The Maine Memorial - Key West, FL - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Inscription: (Artist's signature appears on upper level of the base) (Also on upper level of base:) IN MEMORY/OF THE VICTIMS/OF THE/DISASTER/OF/U.S. BATTLE SHIP/"MAINE"/IN HAVANA HARBOR/FEB. 15, 1898/ERECTED BY/CITIZENS/OF KEY WEST, FLA. signed

Description: A full-length standing figure of a U.S. sailor of the Spanish- American War era. At his side, in his proper right arm, he holds a ship's oar. His proper left arm is raised, with his proper left hand held across his brow. He gazes out across the horizon in the direction of Cuba, south of Key West.

Remarks: Erected by the citizens of Key West in memory of the sailors killed in the explosion of the U.S. Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba, during the Spanish American War. The monument was paid for by funds raised by the citizens of Key West. The victims who are buried in the plot around the monument are those casualties of the explosion who died after they were brought to Key West. Remains of the initial victims recovered in 1911 are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. IAS files contain copy of newspaper article from Miami Herald, Dec. 3, 1964; and copy of publication by Thomas L. Hambright, "Battleship Maine Plot Key West Cemetery," Key West, FL: SAWVA, 1993. Hambright's publication discusses the dedication of the monument and reports that it took place on March 15, 1900; Key West Historical Society reported that the monument was dedicated Dec. 15, 1898. Key West Historical Society also reported the execution date as 1898, while Save Outdoor Sculpture survey reported date as 1899. Hambright's publication also reports that the original bronze oar held by the figure is missing, and that it was replaced in 1990 with a wooden oar of Jamaican dogwood.

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TITLE: The Maine Memorial ARTIST(S): Alfonso Pelzer DATE: 1898 MEDIUM: Bronze, Granite CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 74280001 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located in the Historic Cemetery at corner of Palm and Magnolia Aves DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: None noted

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