The forts and batteries around Manila Bay looked like a layered coastal defence, but many positions were centuries old, lightly armed, or unable to engage Dewey's ships. Several batteries assigned to guard the entrance did not fire at all. One position managed three rounds before USS Raleigh silenced it with a single hit. At Sangley Point, only the modern 5.9-inch guns could reach the Americans, while the older muzzle-loaders remained out of range, and the Malate battery also stayed silent. The episode separates fortifications that existed on a chart from weapons that could actually influence a naval approach.
Notable Point · 44:01-45:46
Manila Bay's shore batteries fail to close the entrance
Most positions guarding Manila Bay never fired, while the few batteries that engaged lacked effective range or were silenced before they could shape the battle.