Question

Why is this account a reliable source about the sinking of the Maine? It was written by the ship’s captain. It was published based on secondhand information. It was written the same day as the event. It was written by an expert historian.

Answer 1

The correct answer is A) it was written by the ship’s captain.

This account is a reliable source about the sinking of the USS Maine in that it was written by the ship’s captain.

This is an important piece of information that represents a primary source for researchers. It was written by Captain Charles D. Sigsbee, regarding the sinking of the USSS Main, from 1889. He was there during the sinking of the ship! In the letter, you can read something as "I was enclosing my letter in this envelope when the explosion came...the electric lights of the cabin...wnet out...then it was intense blackness and smoke."