The explosion of the USS Maine killed 266 American crew members. The ship sank in Havana Harbor on the night of February 15, 1898, after a massive blast destroyed much of its forward section.
The Maine had been sent to Havana to protect U.S. interests during Cuba's rebellion against Spanish rule. Most of the crew were sleeping or resting in forward enlisted quarters when the explosion occurred, which explains the devastating loss of life. The ship carried officers, sailors, and Marines; 266 men ultimately died, including people who succumbed to their injuries after the initial blast.
The disaster became a powerful political symbol in the United States. Newspapers popularized the slogan “Remember the Maine!” and often blamed Spain before the cause had been established. Public anger helped build support for military intervention and contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
An 1898 U.S. inquiry concluded that an external mine had caused the explosion, but later investigations found evidence more consistent with an internal ammunition or coal-bunker fire. The precise cause remains disputed, but the death toll of 266 is the standard figure used by U.S. historical sources.