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Who commanded the Spanish fleet at Santiago de Cuba?
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Spanish-American War
Theodore Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, 1898; print created by Kurz & Allison.
The Spanish fleet at Santiago de Cuba was commanded by Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete.12
Tasked with defending the harbor, Cervera led his squadron of four cruisers and two destroyers out of the port on July 3, 1898, under orders from the Spanish government to attempt a breakout. Despite his efforts to engage the blockading U.S. forces, his fleet was overwhelmed and destroyed by the superior American squadron.132