. On the afternoon of February 17, funeral services were held over nineteen bodies, the first I06 The Explosion that were recovered. It was only necessary for the officers of the Maine to attend the funeral as mourners for the dead. We were notified that we were to appear at three o'clock at the municipal palace, which forms part of the building in which the government of the island is quartered, and in which the captain-general has his residence. On entering one of the state apartments, we found nineteen coffins, covered with mourning emblems of various kinds and from all classes of people, bearing the names of individuals and organizations - civic, military, and naval. No greater demonstration of sympathy could have been made. At the gathering in the municipal palace I conversed with Dr. Congosto, and asked him to present me to the Bishop of Havana. Appreciating the sentiments of the relatives of those who were lost, I had previously asked Chaplain Chidwick if some arrangement could not be made whereby prayers might be read over the Protestant dead by a Protestant clergyman or by myself. He had referred the question to the bishop, who had politely negatived the proposition. I did not like this, because I desired to do everything in my power to comfort the families and friends of the deceased men; therefore, when I was presented to the bishop, I renewed my request, with a statement of the difficulties of I07 The "' Maine" the case. The bishop was very kind, but had to regret his inability to concede the point. I was much disturbed; in fact, I was indignant, for my mood in the presence of those coffins was one requiring great effort at self-repression; therefore I remarked to Dr. Congosto that if I had been fully prepared for a refusal I should probably not have felt free to accept the offer of the Spanish authorities to take charge of the funeral ceremonies- that I should have preferred to take them under my own charge, in such a way that I could have given to each creed freedom to bury its dead after its own forms. In this I was doubtless lacking in tact. Nevertheless I was sincere. My position, sentimentally, was so difficult that I felt that I could speak plainly to Dr. Congosto, who, as I have already said, had lived in the United States. In my opinion, the Bishop of Havana and Chaplain Chidwick were quite acceptable to officiate at the grave of any Christian: but this was not a matter for my opinion alone; others were to be considered. Having failed in my second request, I next requested that Chaplain Chidwick might officiate at the grave. This was promptly granted. I had brought to the palace an Episcopal prayerbook, which I had procured at the last minute, intending to read the service myself, for no ProtIo8 Aii FUNERAL OF NINETEEN OF THE "MAINES" DEAD FROM THE MUNICIPAL PALAVEt HAVAN. The Explosion estant clergyman could be found in Havana; and, in fact, I did read the service, a part at a time, as opportunity offered, chiefly in the carriage on the way to the cemetery, and afterward in my room at the hotel. The funeral cortege was very imposing. In addition to the hearses, there were many carriages and also a large military, naval, and civic escort, provided by the Spaniards. Even the poor reconcentrados were in line. No such demonstration had been made in Havana for very many years; in fact, I was informed that it had not been paralleled, except in one instance, in the history of Havana. The Bishop of Havana went to the cemetery in person, which, I was also informed, was a most unusual mark of sympathy. As the procession passed through the streets it seemed that all the people of Havana were present along the route, in respectful sympathy. At a certain point the carriages were stopped; the occupants alighted and marched, as an additional act of respect, for some distance, when they again entered the carriages and proceeded therein through the suburbs to the Colon Cemetery, one of the most beautiful that I have ever seen. The carriages were left just within the entrance, and the procession continued to the grave on foot. I09 The "' Maine" After the burial I again presented myself to the bishop, and apologized for having made a request which could not meet. his approval. I thanked him for his sympathy and kindness, and assured him that I believed he had gone to the utmost limits of his authority. He replied that he had done all that he could, and drew attention to the fact that he had buried all of the Maine's men in the same plot of ground, without respect to creed, Protestant or Catholic. It was quite true, and the ground was given for all time to the United States, without expense. After the funeral, I sent the following telegram to the Navy Department: Nineteen of Maine's dead were buried this afternoon, with great civil, ecclesiastical, naval, and military ceremonies, and with all the resources of Havana brought into requisition. The Spanish government, under express directions of General Blanco, the Bishop of Havana, General Parrado, Admiral Manterola, and the mayor of Havana, took complete charge of all arrangements. The bodies were first laid in state in the building of the civil government of Havana, where they were covered with floral and other emblems suitable to the occasion, which were presented by officials and other persons of Havana, of all shades of political opinion. They were escorted to the cemetery by representatives of all military, naval, and civil organizations, and foreign consular officers, and through a vast concourse of people spreading over the route. General Lee, myself, and officers and men of the Maine now here, together with Lieutenant-Commander I O The Explosion Cowles and members of the Fern's crew, were given special carriages and conveniences. Ground for the burial of all the Maine's dead has been presented by General Blanco and the Bishop of Havana. The utmost sympathy and respect have been shown. I am informed by the authorities that this is the second instance only of such a demonstration having been shown to foreigners in the history of Havana. It is inconceivable that a greater demonstration could have been made. V To me personally a great number of people have expressed sympathy for the Maine and for the United States government and people. The remainder of the dead must, perforce, be buried with brief ceremony, which will be conducted by ourselves, but the care and preparation of the remains will be with the Spanish authorities. About forty in addition to those buried have come ashore to-day. Very few are now recognizable. Even in the case of some of those who are hurt, but live, recognition is difficult. I have not for a moment lost sight of the grief of the families and friends of the members of my crew, but I beg the department to explain to them that it is impracticable, in fact