USS Maine 6 Inch Gun - 2 views by Buffalo1
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Description
This stern chaser 6 inch 30 caliber gun from the USS Maine was on display at the Washington Navy Yard back in '90s when I took this photo. To my knowledge, it is still there.
The USS Maine sank in the harbor at Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898 due to an explosion of the ship's forward magazine. The sinking and deaths of 266 American sailors was a cause of the Spanish-American War of 1898. America's "Yellow Press" blamed Spain for the disaster, but relations between Spain and the U.S.A. had been deteriorating for some time over the question of Cuba's independence. U.S. Navy investigations in 1898 and after the Maine was raised in 1911 both concluded that a mine exploded under the Maine. There were objections to this conclusion after the 1911 investigation as some experts said that a fire and explosion in an adjacent coal bunker more likely caused the powder magazine to blow up. Most modern investigators believe in this theory including the late Admiral Hyman Rickover. Some historians point out that anarchists - the international terrorists of that era - tried to place black painted explosives into the dockside coal piles and bags that warships loaded from. To this day there is no clear agreement on what actually caused the Maine's demise.
In 1912 the stern of the ship was refloated and scuttled with flag flying and salutes from U.S. Navy cruisers. Parts of the Maine were salvaged for memorials. Two of the 10 inch guns and part of the anchor chain can be found at the Maine Memorial in Havana, Cuba. The mainmast towers above the graves of 229 of the Maine's sailors at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia. The national shield and bow scroll are on a monument in Bangor, Maine. The Maine's foremast is at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and still flies the Stars and Stripes. Other guns and equipment grace museums and parks in Maine and Florida.
One of the best kept tourist secrets in our Nation's capital is the Washington Navy Yard and the National Museum of the United States Navy. There are plenty of guns, equipment, beautiful ship models, and the display ship USS Barry DD-993, a Forest Sherman class destroyer. If you intend to visit check out the website as the Navy Yard is an active military base and security has increased since my last visit.
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org8-1.htm
Comments (13)
T.Rex
Thanks for the information and the beautiful photographs. I had no idea so much of the USS Maine had been salvaged for different memorials. And back then, salvage was a major undertaking due to less well developed technology. I recall National Geographic had an article about the USS Maine in the late 1980s, with photos and drawings. Their conclusion was a coal dust explosion due to someone smoking in/or entering into the coal bunkers with a lighted cigar/cigarette. The sinking of the Lusitania was due to 2 torpedo hits, but the ship was dreadfully torn apart, sinking very quickly. This led to speculation the ship was secretly carrying munitions. But, that was disproven and the explosion of coal dust was determined the ultimate factor in this huge liner's rapid destruction. All who have worked as miners, colliers and in ship's coal bunkers/boiler rooms were all too well aware of the terrible destructiveness of a coad dust explosion. Such explosions have cost many miners their lives. Thanks again for these nice photos. Quite instructive about the technology of the time. :-) Happy Easter!
debbielove
In Bangor, MAINE!!!!! MAINE!!!!! I go there so often Rog!!!! Great post, vastly interesting.. Thanks for showing it mate.. I will mention this to Rosy.. She likes her 'own' history.. Weirdly, and rather spookily.. I am reading a Vampire Horror book at the moment.. Now you wouldn't think you'd expect ANYTHING to do with Maine to crop up in it.. Oh no? It brings up the American Civil War (big part of the book) AND of all the Units from the north, it mentions the 4th Volunteer Maine Infantry.. Spooky? Its called 99 Coffins by David Wellington.. But, you pictures FABULOUS, well posted.. Love them.. Rob
erlandpil
Good taken picture erland
ontar1
Cool, outstanding capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rainastorm
So cool...great shot for sure!
flavia49
good capture
jocko500
Happy Easter
sandra46
very interesting
weesel
Minor note: the mainmast at Arlington is relatively intact. However, the foremast at the naval academy clearly shows damage from the explosion. Disagree on the two torpedoes for LUSITANIA. U-20's log shows only one fired followed by a horrific secondary explosion. Probably the coal dust. Also the ship's manifest shows she was actually transporting ammunition at the time (salvaged shortly after the sinking). So what does that say about people who keep a liner in passenger service while knowingly transporting arms -- a fact also known to people who would be on the receiving end of those arms? Not much. However, they were politicians and civilians are merely pawns in their games. ROGER that description of the DC naval yard. You will also find a propellor or spare propellor blade from MAINE there as well. WELL worth a visit in general and do NOT miss the USMC gallery/mueseum either.
HADCANCER
I know you have been waitng for someone to comment on your " big guns", so consider it done. Song I heard in my head on viewing... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwS6OkgUXKE
junge1
Great capture and a fantastic historical accounting Rog!
Richardphotos
lots of history here.thanks for sharing it
bmac62
Hey Roger...Happy New Year my friend. I was just looking around in your gallery and came on this. I never knew that there were so many memorial pieces of the Maine all around. Will have to keep my eyes open. We are going to hit the road for 2-3 years in our motorhome beginning in September 2013...lots of sights to see and places to experience:) Hope you have a great 2013.