Battle of Santiago de Cuba U.S. forces under Major General Elwell S. Otis, who was appointed military governor of the Philippines after the Spanish–American War. This territorial conflict was ironic because the roles of the Spanish–American War were now reversed. The U.S. once fought to free Cuba from Spain's colonial power, but now the United States aimed to colonize the Philippines. Ultimately, the Spanish–American War brought to light deeply rooted conflicts between the principles of democracy and the urges of budding imperialism. Two of the Spanish ships, "Infanta Maria Teresa" and "Cristóbal Colón", were later re-floated and taken over by the U.S. Both eventually foundered
Battle of Santiago de Cuba Ramon Blanco y Erenas, the top military commander in Cuba, ordered it to sortie from the harbor along the coast westward to Cienfuegos. In Cervera's eyes, the escape from the bay seemed nearly impossible. He strongly considered fleeing under protection of night, but opted to sail by day instead to ensure the safe navigation of his ships through Santiago's narrow channel. On Sunday July 3, 1898, Cervera, aboard his flagship "Infanta Maria Teresa", led the Spanish fleet out of the safety of Santiago harbor at seven minute intervals. The primary elements of the American forces in Cuban waters were initially