Large and decisive naval engagement of the Spanish–American War on July 18, 1898
The Third Battle of Manzanillo ended Spanish naval and territorial presence in Cuba by destroying the entire Spanish squadron without American losses.
Key Facts
- Date
- July 18, 1898
- US ships engaged
- 7 (4 gunboats, 2 armed tugs, 1 patrol yacht)
- Spanish ships engaged
- 10 (4 gunboats, 3 floating batteries, 3 transports)
- Spanish ships lost
- All ships sunk or destroyed
- US ships lost
- 0
- Outcome
- Manzanillo surrendered; Spanish presence in Cuba ended
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Spanish–American War of 1898, the United States Navy sought to eliminate remaining Spanish naval forces in Cuba. Spanish squadrons holding positions at Manzanillo represented continued resistance and a strategic obstacle to American control of the island.
On July 18, 1898, a US Navy squadron of seven vessels commanded by Chapman C. Todd engaged a Spanish fleet of ten vessels led by Joaquín Gómez de Barreda in Manzanillo harbor. The more powerful American force sank or destroyed all Spanish ships, including gunboats, floating batteries, and transports, while suffering no ship losses.
Following the destruction of their fleet, the remaining Spanish forces at Manzanillo were bombarded into surrender. This eliminated all Spanish naval and military presence in the region, contributing to the broader American victory in the Spanish–American War and the end of Spanish colonial control over Cuba.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Chapman C. Todd.
Side B
1 belligerent
Joaquín Gómez de Barreda.