USS Maine (ACR-1) facts for kids

The USS Maine was a special warship called an armored cruiser. It was built for the United States Navy. Its explosion in 1898 was a major event. This explosion helped lead the United States into the Spanish–American War.

People often mistakenly called the Maine a battleship. However, when it was first built, it was officially known as ACR-1. This meant it was the first Armored Cruiser.

Building a New Warship

The USS Maine was one of the first large warships built by the United States. It was designed in the 1880s. At that time, many countries were building powerful navies. The US wanted to keep up.

The US Navy learned from ships built by other countries. For example, they looked at the Brazilian battleship Riachuelo. This ship was very modern for its time. It helped inspire the design of the Maine.

Design and Features

The Maine was designed to be strong and fast. It had a thick outer layer of metal called armor. This armor protected the ship from enemy fire. It was 11 inches thick in some places.

The ship was 324 feet long. It had a top speed of about 16 knots. This was quite fast for a warship back then. The Maine also had two tall masts. These masts could hold sails, even though the ship was powered by steam engines.

Ship's Power and Engines

The Maine used steam engines to move. These engines were powered by coal. The ship had four large boilers. These boilers heated water to create steam. The steam then turned the ship's propellers.

The ship could carry about 829 tons of coal. This allowed it to travel long distances. It was a very advanced ship for its time.

Weapons and Guns

The USS Maine had many powerful weapons. Its main guns were four 10-inch guns. These were placed in two large turrets. A turret is a rotating structure that holds the guns.

The ship also had six 6-inch guns. These were used for smaller targets. For close-range fighting, it had seven 6-pounder guns and eight 1-pounder guns. It even had four torpedo tubes. Torpedoes are underwater weapons.

Life on Board

The USS Maine had a crew of about 374 people. This included officers and sailors. Life on a warship was tough. Sailors worked hard and lived in close quarters.

The crew trained regularly. They practiced firing the guns and handling the ship. They had to be ready for anything. The ship was a floating home for these brave men.

The Explosion in Havana

In January 1898, the USS Maine was sent to Havana, Cuba. Cuba was a Spanish colony at the time. There was a lot of tension and unrest in Cuba. The US sent the Maine to protect American interests.

On February 15, 1898, a terrible explosion happened. The Maine was anchored in Havana Harbor. At about 9:40 PM, the ship blew up. It sank quickly.

What Happened Next

The explosion killed 260 sailors instantly. Six more died later from their injuries. Only 89 crew members survived without serious injuries. It was a huge tragedy.

News of the explosion spread quickly. Many Americans were shocked and angry. They blamed Spain for the disaster. The phrase "Remember the Maine!" became a popular rallying cry.

Investigations and Theories

Two main investigations were launched. One was by the US Navy. The other was by Spain. The US Navy concluded that a mine caused the explosion. A mine is an explosive device placed in water.

Spain, however, said the explosion was an accident. They believed it was caused by something inside the ship. For many years, people debated what truly happened.

The Maine and the Spanish-American War

The sinking of the Maine was a major reason for the Spanish–American War. Even though the exact cause was unclear, many Americans believed Spain was responsible. This event increased tensions between the two countries.

On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain. The war lasted only a few months. The US won, and Spain lost control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

After the Sinking

The wreck of the USS Maine stayed in Havana Harbor for many years. It was a sad reminder of the tragedy. In 1910, the US decided to remove the wreck.

A special structure called a cofferdam was built around the ship. This allowed workers to pump out the water. They could then examine the wreck more closely. They found that the ship's bottom plates were bent inward. This suggested an external explosion.

Final Resting Place

After the investigation, the remains of the Maine were towed out to sea. On March 16, 1912, the ship was sunk in deep water. This was its final resting place.

Many parts of the Maine were saved. The main mast of the ship was brought back to the United States. It is now part of a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Other parts, like guns, are in memorials across the country.

Legacy and Memorials

The USS Maine remains an important part of American history. It reminds us of a time when the US became a major world power. Many memorials honor the sailors who died on the ship.

There are monuments in New York City, Key West, Florida, and Portland, Maine. These memorials ensure that the sacrifice of the Maine's crew is never forgotten.

Images for kids

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  The Brazilian battleship Riachuelo, which prompted the building of Maine

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  Deck plan of Maine

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  Scotch two-furnace marine boiler

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  Battleship Maine by Frederick Nelson Atwood. Note the fore 10-inch turret

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  Aft torpedo tubes of Maine

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  Launching of Maine in 1890

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  Crew of USS Maine

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  Wreckage of USS Maine, 1898

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  Telegram sent by Captain James Forsythe, commanding, Naval Station Key West, forwarding word from Charles Sigsbee, Captain, USS Maine of the sinking of his ship

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  1898 Sampson Board

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  Wreckage of Maine surrounded by a cofferdam, on 16 June 1911

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  USS Maine sinking after being scuttled off the shore of Cuba

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  Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery centered on the ship's main mast

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  The Cuban Friendship Urn on Ohio Drive, Southwest, Washington, D.C., East Potomac Park

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  A gun from Maine at Fort Allen Park, Portland, Maine

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  U.S. Battleship Maine Monument Key West Cemetery, Florida

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  USS Maine Monument in New York City

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  USS Maine Monument, Columbus Circle, NYC

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  Columbia Triumphant

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  Memorial plaque by Charles Keck, USS Maine Memorial

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  Sculpture group by Attilio Piccirilli at USS Maine Memorial

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  Columbia Triumphant sculpture group atop USS Maine Memorial

See also

In Spanish: USS Maine (ACR-1) para niños