Spanish American War Website Banner

U.S.S. OLYMPIA in Action!


Please Visit our Home Page to learn more about the Spanish American War

This image is of the Cruiser OLYMPIA in action at the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898.  The photo would have been taken during the second phase of the battle, when the outcome was already assured. The photographer would have been on the BALTIMORE, which, at this point was leading the line of battle.

Some experts consider this photo to be fake. At the very least, it is heavily retouched. It would seem unlikely that it is entirely fraudulent since some items should in the photo were not commonly known at the time. Still, the view appears skewed.

Several items are of interest in the photo. First, from the aim of the forward eight inch guns, and the group of officers and crewmen on the navigation bridge, Cavite, must be off to the left of the photo. The officer on the far right is apparently Commodore George Dewey, since he appears to be wearing a golf cap instead of a regulation hat (Dewey was unable to locate his regulation hat and opted for the unusual headgear). Also, the observation post was built over top of the forward conning tower is clearly visible. On the observation post is apparently Lieutenant Caldwell, the vessel's navigator.
 
 

Cruiser Olympia during the Battle of Manila Bay 
To visit the website bibliography, click here. To visit the website video bibliography, click here
Support this Site by Visiting the Website Store! (help us defray costs!)
We are providing the following service for our readers. If you are interested in books, videos, CD's etc. related to the Spanish American War, simply type in "Spanish American War" (or whatever you are interested in) as the keyword and click on "go" to get a list of titles available through Amazon.com.


Visit Main Page for copyright data

Return to Main Page

Return to Olympia Page