In 1898, Navy Divers were briefly involved in an international crisis when the second-class armored battleship USS Maine was sunk by a mysterious explosion while anchored in the harbor at Havana, Cuba. Navy Divers were sent from Key West to study and report on the wreck. Although a Court of Inquiry was convened, the reason for the sinking was not found.

Explosion was internal, caused by coal dust, bottom plates were blown outward and then one was bent inward by force of water rushing in.