What would have happened if the Virginius Incident hadn't been resolved diplomatically and the USA had declared war on Spain in 1873?
I can see this being a close run thing, indeed many American naval commanders seemed to have thought they would lose. In comparison to Spanish vessals like the Numancia the US had very little - the US navy was in its so-called "Dark ages."
Let's say the HMS Niobe isn't close enough to Santiago to intervene with the execution of British and American nationals, so the Spanish continue instead of stopping after Lambton Loraine protests. The US population calls for war, which is duly declared. A fleet action is fought by the US and Spanish navies in the sea beween Florida and Cuba, where most of the American ships are sunk.
What happens when the Spanish have acheived naval superiority?
- Does the US sue for peace immediately, recognising Spanish possessions in the Caribbean.
- The US decides to continue the fight (although not sure what they can do at this stage.)
- The Spanish attemps to land on American soil (seems unlikely.)
Anyone have any thoughts?
I can see this being a close run thing, indeed many American naval commanders seemed to have thought they would lose. In comparison to Spanish vessals like the Numancia the US had very little - the US navy was in its so-called "Dark ages."
Let's say the HMS Niobe isn't close enough to Santiago to intervene with the execution of British and American nationals, so the Spanish continue instead of stopping after Lambton Loraine protests. The US population calls for war, which is duly declared. A fleet action is fought by the US and Spanish navies in the sea beween Florida and Cuba, where most of the American ships are sunk.
What happens when the Spanish have acheived naval superiority?
- Does the US sue for peace immediately, recognising Spanish possessions in the Caribbean.
- The US decides to continue the fight (although not sure what they can do at this stage.)
- The Spanish attemps to land on American soil (seems unlikely.)
Anyone have any thoughts?