Who commanded the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay?

Patricio Montojo commanded the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay. A Spanish rear admiral, Montojo was commander of Spain’s Pacific Squadron based in the Philippines when war broke out with the United States in 1898.

On May 1, the American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey entered Manila Bay and attacked the Spanish ships near Cavite. Montojo’s squadron consisted largely of older and poorly supplied vessels, while Dewey’s force had better-trained crews and more effective modern warships. The battle ended in a decisive American victory, with the Spanish squadron destroyed or forced to surrender.

Montojo had initially considered the stronger defensive position at Subic Bay, but its shore batteries were incomplete. He instead positioned his ships in Manila Bay, where shallow water could make rescue easier if the fleet was defeated. His flagship, Reina Cristina, fought before being sunk.

Pascual Cervera commanded the Spanish fleet defeated at Santiago de Cuba, not Manila Bay. Antonio Pez and Manuel de Cámara were not the canonical commanders of the Spanish squadron in this battle.