impossible, to send bodies home. Facilities are lacking, and embalmment is necessary to secure shipment, even under the most favorable circumstances. Embalming is only imperfectly done here. Will wire all cases of identification. I maintain organization among my small force here, but it can be well understood that the execution of the work with which we are charged is one of much detail and difficult of execution. It is believed that all of the department's telegrams have reached me. I am deeply grateful for the helpful sentiments and directions telegraphed by the President and the department. I have the earnest help of all the officers of the Maine now here, which was to be expected under all circumstances. A previous telegram sent to-day gives the names of those buried by the Spanish authorities. The flags of all vessels, naval and merchant, in Havana harbor have been at III The " Maine" half-mast yesterday and to-day. Shall send Mangrove back to Key West to-morrow with eight wounded. Will wire names later. Dr. Clendenin of the army will remain with the wounded. Assistant Surgeon Spear also came with the Mangrove, but will be detained here on board the Fern, to accompany others of the wounded when they are ready to be removed. Will put some divers at work to-morrow. Divers requested of Admiral Sicard will be here Saturday morning by the Olivette. Recovery of Maine's battery impracticable, except by regular wrecking outfit. The burial of those nineteen men ended the official demonstration on the part of the Spaniards, which was proper. Thereafter, having been furnished the facilities for subsequent burials, we were allowed to proceed in our own way. Chaplain Chidwick, assisted by a most devoted and kind-hearted undertaker, a Spaniard, identified the bodies, and saw them prepared for the grave. After that he conducted the burials so long as we continued to inter the bodies at Havana. When it became possible to forward them to Key West by steamer, they were sent in that way and buried at Key West. Surgeon Heneberger gave his attention to the wounded and to mortuary statistics, while Paymaster Ray quietly, and with the greatest promptness, managed the financial intricacies of the situation. I felt that I took upon myself a great moral responsibility in burying the Maine's dead at I 12 RPM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~..~ GRAVE OF THE "MAIXE%'o DEAD IN THE CEMETERY AT HAVANA.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~l~ The Explosion Havana; but in the tropics it was necessary to bury the dead very promptly, which may well be imagined. Fault was found with me on some sides by a few patriotic citizens of the United States for permitting the Spanish authorities to bury our dead; but I thought that I knew the administration of our government and the people of the United States well enough to count on their approval of my course as the only one practicable in the circumstances in which we were so unfortunately placed. Results showed that I was not mistaken. It is exceedingly difficult for the American mind to comprehend certain subsequent proceedings of the Spanish officials. It can be explained only on the ground that Spanish authority in Cuba has so long been dominant and exacting that Spanish officials do not know how to unbend in a practical way, as we understand it, however much they may concede in the way of sentiment and sympathy. I have stated that on the night of the disaster I requested the captain of the cruiser A fonso XII to place patrol-boats about the Maine to guard her from intrusion. The request was complied with, and thereafter, for many days, the Spanish boats kept up their patrol. Nobody was allowed to approach the wreck without proper authority; but at first their 8 113 The (' Maine" vigilance extended, adversely, even to the captain and officers of the Maine. On the first or second day after the explosion, I myself attempted to go on board the wreck. I was stopped by a Spanish patrol-boat, which refused to allow me on board, even when it was explained that I was the captain of the Maine. My first impulse was to ignore the boats and force a passage on board; but, on second thought, I went on board the Alfonso XII, and suggested to her captain that the Spanish boats had misconceived their orders, since they had declined to allow me to board the wreck. The captain explained that it was simply a matter of identification, and that he would give me certain passes for myself and officers whereby I could pass the patrol. I approved this plan on the ground that, having asked him to set the patrol, it was only proper that I should support him in demanding complete identification. But I could not undertand why passes had not been sent me before. Shortly afterward I became very much conicerned at the slow recovery of bodies. It was evident that many were down in the wreck. I knew that relatives and friends would be urgent at the Navy Department, and it was very necessary to respect their sentiments. I felt it very keenly. At the American consulate I had met 114 The Explosion certain Cuban divers, and arranged that they\/ should visit me the next day with a view to going down in the Maine for the recovery of bodies. These divers afterward disposed of their services to an American newspaper correspondent, who visited me in their company. He offered -as I then knew, by direction of his paper -to send down the divers entirely at the expense of his paper, for the avowed purpose of recovering the, dead. I suspected at the time that his paper ^ ~x had directed him to make an investigation: of the wreck of the Maine. Of course I declined anyeffort to anticipate the official investigation; but finally, when the correspondent surrendered his divers to me and placed them absolutely under my direction, I sent them over to the wreck with an officer, with instructions to allow them to make a descent, under his super- intendence, for the sole purpose of recoverin l[odies.) The party was stopped by the Spanish boats with the remark that "no American diver could go down without a Spanish diver, and no Spanish diver without an American diver." I also was not allowed to go on board to hoist the national ensign. This was taking charge. of matters unjustifiably. In respect to these several hindrances, I had received no notification in advance. However grateful I was for "15 The " Maine " the good offices of the Spanish officials, I could not concede such a state of things. Shortly after these incidents, and while I was preparing to visit the A 4fonso XII to protest, her captain chanced to come aboard the Fern to make a return visit of ceremony, I believe, to that vessel's commander, Lieutenant- Commander Cowles. I stated the case to the Spanish captain, and asked if the Spanish boatmen had misconstrued his orders. He was requested to take such measures as would insure me thereafter access to the wreck of the Maine without any interference, on the presentation of a pass or identification paper. He was somewhat embarrassed, and courteously explained that he was obeying the orders of Admiral Manterola, to whom I should appeal. I assured him that I fully realized that he must obey his orders, and said that I would carry the case higher. Then the conversation was changed to more agreeable topics. It was not my intention to apply to the Admiral, because I felt that the case should be taken from the hands of subordinates. The matter was reported to General Lee, who made an appointment for us with Captain and Governor-General Blanco. When we visited General Blanco, there were present, besides himself, x16 Tinismianr Bloomer Hack. Hewe~ Im t Goir f *imn: o — Eian ertn irt Bonn.9, THE MAINENS BASEBAIL NISE AS ORGANIZED AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION Thi gZii a '115 LZd iA K d Y W g were~ ost-~~.