After Tegetthoff's flagship, the "Erzherzog Ferdinand Max", rammed and sank the armored Italian frigate "Re d'Italia", the Italian fleet retreated the next day. Tegetthoff returned in triumph to his base at Pola. Nevertheless, his victory did not materially affect the outcome of the war, as Italy's alliance with Prussia ensured an advantageous peace due to Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War. Tegetthoff was immediately promoted, by telegraph, to "Vizeadmiral" (Vice Admiral). He received congratulatory telegrams from Ferdinand Maximilian, by then the embattled Emperor of Mexico, and "Vizeadmiral" Hans Birch Dahlerup, former "Oberkommandant der Marine" (High Commandant of the Navy). Tegetthoff was decorated with the Commander's Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa and made honorary citizen of Vienna.