Admiral Dewey took the point of danger, if there was one, into his personal keeping, by anchoring the Olympia on the Manila side of the bay, while others were further out and near Cavite; and throughout the fleet there was constant activity and the utmost vigilance.

There was incessant solicitude about what the desperate Spaniards might contrive in the nature of aggressive enterprise.

It seemed incredible to Americans that nothing should be attempted.

How would a Spanish fleet have fared for three months of war with us in an American harbor?
There would have been a new feature of destructiveness tried on the foe at least once a week.
The Spaniards ashore seemed to be drowsy; but the Americans were wide awake, ready for anything, and could not be surprised; so that we may commend as wisdom the Spanish discretion that let them alone.

The ship that was the nearest neighbor of Admiral Dewey for months of his long vigil flew the flag of Belgium.