Battleship Maine Plate

Object NamePlate

Manufacturer Westmoreland Glass Co. (American (Grapeville, PA), 1889 - 1984)

DatePost 1898

MediumNon-flint white milk pressed glass, applied design

Dimensions7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Glass

Credit LineGift of the Iowa State Questers. In the Iowa State Quester Glass Collection of the Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM2004.40

Status

On view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextThe United States commissioned the USS Maine, an American battleship, in 1895, and it became a symbol of national pride and a catalyst for the Spanish-American War. Stationed in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in January 1898, the ship suddenly exploded under mysterious circumstances, killing over 260 crew members. Rising tensions between the United States and Spain, caused by Cuba’s struggle for independence, intensified public outrage after the Maine’s loss. Newspapers and political leaders used the tragedy to rally support for intervention, popularizing the rallying cry, “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” The explosion revealed both the dangers of naval service and the growing importance of modern battleships in projecting national power. The Maine incident left lasting political and cultural effects. It defined a turning point in American foreign policy, marking the nation’s shift toward overseas intervention and imperialism. Citizens and officials commemorated the ship through memorials and observances, turning the USS Maine and its crew into enduring icons of sacrifice, patriotism, and the expanding role of the United States on the world stage.

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