Maine in havana harbor in february 1898 inspired an american. Louis fisher library of congress february 15, 2019 on february 15, 1898, the american battleship maine exploded while sitting in the havana harbor, killing two officers and 250 enlisted men. In order to understand the role the ships sinking played in the start of the war, one must know the. A powerful group of war lovers agitated that the united states exert its muscle across the seas. Also, a translation of a spanish book relating to the battle.
On february 15, 1898, the uss maine exploded and sank in havana harbor. The cause of the february 15, 1898 explosion was likely accidental, but. On the evening of 15 february 1898, she suddenly exploded, and swiftly sank, killing nearly three quarters of her crew. The uss maine mast memorial is a memorial honoring those who died aboard the uss maine acr1 on february 15, 1898, after a mysterious explosion destroyed the ship while at anchor in havana harbor. When the uss maine exploded in the harbor of havana, cuba, yellow journalists blamed it on spain. Hearst publishes dupuy du lomes letter insulting mckinley. Rickover decided in 1976 to reopen the case of the uss maine and discovered that a spontaneous. Mckinley signed a joint congressional resolution demanding spanish withdrawal and authorizing the president to use military force to help cuba.
Roosevelt, lodge, hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898 by evan thomas. Later investigation disclosed that five tons of powder charges for the battleships six and teninch guns exploded, substantially. It has always been my opinion that the uss maine memorial tablet is the most. Destruction of the maine, an incident preceding the spanishamerican war in which a mysterious explosion sank the u. Uss maine second class battleship bb1 or original designation armored cruiser acr1 in havana harbor, shortly before explosion. Although it was later concluded that it was an internal explosion.
On february 15, 1898, the american battleship maine exploded while sitting in the havana harbor, killing two officers and 250 enlisted men. The uss maine exploded in havana harbor 120 years ago this. Art nouveau tile by rhodes courtesy robert smith, from his book art nouveau tiles with style. As tensions between the united states and spain mounted, uss maine exploded and sank in cubas havana harbor february 15, 1898, killing 266 of the ships 355man crew. The uss maine exploded in havana harbor 120 years ago this month, killing 261 and kickstarting the spanishamerican war. This international disaster, which was blamed on spain, became an important catalyst for the. The controversial event that led to the spanishamerican war charles river. Sparking a wave of outrage across the united states, the loss of the ship helped push the nation towards war. A powerful group of war lovers agitated that the united states exert its muscle acr. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In havana harbor, the 354 officers and enlisted men aboard the uss maine began to settle in for the ni. On february 15, 1898, the american battleship maine exploded while sitting. Maine exploded in havana harbor, killing 268 men and shocking the american populace.
Sherman silver purchase act of 1890 passed to appease prosilver interests in the midwest farmers, the act created inflation and lowered gold reserves thus causing the panic of 1893. Major events uss maine explosion search this guide search. The first took place in 1898, immediately after the sinking. Documenting united states naval activities during the spanish. Jan 17, 20 uss maine blown up in havana harbor, cuba. The spanishamerican war 21 april to august 1898 was a turning point in the history of the united states, signaling the countrys emergence as a world power. The event was one of a series of incidents that precipitated the united states intervention in. What caused the sinking has been a subject of debate ever since. Who was responsible for blowing up the uss maine in cuba. Officers and crew of the uss maine feburary 15, 1898. Birth of an overseas empire in a way, americas empire in the pacific began with an explosion roughly 100 miles or so off the coast of florida in the quiet waters of havana harbor. This equipment did not arrive until 1889, pushing back bethlehems timetable. Shoppers, push carts, on the lower east side of nyc in 1898. Apr 27, 2010 on february 15, 1898, the american ship uss maine mysteriously exploded in the havana harbor.
Uss maine acr 1 was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the spanishamerican war in april. Cries of remember the maine, to hell with spain were heard throughout the country and. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Here are several firsthand accounts of the sinking. Est 0302 gmt havana cnn a century has passed since the uss maine exploded in havanas. Military art military history the spanish american war american history ocean pictures action pictures us battleships heavy cruiser ship paintings. American newspapers, engaging in yellow journalism to boost circulation, claimed that the spanish were responsible for the ships destruction. Maine play in the decision to go to war against spain. Original artwork by donn thorson 2012 donn thorson all rights reserved. This was a tragedy for the united states, as 260 out of 350 american sailors and officers died in the explosion.
