Was the USS Maine a Submarine? Clarifying the History and Classification

Often, inquiries about the USS Maine lead to a lot of confusion and misinformation. Was the USS Maine a submarine, or is it a matter of accurate historical classification?

Understanding the History

The USS Maine has a storied history, not to be confused with its more famous namesake that exploded in Havana Harbor, Spain, on February 15, 1898, sparking the Spanish-American War. However, the term 'Maine' has been given to four different ships in the U.S. Navy. Let us delve into the details of each incarnation to dispel any confusion.

The First USS Maine

The first USS Maine, completed in 1895, was a Second-class battleship. It is famous for its unfortunate end, which saw the ship explode in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. This incident is oftentimes incorrectly deemed to be a clue that the ship had internal torpedoes, leading to speculation that the ship was a submarine. However, it was not a submarine and in no way resembled what modern submarines do today. This ship, like its three successors, was a battleship, or more accurately, an armored cruiser.

The Second USS Maine

The second USS Maine served as the lead ship of a series of battleships post-Spanish-American War. These ships carried the name in honor of the first USS Maine. Known for its involvement in part of the Great White Fleet's cruise, it too, like the first, was a battleship. It was decommissioned and subsequently scrapped in 1922, another solid indication of its classification and not being a submarine.

The Third USS Maine

The third USS Maine was a Montana-class battleship authorized during World War II but never constructed for various reasons, including the end of the war. The ship, had it been built, would have been named after the first USS Maine, but it always remained on the drawing board and was never fully built, let alone a submarine.

The Current USS Maine (SSBN-741)

The current USS Maine (SSBN-741), commissioned in 1995, is indeed a submarine; specifically, an Ohio-class Ballistic Missile Submarine or Boomer. Equipped with 24 Trident II Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles, this submarine has been operational since its completion and is set to be replaced by the Columbia-class submarines sometime in the 2030s.

Classification of the USS Maine Ships

Throughout history, the ships designated as USS Maine have consistently been classified as battleships. This includes the first, second, and third designs, and only the current USS Maine (SSBN-741) is a submarine. The confusion often arises from historical events and media representations, leading some to misidentify the ship's nature.

Conclusion

So, to answer the question definitively: the USS Maine ships have never been submarines. They have all been classified as battleships. The USS Maine, SSBN-741, is the only submarine among the four ships, and it represents a significant technological advancement in naval warfare.

Understanding the history and classification of USS Maine is crucial for dispelling misconceptions and grasping the true nature of each iteration of this historic ship name. Dive deeper into naval history and explore the fascinating evolution of American naval power.