Maine Destroyed in Havana Harbor 125 -- February 15, 2023

San Francisco Call, 16-February-1898

On 15-February-1898, US second-class battleship (or armored cruiser) Maine blew up in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. The incident, which was probably an accident, was one factor which led to the Spanish-American War.

On 15-March-1889, seven ships from the US, Germany and the UK were sunk by a typhoon while they were moored in the harbor of Apia, Samoa.

Enrique Dupuy de Lôme was the Spanish ambassador in Washington. He wrote a letter disparaging the United States and President McKinley. Cuban rebels shared the intercepted letter with the newspapers. This became another factor which led to the Spanish-American War.

MAINE DESTROYED IN HAVANA HARBOR

THE SHIP IS

BLOWN UP

AT ANCHOR

Four Hundred and Twenty

of Uncle Sam's Brave

Boys Are Killed.

One of the Most Awful Disasters

That Have Ever Overtaken the

American Navy, and Spain

is Open to Suspicion.

HAVANA, Feb. 15. -- The Maine has blown up. Captain Sigsbee and various officers saved, and he says he believes about 100 men were killed and injured. The vessel is now burning and is sinking to the bottom of the bay. The detonation was tremendous. All Havana alarmed.

San Francisco Call, 16-February-1898

HAVANA. Feb. 15. -- The American battleship Maine, lying at anchor here, was destroyed by an explosion at 10 o'clock to-night. Of her crew of 450 officers and men, only 33 are known to have been saved.

The explosion shook the whole city and threw Havana into a panic.

It is understood at this writing that Captain Sigsbee and a few of his officers were visiting a merchantman in the harbor at the time of the disaster and are safe.

None of the few survivors who have been seen can tell me how the explosion occurred. The injured are being taken on stretchers to the Casa de Socorro, where surgeons are in attendance.

James Rowe, the ship's cook, was the least injured of any that were brought in when I was there.

"I don't know, sir," he replied, speaking with difficulty. "I turned in my hammock at 8 o'clock and heard three bells strike. I don't remember anything until I felt myself turning over and over and falling heavily upon the deck, in a mass of smoke. I got on foot and worked my way on deck. When I got there the superstructure of the deck was dipping under water, and I jumped overboard to keep from being drawn down by the suction. "I was picked up by a boat from the Spanish man-of-war. Three more were picked up by the same boat. They were Daniel Cronin, a landsman; Charles Berryman, boatswain; Albert John, a seaman, and __ Bloomer, a landsman."

One poor fellow whose face is injured past all recognition is lying moaning in a cot in the hospital. I asked him his name and he mumbled back through horribly swollen lips: "My folks would feel uneasy if I told you."

So far as I can learn now the explosion took place in the magazine used for the storage of gun cotton for the torpedoes. The vessel lies with her bow wholly submerged and only a part of her stern showing.

The explosion shook the city from end to end, and created the wildest excitement. All the electric lights were blown out by the shock. Fire engines rushed madly from one district to another, and no one knew for certain from which point the explosion came.

Some shouted the report that it was the arsenal, others said it was a bomb, and it was not until 11 o'clock that the real cause was known.

Consul-General Lee, who was at the Hotel Ingleterra, received a telephone message from General Blanco telling him that the Maine had been blown up. Lee hastened to the palace, where the Cabinet is now assembled.

Admiral Manterola ordered that boats of all kinds go to the assistance of the Maine and her wounded. The Havana firemen also gave aid, tending carefully to the wounded as they were brought on shore. It was a terrible sight. General Zolano and the other generals were ordered by Captain-General Blanco to take steps to help the Maine's crew in every way possible. The correspondent went close to the Maine in one of the boats of the cruiser Alfonso XII, and saw others of the wounded who corroborate the statement of those first interviewed that they were asleep when the explosion occurred.

Captain Sigsbee said the explosion occurred in the bow of the vessel. He received a wound in the head. Orders were given to the other officers to save themselves as best they could. The latter, who were literally thrown from their bunks in their night clothing, gave the necessary orders with great self-control.

