Title

USS Main National Monument

Description

Atop a 40-foot pillar of Tennessee marble and a granite base stands a metal sculpture of Columbia, the female personification of the U.S., with a seashell chariot being led by three hippocampi. That sculpture is menat to be made of cannons from the USS Maine. Surrounding the base of the monument is a fountain. Surrounding the pillar are statues dedicated to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The Atlantic is personified as a young man sitting while the Pacific is an older man laying down. In front of the pillar is a group of sculpted people called "The Antebellum State of Mind: Courage Awaiting the Flight of Peace, and Fortitude Supporting the Feeble." The sculptures stand on a marble boat helm and include one of a young boy holding a wreath in the foreground, Lady Justice in the background, arms outstretched. At her feet is a mother holding her child and a muscular man. The back of the pillar has a sculpture group titled "The Post Bellum Idea: Justice Receiving Back the Sword Entrusted to War." Here, Lady Justice stands again with arms outstretched to two male figures at her feet. Inscribed in the front are the words "To the Valiant Seamen who Perished in the Maine by Fate Unwarned in Death Unafraid - MDCCCXCVIII (1898) MCMXII (1912). The back has two inscriptions. One says "To the Freeman who Died in the War with Spain that Others Might be Free - MDCCCXCVIII (1898) MCMXII (1912)." The other says, "Erected through public subscription by the National Maine Monument Committee: James Grant Wilson, Chairman; William R. Hearst; George F. Shrady; John W. Keller; and J. Edward Simmons."

Coordinates

Columbus Circle, Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

Location

Columbus Circle, Manhattan, New York City, New York

Abstract

The memorial dedicated to the soldiers who were killed on the USS Maine is located in Columbus Circle, New York City. Carved in part by Attilio Piccirilli, the monument, made of marble, granite, and bronze, was unveiled in 1913. The monument additionally features figures honoring the mothers of soldiers, Justice, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Creator

Attilio Piccirilli|240

Date

1913/05/05

Medium

Tennessee Marble|Granite|Bronze

Subject

Lady Justice|Columbia|Atlantic and Pacific Oceans|American Soldiers and their Mothers