Editing Asiatic Squadron (section)

===Spanish–American War===
{{Main|Spanish–American War}}
[[File:USS Olympia painting.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Olympia|C-6|6}} leading a column of cruisers, painting by Francis Muller.]]
On 27 April 1898, the squadron, composed of the [[protected cruiser]]s {{USS|Olympia|C-6|6}} (the [[flagship]] of the squadron{{'}}s commander, [[Commodore (United States)|Commodore]] [[George Dewey]]), {{USS|Baltimore|C-3|6}}, {{USS|Raleigh|C-8|6}}, and {{USS|Boston|1884|6}}, the gunboats {{USS|Petrel|PG-2|6}} and {{USS|Concord|PG-3|6}}, and the [[United States Revenue Cutter Service]] [[United States Coast Guard Cutter|cutter]] {{USS|McCulloch|1897|6}}, sailed from [[Mirs Bay]], China, to the [[Philippine Islands]] to participate in the [[Spanish–American War]].

In the [[Battle of Manila Bay]] on 1 May 1898, the squadron destroyed the [[Spanish Navy|Spanish]] fleet in the Philippines, and effectively took control of [[Bay of Manila|Manila Bay]]. Eight Spanish ships were sunk and over 150 killed while the Americans suffered only slight damage. Vessels of the squadron also fought the Spanish in the [[Battle of Manila (1898)|battle]] to capture [[Manila]]. Naval gunfire on the Spaniards' left flank helped American troops take the city without severe losses. The Philippines became an American possession.

[[File:Charleston agana.jpg|right|thumb|200px|{{USS|Charleston|C-2|6}} taking possession of [[Guam]] in June 1898 during the [[Spanish–American War]].]]
On 20 June 1898, the Asiatic Squadron protected cruiser {{USS|Charleston|C-2|6}} [[Capture of Guam|captured]] [[Guam]] from the Spanish without resistance, beginning the American possession of the island.