UNIFORM INSIGNIA FROM A MUSICIAN KILLED ABOARD THE U.S.S. MAINE
Three pieces of gold wire insignia cut from the uniform of a deceased sailor who served aboard the U.S.S. Maine and whose uniform (and likely remains) were recovered when the vessel was raised from the mud of Havana harbor. The insignia are affixed to a 24" x 16" sheet of paper upon which is hastily written their provenance: ""These [insignia] of rank were cut from a uniform of one of the dead sailors of the Battleship Maine by Emmett Erwin, U.S.N., brother of Brownie Erwin who was in Havana when the ill-fated ship was raised. The badge was secured by Mr. Erwin during his recent trip...on the cruiser Washington which carried Secreteray Knox and party.The ship returned to America Tuesday night...". Also present is a 7" x 5" photo of the U.S.S. Washington captioned on verso: "First trip to Havana Sect. Knox On Board Firing a salute while entering the bay. Lovingly [Em]mett". Some marginal chips and tears to provenance, insignia relatively intact. Starting in 1911, efforts were made to raise the wreck of the Maine to recover human remains and to remove the wreck for proper burial at sea. On March 16, 1912 the vessel was sent to the bottom off the Cuban coast following a somber ceremony.