Final Jeopardy 7/13/23 (Famous Ships) & Who Won Thursday July 13 2023

The USS Maine, launched on November 18, 1889, was the United States’ inaugural venture into the realm of battleship construction. Unfortunately, its operational life was abruptly cut short.

On February 15, 1898, during a friendly visit to Havana, Cuba, an unexplained explosion resulted in the sinking of the ship in the harbor, leading to the loss of 266 of the 355 crew members on board at the time. The exact cause of the explosion has been a topic of numerous inquiries over the years but remains undetermined.

The incident, which was perceived as an aggressive act against the United States at the time, exacerbated existing tensions with Spain and ultimately catalyzed the Spanish-American War in April 1898.

Despite its brief and tragic operational life, the USS Maine holds a place of significance in U.S. naval history. As the nation’s first-ever battleship, it symbolizes a turning point in naval warfare and is a testament to the United States’ evolution as a global power.