Page:Messages of the President of the United States on the Relations of the United States to Spain (1898).djvu/117

 88 shipping in harbor, and in city. Business suspended. Theaters closed. Dead will number about 260. Officers' quarters being in rear and seamen's forward, where explosion took place, accounts for greater proportionate loss sailors. Funeral to-morrow, 3 p. m. Officers Merritt and Jenkins still missing. Suppose United States naval court inquiry will be held to ascertain cause explosion. Hope our people will repress excitement and calmly await decision.

2em

February 17.

Merritt in junior officers' mess room. Jenkins in wardroom mess room at time explosion; latter left before an officer who was saved; must have gone wrong way. Lights out immediately; water rushing in. Merritt got to hatch with Naval Cadet Boyd. Laddergone. Boyd climbed through and tried to pull Merritt up, but latter let go his hand, fell back, and was drowned. Bodies of these officers not found yet; probably in wreck. Sailors' funeral to-day at 3; will be immense procession.

2em

February 18.

Great popular demonstration at funeral yesterday; military, naval, firemen, and civil organizations generally represented. The bishop, General Parrado, second in command to Governor-General; autonomistic cabinet, civil governor, mayor, and other principal persons walked in procession part of route in accordance with custom to testify sympathy. Forty bodies buried. Many coming to surface water since, but now difficult to recognize, will be buried with religious services as collected.

2em

February 18.

Sigsbee begins to-morrow with divers sent to him from United States to recover all bodies still left in wreck Maine, as well as personal effects officers and men, and whatever else can be obtained that way. After that is completed the Spanish Government would like to unite with ours in having bottom of ship and harbor in vicinity jointly examined.

February 18, 1898.

Seventy-three bodies Maine seamen in coffins awaiting burial in addition to forty buried yesterday.