The USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor, Cuba, due to an unknown origin. The investigation of the cause is being explored. Yesterday, February 15, 1898 at 9:40pm, 260 officers died out of a 400 man crew. This morning’s recovery efforts only revealed dilapidated parts of the warship’s superstructure floating in the harbor. The people of Havana have been thrown into a state of panic after the explosion shook the city. The Maine had previously been sent to Cuba to protect the interests of Americans after rebellion broke out against Spanish rule in Havana in January. The warship weighed more than 6,000 tons and was built at a cost of more than $2 million. It is believed that Spain is the perpetrator of the incident, but nothing has been declared official. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt is convinced the destruction of the warship was destroyed by the enemy. The explosion is ruled circumstantial and a large sum of money will be rewarded for the conviction of anyone criminally related to the incident. The ship is now fully submerged in the harbor with the exception of the mast. This had been one of the most devastating disasters that has ever taken place against the American Navy.
Before the Attack
In December 1897, the Maine was based at Key West, Florida, for six weeks. It was held in readiness for Lee if he were to called for help. When no call for
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“I was putting my children to bed when suddenly my whole house began to shake violently. As I looked out the window, I saw the fire and objects had been blown up into the sky. Then, the puff of smoke from the explosion rolled up into the air and the ash started to cover the houses of the city.” What was your thought at that moment? “I was not sure what had happened, but I was very scared and did not know what to do or where to go. I was frantically running through the house to wake my