Battle of Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War

The climatic naval battle of the Spanish-American War, the Battle of Santiago de Cuba resulted in a decisive victory for the US Navy and the complete destruction of the Spanish squadron. Anchored in Santiago harbor in southern Cuba, Spanish Admiral Pascual Cerveras six ships found themselves blockaded by the US Navy in the late spring of 1898. With the advance of American forces ashore, Cerveras position became untenable and on July 3 he attempted to escape with his squadron. Cervera was soon intercepted by American battleships and cruisers under Rear Admiral William T. Sampson and Commodore William S. Schley. In a running battle, the superior American firepower reduced Cerveras ships to burning wrecks. The loss of Cerveras squadron effectively cut off Spanish forces in Cuba. Situation Prior to July 3 Following sinking of USS Maine and the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States on April 25, 1898, the Spanish government dispatched a fleet under Admiral Pascual Cervera to defend Cuba. Though Cervera was against such a move, preferring to engage the Americans near the Canary Islands, he obeyed and after evading the US Navy arrived at Santiago de Cuba in late May. On May 29, Cerveras fleet was spotted in the harbor by Commodore Winfield S. Schleys Flying Squadron. Two days later, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson arrived with the US North Atlantic Squadron and after taking overall command began a blockade of the harbor. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, USN. US Naval History and Heritage Command Commanders Fleets US North Atlantic Squadron - Rear Admiral William T. Sampson Armored Cruiser USS New York (flagship)Battleship USS Iowa (BB-4)Battleship USS Indiana (BB-1)Battleship USS Oregon (BB-3)Armed Yacht Gloucester US Flying Squadron - Commodore Winfield Scott Schley Armored Cruiser USS Brooklyn (flagship)Battleship USS TexasBattleship USS Massachusetts (BB-2)Armed Yacht USS Vixen Spanish Caribbean Squadron - Admiral Pascual Cervera Armored Cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa (flagship)Armored Cruiser Almirante OquendoArmored Cruiser VizcayaArmored Cruiser Cristobal ColonTorpedo Boat Destroyer PlutonTorpedo Boat Destroyer Furor Cervera Decides to Break Out While at anchor in Santiago, Cerveras fleet was protected by the heavy guns of the harbor defenses. In June, his situation became more tenuous following the landing of American troops up the coast at Guantà ¡namo Bay. As the days passed, Cervera waited for inclement weather to scatter the blockade so that he could escape the harbor. Following the American victories at El Caney and San Juan Hill on July 1, the admiral concluded that he would have to fight his way out before the city fell. He decided to wait until 9:00 AM on Sunday July 3, hoping to catch the American fleet while it conducting church services (Map). Spanish Navy armored cruisers Cristà ³bal Colà ³n (left) and Vizcaya. US Naval History and Heritage Command The Fleets Meet On the morning of July 3, as Cervera was preparing to break out, Adm. Sampson pulled his flagship, the armored cruiser USS New York, out of line to meet with ground commanders at Siboney leaving Schley in command. The blockade was further weakened by the departure of the battleship USS Massachusetts which had retired to coal. Emerging from Santiago Bay at 9:45, Cerveras four armored cruisers steered southwest, while his two torpedo boats turned southeast. Aboard the armored cruiser USS Brooklyn, Schley signaled the four battleships still on the blockade to intercept. A Running Fight Cervera began the fight from his flagship, Infanta Maria Teresa, by opening fire on the approaching Brooklyn. Schley led the American fleet towards the enemy with the battleships Texas, Indiana, Iowa, and Oregon in line behind. As the Spaniards steamed by, Iowa hit Maria Teresa with two 12 shells. Not wishing to expose his fleet to fire from the entire American line, Cervera turned his flagship to cover their withdrawal and directly engaged Brooklyn. Taken under heavy fire by Schleys ship, Maria Teresa began to burn and Cervera ordered it run aground. The remainder of Cerveras fleet raced for open water but was slowed by inferior coal and fouled bottoms. As the American battleships bore down, Iowa opened fire on Almirante Oquendo, ultimately causing a boiler explosion that forced the crew to scuttle the ship. The two Spanish torpedo boats, Furor and Pluton, were put out of action by fire from Iowa, Indiana, and the returning New York, with one sinking and the other running aground before exploding. End of Vizcaya At the head of the line, Brooklyn engaged the armored cruiser Vizcaya in an hour-long duel at approximately 1,200 yards. Despite firing over three hundred rounds, Vizcaya failed to inflict significant damage on its adversary. Subsequent studies have suggested that as much as eighty-five percent of the Spanish ammunition used during the battle may have been defective. In response, Brooklyn bludgeoned Vizcaya and was joined by Texas. Moving closer, Brooklyn struck Vizcaya with an 8 shell that caused an explosion setting the ship on fire. Turning for shore, Vizcaya ran aground where the ship continued to burn. Oregon Runs Down Cristobal Colon After more than an hours fighting, Schleys fleet had destroyed all but one of Cerveras ships. The survivor, the new armored cruiser Cristobal Colon, continued fleeing along the coast. Recently purchased, the Spanish Navy did not have time to install the ships primary armament of 10 guns before sailing. Slowed due to engine trouble, Brooklyn was unable to catch the retreating cruiser. This allowed the battleship Oregon, which had recently completed a remarkable voyage from San Francisco in the wars early days, to move forward. Following an hour-long chase Oregon opened fire and forced Colon to run aground. USS Oregon (BB-3). US Naval History and Heritage Command Aftermath The Battle of Santiago de Cuba marked the end of large-scale naval operations in the Spanish-American War. In course of the fighting, Sampson and Schleys fleet lost a miraculous 1 killed (Yeoman George H. Ellis, USS Brooklyn) and 10 wounded. Cervera lost all six of his ships, as well as 323 killed and 151 wounded. In addition, approximately 70 officers, including the admiral, and 1,500 men were taken prisoner. With the Spanish Navy unwilling to risk any additional ships in Cuban waters, the islands garrison was effectively cut off, ultimately dooming them to surrender.