Original, long-handled shovel identified to the U.S. Navy armored cruiser U.S.S. Maine. The cruiser, a.k.a. 2^nd class battleship, was commissioned in 1895 and sunk in the harbor at Havana, Cuba on 15 February 1898. The wooden-shafted shovel measures a total of 59” in length and has a flat-edged iron shovel attached to it via two large rivets. Likely used in the ship’s coal bunkers to shovel fuel to one of the eight boilers of the ship. Specimen is ID’d to the cruiser via 5/8” high letters “U.S.S. MAINE” impressed in the wood 27” down from the tip of the handle. The 10½” x 9½” metal shovel attachment measures 19” in total length and is heavily rusted from age and use. Scattered areas of the metal surface exhibit what appears like a hard residue similar to old cement. Shovel is strong and tight. No cracks, breaks or repairs.

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