Having respectfully dealt with Robert, we move on to this artifact. The destruction of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898 infuriated all Americans, but the residents of Key West felt particularly involved. As the US Navy's closest seaport to Cuba, the Maine had been docked at Key West before heading to Havana to sit, pseudo-belligerently, in that harbor. The bodies of several of the 260 US sailors who died when the Maine inexplicably exploded were returned to Key West, where they remain buried in the island's cemetery.
This object, deemed to be either a sighting hood or some type of vent, was displayed for many years as the Maine's capstan. In addition to it not being a capstan, it also did not emanate from the Maine, but likely from another US ship that operated during the Spanish-American War (1898).
This object, deemed to be either a sighting hood or some type of vent, was displayed for many years as the Maine's capstan. In addition to it not being a capstan, it also did not emanate from the Maine, but likely from another US ship that operated during the Spanish-American War (1898).
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