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History of El Morro


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Spanish Rule (1539�1898)

During the Spanish occupation of the island, El Morro survived several attacks from foreign powers on various occasions. In 1595, Englishman Sir Francis Drake attacked San Juan with his fleet. He failed, however, the Spanish gunners shot a cannonball through his cabin. In 1598, the English attacked again, led by George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland. Clifford succeeded because he attacked San Juan from land instead of entering through the San Juan Bay. However, an epidemic of dysentery forced him to flee the island.

The Dutch, led by Boudewijn Hendricksz, also attacked the island following George Clifford's idea of invading through land. To the amazement of the citizens, the invaders were able to pass in front of the castle's defenders and into the harbor, where the city's cannon fire could not reach them. El Morro managed to resist the siege and eventually make the Dutch retire, although the they were able to sack and burn the city before leaving.

El Morro's last active fight occurred during a naval bombardment by the United States Navy during the 1898 Spanish-American War. Ending the age of naval warfare in the Caribbean, at least in the classical sense. During the Spanish-American War, the castle was attacked at least three times by American naval forces, the most major of which being the Bombardment of San Juan on May 12, 1898.

The short war ended with the signing of Treaty of Paris. Spain ceded ownership of the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

American Military Occupation (1898�1961)

El Morro and many other Spanish government buildings in Old San Juan then became part of a large U.S. Army post, called Fort Brooke. In the early 20th century, the U.S. military filled up the esplanade, or green space in front of "El Morro" with baseball diamonds, hospitals, officers' quarters, an officers' club and even a golf course.

United
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