he second U.S. Navy pre-dreadnaught battleship originally classified as an armored cruiser the USS Maine is best known for being blown up in Havana harbor. The ship had been set to Cuba to protect U.S. interests during Cubas revolt against Spain. On February 15 1898 the Maine suddenly exploded and quickly sank. Nearly three-fourths of the crew was lost. Responsibility and cause of the blast remains unknown. The ships tragic loss was a major event leading to the Spanish-American War.