I was enclosing my letter in its envelope when the explosion came. . . . it was a bursting, rending, and crashing sound or roar of immense volume, largely metallic in character. . . . the electric lights, of which there were eight in the cabin where i was sitting, went out. then there was intense blackness and smoke. â€"charles d. sigsbee, captain of uss maine, 1899 why might this account be considered a reliable source about the sinking of the maine? what evidence does this source provide?

Answer

This account is considered a reliable source due to the author's occupation and firsthand experience, as well as the detailed and vivid description of the events surrounding the sinking of the USS Maine.

Who is the author of this account and what was his occupation?answer The author of the account is Charles D. Sigsbee, who was the captain of the USS Maine at the time of the sinking.
What details about the sinking are provided in the account?answer The author provides a detailed and vivid description of the explosion that caused the sinking of the USS Maine. He describes the sound and character of the explosion, the loss of electric lights, and the resulting blackness and smoke.
How does the author's occupation and the details provided in the account make it a reliable source?answer The author's occupation as captain of the USS Maine gives him firsthand knowledge and experience of the events leading up to and during the sinking. The detailed and vivid description of the explosion and its aftermath provide valuable evidence and insight into the cause and effects of the sinking.