USS Maine ACR-1 or the Battleship Maine

The Maine enters Havana harbor in 1898 - looking at the aft end of the ship
Photo:  www.wikipedia.org

  The USS Maine, built as an Armored Cruiser and later called a Battleship sunk in Havana, Cuba on February 15, 1898, 116 years ago today.  Over 260 American sailors lost their life.  It was, at the time, deemed sunk by Spanish forces and was the cause of the Spanish American War.
  Much later it was discovered that the sinking may have been caused by overheated boilers igniting and ammunition storage room.  Three or four studies have been done, the Rickover Commission in 1974 seems to have come up with the proper cause.  The Navy had switched to bituminous coal which burns hotter than the previous coal, the boiler would overheat.
  You can read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_(ACR-1)
The original bow decoration can be seen in Bangor, Maine where a ceremony is held each year to commemorate the loss of life.

The USS Maine bow décor in Bangor, Maine - click to enlarge
Photo: www.navsource.org