Charles “Gunner” Morgan first gained fame in the Spanish American War of 1898.  Besides being one of the top naval gunners in the U.S. Navy he was also a diver and was assigned to be in charge of the divers who examined the wreck of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana, Cuba harbor.  Back then diver suits were made of canvas, lead shoes and a metal diving helmet. His report that the U.S.S. Maine was sabotaged by an external explosion caused Congress to declare war on Spain.  The slogan “Remember the Maine” echoed across America.

U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor, 1898

U.S.S. Maine, Havana Harbor, after the explosion.