Patricio Montojo

Later life

After the defeat at Manila Bay, Contraalmirante Montojo was recalled to Madrid to be held as a scapegoat for the loss by the court-martial despite the circumstances that led to the defeat. He left Manila in October and arrived in November 1898. By decree of the court-martial, he was imprisoned in March 1899, but was later released. Among the testimony was Admiral George Dewey, to whom Montojo had sent a letter asking for assistance, and the American officer replied, "Although without accurate knowledge as to the condition of your ships, I have no hesitation in saying to you what I have already had the honor to report to my government, that your defense at Cavite was gallant in the extreme. The fighting of your flagship, which was singled out for attack, was especially worthy of a place in the traditions of valor of your nation." Montojo was later absolved of the charges but was still discharged from the Spanish Navy.

He died in Madrid on September 30, 1917.

One of his nieces was Fermina Montojo Torrontegui, second wife of Enrique Zóbel de Ayala (born 1877), of the billionaire Zobel de Ayala family, original owners of Sotogrande. Her son and his grandson Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo is the famous modern Filipino-Spanish painter.

Awards