1975 Report on the Sinking of the USS Maine

A 1970's investigation on the sinking of the USS Maine, initiated by Admiral Hyman Rickover (known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy") concluded that that an accident was likely the cause of the tragic 1898 explosion that instigated the Spanish-American War. This is an excerpt of a report produced by that study.

Ib S. Hansen and Robert S. Price

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photographic Section

April 30, 1975

Commodore Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay

This painting depicts Commodore George Dewey on the bridge of the cruiser Olympia during the Battle of Manila Bay.

Unknown

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 84510-KN

May 1, 1898

Chinese Steward, USS Olympia

A Chinese steward on board the protected cruiser USS Olympia.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43215

1898

Chinese Stewards, USS Olympia

These three Chinese men were specially trained to serve as stewards on board the protected cruiser USS Olympia. This photograph was originally a cyanotype, and has been digitally modified.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43216

1898

Sunday Service

An 1898 depiction of Sunday Service at sea, on board the battleship USS Texas at Key West.

H.C. Christy

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 71830 KN

1898

Cleaning Brightwork, USS Olympia

Sailors on board USS Olympia shine metal surfaces on deck, 1898.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43202

1898

Cleaning the Olympia, 1898

Sailors clean the hull of the cruiser USS Olympia in 1898.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43203

1898

The Battle of Manila Bay

Painting of The Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, seen from the cruiser Olympia.

J.D. Gleason

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 1269

May 1, 1898

Writing Letters, USS Olympia

Sailors on board the cruiser USS Olympia compose and read letters, 1898. This image was originally a cyanotype, and has been digitally re-colored and cropped.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43384

1898

Sailors Teasing Cats

Sailors on board the cruiser USS Olympia tease cats with sunlight and a mirror, 1898. Originally a cyanotype, digitally converted to black and white.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43211

1898

Sailors Dancing, USS Olympia

Sailors on board USS Olympia dance with each other while the ship's band plays for "tiffin" (lunch) around 1889-99.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command

1898-99

Officers Dancing, USS Olympia

Officers and women dance the Mazy Waltz on the deck of the cruiser USS Olympia in 1898.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 43212

1898

USS Olympia, Enlisted Mess

Sailors on board USS Olympia sit down for a meal, 1898.

George Grantham

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 60779

1898

Thankgsiving Games, 1898, USS New York

This handbill lists the schedule of games on board USS New York on Thanksgiving Day, 1898, anchored offshore of Virginia.

Unknown

Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 89533

November 24, 1898

Wreck of the USS Maine

An oil painting depicting the wreckage of the armored cruiser USS Maine, which blew up in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898.

A. Melero

Naval History and Heritage Command, KN-10967

1898