The first theory was that there had been a preliminary explosion of powder or dynamite below the water, but this was ascertained to be not true.

Admiral Manterola believes that the first explosion was of a grenade, but whether one of the ship's magazines blew up or whether a bomb was placed beside her and set off by the Spaniards is not known.

Because of the excitement in the city the military authorities ordered the troops to quarters, and the streets are filled with jostling crowds of excited citizens and soldiers.

San Francisco Call, 16-February-1898

SIGSBEE ASKS FOR

SUSPENSION OF JUDGMENT.

Wants to Know All the Facts Before

the American People Lay the

Blame Finally Upon Spain.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. -- I called upon Secretary of the Navy John T. Long at an early hour this morning, and he confirmed the Herald's dispatch that the Maine had been blown up and destroyed in Havana harbor. In answer to my questions, he said:

"Yes, I have received a report from Captain Sigsbee of the Maine, announcing that the battleship had been destroyed by an explosion in the harbor of Havana.

The captain cables that some were killed and many wounded, and that the Spanish soldiers did everything In their power to rescue those who were thrown into the water.

"Moreover the captain's dispatch speaks of the great kindness of the officers and citizens of Havana, who showered attentions upon the sufferers. They cared tenderly for the wounded. The captain, in his dispatch to me, also tells of the heroic work of the officers and men of the cruiser Alfonso."

"Mr. Secretary," I asked, "does Captain Sigsbee assign any cause of the explosion?"

"No," replied the Secretary; "I presume that as yet the cause is a mystery."

The following was the dispatch received by the Secretary of the Navy from Captain Sigsbee:

"Maine blown up in Havana harbor at 9:40 last night and destroyed. Many wounded and doubtless many killed and drowned. "Wounded and others on board the Spanish man-of-war and Ward line steamer. Send lighthouse tender from Key West for crew and a few pieces of equipment. Vessel still above water. No one had other clothes than those upon him.

"Public opinion should be suspended until further report. All the officers are believed to be saved. Jenkins and Merritt are not yet accounted for. Many Spanish officers, including representatives of General Blanco, now with me and express sympathy. SIGSBEE."

The officers referred to in the above dispatch, are Lieutenant Friend W. Jenkins and Assistant Engineer Darwin R. Merritt.

From the wording of the dispatch the Navy Department think it is possible that they were on shore at the time of the accident.

The Secretary of the Navy received another dispatch from Key West at the same time with the above, but its contents were not made public.

The orders for the light-house tenders were at once sent to Key West in plain language, thus avoiding the delay that would have arisen from the use of a cipher.

Secretary Long received Captain Sigsbee's dispatch but a few minutes before the Associated Press dispatches were handed him. He received the news with apparent calm, and his first act was to comply with Captain Sigsbee's request that assistance be sent from Key West. He wired Captain Forsythe at Key West to proceed with the naval tender Fern to Havana harbor.

Secretary Long then sent for Captain Dickens, and the two discussed Captain Sigsbee's brief telegram. No other naval officers were present, and besides the Secretary and Captain Dickens the naval colony here is ignorant of this disaster, the greatest which has befallen the American navy since the storm in Apia many years ago.

The Secretary is inclined to believe that most of the officers of the Maine were on shore at the time of the accident, as it was still in the night.

While neither the Secretary nor Captain Dickens is inclined to discuss the probable cause of the accident, several suggestions were ventured. They believe that it may have been caused by a fire in the bunkers, heating the bulkhead near a magazine, or that an accident may have occurred while inspecting high explosives for torpedoes. Of course, this is mere speculation, and the Secretary is anxiously waiting a more detailed report from Captain Sigsbee.

Later the Secretary sent another telegram to Key West, directing that the tender Mangrove also be sent to Havana.

Secretary Day received the following dispatch from General Lee:

"The Maine blew up at 9:40. The explosion occurred well forward, under the men's quarters, consequently many were lost. It is believed all the officers were saved, but Jenkins and Merrit are not accounted for. The cause of explosion is yet to be investigated. The Captain-General and the army and navy officers rendered every assistance. Sigsbee and most of his officers are on board the steamer City of Washington. Others are on the Spanish gunboat and in the city. I am with Sigsbee, who has telegraphed the Navy Department. LEE."

