Image: USS Maine Mast Memorial - Arlington National Cemetery US - pre 1915
Description: The USS Maine memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, in the United States some time prior to 1915. The USS Maine blew up under mysterious circumstances in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on February 15, 1898. Its destruction led directly to the Spanish-American War. Most of the ship's dead were interred in Colon Cemetery, Havana, Cuba. But in December 1899, the United States repatriated the Maine dead and reburied them in Arlington National Cemetery. In the late spring of 1900, the cemetery erected an anchor (made specially for the cemetery) and placed it on a concrete base near the area where the Maine dead were buried. Two bronze Spanish mortars cast in the 18th century (and captured by Admiral George Dewey from Cavite Arsenal, The Philippines, during the Spanish-American War) were placed on brick piers on either side of the anchor. In 1911-1912, the USS Maine was raised from Havana Harbor, and additional bodies retrieved. The ship was sunk at sea. The bodies were interred alongside the other Maine dead, and in 1915 a new memorial in the shape of a battleship gun turret was built next to the mortars and anchor. The actual main mast of the USS Maine jutted from the top of this new memorial. This photo was taken prior to the 1915 addition, as is noted by the lack of carved granite and concrete balustrade.
Title: USS Maine Mast Memorial - Arlington National Cemetery US - pre 1915
Credit: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/npc2007000036/
Author: National Photo Company
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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