Events on February 15 in history

The battleship USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor in Cuba, killing 274. This event leads the United States to declare war on Spain.

The USS Maine: A Catalyst for the Spanish-American War and an Enduring Mystery

The USS Maine, a formidable warship of the United States Navy, holds a pivotal yet enigmatic place in American history. Her sudden and catastrophic sinking in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, became a flashpoint that dramatically escalated tensions between the United States and Spain, contributing significantly to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April of that year. While not a direct cause, the incident served as an undeniable catalyst, accelerating a series of events that ultimately led to military conflict.

A Nation Aroused: The Role of Yellow Journalism and Public Outcry

In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, American newspapers, locked in fierce circulation wars, seized upon the tragedy. Engaging in what became known as "yellow journalism"—a style characterized by sensationalism, exaggeration, and often outright fabrication to attract readers—prominent publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer fueled public outrage. Their highly emotive headlines and biased reporting often pointed fingers squarely at Spain, claiming Spanish responsibility for the ship's destruction without definitive proof. This media frenzy created a powerful anti-Spanish sentiment across the nation. The emotionally charged phrase, "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" quickly resonated with the American public, transforming into a potent rallying cry that demanded action and retribution against Spain.

The USS Maine: A Symbol of Naval Ambition and Rapid Obsolescence

Depending on historical sources, the USS Maine is typically described as either an armored cruiser or a second-class battleship, reflecting a transitional period in naval design. Commissioned in 1895, she proudly bore the distinction of being the first U.S. Navy ship named after the state of Maine. Alongside the similar battleship USS Texas, the Maine was initially heralded as a significant advancement in American warship design, incorporating the latest European naval developments. Both vessels featured innovative design elements such as two gun turrets staggered "en échelon" (arranged diagonally across the ship), which theoretically allowed all main guns to fire on a broadside, though this layout also presented structural and operational challenges. Furthermore, traditional full sailing masts were deliberately omitted, a testament to the increasing reliability and dominance of steam engines for propulsion. However, despite these ambitious innovations, the Maine faced a protracted construction period of nine years, an unusually long duration for the era. This extended build time meant that by the time of her completion, both the Maine and the Texas were, ironically, already considered somewhat obsolete. Far more advanced battleships and cruisers, benefiting from continuous rapid technological advancements in naval architecture and weaponry, were either already in service or nearing completion globally.

Deployment to Havana: Protecting American Interests Amidst Turmoil

At the time of its fateful voyage, the USS Maine was dispatched to Havana Harbor, Cuba, with a clear mission: to protect U.S. interests during the escalating Cuban War of Independence. This brutal conflict pitted Cuban revolutionaries against Spanish colonial rule, creating a volatile environment just ninety miles off the coast of Florida. American citizens and businesses had significant economic stakes in Cuba, and the U.S. government felt compelled to project its presence and ensure the safety of its nationals amidst the growing unrest and violence.

The Catastrophic Explosion: A Night of Unimaginable Tragedy

On the evening of February 15, 1898, at approximately 9:40 PM, a massive explosion ripped through the USS Maine, tearing the ship apart and sinking her rapidly in the calm waters of Havana Harbor. The devastating event resulted in an immediate and tragic loss of 260 lives, with eight more succumbing to injuries in the following days, bringing the total death toll to 268. This represented a staggering three-quarters of her entire crew, leaving an indelible mark on naval history and American consciousness.

Deciphering the Cause: A Century of Unresolved Debate

The exact cause of the USS Maine's sinking has remained one of history's most enduring maritime mysteries and a subject of intense debate for over a century.

• The 1898 U.S. Navy Board of Inquiry: Immediately following the disaster, a U.S. Navy board of inquiry was convened. After a thorough investigation, the board concluded that the ship had been destroyed by an external explosion, specifically an underwater mine. This finding, heavily publicized by the yellow press, solidified public opinion in favor of Spanish culpability, even though the board did not explicitly assign blame to Spain.

