When moving my mother in law into a nursing home I found a bronze tablet in an unused fireplace. It is really beautiful and in great shape.
It says it is made from metal salvaged from the USS Maine. It says it is number 238 on the back. I am wondering if any Spanish American War experts might be able to tell me how many were made and if there is a list of who they were issued to? I am really curious as to how this ended up in her fireplace. I know my wifes grandfather fought i the spanish american war but not much else.
This plaque from Lancaster, Pennsylvania (left) is one of many plaques made from bronze from the Battleship MAINE. Each of the plaques weighs eight pounds, with one thousand plaques reportedly being cast. Each measures 12.5" x 18". The image was designed for the U.S. Government by the famous sculptor, Charles Keck who died on April 23, 1951, and cast in New York by Williams Foundry. The plaque reads, "This Tablet Is Cast From Metal Recovered From The U.S.S. Maine." After the MAINE was originally sunk in 1898, it rested in the middle of Havana Harbor with one of its masts still visible above the water line. In 1913 it was raised and much of the metal was removed with most being used for souvenirs. The ship was then sent further out to sea for a fitting funeral. Plaques can be seen in a variety of places throughout the country.
Each plaque is numbered and stamped on the reverse. An example of the inscription is shown above (right). This example is from the plaque in Irvine Park, Orange County, Caliornia[sic]. The hole for the bolt to hold the plaque in place was drilled through the sculptor's first name...
This is from the vintage website The Spanish American War Centennial Website. Relatedly, you can listen to Dan Carlin's take on the Spanish American War, Hardcore History The American Peril, here.
(minor ninja-edits)
