U.S.S. Maine
"Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!"
In January 1898, the American battleship U.S.S. Maine anchored in Havana harbor on a "friendly" visit. On the night of February 15 an explosion demolished the ship, killing 266 crewmen. An inquest ruled that the explosion was caused by sabotage. Later investigations suggested that an accidental fire in the coal storage bunker ignited the gunpowder magazines.

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The Battleship U.S.S. Maine was commissioned on September 17, 1895.

Courtesy Pat Kilkenny.

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Souvenir candy dish marked "REMEMBER THE MAINE."

Courtesy Ed and Frances Cornett.

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Souvenir brass eagle marked "Remember The Maine."

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Chromolithograph titled "In Memoriam Maine, February 15th, 1898," with a roster of men killed on the U.S.S. Maine, printed by Haring & Geyer.

 

 

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Chromolithograph titled "Destruction of the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898," printed by Kurz and Allison, Chicago.

Courtesy Chicago Historical Society.

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Wreckage of the battleship U.S.S. Maine.

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Souvenir celluloid button marked "Remember The Maine."

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Commemorative demitasse spoon marked "US BATTLESHIP MAINE BLOWN UP IN HAVANA HARBOR FEB. 15. 1898."

Courtesy Phyllis R. Kepner.

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Teaspoon engraved "US Warship Maine. Sunk in Havana Harbor Feb. 1, 1898."

Courtesy Audrey Covello.