Four Photos Showing Life On The Battleship Maine Spanish American War

 

Crew of the Battleship Maine
(At the time this photo was taken, it is unsure how many of the 260 men pictured survived.)

Wright’s History of the Spanish American War (1898) published these photos of life on the Battleship Maine. Most were taken just days before the explosion. How many of the sailors pictured survived the blast is uncertain.

Torpedo tube and gunners on the Battleship Maine. All of them perished in the explosion.

Bachelor’s Glee Club on the Battleship Maine. The club’s fame rested chiefly on its songs, which were in great request among the officers and men alike. With one exception, the members were all young men. Some of them perished in the fatal explosion, which occurred shortly after their last songs floated out over the harbor of Havana.

Revolver Practice on the Battleship Maine. Firing at a target with the new-model “navy” revolvers is another part of the drill on board a war-ship. A section of the “Maine’s” crew is here shown, one rank firing above the heads of the other kneeling.