Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 21, 2025 ~ The Old Sachem ~ The Sinking of the USS Maine T By Bill Stewart he USS Maine was a second-class battleship that started being built in 1888 and was completed in 1895. It was one of the fi rst American battleships and weighed more than 6,000 pounds and cost more than two million dollars to build. The ship was the fi rst named for the State of Maine and was followed by the USS Texas. The Maine was described as an armored cruiser or second-class battleship. The two were built as an advance on warship design, which followed the latest design of European naval 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! development. Both ships had two-gun turrets, and full sailing masts were omitted, as steam engines replaced sail. Due to the fact that both ships required nine years to build, both were somewhat obsolete by the time of completion. The Maine made a friendly visit to Cuba and reached the harbor on February 15th, 1898, to protect the interests of Americans in Cuba, after a rebellion against Spain broke out in Havana in January. It is known as the Cuban War of Independence. The American government wanted to protect the Americans who lived in Cuba during the fi ghting. The Cubans fought from 1895 to 1898 against Spain in the new world. The Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. American newspapers, which wanted to boost circulation, used yellow journalism to provoke the public to believe that the Spanish were the ones to blow up the ship. They created the phrase “Remember the Maine! To hell FIRING | FROM PAGE 3 www.810bargrille.com Tschang, who was referenced in the Arrowood report although he had not been interviewed. Some of the Committee members briefl y reviewed the materials, although none requested a brief recess so they could do so. No one asked Dr. McMahon with Spain!” which became a cry for action. The U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry ruled in March that the ship was blown up in the harbor by an external explosion from a mine. The explosion sank the ship and 286 sailors were killed, which was three-quarters of the crew. The United States then deployed forces in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands to fi ght Spain. Some U.S. Naval offi cers disagreed with the verdict and suggested that the ship’s magazines had been ignited by a spontaneous fi re in a coal bunker. The coal used in the Maine was bituminous, which was known for releasing gasses composed primarily of fl ammable methane that often exploded. An investigation by Admiral Hyman Rickover in 1974 agreed with the coal fi re idea, but the sinking remains a subject of a military situation. The ship remained in the harbor bottom until 1911. Then a cofferdam was built around the ship. They patched the ship and were able to fl oat the remains, then the Maine was towed out to sea and sunk again. It lies on the seaany questions. Shortly following the Superintendent’s presentation, the Committee unanimously voted to terminate Dr. McMahon’s contract. Chair Serino stated that the Committee’s vote was based on the fi ndings and potential violations of law suggested by Arrowood in the “The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) bed 3,600 feet below the surface. The main mast is now a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. We will never know for sure what caused the explosion, but we will honor the men who died in Havana Harbor. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column – sometimes about sports. He also opines on current or historical events or famous people.) Executive Summary. After the termination on November 7, 2023, the School Committee provided the full unredacted Arrowood report to Dr. McMahon, which included t he name of the whistleblower, Dr. Ferrick. The Arrowood report was also leaked to the media. — Vinyl Siding — Carpentry Work — Decks — Roofing — Free Estimates — Replacement Windows — Fully Licensed — Fully Insured
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