Description:

(SINKING OF THE USS MAINE) SAMPSON'S COURT OF INQUIRY
An official published government report titled 'The Report of the Naval Court of Inquiry Upon the Destruction of the United States Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor February 15, 1898', (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office), 1898, 302pp. 8vo., containing the court's findings, transcripts of testimonies given, and charts or illustrations used as evidence. Slightly worn with chipping to the cover and binding, with a few scattered stains. On February 15, 1898, and explosion occurred on board the USS Maine which was stationed in Havana Harbor to protect US interests in the Cuban War of Independence. The explosion originated in the ships stores of its six- and ten-inch ammunition, but what caused the original catalyst was heavily debated. Only 94 of the ships original 355 crew survived the blast, and an investigation was immediately opened to discover what happened. This inquiry, known as the 'Sampson Board' was headed by Captain William T. Sampson and began on February 21 taking testimonies from survivors, witnesses. Divers were also sent to investigate the wreck. Naval officials argued there was no way the explosion could have been an accident or the fault of the crew. The report finally concluded that the Maine had been blown up by a mine, mostly due to witnesses claiming they had heard a smaller explosion seconds prior to the main blast. This conclusion brought national attention to the issue, and with the help of "yellow journalism", garnered widespread support to initiate war with Spain to gain retribution. When the U.S. began the Spanish American War two months later, the McKinley administration would not cite the explosion as one of its causes, yet the rallying cry 'Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!' still swept the nation.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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