REMEMBERING THE "MAINE" AT
THE NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY

Two days after the U.S.S. Maine sank in Havana Harbor with a loss of over 250 lives, the ship's captain Charles D. Sigsbee described the tragedy in a letter to his wife.  That Feb. 17, 1898, letter is part of a current exhibit of New York State Library materials commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Spanish-American War.

Captain Sigsbee acted heroically during the sinking of the Maine and was the last person to leave the ship as it sank into the harbor.  Sigsbee later commanded the U.S.S. St. Paul and defeated several Spanish ships in the spring and summer of 1898.  Prior to the sinking of the Maine, Sigsbee had been internationally known as a scientist and inventor who made pioneering deep water surveys of the Caribbean Sea.  The New York State Library is the repository for Sigsbee's papers.

All kinds of printed materials and patriotic music were written to stir emotions to "Remember the Maine."  the exhibit includes representative photographs, musical scores, and government documents.  The Sigsbee documents are on view on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany, through Monday, March 30.

--Reprinted with permission from New York State Library Weekly Information Bulletin, March 4, 1998

NOTE from NYHIST-L Moderator:  This exhibit is a small gem.  It occupies three display cases on the State Library's main, public floor.  Included are several excellent photographs of the U.S.S. Maine, Capt. Sigsbee, and the crew.  There are also photos of the vessel after it sank and a blueprint cross-section (bow to stern).  Well worth a visit to the New York State Library if you are in the Albany area this week or next.  (The State Library is open Mon.-Fri., 9-5.  There is convenient parking in the lot next to the Cultural Education Center on Madison Ave., U.S. Route 20.)