USS Mayflower (PY-1) - Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War

Acquired by the Navy for the impending war with Spain (see Spanish-American War), Mayflower joined Admiral William T. Sampson's squadron at Key West, Florida on 20 April. Two days later the American warships sailed to blockade Havana. En route, Mayflower captured the Spanish schooner Santiago Apostol. She also took a number of fishing boats and coastal trading vessels. On 11 May, she boarded a large British merchant steamer, which also carried the name Mayflower, and sent the blockade runner to the United States under a prize crew. On the 14th, Alfonso led two Spanish gunboats out of the harbor hoping to break through the American blockade. Mayflower's guns engaged the Spanish warships and drove them back to shelter under the guns of Morro Castle. For the rest of the war, Mayflower guarded the ports of Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos.