A controversy, too, has raged over this maneuver.
Was it undertaken because the Brooklyn was about to be rammed by the Vizcaya, or because Schley thought that his position blocked the fire of the other American vessels?
It is not unlikely that the commander of the Spanish ship hoped to ram the Brooklyn, which was, because of her speed, a most redoubtable foe.

But unless this maneuver saved the Brooklyn, it had little result except to scare the Texas, upon whom she suddenly bore down out of a dense cloud of smoke.
Steering westward, the Spanish ships attempted to pass the battle line, but the American vessels kept pace with them.

For a short time the engagement was very severe, for practically all vessels of both fleets took part, and the Spanish harbor batteries added their fire.

At 10:15 A.M.the Maria Teresa, Admiral Cervera's flagship, on fire and badly shattered by heavy shells, turned toward the beach.

Five minutes later the Oquendo, after something of a duel with the Texas, also turned inshore.