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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images
EVENTS--Spanish-American War--
Spanish Preparations for War

After the Maine's explosion, Spain's government quickly recognized the real threat of war. Her Navy began shopping abroad for ships, requisitioned domestic merchant vessels and improved the readiness of existing warships.

Deployed ships were recalled and several expeditionary forces organized. Initially most important, in early April Admiral Pascual Cervera's four armored cruisers were concentrated in the Cape Verde Islands. There, they were conveniently located for a dash across the Atlantic to the Caribbean should the Cuban crisis degenerate into war.

This page features views of Cervera's squadron in the Cape Verde Islands.

If better quality 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 88741

Admiral Cervera's fleet at anchor in the Cape Verde Islands, April 1898.

Photographed between mid-April and 29 April, when Cervera's ships sailed for the West Indies. In the left backround (left to right) are the Spanish armored cruisers Almirante Oquendo, Infanta Maria Teresa, Cristobal Colon, and Viscaya. Several destroyers and torpedo boats are in the center and right
Three British Navy gunboats are also in this photograph. The first gunboat, behind the coal barges in left foreground, is probably HMS Pelican of the North America and West Indies Station.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 50,687 bytes; 1,000 x 400 pixels
For best printing results, set printer on "landscape"

 
Photo #: NH 88612

Admiral Cervera's fleet in the Cape Verde Islands, April 1898.

Spanish armored cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa photographed between mid-April and 29 April, when she sailed from the Cape Verde Islands for the West Indies.

Copied from Office of Naval Intelligence Album of Foreign Warships.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 34,152 bytes; 740 x 530 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 88613

Admiral Cervera's fleet in the Cape Verde Islands, April 1898.

Spanish armored cruisers Cristobal Colon (left) and Vizcaya photographed between mid-April and 29 April, when they sailed for the West Indies.

Copied from Office of Naval Intelligence Album of Foreign Warships.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 44,732 bytes; 740 x 490 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 88611

Admiral Cervera's fleet in the Cape Verde Islands, April 1898.

Spanish armored cruiser Almirante Oquendo photographed between mid-April and 29 April, when she sailed for the West Indies.

Copied from Office of Naval Intelligence Album of Foreign Warships.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 46,786 bytes; 740 x 530 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 88614

Admiral Cervera's fleet in the Cape Verde Islands, April 1898.

A Spanish torpedo boat destroyer photographed between mid-April and 29 April, when Cervera's fleet sailed from the Cape Verde Islands for the West Indies. This is either Terror, Furor or Pluton. One of the fleet's colliers is in the background.

Copied from Office of Naval Intelligence Album of Foreign Warships.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 34,865 bytes; 740 x 560 pixels

 

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28 February 1998