A minor Spanish–American War naval skirmish near Cienfuegos illustrating the marked disparity in firepower between U.S. and Spanish naval forces in Cuban waters.
Key Facts
- Date
- 13 June 1898
- U.S. vessel
- USS Yankee (auxiliary cruiser)
- Spanish vessel
- Diego Velázquez (gunboat)
- Spanish reinforcements
- Gunboats Lince and Cometa joined after engagement
- Conflict
- Spanish–American War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Spanish gunboat Diego Velázquez sortied from the port of Cienfuegos, Cuba, to investigate a suspicious steamer in the area. The vessel turned out to be the American auxiliary cruiser USS Yankee, and the two ships came into contact, initiating a brief engagement.
USS Yankee, commanded by Commander Willard Herbert Brownson, engaged the Spanish gunboat Diego Velázquez under Juan de Carranza off Cienfuegos. The Spanish gunboat was markedly inferior in armament but managed to disengage and return to port during this minor naval skirmish.
After Diego Velázquez retreated to Cienfuegos, the small Spanish gunboats Lince and Cometa emerged to support it. Facing the combined presence of three vessels, USS Yankee chose to withdraw, ending the engagement with no decisive result for either side.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Willard Herbert Brownson.
Side B
1 belligerent
Juan de Carranza.