Battle of San Juan

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Battle of San Juan
Part of the Spanish-American War
Date May 12, 1898
Location San Juan, Puerto Rico
Result Indecisive
Combatants
Spain United States
Commanders
Unknown William T. Sampson
Strength
3 gunboats 7 battleships
1 torpedo boat
4 support vessels
Casualties
7 dead (5 civilian)
57 wounded
2 dead
7 wounded
Puerto Rican Campaign
San JuanYaucoGuayamaGuamaniCoamoSilva HeightsAbonito 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.


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