"Battle of Manila Bay 1898 - Spanish Naval Color Scheme?" Topic

Greetings All,

I'm trying to figure out what color(s) to paint the Spanish ships that were involved in The Battle of Manila Bay of 1898. According to his Court Martial, Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón, had his ships painted gray and the mast lowered/folded to reduce splinters. I really can't find good photos (other than destroyed ships), I can only find paintings.

Some of course have the Spanish and Americans in peacetime color schemes. Some are a mix of everything. A few have the Spanish with Black Lower Hulls and Grey Uppers.

So what I'm trying to find out, did the Spanish retain the Black Lower Hull and then paint their uppers grey; or did they paint everything grey?

I'm preparing to run some games at HMGS cons, and want to be historically accurate.

Thanks in advance

I'm not entirely sure about historical accuracy. When I painted up may SAW fleets, I went for the more colorful peace time livery.

The all gray ships just did not have the feel of the period.

Same reason my Zulu war British have white helmets and my local force VC are wearing rice paddy hats.

Dewey is known to have painted his ships gray in Hong Kong before departing for action. Most nations in warm weather stations painted their hulls white or very light gray while the funnels were often yellow, ochre or buff.