What was the flagship of Admiral Cervera's fleet at Santiago?

The flagship of Admiral Cervera’s fleet at Santiago was the armored cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa. She led the Spanish squadron out of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898, during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.

Cervera transferred his flag from Vizcaya to Infanta Maria Teresa in January 1898. After the Spanish squadron reached Santiago, the American blockade trapped it in the harbor for 37 days. Cervera eventually ordered a breakout, with his flagship leading the line and attempting to draw fire from the faster American cruiser USS Brooklyn.

Infanta Maria Teresa was quickly overwhelmed by concentrated American gunfire. Fires spread through her wood-furnished upper works, and Cervera ordered the ship beached to save her crew. All four major Spanish ships were destroyed or driven ashore during the battle.

A common mix-up is Vizcaya, which was also one of Cervera’s ships and had briefly served as his flagship before the flag was transferred. Infanta Maria Teresa was later refloated by the U.S. Navy but sank while being towed to the United States.