The Battle of Manila Bay took place on 1 May 1898, during
the Spanish-American War. The American
Asiatic Squadron under Commodore
George Dewey engaged the Spanish Pacific Squadron under
Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón and destroyed the
Spanish squadron. The engagement took place in Manila Bay,
the Philippines, and was the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War.
Prelude
Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón, who had been dispatched rapidly to the Philippines, was equipped with a variety of
obsolete vessels. Efforts to fortify his position amounted to little. The corrupt Spanish
colonial bureaucracy may have worked against the
effort, sending explosives meant for mines to
friendly construction companies. Reinforcements promised from Madrid resulted in only two
poorly armored scout cruisers. Montojo compounded his
difficulties by retreating from the range of Spanish fortress guns—guns that might have evened the odds—and choosing to anchor in a relatively shallow anchorage. His intent seems to
have been to preserve the families of the Spanish sailors in Manila from bombardment, and to allow survivors of his fleet to swim to safety. The harbor was protected by four
batteries.[1]
Battle
At daybreak on 1 May, George Dewey aboard the protected cruiser USS Olympia led a small squadron of ships into Manila Bay. Two mines were exploded but
ineffectively. At 5:10 a.m., the Spaniards opened fire. At 5:30 with the now famous phrase, "You may fire when ready, Gridley,"
the Olympia's captain was instructed to begin the barrage that resulted in the
destruction of the Spanish flotilla.[2]
The U.S. squadron swung in front of the Spanish ships and forts in single file, firing their port guns. They then passed back,
firing their starboard guns. This was repeated five times, each time at closer range. Most of the Spanish ships were either
destroyed or surrendered. The Spanish fleet fought back with ferocity, but many
crews were caught unaware—painting their vessels, or at Mass. The eleven Spanish ships and five land batteries fought back for two and a half hours. The American
ships withdrew at 7:45 a.m., then attacked again at 10:40. The Spanish colors were struck in surrender at 12:40 p.m. The results
were decisive; Dewey won the battle with only a single fatality among his crew, an engineer on the McCulloch from heart
attack.[2]
Aftermath
A Spanish attempt to attack Dewey with Camara's Flying Relief Column
came to naught, and the naval war in the Philippines devolved into a series of torpedo boat
hit-and-run attacks for the rest of the campaign. While the Spanish scored several
hits, there were no American fatalities directly attributable to Spanish gunfire.
On 2 May, Dewey landed a force of Marines
at Cavite. They completed the destruction of the Spanish fleet and batteries and established a
guard for the protection of the Spanish hospitals. The resistance of the forts was weak. The Olympia turned a few guns on
the Cavite arsenal, and its magazine at once exploded, killing some and wounding many. This practically ended the fire from the
batteries.
In recognition of George Dewey's leadership during the Battle of Manila Bay, a special medal known as the Dewey Medal was presented to the officers and sailors under Admiral Dewey's command. Dewey was later honored
with promotion to the special rank of Admiral of the Navy; a rank
that no one has held before or since in the United States Navy.
Ships involved
United States
The Battle of Manila Bay, depicted in a lithograph by Butler, Thomas & Company, 1899
Spain
- Reina Cristina
- Castilla
- Don Antonio de Ulloa
- Don Juan de Austria
- Isla de Cuba
- Isla de Luzón
- Marques del Duero
- Velasco
Engaged vessels ranged in size from 5870 tons (Olympia) to 500 tons (Marques del Duero).[3]
Dispatches Between Dewey and the Secretary of the Navy
Dewey sent multiple dispatches to John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy, immediately prior to, and following, the Naval Battle
of Manila Bay. These dispatches included George Dewey's promotion from the rank of commodore to rear-admiral.[4]
Manila, May 1
Squadron arrived at Manila at daybreak this morning. Immediately engaged the enemy and destroyed the following Spanish vessels:
"Reina Christina," "Castilla," "Don Antonio de Ulloa," "Isla de Luzon," "Isla the Cuba," "General Lezo," "Marquis the Duero,"
"Correo," "Velaszco," "Isla de Mindanao," a transport, and water battery at Cavite. The squadron is uninjured, and only a few men
are slightly wounded. Only means of telegraphing is to American consul at Hong Kong. I shall Communicate with him.
Dewey.
Cavite, May 4, 1898
Long, Secretary Navy—I have taken possession of the naval station at Cavite, Philippine Islands, and destroyed its
fortifications. Have destroyed fortifications at the bay entrance, paroling the garrison. I control the bay completely, and can
take the city at any time. The squadron is in excellent health and spirits. The Spanish loss not fully known, but very heavy. one
hundred and fifty killed, including the captain of the "Reina Christina." I am assisting in protecting the Spanish sick and
sounded. Two hundred and fifty sick and wounded in hospital withon our lines. Much excitement at Manila. Will protect foreign
residents.
Dewey
See also
References
- ^ Battle of Manila Bay, 1 May 1898,
Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center. Retrieved on October 10, 2007
- ^ a b The Battle of Manila Bay by Admiral George Dewey, The War Times Journal. Retrieved on October 10,
2007
- ^ The Battle of Manila Bay by Patrick McSherry, from spanamwar.com. Retrieved on October 10,
2007
- ^ Dispatches of Admiral George Dewey to
John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy, Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center. Retrieved on October 10, 2007
Additional References
- Nofi, Albert A., The Spanish American War, 1898, 1997.
- Carrasco García, Antonio, En Guerra con Los Estados Unidos: Cuba, 1898, Madrid: 1998.
- Freidel, Frank Burt. The Splendid Little War. Boston: Little, Brown,1958.
- Blow, Michael. A Ship to Remember: The Maine and the Spanish-American War. New York : Morrow, 1992. ISBN
0688097146.
External links
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