allowing Cervera—who was appointed to lead the fleet—to choose his specific destination in the region. By early May, when the Pacific Squadron under Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay (May 1), Bermejo modified the order and gave Cervera permission to return to Spain (who by then had reached the Caribbean Sea). However, at that point Cervera's squadron did not have enough coal to make the return trip, and Bermejo's replacement as naval minister later countermanded that order, telling the rear admiral to remain at the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. Popular opinion turned against Admiral Bermejo due to the defeat of the Spanish squadron at Manila Bay, and he was forced to resign. Bermejo died in Madrid in 1899. Personal life He had written literary works and was an author of science fiction. Notes Sources 1832 births 1899 deaths Chiefs of Staff of the Navy (Spain) Government ministers of Spain People from San Fernando, Cádiz Spanish admirals Spanish military personnel of the Spanish–American War