Havana Harbor


Havana Harbor, Cuba- "Maine" wreck in the distance. For a number of years before 1898 the Cubans had been very unhappy under Spanish rule, and had been struggling for independence. In the last Cuban Rebellion the measures used by the Spanish to subdue the Cubans were so very cruel that our government felt that we should interfere. After protests from our government, Spain promised better conditions in Cuba, but matters grew steadily worse. The US Battleship Maine was sent to Cuba in January 1898 and on February 15 it was blown up and sunk in Havana Harbor. Two officers and 258 men were killed. This view shows the wrecked battleship. Spain denied all knowledge of the cause of the explosion and though, in the investigation which followed, it was never proved, still many Americans believed that the Spanish officers in Cuba were responsible for the disaster. The people of the United States urged war, crying "Remember the Maine!" Congress felt that Spanish rule in Cuba must end, and on April 25 declared war on Spain. The memorable events of the Spanish-American War were: the sea victory at Santiago, Commodore (later Admiral) Dewey's great victory at Manila Bay, the distinguished service of "Roosevelt's Rough Riders" on land, and the record breaking trip from the Pacific Coast around Cape Horn made by the Battleship Oregon to join our ships in the Atlantic. As a result of the war, Spain lost the Philippines and all her possessions in the New World. The Battleship Maine remained in Havana harbor until 1910. THen it was towed to deep water and with a scout cruiser and a battleship to do the honors, it was given a sea burial. Guns fired salutes and with its flag flying the Maine went gently to the bottom of the sea.

Photographer:	Unknown	Date:	Unknown
Publisher & City:	Keystone View Company: Meadville, Pa., New York, NY., Chicago, Ill., London, England
Series & Number:	10230

Scan courtesy of Roy Winkelman. Image retouched and converted to anaglyph in 2005 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. View this image using 3D glasses with the red lens over the left eye and the blue lens over the right eye.


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