Spanish gunboat Callao captured by the USA according to the Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 17 May 1898

An item reported that an American gunboat arrived there coming from Kowloon reporting that nothing was changed in the Philippines. The American consul at Manila went ashore at Cavite and was hailed with Viva los Americanos. The Spanish gunboat Callao was less lucky.(1) After a voyage of 16 months arrived she at Manila without any knowledge about the war. When American forces shot at her, surrendered her commanding officer. The crew was landed and released after giving their parole. The USN squadron in the Philippines was strengthened by the cruiser USS Charleston.(2)

Notes

1. Built in 1888 at the shipyard of the Manila Ship Company, Cavite, Philippines, captured on 12 May 1898 and served as the USS Callao (PG-37, since June 1921YFB-11) since 12 July 1898 until she was sold on 13 September 1923 to be broken up. Of the Samar-class with as displacement 208 tons and as dimensions 36,27 x 5,33 x 1,98 metres or 119’0” x 17’6” x 6’6”. In Spanish service numbered her crew 37 men and she was armed with 1-3.5” gun and 1-3,7cm Gatling gun. Speed 9.7 knots.

2. A protected cruiser laid down at the shipyard of Union Iron Works, San Francisco on 20 January 1887, launched in 19 July  a tear later, commissioned on 26 December 1889 and finally wrecked on 2 November 1899. Her armament consisted of 2-20,3cm/8” guns and 6-15,2cm/6” guns.