~~~t1 E~l~:i~ e xet-~XB m r wo wstes1 m a e asXs er x )li e atws 1 t s f r The Explosion only Dr. Congosto, General Lee, and myself. General Lee recited the circumstances to which I have already referred; he did it gravely and with due composure. Although outwardly composed, I was naturally indignant that an officer in my difficult position should be hedged in with vexatious restrictions, and determined to demand that they be ended. I suggested to General Lee that I, as a naval officer, understood international comity as applying to my command, for which reason I hoped that he would trust me to state my view of the case. He at once complied. I then reminded General Blanco, through Dr. Congosto, who acted as interpreter, that the Maine had entered the port of Havana with, at least, the implied assent of the Spanish government; that having so entered, she was constructively under the protection of the Spanish government and entitled to extraterritorial courtesy and to exemptions from local jurisdiction and control, as recognized in international law. So far as her internal affairs were concerned, she was entitled, under international usage and courtesy, to be considered a part of the territory of her own country, and under the direction of her own commanding officer, who was responsible to his government. Nevertheless, an attempt 117 The " Maine" had been made to keep me out of my command while my pennant was flying at the masthead; and Admiral Manterola had undertaken to say when I could or could not be permitted to visit my command. I stated further that so long as my pennant flew I could yield no part of my responsibility without orders, and I hoped he would remove restrictions. General Blanco urged that there should be a joint investigation; that a Spanish law required a Spanish investigation, and Spanish honor was involved. To which I replied that I recognized that the Spanish government had a moral right to investigate the loss of the Maine, but that any investigation by the Spanish government within the ship should, properly, be pursued after an appeal directly to the United States government. I said that although I did not believe the United States would consent to a joint investigation, it was probable that the government would desire that Spain should have an opportunity to make an independent investigation. General Lee took the same ground, and entered into the discussion generally. We both agreed that we should take pleasure in approving to the United States government an independent investigation by the Spanish government. General Blanco yielded with the remark 118 The Explosion that, if the interior of the vessel was subject to the control of the United States, the outside was under the control of Spain. I then said that I should refrain from exploring the harbor. Dr. Congosto replied with some spirit, "You may, if you like." Knowing that the remark should not be taken seriously, I again disclaimed any intention of pursuing our operations into the region surrounding the Maine. The interview was ended pleasantly with the promise of General Blanco to issue immediate orders to Admiral Manterola to give me access to the Maine thereafter. That day the United States national ensign was hoisted, and then hauled down to half-mast, where it remained always, day and night, during the remainder of my stay at Havana. The ensign on board a national ship is hauled down at sundown, and is not again hoisted until eight o'clock the following morning. Since the Maine was blown up at 9:40 P. M., it is apparent why her flag was not up until I hoisted it on that occasion. In keeping it up, day and night, I desired to make it clear that interference with the ship was interference with the flag. Most of the photographs of the wreck of the Maine show the flag at half-mast. The incident which I have related made my position stronger thereafter, so far as pertained II9 The "Maine" to my own control of the Maine. It was not again questioned until just before my departure from Havana. Notwithstanding the sympathy with the survivors of the Maine evinced in Havana, the local press was not friendly. Certain papers made petty and unfavorable remarks about me, quite different from those in the press of the United States in respect to Captain Eulate personally, when the Vizcaya visited New York, while the excitement over the loss of the Maine was at its highest. On the other hand, a part of our press was merciless toward the Spaniards generally, and this did not tend to make more comfortable the position of the survivors of the Maine at Havana. There was reason to believe that the tone of these papers was galling to the Spaniards. At the funeral of nineteen men of the Maine on February 9, I had worn a civilian's sack suit. I had nothing else. Lieutenant-Commander Cowles of the Fern was in uniform, and quite generally passed as Captain Sigsbee. One of the Havana papers - one can hardly say newspapers - made a sneering comment, even at that time, at my having appeared in uniform, although my uniform had been reported lost. The Spanish press has persisted in declaring that I and many 120 INSTIREL GROUP WHO PERFRME AT THENTERTAMENT (IV BY TE CREW OF THE MAINE" TO TE CREW OF THE COLUMBIAThe i h tall hat and A tpi shirt i h Walh, c okwai of hte captain's gig, who was killed; the ma in cok' cot a the r ight,p rivate marice Joseph Lutzw wvas saied; ad it now Captin Sigsbee's ordee ly oc booe d th e t] o F X 1 9 ) a a: a I I I If 9 )3 ) 13 1 1 a I The Explosion other officers of the Maine were not on board at the time of the explosion. Spanish officials everywhere in Havana knew to the contrary. I have been informed that a Spanish officer, on the eve of leaving the United States, where he had been a prisoner, having been captured in honorable fight, thought fit to assert that I had wept in