Attached to USS Winslow (Torpedo Boat No. 5) patrolling Cuba’s northern coast, Winslow left her blockade station and, with revenue cutter Hudson, proceeded to Cárdenas Bay to replenish her coal bunkers, where she was engaged by a Spanish steamer and shore batteries, 11 May 1898. Disabled by several hits, Winslow had already rigged a tow line to Hudson when one of the last Spanish shells hit her near the starboard gun and killed Ens. Bagley, who had been helping to direct the warship’s maneuvers by carrying instructions from the deck to the base of the engine room ladder.
