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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images
EVENTS -- Spanish-American War --
Activities around Manila after the Battle of Manila Bay.

With Spanish naval power eliminated in the Philippines, Commodore Dewey promptly blockaded the city of Manila. On the land side, the city was soon surrounded by Philippine insurrectionary forces. Dewey cabled home for troops to take and occupy Manila, but the first of these would not arrive for nearly two more months. In the meantime, warships of other nations came in to observe the blockade and protect their citizens' interests. Particularly vexing to Dewey was the German squadron, stronger than his own and raising real concerns about its motives. He requested additional ships and ammunition as reinforcements against this threat and the prospect of a Spanish Navy relief expedition.

However, Americans and Germans maintained tense but nonviolent relations. During July, Spain gave up efforts to recapture the Philippines, and American reinforcements steamed into Manila Bay. On 7 August, with additional warships and a strong U.S. Army contingent in place, Manila was given a surrender ultimatum. Before noon, 13 August 1898, following heavy Navy bombardment of Fort San Antonio de Abad a few miles south of the city, and the fort's capture by U.S. troops, Manila's Spanish government capitulated.

This page features images relating to the blockade and capture of Manila.

If higher resolution reproductions than these digital images are desired, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

In all cases, clicking on the small photograph will prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 43347

Rear Admiral George Dewey,
Commander of the U.S. Asiatic Squadron,

with officers of his flagship, USS Olympia (C-6), and his staff on board the Olympia in Manila Bay circa 20 May-1 June 1898.
Those present are identified in unabridged caption.

Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN(MC)

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 83,094 bytes; 740 x 535 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 91866

"Principal Vessels of the German Squadron in Asiatic Waters"

Print after a drawing by Henry Reuterdahl, published in Harper's Pictorial History of the War with Spain, page 247.
It depicts the German battleship Kaiser (far left), flagship of Vice Admiral von Diedrichs, cruiser Irene (center) and cruiser Kaiserin Augusta (extreme right). A steam cutter, flying the German Imperial Navy ensign, is in the left foreground. These ships were active in Manila Bay during the American blockade of Manila, May-August 1898.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80,303 bytes; 510 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: USN 902956

Bombardment of Fort San Antonio de Abad, Malate, Philippines, 13 August 1898

Print after an artwork by G.W. Peters, Manila, 26 August 1898, published in Harper's Pictorial History of the War with Spain. At left, USS Olympia (C-6) and other U.S. Navy ships are firing on the fort.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59,418 bytes; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 43149

Capture of Fort San Antonio de Abad, Malate, Philippines, 13 August 1898

First U.S. flag is hoisted over the fort, which had been bombarded by U.S. warships, including USS Olympia, and captured by troops of the U.S. Army First Colorado Volunteer Regiment. Note extensive damage from shellfire.

Donation of Rear Admiral Ammen C. Farenholt, USN(MC).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82,323 bytes; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: USN 902954

Bombardment of Fort San Antonio de Abad, Malate, Philippines, 13 August 1898

Sentry from the U.S. Army First Colorado Volunteer Regiment poses before a shell hole in the fort. Damage was caused by U.S. warship gunfire, including USS Olympia's eight-inch guns.
The soldier holds a Krag rifle.

Donation of Lt. C.J. Dutreaux, USNR(Ret), 1947.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90,347 bytes; 605 x 780 pixels

 
Photo #: USN 902953

Bombardment of Fort San Antonio de Abad, Malate, Philippines, 13 August 1898

Photograph showing damage to one of the fort's buildings, caused by U.S. Navy warship gunfire.

Donation of Lt. C.J. Dutreaux, USNR(Ret), 1947.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87,669 bytes; 740 x 620 pixels

 
Photo #: NR&L(O) 18220

Capture of Fort San Antonio de Abad, Malate, Philippines, 13 August 1898

"Outer wall of Fort San Antonio, Manila, at beach end of Spanish line, showing effects of bombardment delivered by Navy, just prior to advance of Army."

Courtesy of Mr. L.Y. Spear, Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT, 1948.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 125,757 bytes; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NR&L(O) 18221

Capture of Fort San Antonio de Abad, Malate, Philippines, 13 August 1898

"From the staff at left, the First Colorado lowered the Spanish and swung out the American flag." (original caption)
Photograph shows U.S. Army troops standing by two field guns in the fort, sometime after its capture. Man at left holds a Springfield "trap-door" carbine.

Courtesy of Mr. L.Y. Spear, Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT, 1948.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 93,809 bytes; 740 x 590 pixels

 
Photo #: USN 902928

Manila, Philippine Islands

Plan of Manila, showing sea front of the walled city and location of principal batteries as determined by special reconnaissance on Aug. 15, 1898, by Admiral Dewey.

Reproduction of plan in the ONI 1899 Register.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59,466 bytes; 740 x 565 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 50574

Rear Admiral George Dewey, USN,
Commander of the U.S. Asiatic Squadron,

on tour in Manila, Philippine Islands, sometime after the city's capture on 13 August 1898.

Donation of Lt. C.J. Dutreaux, USNR(Ret), 1947.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86,833 bytes; 740 x 630 pixels

 

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3 April 1998