Havana, and deplored the ending of my naval career. The report seems incredible, and it would be undignified to deny so absurd a statement. My own reserve heretofore has not failed of appreciation on the Spanish side. After the war was opened, a Spanish officer of high rank at Havana sent me his kind regards by returned prisoners. On February 20 I visited the San Ambrosio Hospital to see the wounded men. There had been some cases of yellow fever at the hospital, and we felt concern at that fact, but there was probably no hospital in Havana where yellow fever had not been present at one time or another. There can be no doubt that the Spaniards gave us the benefit of the best they had at their disposal. To enter the ward where our men were installed it was necessary to pass through a ward of Spanish ihvalids, many of whom appeared to be convalescent. At the entrance of 121 The "Maine" the ward set aside for our use there was exhibited a characteristic bit of Spanish courtesy. On the wall was a placard demanding that all who entered that room should remove their hats. I visited each cot and talked with each patient, asked his location on board the Maine at the time of the explosion, his sensations and experiences, and wished him speedy recovery. They seemed delighted to welcome me, and said pleasant things, in forgetfulness of their own sufferings. At that hospital, Andrew V. Erikson, seaman, and Carl A. Smith, seaman, had died on the i8th, Alfred J. Holland, cockswain, on the g9th, and Harry Jectson, seaman, and Frank Fisher, ordinary seaman, on the day of my visit. George A. Koebler, apprentice, firstclass, and Frederick C. Holzer, ordinary seaman, both young and excellent men, were very low. Koebler was a handsome, cheery, willing, and capable apprentice, equally a pronounced favorite forward and aft. When there was doubt as to the proper man to employ for any confidential service, young Koebler was generally selected. He was in everything that was going on, on board the Maine, and had lately been married in Brooklyn, New York. It was his habit to come to me occasionally and ask my advice in his private affairs. I found that he accepted it f e 122 Ai o; o,: The Explosion it and acted upon it. He was delirious during my visit, but in some way became aware of my presence as soon as I entered the ward. He kept calling for me, so I visited him out of his regular turn. Imagining that the Maine was to go to New Orleans and leave him at the hospital, he declared that he was able to go on board, that it was not right to leave him there, and appealed to me to take him with me. But he became perfectly quiet and resigned when I assured him that the Maine should never leave Havana without him. It was very affecting. Poor fellow! he died on the 22d. Holzer seemed in better condition than Koebler, and gave us the hope that he would recover. His mind was clear. When I took his hand he said: "Captain, I 'm sorry such bad luck has come upon you." I replied: ' Thank you, Holzer; I fear you have sailed with the wrong captain this time." He disputed the point with such nice consideration that my hope for him was strengthened, but he died on the 25th. Holzer was Chaplain Chidwick's assistant at religious services; the chaplain had a high regard for him, and felt his loss keenly, as we all did. It was not until February 23 that I managed to read newspapers from the United States. The tone of the press toward me and the officers and 123 The " Maine" men surprised and pleased me. It was sympathetic and commendatory, and without rebuke. The importance attached to my first telegram was far beyond my anticipation. Although I had hoped that some good effect might flow from the despatch, it had not entered my mind that it would reflect on me in a laudatory sense. It was hardly possible that a captain who had just lost his ship should look further than exoneration so soon afterward. 124 Enslg~ owekon: (witness}. Captai a Chadw ask. T e Jadge-Adaie, LhCA Mii Offia Sbraphe THE COURT OP 1iQUlRY ON BOAR THE T HMARGROVE, III THE WRECKING AND THE INQUIRY M UCH interest was excited by the arrival in Havana of the first lot of American newspapers received after the loss of the Maine. A Spanish officer of high rank whom I visited showed me a New York paper of February 17 in which was pictured the Maine anchored over a mine. On another page was a plan showing wires leading from the Maine to the shore. The officer asked me what I thought of that. It was explained that we had no censorship in the United States; that each person applied his own criticism to what he saw and read in the papers. Apparently the Spanish officer could not grasp the idea. The interview was not at all unfriendly, and he took it in good part when it was pointed out that the Havana newspapers were very unfair toward me, without respect to my situation in their port. I asserted that if the I2 The " Maine" American newspapers gave more than the news, the Spanish newspapers gave less than the news: it was a question of choice. When the Spanish officer reverted to those illustrations of the Maine, I argued in this wise: The Maine blew up at 9: 40 P. M. on the 15th; the news reached the United States very early on the morning of the I6th. This newspaper went to press about 3 A. M. on the morning of the 17th. It took time to draw those pictures and reproduce them. The inference was clear: the newspaper must have been possessed of a knowledge of the mine before the Maine was blown up. Therefore it disturbed me to guess why I had not been told of the danger. This had the required effect, and the newspaper was dropped out of the conversation. The American newspaper correspondent in Havana was a bugaboo to the Spaniards, from the censor to others all along the line. Nobody but the censor seemed to be able to stop him, and even the censor could not control more than the cable despatches. I remember that one correspondent complained that he was not allowed to say that Captain Sigsbee was reticent. He was made to say that Captain Sigsbee was reserved. The censor thought it a question of courtesy. The correspondents were active, enerI26 The Wreckin and the Inquiry geti and even aggressive in their efforts to 'et aI the news The people of the United States demandteLd the news, and they got it It was soon plain to me that the corresondeths were under strict orders frmf their papers- orders more mandatory and diffilt of execution than those commonly issued in the naval srW v Very early I applied a certain rule i of conduct to these entemen and it worked to per5 ifction I never mpugned i thiur motitves nor deni ed myself to them When it was possible to see them, never SUBWORS AT TEA fl misled them, nor gave any U x. S one correspondent the start O T in the running If I had I news that could properly be given I ave it If what I