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.