Mr. Sherman to Mr. Woodford.
Washington, March 26, 1898.
The following is a summary of the report made March 21 by the United States Board of Inquiry in case of the Maine:
The Maine arrived at Habana January 25. Notices of her intended arrival had been given by the United States consul-general to the authorities on the preceding evening, and she was conducted by the regular Government pilot to buoy No. 4, in from 5½ to 6 fathoms of water. Dicipline on ship excellent, and all her orders and regulations strictly carried out. Ammunition properly stored and cared for. Magazines and shell rooms always locked, after being opened, and after destruction of ship the keys were found in proper place in captain’s cabin. Temperatures of magazine and shell rooms daily taken and reported. Only magazine showing undue heat was after 10–inch magazine, which did not explode. Torpedo warheads were stored in after part of ship under wardroom, and did not explode. Dry gun-cotton primers and detonators were stored in cabin aft, and remote from explosion. Waste carefully looked after under special orders of commanding officer; and varnishes, driers, alcohol, and like combustibles, were stored on or above main deck. Medical stores were aft under wardroom. No dangerous stores below in any other storerooms. The coal bunkers inspected daily. Of those adjacent to forward magazine four were empty, while one was full of coal. This coal before it was received was carefully inspected, and the bunker was inspected by engineer officer on duty on day of explosion. No case of spontaneous combustion of coal had ever occurred on the Maine, and fire alarms in bunkers were in working order. Two after boilers in use at time of disaster, but for auxiliary purposes only, at comparatively low temperature and under watch, and could not have caused explosion. Four [Page 1037] forward boilers found by divers in fair condition. Maine destroyed at 9.40, evening of February 15. Everything had been reported secure at 8 o’clock p.m., and all on board was quiet. There were two distinct explosions, with brief interval. The first, with report like that of a gun, lifted ship very perceptibly. Second was more open, prolonged, and of great volume, and caused by partial explosion of two or more of forward magazines. Evidence obtained by divers as to condition of wreck more or less incomplete, but it appears after part of ship sank practically intact. As to forward part, testimony established following facts:
Portion of port side protective deck, which extends approximately from frames 30 to 41, was blown up aft and over to port. The main deck from approximately frames 30 to 41 was blown up aft and slightly over to starboard, folding the forward part of the middle superstructure over and on top of the after part. This was in opinion of the board caused by partial explosion of two or more of forward magazines. But at frame 17 the outer shell, from a point 11½ feet from middle line of ship and 6 feet above normal keel, was forced up and remained above water, about 34 feet above normal position. The outside bottom plating is bent inward, and a portion about 15 feet broad and 32 feet long is doubled back upon itself. The vertical keel is broken in two at frame 18, and the flat keel is bent into an angle similar to that formed by the plating. This plate is now about 6 feet below surface of water and 30 above its normal position. This effect could, in court’s opinion, have been produced only by explosion of a mine under bottom of ship. In conclusion, court finds that loss of Maine was not due to any fault or negligence of any of officers or crew, but to explosion of a submarine mine, which caused partial explosion of two or more forward magazines. No evidence, however, obtained fixing responsibility on any person or persons.
Upon the facts as thus disclosed a grave responsibility appears to rest upon the Spanish Government. The Maine, on a peaceful errand, and with the knowledge and consent of that Government, entered the harbor of Habana, relying upon the security and protection of a friendly port. Confessedly she still remained, as to what took place on board, under the jurisdiction of her own Government, yet the control of the harbor remained in the Spanish Government, which, as the sovereign of the place, was bound to render protection to persons and property there, and especially to the public ship and the sailors of a friendly power.
The Government of the United States has not failed to receive with due appreciation the expressions of sympathy by the Government of the Queen Regent with the United States in the loss of its ship and sailors. This fact can only increase its regret that the circumstances of the case, as disclosed by the report of the board of inquiry, are such as to require of the Spanish Government such action as is due where the sovereign rights of one friendly nation have been assailed within the jurisdiction of another. The President does not permit himself to doubt that the sense of justice of the Spanish nation will dictate a course of action suggested by the friendly relations of the two Governments.
You will communicate the contents of this instruction to the minister of state and give him a paraphrase if desired.