Who was correct on how the battleship Maine got destroyed?

Question

The U.S. claimed it was a mine explosion and Spanish authorities claimed it was an internal explosion that may have resulted from the heavily loaded ship's magazine.

Answer 1

An external explosion punctured the hull & ignited the forward magazine, which destroyed the ship (from salvage reports of 1910).

The complete history is available on the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS):
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m2/maine-i.htm

Or, here's an excerpt pertaining to late 1897 and USS Maine:

The ship prepared for a voyage to Havana, Cuba, to show the flag and to protect American citizens in event of violence in the Spanish struggle with the revolutionary forces in Cuba.

On 11 December, Maine stood out of Hampton Roads bound for Key West, arriving on the 15th. She was joined there by ships of the North Atlantic Squadron on maneuvers, then left Key West 24 January 1898 for Havana.

Arriving 25 January, Maine anchored in the center of the port, remained on vigilant watch, allowed no liberty, and took extra precautions against sabotage. Shortly after 2140, 15 February, the battleship was torn apart by a tremendous explosion that shattered the entire forward part of the ship. Out of 350 officers and men on board that night (4 officers were ashore), 252 were dead or missing. Eight more were to die in Havana hospitals during the next few days. The survivors of the disaster were taken on board Ward Line steamer City of Washington and Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII.

The Spanish officials at Havana showed every attention to the survivors of the disaster and great respect for those killed. The court of inquiry convened in March was unable to obtain evidence associating the destruction of the battleship with any person or persons, but public opinion in the United States was so inflamed that the Maine disaster led eventually to the declaration of war on Spain 21 April.

On 5 August 1910, Congress authorized the raising of Maine and directed Army engineers to supervise the work. A second board of inquiry appointed to inspect the wreck after it was raised reported that injuries to the ship’s bottom were caused by an external explosion of low magitude that set off the forward magazine, completing destruction of the ship. It has never been determined who placed the explosive; responsibility for the sinking of Maine remains one of the continuing enigmas of American history.

Answer 2

The Spanish had it correct. The latest U.S. investigative findings are that a catastrophic magazine explosion resulted in the almost instantaneous sinking of the American battleship Maine.

Answer 3

History has shown the Spaniards to have been correct.
The U.S.S. Maine was probably destroyed by a coal fire explosion.

Answer 4

women and adult adult males human beings are different with how they look after those circumstances. I do think of that once you attain a factor of no return...yeah its over. once you're in basic terms bored to death and too harm to ever take that loopy son of a &&&& decrease back it is probable completed and over with. i comprehend it takes time and time hurts yet time will additionally heal. somebody super will walk into your existence sooner or later. yet for now..you have you and your babies...that's all you elect...concentration nena! Pray...circumstances like this do not build charactr yet attempt character. and you have character! Dont wreck that for everyone...

Answer 5

No one knows.
They say it was a coal bunker explosion, however, check out source.

Answer 6

It may have been an accident.

Answer 7

can you say black flag operation,funny how history repeats