Battle of San Juan
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Battle of San Juan | |||||||
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Part of the Spanish-American War | |||||||
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Combatants | |||||||
Spain | United States | ||||||
Commanders | |||||||
Unknown | William T. Sampson | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
3 gunboats | 7 battleships 1 torpedo boat 4 support vessels |
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Casualties | |||||||
7 dead (5 civilian) 57 wounded |
2 dead 7 wounded |
Puerto Rican Campaign |
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San Juan – Yauco – Guayama – Guamani – Coamo – Silva Heights – Abonito Pass |
The Battle of San Juan, not to be confused with the Battle of San Juan Hill, refers to an American naval attack on the fortifications of San Juan, Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War.
For weeks, the United States Navy had awaited the arrival of the Spanish fleet under Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete, who in reality, had eluded his enemies and slipped his squadron into the Bay of Santiago. On May 12, 1898, U.S. Admiral William T. Sampson, in his ongoing search for the Spaniards, steamed his fleet into San Juan harbor.
Finding nothing but a few small gunboats, Sampson's battleships exchanged fire with San Juan's harbor fortifications, causing and receiving superficial damage. Taking casualties and low on coal, he broke off the engagement and returned Key West, Florida for repairs and supplies.