Manila Bay: "You May Fire When Ready, Gridley!" Poster

The Battle of Manila Bay, a crucial naval engagement during the Spanish-American War, took place on May 1, 1898, in the waters of Manila Bay, Philippines. It pitted the United States fleet, under the command of Admiral George Dewey, against the Spanish Pacific Squadron led by Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo. The battle was a turning point in the war and had significant implications for both the United States and the Spanish Empire. Admiral Dewey's squadron, consisting of six modern steel warships, decisively defeated the antiquated Spanish fleet anchored in Manila Bay. Dewey's strategy of entering the bay under the cover of darkness and launching a surprise attack caught the Spanish forces off guard. In the ensuing engagement, Dewey's superior firepower and tactics led to the destruction of the Spanish fleet without the loss of a single American vessel. This resounding victory established American naval dominance in the Pacific and enabled the United States to begin its colonization of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The Battle of Manila Bay not only signalled the decline of the Spanish Empire but also marked the rise of the United States as a global naval power and a significant player on the world stage.