to take on the U.S. Asiatic Squadron. In addition, there were other problems facing the Spaniards. Their force did not possess enough adequate mines, and some of the ones they had lacked components. The admiral requested additional supplies from the homeland, but they were ultimately not delivered. In the end, Montojo decided to send the squadron to Subic Bay to the northwest of Manila, which would be easier to defend for the Spaniards when the American ships arrived. If they ignored them and headed for Manila, he believed his squadron could then head back and ambush the U.S. squadron at night. However, when the Americans had arrived and checked at Subic on April 30, they found no Spanish ships there because Montojo had judged the position to be indefensible since the Spaniards, being behind schedule, had not finished installing the naval guns on the ground at the entrance to Subic Bay. However, according to American scouts, the guns were lying on the beach and could have been mounted in less than 24 hours. In addition, the wooden cruiser had technical problems. Thus, a council of squadron captains decided to return to Manila Bay. Reportedly, another factor in Montojo's decision was that he would not be able to save Spanish sailors in the depth of forty meters of water at Subic, which American naval officers found to be astounding. Thus, the American squadron leader, Admiral George Dewey and his other officers initially had a low opinion of the Spanish commander's abilities. The American ships passed into Manila Bay without striking the few mines that the Spaniards had emplaced (the water was too deep and the waterway was too wide for them to be of much use), and aside from artillery fire from the guns on Corregidor island, they met little resistance. They entered the bay without loss. Meanwhile, the Spanish ships were anchored at the naval arsenal near Cavite, where Montojo, who was pessimistic on the battle, believed his men would have the best chance of survival. The engagement that followed between the Spanish squadron and the Americans became the first major naval battle that Montojo had fought in for over 30 years. The US squadron arrived near Cavite and engaged the Spanish on May 1, 1898, around 5:00 in the morning. By 5:40, despite fire from the shore artillery and Montojo's squadron, none of the US ships had been damaged.