In the Spanish-American War of 1898, Guam fell into US hands without any resistance. The island was such a neglected and isolated Spanish colonial outpost that the local governor was oblivious to the war’s commencement. As US ship arrived and began firing poorly aimed shots at the decrepit Spanish fort, the inhabitants mistook it for a salute. They even rowed to the ship to apologize for their delayed return salute, explaining that their only cannon had to be transported from the island’s other side. By the end of the day, the island had capitulated without a single injury, save for the Spanish governor’s wounded pride.
In 1898, during the Spanish American war…
In 1898, during the Spanish American war, when the USS Charleston fired upon the island of Guam, the Spanish, unaware that a war was going on, rowed out to the ship and asked for gunpowder in order to return the American “salute”.
During the Spanish American war, the USS Charleston fired 13 rounds at the Spanish…
During the Spanish American war, the USS Charleston fired 13 rounds at the Spanish fort on Guam which all missed. The Spanish, unaware that war had been declared, believed the Americans must be firing a salute and rowed out to apologize for their lack of gunpowder to return the salute.