The “Maine” and Her Dead

The "Maine" and Her Dead On the 16th of March, the raised battleship Maine, which for fourteen years rested under the waters of Havana harbor, was escorted by the United States battleship North Carolina and the cruiser Birmingham to its last resting place in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Four miles from seashore, the ship's cocks were opened, taps were sounded from the watching warships, and the Maine gradually sank, going with flags flying to an honorable grave. The sea was strewn with flowers. The North Carolina then proceeded to the United States with sixty-six bodies of the Maine's victims, recovered with the raising of the vessel and interred temporarily in Cuba. These were taken to the Arlington Cemetery, at Washington, overlooking the broad Potomac, where, March 23, they were buried with all the honors of war. Rear Admiral Sigsbee and other survivors were present. Twenty-five thousand citizens stood with bared heads in the rain as the cortege passed through the capital. Will Carleton, in a poem published in Harper's Weekly, says of the funeral of the Maine: Out of the harbor she sought long ago, Harbor that welcomed, but served not to save, Under the clouds, bending piteous and low, Crept the great ship to her grave. Not from the battle's tumultuous breath, Not from the glory of victory's morn: — But from her travail of flame and of death, Lo! a republic was born. Not in the arms of this Queen of the Wrecks, Lingered the dust of her far-famous dead: Forests of palms hailed the flag on her decks — Roses above her were spread. Long had she waited her funeral-day, Lying in rough state mid sunlight or gloom: Now the world's plaudits each step of the way Followed her path to the tomb. Full sixty fathoms we buried her low, 'Neath the rough sea and the ne'er-changing skies: Far from molesting of friend or of foe, Heedless of tempests she lies. Lies in the arms of the ocean-waves pressed, With the wet sea-roses over her spread, While, with the love of a nation caressed, Arlington cares for her dead,