A massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship USS Maine in Cuba’s Havana harbor on February 15, 1898, killing 260 of the fewer than 400 American crew members aboard.
What happened to the US battleship the Maine?
At 9:40pm on February 15, 1898, the battleship U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, killing 268 men and shocking the American populace. Of the two-thirds of the crew who perished, only 200 bodies were recovered and 76 identified.
How was the Maine destroyed?
Maine was sent to Havana Harbor to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban War of Independence. She exploded and sank on the evening of 15 February 1898, killing 268 sailors, or three-quarters of her crew. In 1898, a U.S. Navy board of inquiry ruled that the ship had been sunk by an external explosion from a mine.
Why did Spain destroy the Maine?
In January 1898, partly as a conciliatory gesture to the Spanish authorities there and partly to protect the lives and property of U.S. citizens presumably endangered by recent riots, the Maine was sent to Havana harbour. On February 15 an explosion sank the ship, carrying 260 seamen to their deaths.
Why did the rebels destroy the Maine?
The blast could have been caused by sabotage, a bomb or mine placed by one of the factions fighting for control of Cuba in 1898. There were the Cuban rebels, fighting for independence, who could have attempted anything which they felt would hurt Spanish colonial rule.
Did Spain actually bomb the USS Maine?
On this day in 1898, an explosion sank the American battleship USS Maine in Havana’s harbor, killing 266 men. It was touched off by a Spanish bomb, a Cuban mine or a boiler blast in the hull of the vessel.
Who really blew up the USS Maine?
An official U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry ruled in March that the ship was blown up by a mine, without directly placing the blame on Spain. Much of Congress and a majority of the American public expressed little doubt that Spain was responsible and called for a declaration of war.
When did the Maine sink?
February 15, 1898
A mysterious explosion sank the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898.
Was the Maine sunk by Spain?
The United States battleship was blown up in an explosion during Cuba’s uprising against Spain.
Why was the Maine sent to Cuba?
After riots broke out in Havana, Cuba, in January 1898, the battleship U.S.S. Maine was sent there to safeguard American interests, although the Secretary of the Navy, John D. Long, insisted that it was only making a friendly call.
Who was the captain of the USS Maine when it sank?
He is best remembered as the captain of USS Maine, which exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898 and set off the events that led up to the start of the Spanish–American War.
| Charles Dwight Sigsbee | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1862–1907 |
| Rank | Rear admiral |
| Commands held | USS Maine USS Texas South Atlantic Squadron |
What is Remember the Maine?
A slogan of the Spanish-American War. The United States battleship Maine mysteriously exploded and sank in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, in 1898. Stirred up by the yellow press (see yellow journalism), the American public blamed the sinking on Spain, which then owned Cuba.
Who won the Spanish-American War?
the United States
U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. The United States also annexed the independent state of Hawaii during the conflict.
Who did the yellow journalists blame the explosion on?
The American “yellow press” blame Spain in banner headlines, outraging the public and inciting the rallying cry, “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” Over 260 crew members perish in this event, which was a contributing factor in the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Read more about it!
Why did remember the Maine became the rallying cry?
On the evening of February 15, 1898, the Maine was ripped apart by an explosion and sank. Spain Blamed Many Americans, their anger stoked by yellow journalism, believed the ship was destroyed by Spanish agents. “Remember the Maine!” became the rallying cry for those demanding a declaration of war against Spain.
What happened to the Maine on February 15th 1898 how many American sailors died?
On February 15, 1898, an explosion ripped through the American battleship Maine, anchored in Havana harbor, sinking the ship and killing 260 sailors. Americans responded with outrage, assuming that Spain, which controlled Cuba as a colony, had sunk the ship.
What happened to the USS Maine and what rallying cry came out of it?
15, 1898, the ship exploded in the harbor, killing about 260 Americans. The actual cause of the explosion was unclear. Many historians today believe it originated inside the ship, with no help from the Spanish. Regardless, “Remember the Maine” became the rallying cry for war.
What was true about the sinking of the USS Maine?
Remember the Maine!
On February 15, 1898, an explosion of unknown origin sank the battleship U.S.S. Maine in the Havana, Cuba harbor, killing 266 of the 354 crew members. The sinking of the Maine incited United States’ passions against Spain, eventually leading to a naval blockade of Cuba and a declaration of war.
How did Newspapers that used yellow journalism react when the USS Maine exploded?
How did newspapers that used yellow journalism react when the USS Maine exploded in Cuba in 1898? they blamed Spain for the explosion and called for the US to declare war.
How many died on the USS Maine?
260 sailors
On the night of February 15, an explosion in Havana Harbor tore through the ship’s hull, killing more than 260 sailors on board. One hundred and two members of the crew survived.
Who was responsible for destroying the Spanish fleet at Manila?
At Manila Bay in the Philippines, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the first battle of the Spanish-American War. Nearly 400 Spanish sailors were killed and 10 Spanish warships wrecked or captured at the cost of only six Americans wounded.
