Divers at Work on the Wreck of the "Maine" the greatest interest" ("du plus vif intérêt"). Méliès himself recalled in 1932 that the film was a crowdpleaser. The film was less successful in countries with no strong political interest in the Spanish–American War; when the film was shown in Sherbrooke in French Canada in June 1898, audiences responded negatively and asked for films they had seen about the Passion of Jesus to be shown again instead. Divers at Work on the Wreck of the "Maine" Visite sous-marine du Maine, released in the United States as Divers at Work on the Wreck of the "Maine" and in Britain as Divers
Japanese cruiser Matsushima bombardment of the Chinese coastal forts at Keelung. "Matsushima" was among warships anchored in the Seto Inland Sea off Nagahama, Shikoku, Japan, when a strong gale struck on 29 October 1897. The central battery ironclad "Fusō"′s anchor chain broke, and "Fusō" drifted across the harbor, collided with "Matsushima"′s ram, then struck her sister ship "Itsukushima" before sinking in shallow water on a reef. "Fusō" later was refloated, repaired, and returned to service. "Matsushima" was reclassified as a second-class cruiser on 21 March 1898. Prince Arisugawa Takehito was later appointed captain, followed by future admiral Uryū Sotokichi. From 3 May 1898