Even if a smaller squadron were dispatched from the Atlantic round Cape Horn, it would arrive in the Philippines too late to be of assistance to Dewey.
The two monitors on the Pacific coast, the Monterey and the Monadnock, had already been ordered across the Pacific, a voyage perilous for vessels of their structure and agonizing to their crews; but it was doubtful whether they or Camara would arrive first in the Philippines.
The logic of the situation demanded that the main American fleet be released.

Cervera must be destroyed or held in some other way than at the expense of inactivity on the part of the American warships.

Santiago could not be forced by the navy.

Two methods remained.

The first and simpler expedient was to make the harbor mouth impassable and in this way to bottle up the Spanish fleet.