Avatars, Music & Travel

USS MAINE

The USS MAINE
was one of the first United States battleships to be constructed.
The vessel's destruction in the Cuba Harbor of Havana was a catalyst in bringing war between the United States and Spain.
The loss of the ship was tremendous shock to the United States since it represented virtually the state of the art of naval shipbuilding in the United States,
only recently eclipsed by newer vessels. "Remember the Maine" became the battlelecry of the United States Military Forces in 1898.

The wreck of the USS Maine in Hanva Harbor

ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
One major problem with this type of vessel,
and a common problem aboard warships of the time period,
was that the coal bunkers were used as additional "armor" to protect the magazines.
The bunkers were placed around the perimeter of the ship,
and magazines were placed inboard of this extra layer of protection.
Spontaneous combustion fires in coal bunkers were somewhat common.
A burning coal bunker on the opposite side of a bulkhead from a magazine full of ammunition presented a real and great danger.
Also, the USS MAINE's forward turret was located off center to the starboard side of the vessel,
making it impossible to fire to port.
The aft turret was located on the port side of the vessel,
and therefore could not fire to starboard.
This created great limitations in battle maneuverability and deployment of firepower.

Stars and Stripes Forever
Updated 01-01-04 й Bill Burroughs, FAIRWOOD 2000
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