USS Maine (Battleship #10)
The lead ship of her pre-Dreadnought battleship class, USS Maine (Battleship #10), was commissioned on December 29, 1902, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her duty for the next five years was to serve in the Atlantic and off the eastern coast of the United States. As one of the battleships of the Great White Fleet, Maine departed in December 1907. Due to her heavy coal consumption, she returned to the United States before the other ships in October 1908. Maine served as the flagship to the Third Squadron before decommissioned in August 1909. Recommissioned after modifications in June 1911, she returned to operations off the eastern coast. During World War I, she trained engineers, armed-guard crews, and midshipmen. Additionally, many of her smaller guns were removed to arm other ships. Decommissioned on May 15, 1920, she still received the designation of BB-10 in July. In accordance with the Washington Naval Treaty, which rendered her incapable of further combat service, Maine was struck in July 1921 and sold in December 1923 for scrapping.
A model of Maine is on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Bldg 76, Bay 16, Right Side.
Image: NH 46719: USS Maine (Battleship #10), pre-1909. Handtinted postcard. NHHC Photograph Collection.
