Capturing provision steamers denied supplies to Spanish overseas garrisons while removing useful merchant hulls from circulation. The examples include a 4,000-ton steamer and the 2,000-ton Panama, alongside Pedro. Sending provision ships without escort after war had become likely exposed food and other supplies to interception. Bringing them together with Cervera's squadron might have helped them reach port. American cruisers and gunboats repeatedly intercepted Spanish commerce, making this a sustained part of the naval campaign.
Chapter · 2:25:44-2:31:03
Commerce interception deprives Spain of supplies
American cruisers, gunboats, and torpedo craft captured provision ships and steadily removed Spanish merchant tonnage from the war.