Virginius Massacre

Virginius Massacre, seizure of a merchant ship, the Virginius (1873), by Spain during its conflict with Cuba. Spanish authorities executed 53 passengers and crew members, including the commander, John Fry, a U.S. citizen. The event almost involved the United States in a war with Spain. It was later discovered that the Virginius was a Cuban-owned ship fraudulently flying the U.S. flag and carrying a U.S. registration. Spain returned the ship, paid an indemnity to the families of those executed, and denied any hostile intent.