knw 1d ot be I dso ifo tm frnkly I could not give "inrviw" can correspondenft in Haivna. No more sincere shown me than by these correspondets. Dur*ing the itti of the court of iqi when I c ld notproMpry converse on te subect of... '* 127 I~~~~sr 1~~~~II~I 1 ~~~~~~~a ai9~~ The "Maine" news, which they were under extreme pressure to provide. Their approval in the matter was expressed both sentimentally and tangibly when I was leaving Havana, of which more i later. Every mail brought me many letters from e United States and abroad. In the aggregate there were hundreds of them. More than half were letters of approval and commendation. Many were from the families of the dead and wounded men. The latter were answered at once; the former so far as opportunity permitted, but many remain unanswered because of the constant emergency, both great and small, that has pressed upon me since the loss of the Maine. I read every letter from mourning relatives, but the harrowing nature of their contents made it absolutely impossible for me to answer them personally, burdened as I was by urgent and unwonted duties. It was touching to note that most of them contained apologies for appealing to me while I was pressed with other duties. They were indorsed with suitable directions as to writing or telegraphing, and then given over to Chaplain Chidwick and Naval Cadet Holden for reply. From what I have written, it may be inferred that Chaplain Chidwick did this duty thoroughly well. So did Mr. HolI28 w a.:" i*F 8,,~ D rWir! I CI 111 11 i~n.n (i 1~~. IrbHI"" leY1IJlrmsrl::.~I~~ 5?gjj i~ liilL i:"" llE il~l,:'liiE [,gy C The Wrecking and the Inquiry den; he was my right hand, in many ways, at Havana, and saved me much work and anxiety. His judgment, ability, and sense of duty and loyalty were strikingly admirable. He is one of the best examples of what the Naval Academy can produce when the basic material is of the right kind. My personal relations with General Blanco and Admiral Manterola, and, in fact, with all the Spanish officials, remained cordial until the last; there was no interruption whatever. Soon after the explosion I received a personal visit from Admiral Manterola at the Hotel Inglaterra. He was accompanied by his aide, a lieutenant in the Spanish navy. Our interpreter was a very intelligent clerk of the hotel, Mr. Gonzales. Admiral Manterola had ordered an inquiry, on the part of the Spanish government, into the cause of the explosion. We talked freely, because I desired to let it be known that I had no fear of an investigation, and believed that the United States would be impartial. The admiral assumed from the first that the explosion was from the interior of the vessel. He asked if the dynamo-boilers had not exploded. I told him we had no dynamo-boilers. He said that the plans of the vessel, as published, showed that the guncotton store-room, or magazine, was 9 129 The " Maine" forward near the zone of the explosion. He was informed that those plans had been changed, and that the guncotton was stowed aft, under the captain's cabin, where the vessel was virtually intact. He pointed out that modern gunpowders were sometimes very unstable. This was met by the remark that our powder was of the old and stable brown prismatic kind, and that we had no fancy powder. He referred to the probable effect of boilers, lighted, near the forward coal-bunkers, which were adjacent to the magazines. This again was met with the remark that for three months no boiler in the forward boilercompartment had been lighted; that while in port the two aftermost boilers in the ship had been doing service. Apparently Admiral Manterola was not inclined to accept anything but an interior cause. I remarked that our own investigation would be exhaustive, and that every possible interior cause would be included. He seemed desirous of knowing the tendency of my views, and I was equally concerned to know what he thought. I ventured to say that a few persons of evil disposition, with conveniences at hand, if so inclined, could have blown up the Maine from the outside; that there were bad men everywhere as well as good men. He turned to the interpreter and I30 The Wrecking and the Inquiry said something which I could not understand; evidently he did not like that view. I caught enough of the interpreter's protest to him, and also of the aide's, to understand that they advised him to be conciliatory toward me. Their glances were directed toward him to the same effect. I appeared not to observe anything unusual, but went on to say that any investigation which did KEY RECOVERED FROM THE WRECK OF THE "MAINE." not consider all possible exterior causes, as well as all possible interior causes, would not be accepted as exhaustive, and that the United States government would not come to any conclusion in advance as to whether the cause was exterior or interior. Admiral Manterola conceded the point very politely, and soon after the visit terminated in the usual friendly way. On the afternoon of March i there was a great I31 The " Maine" demonstration on the water and along the waterfront. Aerial bombs were thrown up for some hours, and the excitement intensified toward sundown. Shortly after sunset the Spanish armored cruiser Vizcaya arrived from New York. Her entrance excited great enthusiasm among the Spaniards. Many boats and steamers were present to give her welcome. There were streamers and flags flying on shore, and the wharves were crowded with people. It was reported to me that there were cries of "Down with the Americans!" It was different from an American demonstration; it was childlike, even pathetic. Lieutenant-Commander Cowles of the Fern and I went on shore in the thick of the crowd, and, pressing through the narrow gateway leading from the Machina to the city streets, pursued our way quite as usual. After the arrival of the Vizcaya Americans at Havana remained serene in the knowledge of that fine fleet over at Tortugas. The Maine was a thing of the past, but the fleet was a thing of the future. By that time the atmosphere at Havana was waxing volcanic with the promise of war, but the Spaniards apparently gave no heed to our fleet, which could then have destroyed Havana in short order. Lieutenant-Commander Cowles, as the junior 132 i~"~~-':';~ I" i"" 1-11 ""~~ ii,;i.US il~Hil ii, i ~ia~E lil:g 11111 ~~-: i~1~~lli ~~1 ' ~" ~r,,~ ;; '"". I~~."" L C' "Y —~ a~i;..r ~i~~",~`s;:~~ ~i, b;s-;;ni~ 11111,,,i..I.;":~;I ;'c~.c,~a. i5 1, '~wl "HI 8, I ~a ..~~~~ L sr ~-~:~ ~ ..I;.., I~~p~' ~, `l~~Ta;E ' ~~~i;"l; ~~:~:~ :~lilE:~ pi.