USS Maine Mast Memorial
| USS Maine Mast Memorial | |
|---|---|
| United States | |
USS Maine Mast Memorial in 2008
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| For the dead of the USS Maine (ACR-1) | |
| Unveiled | May 30, 1915 |
| Location |
38°52′35″N 77°04′29″W / 38.876505°N 77.074735°WCoordinates: 38°52′35″N 77°04′29″W / 38.876505°N 77.074735°W near Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
The USS Maine Mast Memorial is a memorial honoring those who died aboard the USS Maine (ACR-1) on February 15, 1898, after a mysterious explosion destroyed the ship while at anchor in Havana Harbor. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, in the United States. The memorial consists of the main mast of the battleship set atop a circular concrete burial receiving vault designed to resemble a battleship turret. The memorial has occasionally been used to hold the remains of important individuals, such as Lord Lothian and Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
The USS Maine was one of several new battleships and other warships built by the United States Navy after 1884 to modernize the fleet. The Maine was launched on November 18, 1889, and commissioned on September 17, 1895. She was part of the North Atlantic Squadron for nearly all of her career.
On January 25, 1898, the Maine was sent from Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba, to protect American citizens and interests during the Cuban War of Independence. At 9:40 p.m. local time on February 15, an explosion on board Maine destroyed and sank the ship. More than 5 short tons (4.5 t) of powder charges in the ship's ammunitions magazine detonated, instantly destroying about 100 feet (30 m) (or one-third) of the bow of the ship. The central third of the ship remained somewhat more intact, but was severely damaged and lacked structural integrity. The last third of the ship at the stern remained completely intact. The burning Maine rapidly sank. Most of the Maine's crew (none of them officers) were sleeping or resting in the enlisted quarters in the forward part of the ship. Eight others died later from their injuries. Captain Charles Dwight Sigsbee and all but two of the officers survived.
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