On February 15 1998 the United States Battleship was blown up while entering Havana harbour. It was said to be caused by a mine, in an explosion caused to form in the bottom and sank the ship, killing 260 officers and men on board. Some people suspected Spain to of put the mine there, but the Naval Court did not directly put the blame on Spain
USS Maine (ACR-1) was a United States Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor in February 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in April. American newspapers, engaging in yellow journalism to boost circulation, claimed that the Spanish were responsible for the ship's destruction. The phrase "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" became a rallying cry for action. Although the Maine explosion was not a direct cause, it served as a catalyst that accelerated the events leading up to the war.
