Distinguished Speaker Series | ‘Remember the Maine‘ the 125th Anniversary of the Sinking with Dr. Cori Convertito

May 20, 2023 | 6pm – 7pm

Tropic Cinema

USS Maine, a 6682-ton second-class battleship, was built at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned in September 1895. Her active career was spent operating along the U.S. east coast and in the Caribbean area, including much time in Key West. In January 1898, Maine was sent to Havana, Cuba, to protect U.S. interests during a time of local insurrection and civil disturbances. Three weeks later, on 15 February, the battleship was sunk by a massive explosion that killed the great majority of her crew.

While the cause of this tragedy has never been definitively resolved, it was a precipitating cause of the Spanish-American War that began in April 1898. In 1911-12, her hulk was raised from the bottom of Havana Harbor, towed several miles offshore and sunk with military honors.

His talk will reveal the surprising results of his research into the destruction of the USS Maine.

About the Presenter: 

The presenter has served as the curator and historian for the Society for the last 12 years while also acting as an adjunct instructor of American History at the College of the Florida Keys. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Exeter during which time she examined the Royal Navy, British West Indies development during the eighteenth century and its influence on health and medicine. She presents regularly at the US Naval Academy, the National Maritime Museum (UK) and other.

Funding for this program was provided by the Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida, with additional support provided by The Helmerich Trust. Additional support from Aloys & Carol Metty and The John & Marilyn Rintamaki Family Charitable Fund.