On 1 May 1898 the U.S. squadron of Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet of Counter-Admiral Patricio Montojo in Manila Bay. It was the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War, and it opened the way to the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
Dewey's six ships
The American squadron had six engaged vessels, led by the flagship USS Olympia. The Spanish fleet of Admiral Patricio Montojo, led by the flagship Reina Cristina, consisted of four cruisers, three gunboats and three other vessels in poor repair.1
According to EBSCO, the Spanish fleet was completely disabled or destroyed, with 381 men killed and wounded. None of the American ships was damaged, and eight men were wounded. Counts of the U.S. wounded differ slightly from source to source.2
Afterwards
Dewey received the Dewey Medal and was later promoted to Admiral of the Navy.3
The sources below cover the action in full.
Also on this day
1945: Battle of Tarakan. Australian troops with a small Dutch contingent landed on Japanese-held Tarakan off Borneo, opening the Allied Borneo campaign.
Frequently asked questions
When and where was the Battle of Manila Bay?
It was fought on 1 May 1898 in Manila Bay, off Manila in the Philippines, during the Spanish-American War.
Who commanded the two fleets?
Commodore George Dewey led the United States squadron, and Counter-Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón led the Spanish fleet.
What were the losses?
According to EBSCO, the Spanish lost 381 men killed and wounded, while no American ship was damaged and eight Americans were wounded. Counts of the U.S. wounded differ slightly from source to source.
Notes
A number in the text points to a note; each note names the works that paragraph draws on, listed in full under Sources.
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