There are a few theories about why the uss maine exploded in the havana harbor in the late 19th century. Ultimately, pressure increased on president mckinley to declare war on spain. Uss maine in havana harbor, shortly before explosion 1898 photo. The controversial event that led to the spanishamerican war kindle edition by charles river editors. Fourteen of the injured later died, bringing the death toll to 266. Theodore roosevelt and henry cabot lodge were influential politicians dismayed by the closing. The explosion that destroyed the uss maine did not convince the cautious. Uss maine acr1 was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the spanishamerican war in april. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. On this date in 1898, it was a sweltering evening in cuba. On february 15, 1898, in an event that still remains a mystery, the maine suddenly exploded as it sailed around havana harbor. Would the prowar jingos in american government still push for a war eventually. The event was one of a series of incidents that precipitated the united states intervention in the cuban struggle for independence. On february 16, 1898, the uss maine exploded in havana, cuba.
During cubas revolt against spain, the battleship maine was stationed in havana harbor. Would the prowar jingos in american government still push for a. And since mahans ideas were what push the navy in 1890s and 1900s, that is basic what teddy and his admirals aimed for. When the uss maine exploded, who did many americans hold responsible. Though then, as now, the cause and responsibility for her sinking were unclear.
On february 15, 1898, the ship exploded, killing 266 naval officers and crew. The uss maine was the first united states navy ship to be named after the state of maine. Fourteen of the men eventually died, bringing the death toll to a total 266. Uss maine 18951898 uss maine, a secondclass battleship, was commissioned in september 1895 at the new york navy yard. Roosevelt, lodge, hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898 evan thomas on. See more ideas about maine, the spanish american war and american war. Monument to the victims of the uss maine havana wikipedia. Public opinion in the united states, urged on by the yellow press, assumed that spain had plotted the treachery.
Uss maine the uss maine exploded in havana harbor in 1898 remember the maine. The mckinley administration created a naval board of inquiry that concluded unanimously that the ship was. Where was the uss maine when it exploded in 1898 answers. Initial reports concluded that maine had been sunk by a naval mine. Following her commissioning, she spent the next few years patrolling off the east coast of the united states and in the caribbean area. It could have been an accident caused by the buildup of gas and heat from the coal fired ship but this was a time period of nationalist propaganda and yellow journalism. The monument to the victims of the uss maine spanish. This international disaster, which was blamed on spain, became an important catalyst for the spanishamerican war at the time, cuban guerillas were engaged in a brutal fight for independence from spain. May 02, 2019 the story of the uss maine would take a disastrous turn one february evening.
Learn about key events in history and their connections to today. The following is a list of all officers, crew and marines attached to the uss maine on the day of its destruction. Nov 24, 2009 a massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship uss maine in cubas havana harbor on february 15, 1898, killing 260 of the fewer than 400 american crew members aboard. The blowing up of the battleship maine in havana harbor on the evening of 15 february was a critical event on the road to that war. Get an answer for what role did the explosion of the u. A naval board of inquiry concluded that the blast was caused by a mine placed outside the ship. Arriving in january 1898, uss maine sank on february 15 after an explosion tore through the ship. Though the cause of the explosion was uncertain, the incident prompted calls within the united states for war against spain. Built as one of americas first battleships, the uss maine had been sent to cuba to protect the interests of americans there after a rebellion against spanish rule broke out in havana that january. The ship sunk in havana harbor in february 1898 was the uss maine. But the public did remember the maine, and those recollections helped push the.
Start studying spanish american war 1898 splendid little war. Uss maine was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898. What is known is that, in the tragedy, 260 american naval personnel were killed or wounded. Uss maine article about uss maine by the free dictionary. The incident that triggered the spanishamerican war. The episode escalated tensions between the united states and spain. Efforts by congress to push for recognition of the cuban belligerency were. He published a book about this investigation in 1976 entitled how the battleship maine was destroyed. Why did president mckinley send the uss maine to cuba. In fact, conservative newspapers, staid business journals, book. Although the explosion was caused by a fire in the maine s coal bunker, the common belief at the time was that the spanish government sank the maine.
