Monument to the victims of Maine, Havana was built in memory of the victims of the Maine which dates back to the era of the dewatering and raising of the wreckage. A committee was appointed by the president of the Cuban Republic to head the efforts. Monument to the victims of Maine, Havana was built according to a design which was the subject of a competition. An engineer Felix Cabarrocas became the winner. In 1924, Cabarrocas was given the contract for the construction of the new memorial on a site near the former Santa Clara Battery on Avenida Antonio Maceo.
Maine was an American second class cruise. Built in 1874, it was made of steel. It is 94 meters in length, 17 beams and of 7 drafts. It was commanded by Captain S.B. Sigsbee. The cruise had arrived at Havana three weeks before its explosion. Its explosion occurred on 15 February, 1898. It was used as a pretext by the USA who declared war to Spain and intervened in the Hispanic-Cuban conflict in the same year 1898.
Monument to the victims of Maine in Havana was inaugurated on March 8, 1925 and the ceremony was attended by Cuban President Zayas, General John Pershing, Admiral Dayton and the minister of Spain. Miss Elvira Machado Machado was the prestigious guest to unveil the plaque bearing the names of the victims. Monument to the victims of Maine, Havana consists of a large base featuring two of the Maine’s large ten inch guns. Each of them faces outward in opposite directions from the center, draped with the anchor chain of Maine.
An elaborate pedestal stands at the center inscribed with the words “A Las Victimas del MAINE el Pueblo de Cuba” and “Joint Resolution: ‘The People of the Island of Cuba Are and of Right Ought to be Free and Independent’ Congress of the United States of America, 1898.” The pedestal featured statuary, the plaque with the names of the victims of the Maine explosion and relief views of the tragedy. Also, there are two Corinthian columns supporting a short lintel with the word “Libertad” inscribed upon it. There is a large eagle with outspread wings on top of the lintel.
The original monument had also busts of three American politicians -- William McKinley, who declared the war to Spain to impede the Cuban victory, Leonardo Wood, the first administrator of the island and Theodore Roosevelt.
The Monument to the victims of Maine, Havana was damaged due to a devastating hurricane on October 20, 1926. The Corinthian columns including the eagle and lintel were destroyed. Funds were appropriated to repair the monument in November of the same year. Also, the plaza around the monument was expanded. On February 15, 1928, the thirtieth anniversary of the sinking of the Maine, a ceremony was held at the monument.
Complete and authentic online information on Monument to the victims of Maine, Havana offered at travel.mapsofworld.
Mapxl.com is a business division of Compare Infobase Limited
Compare Infobase Limited C-62, Community Center, Janakpuri, New Delhi-58 (India) Tel: +91-11- 25542045, 41588013, 41588014 Hotline Nos. : +91-11- 41574999, 41574888, 41574890 You may contact between 08.00 to 20.00 hours IST Fax: + 91-11-25547264 Mobile: +91(0) 9871399025 contactus@mapsofworld.com
