A Spanish squadron attempted to rescue the blockade runner and succeeded in taking off supplies and her crew but failed to save the ship, which the American warship engaged and forced to run aground.

[2] Puerto Rico had been under attack by US Navy forces under the command of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson since just before the Bombardment of San Juan early on in the war.

With a renewed attack by Yosemite looming, the Spanish under the command of Captain Ramón Acha Caamaño[6] were quick to remove as much of the stranded ship's cargo as possible.

[1] On 15 July, USS New Orleans arrived to relieve Yosemite, and the next day it quickly polished off Antonio Lopez by firing twenty incendiary shells into the vessel, sinking it.

Though Antonio Lopez had been sunk, she had successfully delivered her cargo, ensuring that any American assault on San Juan would be met with stronger resistance.