ch fellows {1900s tattoo artist} did a drawing of the mast of the uss iowa with a banner stating the name of the ship and "military surrender and Cervera" here is my research to povide a deeper insight into the meaning of this tattoo design.

Admiral Cervera y Topete - (1839 - 1909) 
For United States sailors in Admiral Sampson's squadron at Santiago de Cuba, facing Admiral Cervera was like fighting a legend.  The world well knew the might of the Spanish Navy, and Admiral Cervera was revered by friend and foe alike for his courage, his prowess, and his unmatched resume.

Recognizing the folly of the orders that sent his small squadron to Cuba at the outbreak of war, Admiral Cervera voiced his disapproval and then honorably fulfilled his orders.  When commanded to steam his doomed ships out of Santiago de Cuba and directly into the guns of the waiting American Naval force, again he voiced his disapproval and then obeyed his orders.

After the defeat of Admiral Cervera's squadron, he was pulled from the waters by Commander Richard Wainwright.  When transfered from the Glouchester to the USS Iowa he was greeted by the American commander Captain Evans with the words:  "Sir, you are a hero.  You have done the most sublime feat ever recorded in the history of the Navy."  Subsequently sent to the United States as a prisoner of war, he was  "held" for a brief period at the US Naval Academy.  During the period he was treated more like a celebrity V.I.P. than a prisoner.  American school children wrote letters concerning the battle, even requesting his autograph.  Returning home to Spain in September 1898, he said, "I have lost everything except my honor."

In 1901 Cervera was made a Vice Admiral, and in 1903 King Alfonso XIII named him life Senator of the Kingdom.