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What happened during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898?

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Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders — Spanish-American War Theodore Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, 1898; print created by Kurz & Allison.

The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, fought on July 3, 1898, was the decisive naval engagement of the Spanish-American War. After being blockaded in Santiago harbor by U.S. forces, Admiral Pascual Cervera attempted a breakout with four cruisers and two destroyers to escape advancing U.S. land forces.1

While U.S. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson was away conferring with land commanders, Commodore Winfield S. Schley led the pursuit. The U.S. fleet systematically destroyed the Spanish squadron:12
* The flagship Infanta Maria Theresa and the cruiser Vizcaya were battered and forced aground.1
* The Oquendo was scuttled by its crew, and both destroyers were sunk.1
* The final survivor, the Cristobal Colón, was overtaken by the USS Oregon after a 50-mile chase and scuttled by its captain.1

The engagement resulted in the total loss of the Spanish fleet, with 474 casualties and 1,800 captured, while the U.S. suffered only one death. This victory effectively ended Spanish naval resistance in the region and led to the surrender of Santiago de Cuba.1