~~a:~'i i lil.i iiiiiiiiiiiiiii;i "',a. E1B ---L1-:s-ir -i-:-iiiiii-r::IE r~: I ~P; ' ~ x;n ~~., ~,~A~:'~88,,,,i:, w IIAII"AI"IIElul ucwrirlur:.l~.ID;i'n;W~ ~~ ,:I~:~:811in ~~ I ~;~'-~~ ~ ~;,Er ~: *I ~~ i I s p `1111 i5iE I;i i~~~ I~x *.0 a The Wrecking and the Inquiry in rank, made the first visit of ceremony to Captain Eulate of the Vizcaya, and informed him that I was quartered on board the Fern. Captain Eulate then visited me on board. I was in citizen's clothes, having lost all my uniforms. A seaman of the Fern interpreted for us. Captain Eulate addressed himself chiefly to LieutenantCommander Cowles until the interpreter chanced to mention my name, when Captain Eulate turned in surprise and asked if I was Captain Sigsbee of the Maine. He took in the situation at once, arose, and, with an exclamation, threw his arms about me and gave expression to his sympathy. He afterward spoke pleasantly of his rather extensive acquaintance with United States naval officers. On March 5 the Spanish armored cruiser Almirante Oquendo, a sister ship of the Vizcaya, arrived at Havana amid demonstrations similar to those which had greeted the Vizcaya. Then the Spanish element of the populace was steeped in happiness and contentment. The lost power of the sunken Maine was manifestly exceeded by that of the Spanish ships. Assuredly there was much reason for their exhibition of pride, for the Spanish cruisers were fine specimens of naval architecture. They were visited day after day by the people of Havana, and were, therefore, 133 The "Maine" almost constantly surrounded by boats during visiting-hours. The two cruisers were much alike. A bead or molding under the coat of arms on the stern was painted black on one and yellow on the other, and this was about as striking a distinction as could be observed. Once when I remarked to Captain Eulate the similarity, he smiled and claimed there was a difference in his favor: the Vizcaya had a silk flag and some Galician bagpipers, which the Oquendo had not. After the arrival of the Vizcaya I was informed that the Fern would soon leave Havana to take food to the reconcentrados in other ports. It was intended that I and others, including the divers, should quarter ourselves aboard the Mangrove. I reported to Rear-Admiral Sicard that the Mangrove had not quarters sufficient for us. It was necessary to safeguard the health of the divers very carefully; their work in the foul water of the harbor compelled this. It was also pointed out that I would be left without uniformed officers to employ for naval visits and courtesies. Accordingly, the Montgomery, Commander George A. Converse, arrived on March 9, to relieve the Fern, which left the same day. The Montgomery, a handsome and efficient ship, presented a fine appearance from the city. This relief of vessels gave rise to an incident 134 The Wrecking and the Inquiry which, by confusion, has produced the impression, rather wide-spread in the United States, that the Maine's berth was shifted by the Spanish officials after her arrival at Havana. It has already been stated that she remained continuously at the same mooring-buoy. The Fern had been lying at the buoy nearest the Machina and the wreck of the Maine, No. 4 of Chart 307, the same that had served for the Alfonso XII prior to the explosion. In expectation of the arrival of the Montgomery, the Fern had procured a pilot in the forenoon of the 9th. The prospective coming of the Montgomery had been announced to the Spanish officials, and it had been arranged with the pilot that the Montgomery should succeed to the Fern's buoy. To avoid confusion, the Fern vacated the buoy several hours in advance and rode to her own anchor near the wreck. As soon as she had shifted her berth, a Spanish naval officer, representing the captain of the port, visited the Fern, and informed me that a buoy to the southward of the wreck, No. 6 of Chart 307, would be given to the Montgomery, as the Alfonso XII was under orders from Admiral Manterola to take the moorings vacated by the Fern. I at once sent an officer to Admiral Manterola with a note requesting that the Montgomery be permitted to take the Fern's buoy,'35 The " Maine" in view of its close proximity to the wreck, -if consistent with the necessities of the Spanish ship. The A fonso XII reached the buoy before the officer reached the admiral. A prompt reply was returned, saying that the change had been made in order that the Spanish cruiser might be near the Machina, which was more convenient for the prosecution of work on her boilers, but that she would be moved back if I so desired. Before I could make known my wishes the Alfonso XII hauled off and took another berth. I then visited Admiral Manterola personally, and requested that the Alfonso XII keep the Fern's buoy, and that I be permitted to anchor the Montgomery where the Fern was then lying. The admiral declined to entertain the proposition, courteously insisting that the Montgomery should have the desired buoy. He stated that the captain of the port had mistaken his orders, or that there had been a misunderstanding of some kind. The Montgomery took the buoy when she arrived later in the day. Frankly, I preferred that buoy for the further reason that it had been used for the Alfonso XII, from which I judged that the berth would be free from harbor-defense mines, if any existed. I had received no assurance that the harbor was not mined, and was of the opinion that the I36 I"i, "':"" "X'~ :*" "' I~ ~~~~~;.;ri~ '~'" ilLP;. ~:i~ ~~~~~r 1;~ ~'"' ~ ~. ~ ;~,u -~- " " ~;i;""""""~i"""" ""i` '- ~ E`~~~l-'::l.EiFji ~-~"i ~' i r~ri -~rr~ IFilf ii flbRtnntlEZfTT 1"1 CI lf F The Wrecking and the Inquiry Maine had been blown up from the outside, irrespective of any attachment of culpability to the Spanish authorities. It had been made sufficiently plain that those authorities were not taking measures to safeguard our vessels. There were two ways of regarding this omission: first, that they believed that there was no need for safeguarding; secondly, that if there was need, they would not, as a question of policy, seem to make the admission. The proceedings of the Spanish commission to investigate the loss of the Maine show that Spanish boats kept a patrol about the floating dry-dock. It would have been mincing matters to infer that I had not the right to act in all proper ways according to any suspicions, just or unjust. The situation in which I found myself was not one to inspire me with perfect trust in my fellow-men. There being no proof of culpability in any direction, suspicion was the logical guide to precautionary measures. I regretted the assignment of so valuable a ship as the Montgomery to service in Havana, notwithstanding she was sent to support me in my wishes for naval environment. The Fern was preferred as sufficiently serving the purpose. However, I took up my quarters on board the Montgomery, where I received the kind attentions of Commander Converse. 