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It's February 15th, 1898 in Havana Harbor just off the coast of Cuba.

On the deck of a cargo ship called the City of Washington.

Some American officers play cards, smoke cigars, and enjoy the evening air.

Among them is the ship's commanding officer, Captain Frank Stevens.

Frank glances out across the water at another American ship nearby, the USS Maine.

Frank's ship is just a cargo vessel, but the Maine is a naval warship and it's been sent here to protect American interests in Cuba.

Since the Cuban War of Independence began three years ago, the U.S. has supported the Cuban

insurgents against their Spanish rulers. Back in January, riots broke out in the streets of

Havana and the local Spanish government resorted to extreme methods to stop the violence. In response,

the U.S. sent the U.S.S. Maine into Havana Harbor to curb Spanish aggression.

Tonight, though, Frank and his men do their best to ignore the ongoing tensions and just relax.

But then... The dark quiet night is lit up by a gigantic explosion, close enough for Frank to feel the heat on his face.

Frank looks out across the water and sees a fireball plume into the sky above the USS Maine.

Frank's crew cry out an alarm as debris shoots up into the air.

Fragments of wood, steel and concrete rain down on the surrounding boats, including the city of Washington.

Frank and his crew watch with horror as thick black smoke pours out of the main.

Then Frank hears a series of smaller explosions from inside

the main. He can see men hurling themselves overboard to escape the furnace.

...