Battle of Cienfuegos

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Battle of Cienfuegos
Part of Spanish-American War
Depiction of American boats cutting the cable at Cienfuegos.
Date May 11, 1898 Location near Cienfuegos, Cuba Result Indecisive
Combatants
Spain	United States
Commanders
Unknown	Bowman H. McCalla
Strength
Unknown	1 cruiser 1 gunboat 52 marines
Casualties
None	2 dead 15 wounded

Cuban Campaign
Cárdenas – Cienfuegos – Guantánamo Bay – Las Guasimas – Tayacoba – Aguadores – El Caney – San Juan Hill – Naval Santiago – Santiago – Manimani

The Battle of Cienfuegos was a minor engagement of the Spanish-American War, intended by the United States Navy to tighten its blockade of Cuba.

Although American patrols throughout April had been generally successful, capturing several Spanish merchant vessels, Spanish navy ships had repeatedly eluded American pursuers and delivered troops and supplies to Cuba. When it was discovered that undersea telegraph cables provided the port of Cienfuegos with vital communications, the cruiser USS Marblehead and USS Nashville were dispatched under the command of Captain Bowman H. McCalla to sever them.

On May 11, 1898, a force of 52 U.S. Marines, all volunteers, ventured out in two small boats to seize and cut the cables with saws and axes, while American battleships and armed marines provided covering fire. Spanish response was rapid and withering. Although large-caliber guns were too inaccurate to strike at the small American craft, Spanish small arms fire was more effective, puncturing holes through boats and marines alike.

After a tense, hour-long firefight, two cables were cut, and the marines retreated in their battered, barely-floating vessels back to safety. A third cable near the shore remained untouched.

Fifty-two sailors and marines were awarded the Medal of Honor for "setting an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness under fire."