When Congress declared a state of war, on April 25th, Commodore Geo. Dewey, in command of our China squadron, was warned by cable of the state of affairs, and was also ordered to capture or destroy the Spanish squadron at the Philippines. The term “capture or destroy” may seem a little strange to persons not conversant with naval history, but those very words have been used in instructions to naval officers since, at least, the year 1600.
Fortunately, these orders found the right man in the right place, for Dewey was a man of experience in the civil war (in which he had, although very young, acted a conspicuous part,) and had afterwards served in various places of trust, as well as in command at sea.
By cabled authority he was enabled to buy, in Hong Kong, (where he was then lying with the squadron under his command,) the Nanshan and the Zafiro, two English merchant steamers of considerable size, with the understanding that they should be cleared of their cargos, and delivered to him within twenty-four hours. They were then laden with stores and coal to accompany the squadron; and so energetic were the measures that they caused the admiration of all at Hong Kong; and, when the proclamation of neutrality made it necessary for Dewey to leave the English port, he was enabled to withdraw, in good condition, to Mirs Bay, about twenty miles to the north of Hong Kong, to complete his preparations. China had not yet declared neutrality, and, in fact, did not do so until after Dewey had left Mirs Bay.
Dewey would have had no port of refuge nearer than San Francisco, if he had not captured one himself upon leaving China.
Timing his route perfectly, and steaming at the most economical rate, he arrived near the entrance of Manila Bay on the night of April 30th. With him, in addition to the Olympia, his flag-ship, a protected cruiser, first rate, were the Baltimore, the Boston and the Raleigh, all three protected cruisers of the second rate; the Concord, third rate and the Petrel, fourth rate. In addition he had the McCulloch, a revenue vessel and the two store ships; but these did not take any active part in the engagement, for the store ships were unarmed and the revenue vessel was unprotected.
Before daylight on Sunday, May 1st, the Olympia led the squadron through the entrance of Manila Bay without being perceived from Corregidor Island and from the batteries there until they were nearly past, when a few inefficient shots were fired.
The Battle of Manila, May 1, 1898.—The American Fleet.