Port of Manila History

The Port of Manila and the area dates back to Spanish and pre-Spanish rule of the Philippine Islands.It is recorded that Manila and the Philippines had trade relations with most neighbouring countries going back to the 9th to 12th centuries. Major trading partners included China and Japan, with ties to India through neighboring, present-day Malaysia and Indonesia. The port frequently traded with Arab countries and merchants during the Spanish Period of rule. The Spanish-controlled pot of Manila conducted trade primarily with China and other East Asian countries, with Mexico and directly with Spain, from the 16th until the mid 19th century, when the port was opened to all tradeships.

Manila Port was also the staging point for the Manila galleons, a state-monopoly shipping line running to Acapulco and back, which lasted in virtually continuous operation from the 16th to the early 19th century.

Manila bay was the setting for the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 between United States and Spanish forces, and for the siege of Corregidor Island by invading Japanese forces in 1942.

Battle of Manila Bay

In recognition of George Dewey's leadership during the Battle of Manila Bay, a special medal known as the Dewey Medal was presented to the officers and sailors under Admiral Dewey's command. Dewey was later honored with promotion to the special rank of Admiral of the Navy; a rank that no one has held before or since in the United States Navy. Building on his popularity, Dewey briefly ran for president in 1900, but withdrew and endorsed William McKinley, the incumbent, who won.

Dewey's flagship, the Olympia, is preserved as a museum ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Independence Seaport Museum (formerly the Philadelphia Maritime Museum).