Escena de la Guerra Hispanoamericana (1898) by Manuel E. JordánInstituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña
In this visual chronicle of the Spanish-American War Jordán depicts the naval battle between the ships the USS New Orleans and the Antonio López off the coast of Puerto Rico.
This event occurred at the outlet of the La Plata River, located between the municipalities of Dorado and Toa Baja.
The Antonio López was built in Scotland in 1881. It was the first Spanish ship with a steel hull and one of the first in the world with electric power.
The USS New Orleans was the first American ship to enter the Port of San Juan after the armistice declared on August 29, 1898.
On July 16 of 1898, the USS New Orleans attacked the Antonio López, setting the vessel on fire. 100 years later, the Government of Puerto Rico designated the remains of the Antonio López as a National Historical Landmark.