OFFICERS OF THE NAVY

HOLD HURRIED CONFERENCE

Great Excitement Created at Key

West by the Receipt of the

Startling News.

KEY WEST, Feb. 16. -- This has certainly been the most eventful night ever witnessed in Key West. The excitement commenced shortly before 10 o'clock last night, when the first report was received that the famous tug Dauntless had arrived at a port on the east coast and was taking on arms and ammunition for Cuba.

The celebrated little filibuster was reported to have arrived at Palm Beach this morning with a load of men and would sail before any attempt could be made to detain her. The information was immediately conveyed to the commanders of naval vessels in the harbor, who commenced to make preparations to intercept the filibusters.

It was ascertained there were only a few vessels here available. There were the torpedo boats Cushing and Ericsson and the supply boat Fern, which arrived yesterday from the fleet at Dry Tortugas. All the other naval vessels had been scattered at different points in the gulf.

Then came the report that the battleship had been blown up. This news was first received by the commandant of the station, who in turn communicated the information to the several officers in command. A telephone message was sent the commanding army officer at the barracks.

Meanwhile the news rapidly spread over the entire city, and the cable office became the center of attraction. The fact that the two torpedo boats were getting up steam and would be ready to sail added to the excitement.

A hurried conference was meanwhile being had between several naval officers present, and a line of action promptly decided upon.

The torpedo boat Ericsson was first to get under way. She steamed out with open throttles and headed for the westward. While it is not positively known where she has gone the impression is she has been dispatched to the Dry Tortugas to notify Admiral Sicard of the disaster to the Maine.

The Cushing is puffing at the wharf ready to steam out and apparently only waiting orders to proceed to Havana.

As I write this dispatch, at 3 a. m., the quartermaster of the supply boat Fern is sitting in the cable office waiting to receive any message that may come for the general.

Every Government vessel in the harbor is getting ready to sail for Havana as soon as orders are received.

THE MAINE PRACTICALLY

A NEW BATTLESHIP.

Was Built in 1890 at New York, and

Had a Complement of

874 Men.

The second-class battleship Maine was built at the United States navy yard at New York in 1890. Her dimensions are as follows: Length, 310 feet; breadth, 57 feet; draught, 21 1/2 feet. The Maine was of 6648 tons displacement. She was provided with engines of 9000 horse-power, and could maintain a speed of seventeen knots an hour. She carried twin screw engines, vertical and with triple expansion. Her armor was eleven inches in thickness. The fighting machinery of the battleship consisted of four 10-inch and six 6-inch breech-loading rifles. As a secondary battery she carried fourteen rapid-fire, four revolving cannon and four Gatlings. The cost of the battleship was $2,588,000. She had a steel hull and a complement of 874 men.

SPANIARDS ARE

NOW IN A MOST

WARLIKE MOOD

Clamoring for Conflict While the

Two Nations Are Closing

the De Lome Incident.

NEW YORK, Feb. 15. -- The Herald's Washington correspondent telegraphs: The administration offices were deeply gratified to-day by the Herald's announcement from Madrid that Spain would make a complete and satisfactory disavowal of the De Lome letter. This is the only authentic information which has reached here, the only official dispatch on the subject being the one received yesterday from Minister Woodford stating that Senor Sagasta had promised that a satisfactory disavowal would he made. In the light of this and the Herald's dispatch this morning the authorities now no longer hesitate to say that the incident is closed, and that all that remains is the publication of Spain's reply, which will follow as soon as Minister Woodford is heard from. With the arrival of the new Minister active negotiations in connection with the proposed new commercial treaty will begin.

By this action Spain will attempt to show the world that the statements made by Senor de Lome that she was insincere in her desire to negotiate a reciprocity convention are untrue. When Senor Louis Polo de Bernabe is formally presented to the President it is expected there will be an exchange of addresses which will contain expressions of friendship and good will and demonstrate that harmony exists in the relations between the two Governments. Calderon Carlisle, attorney for Senor Canalejas, in the matter of securing a return of the letter addressed to him by Senor De Lome and which caused the resignation of the latter here as Minister, is considering: what steps shall be taken to detect and punish the person or persons who abstracted the communication from the mails.