Design flaws in the ship caused a fire which sparked the explosion. There have been four major investigations into the sinking of the maine. It also is mostly about the spanishamerican war and not so much about the sinking of the uss maine. The cause of the february 15, 1898 explosion was likely accidental, but those favoring increased american support for cubas independence struggle against spain were quick to. Hearsts newspaper immediately published a story with the headline. On february 15, 1898, the american ship uss maine mysteriously exploded in the havana harbor. Uss maine is destroyed by explosion, in havana harbor, cuba, 15 february. The explosion of the uss maine meet your next favorite book.
Link here the current academic consensus is that there is no consensus. This day in history, february 15, 1898, the uss maine exploded and sunk in cubas havana harbor, killing 260 americans on board. Uss maine 1895 1898 uss maine, a secondclass battleship, was commissioned in september 1895 at the new york navy yard. On february 15, 1898, the uss maine, a battleship moored just outside cubas capital, erupted in flames and sank, killing hundreds of crew on board. Hms rodney battleship of the royal navy 1200 x 906. Theories on why uss maine exploded realclearhistory. The incident fueled public demands for war with spain, which congress declared on april 25. Carlos goni would use his camera at the same time that other explosion happened.
What ship sank at havana harbor in february 1898 answers. Though the cause of the explosion could not be immediately determined, lawmakers and the public blamed spain. One month later the court found that the ship, in all probability, was destroyed by an underwater mine that ignited parts of the forward magazines. In order to understand the role the ships sinking played in the start of the war, one must know the context in. Uss maine wreckage in havana harbor, cuba, photograph, 1898. Feb 15, 2015 it almost sounds like your a mahanist, bb guard ships cruiser patrol ships strategy comes right out of a. The uss maine exploded in havana, killing most of its crew and convincing the us to declare war on spain. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Uss maine 1898 us navy ships, battleship, navy ships.
When the uss maine exploded, americans immediately blamed spain. Assistant secretary of the navy theodore roosevelt cables commodore dewey with. W hen the uss maine blew up in havana harbor on the evening of february 15, 1898, most of the battleships crew were sleeping or relaxing in the enlisted mens quarters in the forward part of the ship. On february 15th, 1898, the american ship uss maine mysteriously exploded in the havana harbor. The uss maine, bristling with heavy guns that made it one of the premier battleships in the navy, was dispatched to cuba in january 1898, ostensibly on a goodwill visit.
Although there was no evidence that the spanish were responsible, yellow newspapers such as william randolph hearsts new york journal whipped americans into frenzy by claiming that. In january 1898, the maine was sent from key west, florida, to havana to protect american interests during the cuban war of independence. A symbol of naval strength in the late 19th century, the maines includes pictures includes accounts of the explosion by the captain and surviving crew members. Uss maine entering havana harbor on 25 january 1898, where the ship would explode three weeks later.
The american battleship maine exploded in the havana harbor on february 15, 1898, killing two officers and 250 sailors. Although there was no evidence that the spanish were responsible. A book by lewis gould in 1982 concluded that inadequate. It is located in arlington national cemetery in arlington county, virginia, in the united states. The united states navy armored cruiser uss maine mysteriously exploded and sank in havana harbor. On february 15, 1898, the uss maine exploded in the havana harbor. Scant attention was given to the possibility that an accidental internal explosion had occurred. There was a climax in prewar tension between the united states and spain in 1898 but the uss maine insisted to go on an official observation visit of cuba. Sent to havana, cuba, in january 1898 to protect u. A massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship uss maine in cubas havana harbor, killing 260 of the fewer than 400 american crew members aboard. Public opinion in the united states, urged on by the yellow press, assumed that spain was responsible for plotting the treachery. Names with an astrick in front of the name are individuals that died as a result of the explosion.
Roosevelt, lodge, hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898 thomas, evan, davidson, richard on. The spanishamerican war of 1898 1900 was a direct result of poor and. However, an accidental internal explosion that had occurred, was also considered possible. The mckinley administration created a naval board of inquiry that concluded unanimously that the ship was sunk only by the explosion of a mine situated under the bottom of the ship at about frame 18, and. Uss maine was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the spanishamerican war in april. How yellow journalism sparked the spanishamerican war. This article is drawn from the first chapter in a forthcoming book on turning points in. Cuba on april 11, 1898, president mckinley asked congress to authorize the use of force to end the conflict in. Of the twothirds of the crew who perished, only 200. In 1898, the uss maine exploded and sank in havana harbor. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers.
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