An item reported that several former Spanish warships in Cuban waters were to be handed over the USA under the peace treaty.(1). It were the gunboats 1st class Hernán Cortes, Pizaro and Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, gunboat 2nd class Diego Velasquez, gunboats 3rd class Alerta, Ardilla, Fradera, Flecha, Ligera, Satelite, Margarit and Vigia and the gun launches General Blanco, Intrepida and Cauto. Eight of the gunboat were lying at Cienfugos, the others in the harbours of Batabano, Tunas, Havana, Cardeñas and Matanzas. They remained Spanish property until the negotiations were ended. At Mazanillo were six Spanish gunboats destroyed, of which the Sandoyal at Guantonamo and the Alvarado at Santiago. The Sandoval was by her own crew scuttled after the fall of Caimanera but salvaged by the Marblehead.
Note
1. War between Spain and the USA 25 April-12 August 1898.
