Maine Response
There are obviously many different ideas as to what really caused the terrible explosion of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898. After carefully examining documents concerning the sinking of the Maine, I have reached the conclusion that what happened that day was most likely an attack by the Spanish. By hearing different opinions, we can slowly start to unravel the mystery of the USS Maine's sinking and start to gather some closure.
When reading Explosion Not Caused by the Boilers, found in Document I, it's important to note clues about the condition of the ship before the attack. First off, this section states that the fire alarms in the bunkers were working prior to the explosion. Considering this, it is okay to assume that the chances of the alarms malfunctioning right before the attack are very slim. Also, it's believed that the boilers were operating efficiently before the attack, not to mention were being looked after by a trustworthy guard.
English: USS Maine Monument in New York City, NY, ...
A gun recovered from the USS Maine, which was sunk...
"The Maine entering Havana harbor. January 1898." ...According to Document I, everything had been reported safe and sound at 8 o'clock that night. Again, it would be hard to persuade me to believe that the ship could develop difficulties with any of the boilers between 8 o'clock and 9:40 p.m. Based on the opinion of the US court, the second explosion that was heard could have only been made by the explosion of a mine underneath the ship. Assuming the court is reliable, it's safe to say that the likeliness of any of the crew or citizens of Cuba being responsible are little to none.
The reactions of both Spain and the US are important factors when deciding what occurred that day. In Document IV, the writer describes the anger the Spanish had towards the American people. He goes on to add that...