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Los Angeles Times
May 2, 1898
This article, in essence a series of early Spanish reports, covers the Battle of Manila Bay. The United States forces under Commodore George Dewey emerged victorious in this first battle of the Spanish-American War.
Lisbon, May 2.—[By Atlantic Cable.] Dispatches received here from Manila show that the American fleet has been victorious; that two of the Spanish cruisers have been destroyed; that the captain of one of them was killed, as well as many marines; that the Spanish fleet finally retired, and that the Americans effected at least one landing.
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Two brisk engagements were fought. In the first the Spanish vessels were seriously damaged, but not fatally. The American vessels then began to maneuver for position. The Spanish believed that they were retiring, and great excitement followed.
Dispatches were sent to Spain that a victory had been won; that the Americans had been routed. An hour later, however, the Americans again began to press closer to the Spanish, and opened fire with their heavy guns. In this engagement it was that Spain met defeat.
The first shell from the Baltimore struck the Maria Christiana and set her afire. Efforts were made to quench the flames, but in vain. When it became evident that she must burn, and that there was danger of her powder magazines exploding, Admiral Montejo left the ship, transferring his flag to the cruiser Isla de Cuba.
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Just as the admiral left the vessel, another bomb struck on the deck of the Maria Christiana, killing Capt. Cardarzo and wounding several marines.
While it is not clear that the Spanish squadron has suffered a crushing defeat, the dispatches leave in doubt the intensely interesting question whether the American squadron has suffered material damage.
All news thus far comes from Spanish sources, but it seems evident that Commodore Dewey has not captured Manila.
Unless he is able to make another attack and capture the town, he will be in an awkward position, having no base upon which to retire and recruit.
New York, May 2.—[Exclusive Dispatch.] Accounts of the battle between Admiral Dewey's fleet off Manila are all from Spanish sources. The Spanish control the cable from Manila, and nothing favorable to American arms would be allowed to pass through it. The significance of the Spanish version of the fight is in the fact that it admits the loss of three of the finest Spanish ships, and does not mention the loss of an American ship. It seems plain that Dewey has practically destroyed the Spanish fleet. It will be several days before his report of the battle can be received.
New York, May 2.—[Exclusive Dispatch.] A special to the World from Washington says that the President himself prepared Commodore Dewey's instructions as follows, according to a Cabinet officer tonight: “Proceed to Manila, come to anchor about eight miles off and watch for the Spanish fleet. If you can engage them out of range of the shore batteries, destroy them. Then try to occupy the city, but keep a safe range from the shore batteries. If the fleet has left, try and find it. If impossible, make a landing, using your own discretion, and guided by the advice of a pilot. You can destroy the batteries, but have no unnecessary bombardment.”
Madrid, May 1, 6:20 p.m.—[By Atlantic Cable.] Advices from Manila say that the American squadron, under Commodore Dewey, appeared off the Bay of Manila at 5 o'clock this morning and opened a strong cannonade against the Spanish squadron and forts protecting the harbor. The Spanish second-class cruiser Don Juan de Austria was severely damaged and her commander was killed. Another Spanish vessel was burned. The American squadron retired, having also sustained severe damages. A second naval engagement followed, in which the American squadron again suffered considerable loss and the Spanish warships Mindanao and Ulloa were slightly damaged.
Madrid, May 1, 8 p.m.—The following is the text of the official dispatch from the Governor-General of the Philippines to the Minister of War, Gen. Correa, as to the engagement off Manila:
“Last night, April 30, the batteries at the entrance to the forts announced the arrival of the enemy, forcing a passage under the obscurity of the night. At daybreak, the enemy took up positions, opening with a strong fire against Fort Cavite and the arsenal. Our fleet engaged the enemy in a brilliant combat, protected by the Cavite and Manila forts. They obliged the enemy, with heavy loss, to maneuver repeatedly.
“At 9 o'clock, the Americans took refuge behind the foreign merchant shipping on the east side of the bay. Our fleet, considering the enemy's superiority, naturally suffered a severe loss. The Maria Christiana is on fire and another ship believed to be the Don Juan de Austria, was blown up. There was considerable loss of life. Capt. Cardarzo, commanding the Maria Christiana, is among the killed. I cannot now give further details. The spirit of the army, navy and volunteers is excellent.”
Madrid, May 1.—The Spanish warships Mindanao and Ulloa were slightly damaged. During this engagement the Cavite forts maintained a steadier and stronger fire upon the American squadron than in the first engagement.
Admiral Bermejo, the Minister of Marine, has expressed himself as highly pleased with the heroism of the Spanish marines, and has telegraphed congratulations to Admiral Montejo and the valorous crews of the Spanish squadron under the fire of superior warships.