137 The " Maine" The first night of the Montgomery in port was marked by a ludicrous incident - ludicrous in the termination, although rather serious in its first stage of development. About 8 P. M. Commander Converse and I had decided to go in company to make a visit of courtesy to the members of the court of inquiry on board the Mangrove. The gig had been called away when Commander Converse informed me that a most remarkable tapping sound had been reported from the lower forward compartments of the ship, but could not be precisely located. We were heading to the eastward, broadside to broadside with the Vizcaya, which was on our port beam and very near. We resolved to investigate. Continued reports were demanded. The sound grew in distinctness; there was a regular tapping like that of an electrical transmitter. I recommended that the beats be timed. They were two hundred and forty a minute- a multiple of sixty; therefore, clockwork. That was serious. The crew, being forward, did not like the appearance of things: they did not mind square fighting, but clockwork under the keel was not to their liking. There were some of the survivors of the Maine on board, including the captain. I called for more reports, and directed that some one's ear be applied to the riding-cable, and that 138 The Wrecking and the Inquiry a boat be sent to listen at the mooring-buoy, to note if the sound was transmitted through the water. The sound grew in volume, and cQuld be located under a port compartment, well forward. A boat was sent outside to probe with an oar.. Nothing was discovered. The bounds of patience were no longer conterminous with the limits of international courtesy, so the bottom of the ship was swept with a rope by means of boats. Other boats were sent to ride at the extreme ends of the lower booms by way of patrol. I lost my temper, and remarked that- one might get as' well used to blowing up as to hanging, but once was enough. The tapping never ceased, but began to draw slowly aft. It was reported as most distinct at the port gangway, then was heard most clearly in the port shaft-alley, which was abaft the gangway. Here was the suggestion of a solution. The Montgomery's heading was noted: she was slowly swinging, head to the southward; so was the Vizcaya. A man was sent to note if the sound continued in the forward compartment. It had ceased. The cause was clear: the sound had continued to be most audible in that part of the Montgomery that was nearest the Vizcaya, as the vessels swung at their moorings. It came from the Vizcaya through the water. Commander 139 The " Maine " Converse and I had heroically resolved to remain on board and take our chances. We remained on board, but not heroically. A day or two afterward, when Captain Eulate came on board, we told him of our " scare," to our mutual amusement. He said that the number of beats a minute showed that the sound came from his dynamo or from his circulating-pump. I have already mentioned that the Spanish men-of-war were vigilant in certain directions as to themselves and not to the Montgomery. My orders to make a friendly visit had not been countermanded. I lived up to them, to the best of my ability, but the situation was daily growing more tense. Immutable law seemed to be impelling Spain and the United States toward war. While abhorring war, as causing more severe and sustained suffering among women and children than among combatant men, I grew gradually into such a condition of mind that I, in common with many of my fellow-countrymen, was not averse to war with Spain. During the latter part of the visit of the Montgomery I believed that her presence in Havana was no longer desirable. Unless she was protected from without, she was unnecessarily risked. The presence in the harbor of the Vizcaya and I40 WRECN WAT THE A-D oP HYDRAMI JACKK I The Wreckingand the Inquiry the Oquendo offset any moral effect that could be produced by a single United States war-vessel. It was then my opinion that no United States naval force should be employed at Havana unless aggressively, and outside the harbor. It had become impossible for the United States to fly its flag in security for the protection of its citizens. In that connection one could well "remember the Maine." I recommended that the Montgomery be ordered away; she was relieved by the Fern on March 7, and Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright and I transferred ourselves to the Fern. It was not my habit at Havana to court serious conversation as to Spanish policies, but, naturally, the views of people of different shades of opinion came to me. Intelligent Cubans declared that Spain desired war with the United States as the most honorable way of relinquishing Cuba. They said that Spain had been preparing for the former event for two years, and pointed to the strong fortifications on the seafront and the absence of fortifications on the land side of the city. A Cuban lawyer of the highest standing, who was closely connected with the politics of the island, and who was willing to accept some degree of Spanish sovereignty, asserted to me that Spain would fight without regard to 141 The "Maine" consequences; that she would fight even though she knew that she would be defeated. He appeared to base his belief chiefly on the character of the Spanish people. I was always very cautious as to expressing any opinions of my own. I received views without giving them. In reply to annexation sentiments, it was my custom to say that annexation was not a public question in the United States. Soon after the destruction of the Maine, a gentleman came to me in the Hotel Inglaterra and tendered me a letter of sympathy from General Maximo Gomez, commander-in-chief of the Cuban army. When the letter was read I expressed my gratitude for the sentiments of General Gomez and accepted them, but asked that the delivery of the letter be deferred until my departure from Havana. It was delivered as requested. The Maine sank in from five and a half to six fathoms of water, and day by day settled in the mud until the poop-deck was about four feet under water. The first matter to engross the attention of the government and of the officers of the vessel was the care of the wounded, the recovery and burial of the dead, and the circulation of information among the relatives of the officers and crew. Next followed the ques142 The Wrecking and the Inquiry tion of wrecking the vessel. Her value when she arrived at Havana, with everything on board, was about five million dollars. Even a casual inspection of the wreck made it clear that little could be done beyond investigation and the recovery of the dead, except by the employment of the means of a wrecking company. The Mangrove removed certain parts of the armament and equipment, and navy divers were sent from the fleet at Key West to do the preliminary work of searching the wreck. Every naval vessel of large size is provided with a diving outfit and has one or more