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U.S. BATTLESHIP MAINE
1898
Research fails to establish definite origin of these
issues but evidence points to fact that either or both medals were struck
from metal of vessel itself.
Early in 1899 "some eastern people" conceived idea of
using some of ship's armor plate to make variety of souvenirs and they
prepared "extensive assortment of dies and patterns." Springfield Iron Co.,
Springfield, Illinois, re-rolled "several carloads" of plate, reducing
thickness to point that permitted metal to be stamped or spun into "scarf,
hat and stick pins, ash receivers, ink stands, candle sticks, rings, pen
holders, paper weights, medallions, medals and miniature replicas of the
ship." These souvenirs proved popular and had countrywide sale.
Battleship Maine, Capt. Charles D. Sigsbee
commanding, was sent to Havana, Cuba, January, 1898, on goodwill tour. It
blew up in Havana Harbor Feb. 15, 1898, with loss of 264 men and 2 officers.
A U.S. inquiry blamed an external explosion; Spanish inquiry an internal
one. When Spanish American War broke out April 1898, "Remember the Maine"
became a rallying cry. Hulk of famous ship was raised finally in 1911.
TYPE I
 
Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins
Obv. Battleship; below microscopic R.
Sneider. New York.; below M*A*I*N*E / 5 stars in row / *
Launched * at * the * / Brooklyn Navy Yard, Nov. 18. 1890
Rev. ** In Commemoration ** / *
of the * / Officers / and / Crew / Who
Perished in / Havana • Harbor / • Cuba • / On
Board the / U. S. Battleship "Maine." / * Feb. 15th 1898 *
HK-285 Bronze, thick planchet. 38mm.
HK-285a White metal.
TYPE II
 
Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins
Obv. Battleship; above Remember; below
ship The Maine; beaded border.
Rev. Four busts, separated by scrolls, within
center circle; outside, above We Did; outside, below Remember the
Maine; beaded border.
HK-286 Brass, reeded edge. 35mm.
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