The USS Maine Torpedo Port is a large, metal port from the USS Maine. The Maine blew up under mysterious circumstances while in Cuba, and this was used as a casus belli for the Spanish-American War beginning in 1898.
The port was first placed near Lake Merritt, where it sat for many years. It was stolen for scrap in 2011 1, 2, but fortunately recovered. It now sits in front of the Veterans Memorial Building on Grand Ave.
Links and References
- USS Maine on Wikipedia
- Gun port from USS Maine recovered by police KGO-TV ABC May 17, 2011
- Two men arrested after trying to recycle relic stolen from an Oakland park Oakland Tribune May 17, 2011