GEORGE DEWEY 157 Fearlessly, but not rashly, Dewey, on his flagship Olympian led the squadron to Manila Bay. They were to enter it during the night, running past the batteries at the entrance under cover of darkness. The batteries which might have done con- siderable damage to the squadron failed to open fire and it slipped into the bay untouched. At 5 :05 three of the Manila batteries opened fire but their shots passed over Dewey *s ships. Daylight showed the Spanish fleet formed in front of Cavite at the southern end of Manila Bay. The Olympia led the way toward the Spanish vessels, which began firing hastily and without taking accurate aim. Conmiodore Dewey had considered the situation carefully and had decided that the most telling work could be done by waiting until his squadron was close enough to the Spanish ships to get them in effective range, and then to fire on them as rapidly as possible with all the guns. That this was a successful method was proved by the results. About eight o 'clock the outcome seemed certain and the crews of our squadron, who had had only a cup of coffee about four a. m., were given their breakfast while the conunanding officers reported on board the flagship. Up to that time their reports showed that not a single life had been lost nor any ship seriously damaged, though many shells had been fired at them by the Spanish. The entry on the night of May 1st in Commodore Dewey's diary reads thus: ^^ Beached Manila at daylight. Immediately engaged the Span- ish ships and batteries at Cavite. Destroyed eight of the former, including Reina Cristina and Castdla. Anchored at noon off Manila. ' ' The Spanish Squadron had been destroyed and the Ameri- can Squadron was in control of Manila Bay and could take the city at any time. The President gave Dewey the rank of acting rear-admiral, the same rank that had been conferred on Captain Sampson of the North Atlantic Squadron. After the battle there was no chance for idleness. It was necessary to establish and enforce a blockade. In connection with the enforcement of the blockade came up the affair with Vice- Admiral von Diedrichs. There was a misunderstanding