"We know, of course," said an official in the State Department to me today, "that Mr. Carlisle's object in obtaining the letter is to use it as evidence in any prosecution that might be inaugurated against the person or persons who stole the letter or who have had it in their possession. If the letter was stolen, then the person or persons in whose possession it was might be Indicted for being receivers of stolen goods. It seems to me that the Cuban Junta made a mistake in turning that letter over to the State Department without at least securing a promise for its return."

Mr. Carlisle declines to state what action he proposes against any of the persons who may have been responsible for the publication of the letter.

PEOPLE CLAMOR FOR WAR,

GOVERNMENT WANTS PEACE.

Copyrighted 1898 by James Gordon Bennett.

MADRID. Feb. 15. -- Public feeling here against the United States is very highly strung. In the public mind the firm conviction is that the United States means to force war upon Spain and that the latter must absolutely stand her ground; that in Cuba the autonomists would side with Spain, fighting against United States troops, and that if the Spaniards would encourage the landing of American troops in the greatest number possible, now that the unhealthy season is coming on, it would kill them off like flies.

At the same time ships of war could bombard the coast towns, which, with the exception of New York, are considered unprotected, the United States not having sufficient warships to guard them.

Great calculations are also made on the widespread ruin which would fall upon businessmen in the United States, whereas the bourse here would scarcely change, as would be the case with the United States. A war would merely be the first step toward the solution of a question which is slowly bleeding the resources of the country to death.

Such is the representative idea of public Spanish feeling to-day; but, mark you, do not quote it as the Government's. The action of the Government, telegraphed to you last evening, has not popularized it at home. There are indications that the Ministers are not displeased to get rid of a representative who could not sincerely reflect their feelings, for Senor de Lome was a fervent member of the National party, headed by Senor Romero Robledo and General Weyler. The Government feels relief now at having one of Its own men, who truly represents the most liberal ideas of the Cabinet, and who starts full of the idea of the importance of pushing the commercial treaty, the details of which he is far more fitted to deal with than was Senor de Lome.

José Martí Dead -- May 19, 2020

Wheeling Register, 22-May-1895

125 years ago, on 29-May-1895, José Martí, Cuban rebel and poet died in the Battle of Dos Rios.

JOSE MARTI DEAD.

The Cuban Leader, the Man Who

Was Recently Proclaimed President,

Killed in an Engagement

With the Spaniards—The Body

Identified Important Documents

Captured.

Havana, May 21.—An engagement disastrous to the rebels was fought to-day in Eastern Cuba, in which Jose Marti, who was proclaimed president of the revolutionary party, was killed and his dead body positively identified. Col. Salcedo received positive information that a band of insurgents under the command of the well-known leaders, Jose Marti, Maximo Gomez, Masso and Barrero, had taken up a line of march to pass the river Neuto, thence to proceed in the direction of Victoria do Las Tunas with the design of marching upon Puerto Principe. Col. Salsedo dispatched a detachment of troops to march in pursuit of the rebels and Col. Sandoval found the enemy encamped at a, point between Bijas and Botca de Dostrios on the right side of the Contramaestre river, near the Canto river. The strip of land between the two rivers is high, thus making a strong position.

Nevertheless Col. Sandoval attacked the camp and found his troops harassed by a scattering fire of single shots from covert. The fight lasted for an hour in this manner, at the end of which time the Spanish troops advanced and took the enemy’s position and compelling the rebels to fly in different directions. The Spanish troops hotly pursued and came upon the body of Jose Marti, which was later positively identified.

Of the rebels twenty were killed and many of their number wounded when they took flight. The Spaniards found some correspondence of the rebel leaders. among which are some important papers. The booty of the camp, arms and horses of the insurgents were also taken.

The Spaniards lost five killed and seven wounded in the engagement.

