This Hontoria 140mm (5.5 in) naval gun was taken from the Spanish cruiser ALMIRANTE OQUENDO following her capture at the Battle of Santiago at Cuba on 3 July 1898 during the Spanish American War. ALMIRANTE OQUENDO, of the INFANTA MARIA TERESA class, was one of six Spanish ships which sortied from the Cuban port in order to avoid capture in the harbor. None escaped the blockading U.S. Naval Squadron. The hole in the gun’s shield was inflicted by one of approximately 50 rounds which hit ALMIRANTE OQUENDO.
The gun was restored by sailors of Processing Division and General Detail, Naval District Washington during 1982 and 1983."