USS Maine

Name	USS Maine
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The USS Maine (ACR-1) was a United States Navy pre-dreadnought battleship that was commissioned in 1895. It is best known for its catastrophic explosion in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, which precipitated the Spanish–American War.

Design and Construction

The USS Maine was designed as an armored cruiser, but was reclassified as a second-class battleship. The ship was constructed at the New York Naval Shipyard and was launched on November 18, 1889. The design of the Maine was influenced by the naval arms race of the late 19th century, which saw the development of heavily armored and armed warships.

Service History

The Maine was commissioned on September 17, 1895, and served primarily in the North Atlantic Squadron. Its mission was to protect American interests in the Caribbean and along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Explosion and Sinking

On January 25, 1898, the Maine was sent to Havana, Cuba, to protect American citizens during the Cuban War of Independence. On the night of February 15, 1898, the ship exploded and sank, killing 266 of the 354 crew members. The cause of the explosion was never definitively determined, but it was a catalyst for the United States' declaration of war against Spain.

Investigation and Controversy

The sinking of the Maine was investigated by a U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry, which concluded that the ship was destroyed by a mine. However, the exact cause of the explosion remains a subject of debate among historians. Some theories suggest an internal explosion, such as a coal bunker fire, while others maintain the possibility of an external mine.

Impact on Spanish–American War

The rallying cry "Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!" became a symbol of American interventionism and was used to galvanize public support for the Spanish–American War. The war resulted in the United States gaining control of former Spanish territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Legacy

The wreck of the Maine was raised in 1911 and scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico. A memorial to the sailors who perished was erected in Arlington National Cemetery. The sinking of the Maine remains a significant event in American naval history and is often cited as an example of the impact of media on public opinion and foreign policy.

Also see

• Spanish–American War
• USS Maine Memorial
• Cuban War of Independence
• Yellow journalism