men trained to dive in armor. The government promptly began negotiations with wrecking organizations, and, as soon as these negotiations took form, Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright was put in charge of the wrecking operations and represented the government in dealing with the wrecking companies. Thereafter he was daily on or about the wreck, at great risk to his health. At first, bodies were found almost from hour to hour, and were buried as soon as prepared for burial. It was a sad sight at the Machina landing, where bodies were to be seen in the water alongside the sea-wall at all times. To relieve the public eye of this condition of affairs, a large lighter was obtained and anchored near 143 The " Maine" the wreck. On its deck there was always a great pile of burial-cases. To this lighter all bodies were then taken as soon as recovered, and after being prepared for burial, were at first taken to the Colon Cemetery, and toward the last to Key West; in the latter case they were generally carried by the Coast Survey steamer Bache, commanded by Lieutenant-Commander William J. Barnette, U. S. N. The work of the naval divers, chiefly a work of investigation, occupied about five weeks, and was commonly directed at the zone of explosion, down in the forward part of the wreck. The water of Havana harbor, although filthy, is not so bad in winter as in summer. Our men went down willingly and did excellent service. After each diver had completed his labors for the day he was thoroughly washed with disinfectants. Everything taken from the wreck, except articles of unwieldy size, was plunged into a disinfecting solution. It was recommended by Surgeon Heneberger of the Maine, after conference with Surgeon Brunner of the United States Marine Hospital Service and others, that no article of textile fabric should be used on recovery, but that all should either be burned or given to the acclimated poor of Havana. This recommendation was adopted, and the survivors of the I44 The Wrecking and the Inquiry Maine lost all of their clothing. Assistant Surgeon Spear was in charge of the disinfecting processes. February 19 was an eventful day. The Bache had arrived with divers the day before, but this day the Olivette brought more divers and further outfits. Ensign Frank H. Brumby and Gunner Charles Morgan arrived from the fleet to assist at the wreck. I sent the following telegram to the Navy Department:... One hundred and twenty-five coffins, containing one hundred and twenty-five dead, now buried; nine ready for burial to-morrow.. And the following telegram was received by General Lee from the Department of State at Washington: The government of the United States has already begun an investigation as to the causes of the disaster to the Maine, through officers of the navy specially appointed for that purpose, which will proceed independently. The government will afford every facility it can to the Spanish authorities in whatever investigation they may see fit to make upon their part. This despatch disposed of the question of joint investigation. This day funeral services were held at the cathedral over the remains of the Spanish colonel Ruiz, who had been killed in t1 I45 The " Maine" December by order of an insurgent colonel. I desired to attend the funeral with General Lee, in recognition of the public demonstration of sympathy for our dead made by the Spaniards, but reluctantly abandoned my intention because I had no suitable garments to wear. Convention is strictly drawn by the Spaniards in regard to funerals, and one must wear uniform or civilian's evening dress; I had neither. On the 21st the Mangrove returned from Key West, bringing the members of the court of inquiry, and the court convened on board that vessel. I was the first witness. The court was composed of Captain William T. Sampson, at that time in command of the battle-ship Iowa; Captain French E. Chadwick, captain of the flagship New York; and Lieutenant-Commander William P. Potter, executive officer of the New York. The judge-advocate was LieutenantCommander Adolph Marix, who has already been mentioned as having been at one time executive officer of the Maine. It was a court which inspired confidence. All the members were scholarly men. Admiral Sampson had been at the head of the torpedo station, superintendent of the Naval Academy, and chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. Captain Chadwick had been United States naval attach6 at London, 146 ff.fE2ff~,-2 ff3W',L ill.x'...t.. i,,'3 _'?, i'> t. f ~X 22'0}'3f0'2' 0 3 0. l;...................'.', i', 3 '' * l.,,,.........................,,, — ~~~r.f~r wlS'F 0 *; i; l.,0 d,,,.- 3. fi_ iiT6;: i'. fl x.i ~,E s 'Cmz f l.. ' '.lgf~llllil 111 I r, ll_..'.iipii I c. f~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~iaal2>i,i la!.!, '' 11 I |_|;'l~~~~~~~"'"~."~ ''.'":~, ir _S/00 -i~ ~ f~" '""" 3 3 f ~,~3 u 0 23 i3000~g iC _//E300'00 ''.f 3 0,f f il g' iE l ff t~~S.l ii~hl;I~,; ii'"" l"~ ~ ~ ~B~I~ ', lf3. f _ u ~ ~ ~ ~ Wr z r rz. n~~ n 0 z M N 0 -fig~:~i~ii 3~. II~E l >,4 a... i ~s;. i:aaaa aMMaa_ aj;aaaa - ~~~~;;;;` S.. M. lt x> >i aa 3 i3 afE3 'a'' ai'' aa'..' aaaM. ai~a3 i'ad ilaCs": iM'aa~3}j},l...........sfaf3NaaS h. a~~ w a a. 6 a a aa5 f:ia~a Iu H.aH...~~~~~5 S aa: I I86................................... I Situation Key West...... Key West...... { i68 1B. 17 B I6g (. B. 18 Key West... B. ro fB. 19 I. II..., - I I I I Serial N Name Rate Character of lntqcaton o. oBurial &Se. N_ me RateN|a0ne Character of Identiflcation Place of Burial of Row Grave Situation 187 ~.X............................ Body of a man about 42 years of age; very tall, about six feet: very strong; fully dressed, with pointed shoes, but no mark on the clothing. Found in the ten-inch loading-room...................... Key West...... B. to ADDITIONS BY CAPTAIN C. D. SIGSBEE, U. S. N., FROM THE RECORDS OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT S-a~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~no O Nl ^r 0 Serial No. Name Anderson, John.......... Andrews, Frank........................................................... Rate B. M., 2dcl... Ord. Seaman.. I............. Character of Identification Identified................. Identified........................ Unrecognized body.............. Unrecognized body.............. Unrecognized body.............. Place of Burial Key West...... Key West...... Key West...... Key West...... Key West...... No. of Row Coffin Grave Situation This shows a total of one hundred and ninety-two bodies buried in one hundred and seventysix coffins. C. D. S. Ir I 11 ~ I THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN GRADUATE LIBRARY DATE DUE 1 198s 1999 APR 12 3 1999 -M. 2 v 1C 40"' ',Sd Form 9584 . O iC O I A- - 0 -40 m < (A m sommpp- I II -- I1s s,:,- l, ss~?'-, L,,, 1. 1- -.. f1