Segismundo Bermejo
Admiral Segismundo Bermejo y Merelo (* 1832 ; † 1899 ) was the Spanish Navy Minister during the Spanish-American War . In addition to his military career, he was a well-known author, v. a. in the field of science fiction .
Although he was well aware of the dangers to the Spanish fleet, which was led by his friend Pascual Cervera y Topete , political circumstances forced him to adopt an optimistic stance. He ordered Cervera to sail to Cuba , where the Navy, given its poorly prepared and equipped armed forces, was almost certain to face a humiliating defeat. Bermejo was equally optimistic about the Spaniards' ability to stave off the US threat in the Philippines .
When news of the victory of Commodore George Dewey against Admiral Montojo's fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay reached the Caribbean on May 1st, Spanish officials panicked. Popular uprisings in Madrid forced Bermejo to be released on May 16, 1898.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Bermejo, Segismundo |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Bermejo y Merelo, Segismundo |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Spanish Navy Minister during the Spanish-American War |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1832 |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1899 |