Cervera inherits a fleet hollowed out by neglect

Cervera had resigned as naval minister in 1892 after the government broke its promise not to reduce naval funding, then spent four years observing the Royal Navy in London. Recalled for the Cuban crisis, he found that Spain's premier overseas squadron had conducted no proper fleet drill since 1884 and lacked supplies, logistics, and infrastructure. Cristóbal Colón had sailed without her intended heavy guns, while neutrality rules made coal and repairs difficult during the Atlantic passage. Cervera nevertheless slipped past the American search and reached Santiago with four cruisers and two destroyers despite his warnings about their poor condition.