Battle of San Juan (1898)

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Battle of San Juan
Part of the Spanish-American War
Date May 12, 1898 Location San Juan, Puerto Rico Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Spain	United States
Commanders
Unknown	William T. Sampson
Strength
3 gunboats Harbor Forts	7 battleships 1 torpedo boat 4 support vessels
Casualties and losses
7 dead (5 civilian) 57 wounded	2 dead 7 wounded

v • d • e Puerto Rican Campaign San Juan - Second San Juan – Third San Juan - Yauco – Guayama – Guamani – Coamo – Silva Heights – Aibonito Pass

For other uses, see Battle of San Juan.

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.

[edit] Background

For weeks, the United States Navy had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Spanish fleet under Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete, unaware that he had already eluded them and slipped his squadron into the Bay of Santiago. On May 12, 1898, U.S. Admiral William T. Sampson, still searching for the Spaniards, steamed his fleet into San Juan Harbor.

[edit] Battle

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 by now low on coal, Sampson broke off the engagement and returned Key West, Florida for repairs and supplies.