April 7th Rare Autographs, Manuscripts and Sports Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2022
Captain Charles D. Sigsbee To Secretary Of The Navy John D. Long
Secnav
Washington, D.C.
Maine blown up in Havana harbor at nine forty to night and destroyed. Many wounded and doubtless more Killed or drowned Wounded and others on board Spanish man of war and Ward Line Steamer.City of Wash Send Light House Tenders from Key West— want the derricks for removable effects to take movable equipment from wreck, some of which is above water for crew and the few pieces of equipment above water_ Noone has clothing other than that upon him_ Public Opinion should be suspended until further report_ All Officers believed to be saved. Jenkins and Merritt not yet accounted for_ Sigsbee Span Representative of General Many Spanish Officers including representative of General Blanco now with me to express Sympathy
Sigsbee
Sigsbee sent a notably restrained cable to the secretary of the Navy from City of Washington, announcing the destruction of the Maine in Havana Harbor and advising that "public opinion be suspended until further report."
It was not to be.
The next day a few American newspapers tried to be discreet, but Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst began a genuine media frenzy.
Pulitzer's New York World ran a blaring headline giving readers a choice: "MAINE EXPLOSION CAUSED BY BOMB OR TORPEDO?"
Hearst's New York Journal screamed: "THE WARSHIP MAINE WAS SPLIT IN TWO BY AN ENEMY'S SECRET INFERNAL MACHINE."
Although Spain's authorities concluded the Maine had been destroyed by an internal explosion, U.S. Navy investigators argued that the blast was not accidental. Even though they could not fix responsibility, they said a mine had exploded beneath the ship.
With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA
Charles D. Sigsbee Signed USS Maine Facsimile Report
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