It Is to Be Used to Destroy the City of Havana -- June 7, 2019

San Francisco Call, 27-November-1896

There were many sightings of unidentified flying objects in the United States during the late 1890s. I wonder what people saw. The Cuban junta may have been the Cuban Revolutionary Party, founded by José Martí. Martí was killed in battle in 1896. No one seems very concerned about the inventor proposing to destroy Havana. The "Normal student" who was at Mrs Young's house was studying to be a teacher at what is now San Jose State University.  A "boniface" is someone who runs a restaurant or a hotel.

This is our sixth report from the San Francisco Call.

18-November-1895: "Claim They Saw a Flying Airship" http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2019/02/claim-they-saw-flying-airship-february.html
23-November-1896: "The Great Airship That is Startling the People of Many Cities" http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-great-airship-that-is-startling.html
24-November-1896: "The Apparition of the Air"
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-apparition-of-air-april-7-2019.html
25-November-1896: "Mission of the Aerial Ship"
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2019/03/mission-of-aerial-ship-march-7-2019.html
26-November-1896: "The Mystery Again Seen at the Capital"
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-mystery-again-seen-at-capital-may.html

AS LARGE AS A BIG WHALE

W. H. H. Hart Tells of the Length of the Airship.

ANOTHER WILL BE BUILT

It Is to Be Used to Destroy the City of Havana For the Junta.

TEN MILLIONS IS DEMANDED.

No Trouble to Navigate the Sky Now That a Perfect Storage Battery Is Invented.

The subject of the airship and lights seen by the people of half a dozen counties has not lost any of the interest in the public mind. Notwithstanding the fact that the weather was very cold last evening hundreds of people on both sides of the bay spent considerable time out of doors looking for the mysterious lights to reappear and skip across the sky.

Up to a late hour no lights were seen, and the impression was that the inventor and his assistants were taking a night off and enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner and a little rest.

The legal representative, however, says that the men never rest, but are hard at work improving and perfecting defective parts oi the machinery. He promises that ere long the public will have positive proof that the ship exists.

Attorney W. H. H. Hart is as enthusiastic over the airship in which he is interested as though the matter were that of praise instead of ridicule on the part of the unbelieving. He seems to be thoroughly convinced that he has a good thing, and if there are those who regard the whole affair as a hoax or a fake, Mr. Hart says they will have to remain in ignorance so much longer.

That it exists and has made successful flights be has no doubt, although he has not seen it.

Of those who are convinced that there is such a thing as an airship Mr. Hart said: "It will be a matter of only a very short time before they can say, 'I told you so.' Even if I had not personal knowledge, I would be very careful about branding the thing as a fake. The position of The CALL has been fair and impartial. It has simply published the statements of those who saw that which they believed to be an airship, and has made no attempt to convince the general public that these people were either fools or had wheels in their heads."

The attorney, in the course of a long conversation upon this all-important subject, explained a number of features that heretofore have not been made public. In the first place he gave the length of the airship as about 125 feet and of a width in proportion to its length. This corresponds to the statement of W. J. Taylor of East Oakland, who said the airship he saw on Wednesday evening looked like a large whale. Another important disclosure was that the inventor and Mr. Hurt nave already discussed a proposition to construct another airship of not over fifty feet in length, to be used for war purposes principally.

"The one the inventor has now," said Mr. Hart, "is too large and uses up too much power in running against the wind — that is, it presents too much surface to the wind — and the one we are thinking of constructing will carry the same apparatus and power. The amount of power now used to operate the big airship will last twice as long and do much more service if applied to a smaller ship."

"Do you seriously consider the building of another airship?" was asked. "Yes, if there is any inducement. I see in to-day's paper that the Cuban Junta wants to purchase Cuba's liberty from Spain for a hundred million dollars. Now our ship would secure the same results at a much less figure. I talked with the inventor yesterday morning and he said that if the Cubans would give him $10,000,000 be would wipe out the Spanish stronghold of Cuba."

"Would he demand the cash in advance or its equivalent in securities?"

