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	Spanish victory

Belligerents

Kingdom of Spain

United States

Commanders

Unknown

Bowman H. McCalla

Strength

Unknown

1 cruiser
1 gunboat
52 Marines

Casualties and losses

None

2 dead
15 wounded

v • d • e Cuban Campaign

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

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

[edit] Background

Although American patrols throughout April were generally successful in capturing several Spanish merchant vessels, Spanish navy ships 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 cruisers USS Marblehead and USS Nashville were dispatched under the command of Captain Bowman H. McCalla to sever them.

[edit] Battle

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 Spanish large-caliber guns were too inaccurate to strike at the small American craft, small arms fire was more effective, damaging boats and wounding Marines.

After a tense, hour-long firefight, two cables were cut, and the Marines withdrew, but a third cable near the shore remained untouched.