THE MAINE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7980, 11 December 1911, Page 1

THE MAINE

SUNK BY EXTERNAL EXPLOSION REPORT OF COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. By Tele graph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received December 10, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 9. It is definitely announced by the commission inquiring into the loss of the United States battleship Maine in Havana harbour, Cuba, that the explosion which caused tho catastrophe occurred outside tho hull. Tho United States battleship Maine, 6682 tons, was built in 1890. On the night of February 15th, 1898, she was sunk by on : explosion in Havana harbour, and two officers and 270 men lost their lives. Tho American nay-al court- of inquiry appointed immediately after the explosion reported that she had been sunk by tfte explosion of a submarine mine. The Spanish inquiry resulted in a report that the explosion came from within the vessel. The blowingup of tho Maine was undoubtedly tho immediate cause of the Spanish-American war. A few months ago a. sensation, was caused by a statement that tho investigations made' this year had shown that the Spanish contention was correct, and that the destroying explosion was of internal origin. That statement is now shown .to bo incorrect. The wreck of tho Maine was surrounded by a coffer dam, the water pumped out, and a careful examination made by military and civilian experts. 1