National Museum of the U.S. Navy

This exhibit traces United States involvement in Spanish colonial conflict in Cuba, the Caribbean, and the Phillippines. During the conflict in Cuba, the Navy sent USS Maine to protect Americans living in Havana, but it exploded in the bay in February 1898. At the time, the US believed Spain attacked Maine, but this theory was disproven years later. This was the final event that propelled the United States into war with Spain. After a short war, Spain relinquished the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Marianas to the United States. The outrage over Maine is presented in this exhibit, as well as an audio presentation and diorama on Commodore George Dewey's attack on Manila Bay.

Interesting artifacts in the Spanish-American War exhibit include:

• Chart used by navigator on USS Baltimore (Cruiser #3) during Battle of Manila Bay
• Hotchkiss rifle captured from the Spanish cruiser Don Antonio De Ulloa which fired
  the last shot at Dewey's fleet
• Admiral Dewey's uniform, pennant, sword, and personal effects
• Figurehead from the gunboat Balusan
• Crest of Spanish vessel Reina Mercedes
• Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson's raft.   Another view.
• Cell Keys from El Morro Castle that held Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson.
• Enlisted sailor's uniform
• Bow ornament from USS Olympia (Cruiser #6).   Side view.  Another view. 
• 3 pounder Hotchkiss gun
• 47 millimeter Hotchkiss gun
• Ship's Wheel from USS Albany (Cruiser #23), suspended from wall