THE MAINE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 95, 19 October 1910, Page 7

THE MAINE.

Apropos the raising of the Maine : By the mysterious explosion which sent the warship to the bottom of Havana Harbour on 15th February, 1898, a great hole was torn in the battleship's bottom. Divers who examined the wreck said that ! the explosion occurred underneath the j bow, and damaged so much of the vessel j that only by turning the part of the harbour in which she lies into dry land could the Maine ever be raised and repaired. Two years ago it was planned' to raise the great > warship by a method | which was entirely different from the usual way of lifting vessels, and which provided for a hole being made in the middle of the harbour in order to accomplish the feat. The harbour of Havana | is one of the largest on the western continent, and is entered by ships drawing 30ft of water and more. At the place where the hole would have to be made the depth is about 40ft, but beneath are many feet of soft mud, through which the -wall-makers must penetrate in order to have their work on a solid foundation. When it is stated that this hole would be 350 ft across, and circular in form, a further idea of the great task involved will be obtained. But engineers who have made a careful examination say it is the only possible way by which the battleship Maine can be removed from her grave beneath -the •waters.