The Almirante Oquendo was an armed cruiser built in 1891. She was the sister ship of the Vizcaya and the Maria Theresa.

During the American invasion of Sanitago she was the last cruiser out of the harbour and the second to be destroyed. According to some naval records, she was hit up to sixty-eight times by canon fire from the American vessels Indiana, Iowa, Texas and Oregon.

On June 22nd, 1898, American troops landed on Daiquiri beach, just east of Santiago. It had been secured by Cuban forces lead by General Calixo Garcia. From there they fought their way west to Spain's primary stronghold outside of Santiago,San Juan Hill. It was here that Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders made their famous charge. And here, U.S. and Cuban troops captured the highlands overlooking Santiago harbour. The Spanish fleet was now within range of American artillery. Cervera was ordered to take desperate action. He was to steam his fleet out of the harbour and directly into the teeth of the blockading American battleships.

At nine thirty-five a.m. on the morning of July 3rd, 1898, the Spanish fleet surged out of the harbour. The cruiser Maria Teresa, with Cervera aboard, was first in line with her forward guns blazing. By now, the Sunday morning air was filled with smoke as the Maria Teresa traded gunfire with the American vessels. The cruiser ran westward, drawing most of the American fire, allowing the Vizcaya and Christobol Colon to slip out of the harbor. They too bolted for the west. Shells rained down on the Maria Teresa. As the American gunners found their range, fires began to break out and ammunition began to explode. At least twenty-nine shells plunged into the cruiser, and in less than an hour, and ten kilometers from the harbour, the burning Maria Teresa ran aground, and the order was given to abandon ship.Only the American ship Oregon was in position to pursue the escaping enemy. This fact had unfortunate consequences for the fourth Spanish ship in line. The Oquendo emerged from the harbour only to become the next victim. All opened up on her with a hail of gunfire. The Oquendo's bleeding captain ordered the cruiser run aground. The cruiser struck the shore and promptly broke in two.