• Dissenting Opinions and the Coal Fire Hypothesis: Even in 1898, not all U.S. Navy officers agreed with the board's official conclusion. Some suggested an alternative theory: that the ship's magazines, containing highly explosive gunpowder, had been ignited by a spontaneous fire within a coal bunker adjacent to the magazines. This hypothesis gained traction due to several factors. The coal used in the Maine was bituminous coal, a type known for its propensity to release "firedamp"—a highly flammable mixture of gases composed primarily of methane. Methane is particularly prone to spontaneous combustion when confined and exposed to heat, a risk inherent in the design of warships of that era which stored large quantities of coal in bunkers next to machinery and ammunition.

• Modern Reassessments: Admiral Rickover's 1974 Investigation: Decades later, the mystery was revisited with advanced analytical techniques. In 1974, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, a highly respected naval engineer known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," conducted his own comprehensive investigation into the Maine's sinking. After meticulously reviewing the original evidence, blueprints, and metallurgical reports, Rickover's team concluded that the most probable cause was, in fact, an internal explosion, agreeing with the spontaneous coal fire hypothesis. While his study provided compelling new evidence, it did not definitively close the case for all historians and experts.

Ultimately, despite multiple investigations and the passage of time, the precise, undisputed cause of the USS Maine's sinking remains a subject of ongoing historical and scientific debate, underscoring the complexities of maritime incidents and the difficulty of historical reconstruction.

The Maine's Final Journey and Enduring Legacy

For over a decade after its sinking, the wreck of the USS Maine lay at the bottom of Havana Harbor, a somber underwater tomb and a constant reminder of the tragedy. It wasn't until 1911 that an ambitious engineering project was undertaken. A massive cofferdam—a watertight enclosure—was constructed around the submerged hull, allowing the water within to be pumped out and the ship to be exposed. The damaged hull was then painstakingly patched and sealed until the vessel became buoyant once more. Once afloat, the remains of the USS Maine were ceremoniously towed out to sea, away from Havana, and intentionally sunk in the deeper waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where she now rests on the seabed at a depth of approximately 3,600 feet (1,100 meters). Today, a tangible piece of this historic ship serves as a powerful memorial: the USS Maine's distinctive main mast stands proudly as a monument in Arlington National Cemetery, a silent tribute to the sailors who lost their lives and to the ship's profound impact on American history.

Frequently Asked Questions About the USS Maine

When and where did the USS Maine sink?

The USS Maine sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on February 15, 1898.

How many lives were lost in the sinking of the USS Maine?

The explosion and sinking of the USS Maine resulted in the deaths of 268 sailors, representing approximately three-quarters of her crew.

What was "yellow journalism" and how did it relate to the Maine incident?

Yellow journalism was a style of newspaper reporting in the late 19th century characterized by sensationalism and exaggerated claims to boost circulation. It played a significant role in fueling public outrage against Spain after the Maine's sinking, often blaming Spain without concrete evidence.

What was the rallying cry associated with the USS Maine?

The rallying cry that became popular after the sinking was: "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!"

What were the main theories regarding the cause of the USS Maine's sinking?

The two primary theories are: 1) an external explosion from an underwater mine (concluded by the 1898 U.S. Navy board of inquiry), and 2) an internal explosion caused by a spontaneous fire in a coal bunker igniting adjacent ammunition magazines (supported by dissenting officers in 1898 and Admiral Hyman Rickover's 1974 investigation).

Why was a coal fire considered a plausible cause?

The USS Maine used bituminous coal, which is known to release "firedamp" (primarily methane gas), prone to spontaneous combustion when stored in confined spaces like a ship's bunkers, especially if adjacent to heat sources or ammunition.

Where is the USS Maine now?

After being raised in 1911, the USS Maine was towed out to sea and scuttled. She now lies on the seabed approximately 3,600 feet (1,100 m) below the surface. Her main mast serves as a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.