The colliers and were part of Dewey's squadron and supported the Manila Bay operation but are not listed in Navy regulations having their crew members eligible for the Dewey Medal. This is probably because 1. the ships were not actively engaged in the battle and 2. they were, at that time, civilian manned ships purchased to support the Navy. "Nanshan" was commanded by Lieutenant Benjamin W. Hodges, USN but technically remained a merchant ship so she could resupply at neutral ports which simplified the squadron's logistics. "Zafiro" was commanded by Ensign Henry A. Pearson, USN and, like "Nanshan", was technically a merchant ship at the time of the battle. Both ships were later commissioned in the Navy.