USS Maine Monument, Naval memorial at Columbus Circle entrance of Central Park, United States
The USS Maine Monument is a memorial at Columbus Circle at the entrance to Central Park featuring a central pylon with a fountain base and bronze sculptures, crowned by Columbia riding a seashell chariot. The structure combines a vertical column with decorative water features and figurative bronze artwork.
The memorial was dedicated in 1913 and honors 266 American sailors who died in 1898 when the USS Maine battleship exploded in Havana Harbor. This event triggered a turning point in American naval policy.
The monument displays symbolic figures representing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, along with allegorical sculptures of Courage, Justice, and Fortitude. These representations reflect the period's vision of American power and virtue.
The memorial stands at Columbus Circle where multiple subway stations and bus routes converge, making it easily accessible. The best time to visit is early morning or on quieter weekdays when crowds are thinner.
The bronze sculptures were cast from metal recovered from the guns of the sunken ship, giving the memorial a direct physical connection to the tragedy. This material links the memory of those lost directly to the artwork itself.
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