"Oh, no. The new Cuban Government would be good for such a debt. All he would want would be the dynamite. He would furnish the rest and do the job."

The attorney spoke of how the inventor with his airship and deadly explosive would do the job with as little emotion as though it was a nest of rats instead of a city of wealth, power and beauty. Resuming, he said:

"If such an agreement or contract is made the airship can be taken to New York and shipped by steamer to Cuba. My suggestion is that it be landed not far from the scene of operations. I advised that a balloon be used to raise the airship to the desired height, so as to save the power stored in the storage battery. When the ship is raised to the desired height the balloon can be cut loose and the airship go about its business. When it gets through dropping dynamite into Havana it would still have plenty of power left to get back to where it started from."

"And the inventor will do this job for 110,000,000?"

"So he says. He asserts that he is not in need of money and that it will only take about thirty days to build a smaller airship. The material would cost considerable, as aluminum comes high. He could put the smaller ship into perfect working order for about $25,000 or $30,000, and I believe that he will construct such an airship before long."

The attorney was led off to the subject of the power need on the airship and, as before, he said that it is electricity stored in a storage battery. He has an interest, he said — a part interest — in a new storage battery so light that it practically overcomes one of the greatest obstacles of aerial navigation. Mr. Hart continued, saying:

"For a long time scientists puzzled their heads over the question how they could secure a large amount of power without carrying a large amount of weight. This has been accomplished in the Fargo storage battery in which I am interested. I can put in an airship a twenty horse power battery that will not weigh over 100 pounds that will run continuously for ten hours. It does not require any more power to run the airship that my client has operated lately."

"Has he a Fargo storage battery in his ship?"

'Well, I am not at liberty to state at present. The inventor of the Fargo storage battery and the inventor of the airship are personal friends, and as I was interested in the new battery it may account for my being called into the airship scheme. I do know that this battery would give all the power such an airship would require, and it can be easily charged from any common motor."

The destruction of Havana by an airship came once more before the eye of Mr. Hart, and he said that the charging of the storage batteries might be a matter of difficulty in the neighborhood of Havana. The destroyer would not dare to go too near to the Spanish fortifications, as it is not bullet-proof. It might be difficult to secure electricity in the little tropical island. The battery might possibly be charged on the deck of the steamer from a dynamo run by the steamer's engines, but even that would be attended by great risk considering the vigilance of the Spanish cruisers.

"Would not international complications arise out of an aerial warship leaving the United States to destroy a Spanish city in Cuba?"

"Oh, no, not at all. The parties could go outside of the jurisdiction on a chartered or purchased steamer and sign the contract and make all of the arrangements necessary. No, the United States would not become involved in any annoyance with Spain. At any rate, the inventor is ready to take the risk and send an airship to Cuba for war purposes as soon as the Junta is ready to talk business."

While much of this conversation was taking place Mr. Hart was at the Chutes showing his little boy the hot air balloon. After the huge smoke-filled bag had shot into the air with the daring athlete dangling to the end of the parachute crossbar, and the excitement was over, the attorney started for home. Just before entering the house he said: "You can tell the public that in a very short time it wi11 have positive proof that the airship is a reality and not a hoax. I assert this, although 1 have not yet seen my client's airship. I am convinced that it exists, for I know that the main obstacle, sufficient power, has been overcome, and that was all that has stood in the way of aerial navigation tor years past."

GLEAMED OVER SAN JOSE.

Several People Saw Lights Moving In the Air Above the City.

SAN JOSE, CAL, Nov. 26.— The mysterious airship, according to the statements of many persons of good standing, passed over this city again this evening about 7 o'clock. The lights of the machine alone a:e alleged to have been seen, but all of the parties who saw these from different quarters agree as to the character and course pursued by the supposed airship.

Robert Shiels, an employe of the San Jose Art Emporium, was on San Carlo street, near Eighth, in the company of two young ladies, when his attention was called to the moving light by persons residing in the neighborhood. Mr. Shiels claims to have previously been skeptical in regard to the airship, but stated positively that he is now satisfied he saw the lights of the machine.