Madrid, May 1, midnight.—An official telegram received at a late hour from the Governor-General of the Philippines says: “Admiral Montejo has transferred his flag to the cruiser Isle de Cuba from the cruiser Reina Maria Christiana. The Reina Maria Christiana was completely burned, as was also the Cruiser Castilla, the other ships having to retire from the combat, and some being sunk to avoid their falling into the hands of the enemy.”
Madrid, May 1, 9 p.m.—The news from the Philippines has produced greatly increased enthusiasm, especially in view of the fact that the American squadron was obliged to retreat. Notwithstanding the severe damage, the Spanish ships suffered, naval officers here consider that future operations by the American squadron will be conducted under great difficulty, owing to their having no base where they could repair and recoal, or obtain fresh supplies of ammunition. Another account says the Mindana and Ulloa were severely damaged in the second engagement.
Madrid, May 1, 10 p.m.—Admiral Bermejo, Minister of Marine, joined the Cabinet council this evening and informed his colleagues that the Spanish forces had gained a victory in the Philippines. He asserted that he found difficulty in restraining his joyful emotions. The official dispatch does not mention the destruction of any American vessel, although it says that the United States squadron finally cast anchor in the bay beyond the foreign merchantmen.
Madrid, May 1, 11:30 p.m.—The town is greatly excited by the serious news from the Philippines, and there is an immense crowd gathering in the Calle de Sevilla. The civil guards on horseback were called out to preserve order, and all precautions have been taken.
London, May 2.—Dispatches from Madrid dated 2:20 a.m., say the city is now tranquil although the mounted guards are patrolling all the main streets. At the theaters, cafés and in front of the newspaper offices last evening, the people loudly lamented the unpreparedness of Manila to resist the American warships, whose attack had long been expected. The Madrid authorities are determined vigorously to suppress all street demonstrations.
London, May 1.—While it is quite clear that the Spanish squadron has suffered a crushing defeat, the dispatches leave unclear the intensely interesting question whether the American squadron has suffered material damage.
All news thus far comes from Spanish sources, but it seems evident that Commodore Dewey has not captured Manila. Unless he is able to make another attack and capture the town, he will be in an awkward position, having no base upon which to retire and to refit.
Probably, therefore, the United States squadron will be obliged to make for San Francisco as the entrance to Manila Bay was heavily mined with torpedoes.
Commodore Dewey displayed great pluck and daring in making for the inner harbor. Acording to private advices received from Madrid, the United States cruisers Olympia, Raleigh and two other vessels, the names of which are not given, entered the harbor.
No dispatches give details as to the vessels actually engaged on either side.
It appears to be incorrect that the ships anchored behind the merchantmen are on the east side of the harbor. It should be the west side.
Probabilities point in the direction of the second engagement having occurred, through the Spaniards trying to prevent the landing of the American wounded.
Reliable details cannot be had until Commodore Dewey's squadron is able to communicate with Hongkong. There is, however, a suspicious frankness in the Spanish dispatches that savors of the intention to break unwelcome news to the Spaniards. It is not likely, however, that Commodore Dewey will renew the attack.
Madrid, May 1. (via Paris, May 1.)—The time of the retreat of the American merchantmen was 11:30 a.m. The naval bureau at Manila sends the following, signed “Montejo, Admiral:”
“In the middle of the night the American squadron forced the forts and before daybreak appeared off Cavite. The night was completely dark. At 7:30 o'clock the bow of the Reina Maria Christiana took fire and soon after the poop also was burned. At 8 o'clock, with my staff, I went on board the Isle of Cuba. The Reina Maria Christiana and the Castilla were then entirely enveloped in flames.
“The other ships have been damaged, retired into Baker Bay. Some had to be sunk to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy....”
London, May 2.—The Madrid correspondent of the Financial News telegraphs this morning as follows:
“The Spanish Ministry of Marine claims a victory for Spain because the Americans were forced to retire behind the merchantmen. Capt. Cardarzo, in command of the Reina Maria Christiana, went down with the ship. The Spaniards fought splendidly. There is the greatest anxiety for further details.”
London, May 1.—[Exclusive Dispatch.] A dispatch received from Madrid late tonight indicates that the public there is at last awakening to the fact that Spanish arms have really suffered a terrible reverse in the Bay of Manila. There was a loud demand from the street crowds for an explanation of the fact that so many warships had been lost in a great Spanish victory. A large force of Civil Guards was called out to overcome the crowds, who were undoubtedly on the verge of rioting.
Source: Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1898.
Appears in
Dewey, George; Manila Bay, Battle of; Spanish-American War
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