163. EL FILIPINO: Interesting Cigarette Wrapper Depicting George Dewey's Victory at the Battle of Manila Bay

 

The cigarette wrapper, 'El Filipino', is intriguing as it displays a Filipino rendition of George Dewey and his battleship Olympia. The image commemorates Dewey's historic victory over the Spanish Armada at the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, which earned him the esteemed title 'Hero of Manila'. This triumph, regarded as one of the most significant naval battles in modern history, marked the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines and elevated Dewey to immense fame and popularity in both the Philippines and the United States. 

The El Filipino cigarette wrapper features a striking image of Admiral George Dewey and his flagship Olympia, along with medals commemorating his historic triumph in the Battle of Manila Bay.

George Dewey, born on December 26, 1837 in Montpelier, Vermont, served in the Navy for over three decades. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1857 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1861, during the Civil War. He served with Admiral Farragut during the Battle of New Orleans and participated in the Atlantic blockade. From 1871 to 1896, he held various positions in the Navy.

In 1897, he was appointed commander of the Asiatic Squadron with the help of political allies, including Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt provided Dewey with the necessary ammunition, guns, and supplies to prepare his fleet for war with Spain. Dewey was an aggressive commander and ignored China's neutrality to take on coal for his fleet at Mirs Bay.

On May 1, 1898, Dewey engaged Admiral Montojo's Spanish squadron at Cavite in Manila Bay, demolishing them and occupying the bay and Manila until August. His victory made him a national hero, and Congress promoted him to real admiral and issued citations to his fleet. Although Dewey considered running for president, he chose to publish his autobiography and accounts of his famous victory.