U.S.S. Maine Mast Memorial

The USS Maine Memorial overlooks the remains of those who died when the ship exploded off the coast of Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898. As Cubans were fighting for independence from Spanish colonial rule, President William McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to demonstrate American support for Cuban rebels while also demonstrating a resolve to protect America's political and economic interests on the nearby island. While the arrival of the vessel alarmed Spanish officials, there was no direct evidence tying the explosion of the Maine to an attack. While modern experts who examined the shipwreck determined that the ship sank after an internal explosion, contemporaries blamed the tragedy on a Spanish mine. The resulting outrage contributed to public opinion in favor of declaring war on Spain. The memorial was unveiled and dedicated by President Woodrow Wilson in a large public ceremony held on May 30, 1915. Welded into the door of the base is the Maine's bell, with an inscription that reads: "USS MAINE, Navy Yard, New York, 1894." The memorial serves as a way to honor the service of the sailors who perished on February 15, 1898, while the larger history of the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine and its connection to the Spanish-American War serves as a reminder to carefully consider the deployment of troops and decision to enter a war.

After the explosion of the USS Maine, the US public was whipped up into an anti-Spanish hysteria. Despite Spain's desire to avoid war and President William McKinley's distaste for war, the yellow press continued feeding the public's appetite for anti-Spanish news. Hawks like then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt loudly criticized the reluctant McKinley for being weak and afraid.

Although he disagreed with the public's demands for war, McKinley finally submitted to the various pressure exerted on him. The Maine had exploded in Mid-February, and on April 11, 1898, McKinley finally sent a message to Congress giving his support for a declaration of war on Spain. Congress, which now had the President's word that he would not block a war with Spain as Cleveland had threatened to do, was ecstatic. On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the US. The next day, on April 25, the US declared war on Spain. The US public was exuberant, and the people celebrated as the country cheerfully went to war.

In order to prove the righteousness of the US cause, Congress decided to send a message to the European powers, many of whom believed the American war against Spain to be an imperialistic land-grab, an effort to assume control of Cuba from Spain. Congress passed the Teller Amendment in May 1898, in which the US promised not to annex Cuba, but to liberate it as an independent state. Thus, the US claimed to be fighting the war, not for self-centered gain, but to liberate an oppressed people and promote justice in the world. While the United States Congress initially passed a resolution promising to leave the island after it was liberated, future actions demonstrate a more complicated relationship between altruism and self-interest.

Recognizing the power of the U.S. Navy, Spain wanted to avoid war, and diplomats to Washington promised to end the concentration camps and make peace with the rebels. The US responded with a demand for complete withdrawal from Cuba and recognition of Cuban independence. Spain refused, partly owing to concern that withdrawal from Cuba would encourage independence movements in other colonial possessions. American public opinion turned decidedly against the Spanish, and because of the way some influential newspaper reporters and owners covered the explosion of the USS Maine, most of the country distrusted everything the Spanish said. Oddly enough, President McKinley also opposed the War. McKinley, who was closely tied to Wall Street and business networks, knew that most businessmen were against going to war.

Construction on the Maine Mast Memorial began in late November 1913. Wyeth's design featured as a base a mausoleum that vaguely looked like a battleship gun turret. The mast of the U.S.S. Maine pierced the top of this structure and was set into the floor below. The design called for an exterior made of tan granite, and an interior lined with white marble. The names of those who died aboard the Maine were to be inscribed on the exterior of the mausoleum. The granite for the structure came from Troy, New Hampshire, and the marble from Danby, Vermont. Eight months were originally allotted for construction, largely due to the need to chisel the 8,000 letters into the exterior. The Washington, D.C., firm of Norcross Bros. won the $44,637 contract to construct the memorial. This created some controversy, as Norcross was not the lowest bidder. However, Quartermaster General Sharpe recommended Norcross because the company could obtain the stone best suited for the memorial. A month's delay occurred as the contract was contested.

Cavendish, Richard. The Sinking of the Maine. History Today. February 12th 1998.

, History.com Editors. The USS Maine explodes in Cuba's Havana Harbor, History. November 29th 2009. Accessed June 30th 2021. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-maine-explodes.

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