The "Maine" an Account of Her Destruction in Havana Harbor (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ...or two afterward, when Captain Eulate came on board, we told him of our " scare," to our mutual amusement He said that the number of beats a minute showed that the sound came from his dynamo or from his circulating-pump. I have already mentioned that the Spanish men-of-war were vigilant in certain directions as to themselves and not to the Montgomery. My orders to make a friendly visit had not been countermanded. I lived up to them, to the best of my ability, but the situation was daily growing more tense. Immutable law seemed to be impelling Spain and the United States toward war. While abhorring war, as causing more severe and sustained suffering among women and children than among combatant men, I grew gradually into such a condition of mind that I, in common with many of my fellow-countrymen, was not averse to war with Spain. During the latter part of the visit of the Montgomery I believed that her presence in Havana was no longer desirable. Unless she was protected from without, she was unnecessarily risked. The presence in the harbor of the Vizcaya and the Oquendo offset any moral effect that could be produced by a single United States war-vessel. It was then my opinion that no United States naval force should be employed at Havana unless aggressively, and outside the harbor. It had become impossible for the United States to fly its flag in security for the protection of its citizens. In that connection one could well " remember the Maine." I recommended that the Montgomery be ordered away; she was relieved by the Fern on March 17, and Lieutenant-Commander Wain wright and I transferred ourselves to the Fern. It was not my habit at Havana to court serious conversation as to Spanish policies, but, naturally, the views of people of di...