He said he at first saw one light about the size of an ordinary arc electric lamp. He stood still and watched the light moving westerly. It began to lower and then two lights were visible. When it arose again only one light could be seen.

The machine, he said, eventually took a southerly course, again displaying two lights which were visible for some time and then disappeared in the distance. George Brasted said he saw the light from the Julian-street road about three miles from this city. His description of its size and course agreed with that given by Shiels.

S. S. Farley, proprietor of the Mayverne Creamery, saw one large light moving rapidly westward. A turn south was made when two lights were visible. Mr. Farley's wife, Percy Steeves and a Miss Harris, who are neighbors, were with him at the time the supposed airship (something missing - JT) and substantiate his statement.

Mrs. B. P. Young, who resides at 328 East San Carlos street, stated that her attention was called to the supposed airship by the son of Mrs. Parkinson, who resides opposite, and who was sent to her house to tell her the airship was passing over the city. She went to the door in company with her daughter and a young lady, a Normal student, and they saw the moving light as stated. Each of these persons is satisfied that the lights they saw were attached to an airship.

LIGHTS IN THE SOUTH.

Several Believe That the Airship Was Over Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES. Cal., Nov. 26. — The now thoroughly famous airship, which has interested so many people in Central California for many days and nights, has apparently passed over the Tehachapi range, and was seen in Southern California last night by at least three persons of excellent reputation for truth and veracity. One of these is George Smith, the book dealer off Second and Main streets, who insists that be saw the aerial navigator and its lights while on a Pasadena car last night. Others of the passengers, Smith believes, also beheld the remarkable sight. Walter F. Parker, secretary of Mayor Rader, insists that he saw the airship while star-gazing last night, and Robert Kern, the well-known boniface, also adds his testimonial to the general credence of the reports made. None of these gentlemen ever gaze on the wine when it's red, hence their story does not need an affidavit.

It is also reported that Frank Smith, a brakeman on the Santa Barbara local train, saw mysterious lights in the San Fernando Valley last evening. The brakeman concluded that the overhead lights were meteors, and therefore did not communicate with any one on the train about the matter, but the proximity of at least three lights at the same time, moving on parallel lines, impressed him with the idea that the sight was a remarkable one. On relating his observations to a fellow railroader here to-day, he was reminded of the airship of the bay region. He afterward secured copies of The Call, read up the whole story for the first time, and is now confident that the aerial navigator is what he saw.

A remarkable feature of all the stories is that the lights were all seen at the same time and each individual describes exactly what the others saw, viz.: triple lights dancing in a zigzag way and moving on parallel lines from northwest to southeast and passing over the mountains toward Riverside.

Saw a Bright Light.

PETALUMA. Cal.. Nov. 26.— Almost the entire population of Petaluma was on the streets last evening about 7:30 o'clock, watching a distant twinkling, brilliant light moving horizontally and southward as well, which, under telescopic scrutiny, further showed what was apparently a dark cigar-shaped body, which evidently carried the light, so, though skeptics are numerous no doubt Petaluma was treated to a far-away view of the much-talked-of airship.

Viewed the Airship.

ALAMEDA, Cal., Nov. 26— During the excitement of the past three evenings over the reported airship the wags have made life miserable for many of the Alamedans. Monday night Max Gundlach and J. A. Riley, two well-known businessmen, were upon the street corner with a section of tin-conductor of a gutter-pipe, looking through it and insisting that they had a telescope and could see the outline of the aerial monster. They refused to allow anyone to look into it until they had been paid. Being so well known no one hesitated to pay the price asked. The people taken in refused to divulge the sell to others and so the joke went on indefinitely.

Fidel Castro -- November 28, 2016

www.listal.com

Fidel Castro is dead.  I have always had mixed feelings about him.  Cuba has universal health care, near-universal literacy and very good levels of infant survival.  On the other hand, he imposed a rigid authoritarian regime with little or no regard for human life.  The United States of America has supported many repressive regimes which have done worse than Cuba.  I remember stories that the Giants had offered him a contract as a pitcher, but it probably did not happen.  The world might have been a different place if it had...