Spanish Navy

After the battle of Trafalgar, the Spanish Navy saw how his potential decreased . With the reign of Isabel II the regeneration began and took the Spanish Navy to be the fourth navy in the world. Some of the Spanish designs were used around the world, (like the "Algeciras" design, used in part by the French to build the Frigate "La Gloire") while some of their ships, like the frigate "Numancia" were between the most powerful of the world.

After this period of glory, the inner political fights, the military sublevations, the popular rebellions, the mediocre politicians, etc. inexorably directed the Spanish Fleet towards the Disaster of the 98. But the Spanish Navy of the ACW period was a real power.

Here are the numbers and some examples of the ships in the Spanish Navy.

SHIPS OF THE LINE

Spain had 5 ships of the line, 3 of them being built in the Napoleonic Period, the other two (the Isabel II and the Francisco de Asís) being built in 1852. The Isabel II was built in the La Havana shipyards, a fact that give us some idea about how powerful the Havana shipyards were. These were, amongst some British, the last SOL to be build.

One of the SOL's, with 100 guns, had an steam engine, being one of the most heavily armed steam ships of the period.

ISABEL II

Displacement: 3.500 tons

Lenght: 86 meters

Weaponry: 34 guns of 38 pounds; 34 of 24 pounds and 16 of 8 pounds in three decks

Crew: 1.300 men

ARMORED STEAM FRIGATES

Spain had 7 armored steam frigates, of a very modern design, being the Numancia possibly the best ship of the period. These Frigates used propellers instead of steam wheels.

TETUÁN

Displacement: 6.200 tons

Lenght: 85 meters

Speed: 12 knots

Weaponry: 40 guns of 200 mm.

Armor: 130 mm.

Crew: 600 men.

SAGUNTO

Displacement: 5.253 tons

Lenght: 86'5 meters.

Speed: 13 knots

Weaponry: 10 guns of 220 mm and 4 of 180 mm.

Armor: 150 mm.

Crew: 560 men.

WOODEN STEAM FRIGATES

Spain had 16 excellent steam frigates, some of the fastest of the period. All of them used propellers.

VILLA DE MADRID

Displacement: 4.478 tons

Lenght: 87 meters

Speed: 15 knots

Weaponry: 30 guns of 200 mm; 14 of 160 mm; 2 of 120 mm; also, 2 howitzers of 150 mm and 2 guns of 80 mm. for landings.

Crew: 617 men

LEALTAD

Displacement: 3.100 tons

Lenght: 70 meters

Speed: 11 knots

Weaponry: 20 guns of 200 mm; 14 of 160 mm; 1 rotatory at the Bow of 220 mm. For landings 2 howitzers of 150 mm, 2 guns of 120 mm and 2 of 80.

Crew: 480 men.

CORVETTES

Spain had 14 corvettes, all of them using propeller instead of steamwheel. Three of them were armored corvettes. All of them were excellent as cruisers to attack the enemy merchant lanes.

CASTILLA

Displacement: 3.650 tons.

Lenght: 75 metros

Speed: 15 nudos

Weaponry: 6 guns of 160 mm, 2 of 120 mm; 6 of 57 mm of fast rate of fire.

Crew: 360 men.

STEAMWHEELERS

Steamwheelers were the first steamers used by the Spanish Navy. A large number of them were built and rendered an excellent service to the Navy. In the period, 54 steamwheelers were in service.

VASCO NUÑEZ DE BALBOA

Displacement: 1221 tons

Lenght: 56 meters.

Speed: 9 knots

Weaponry: 2 guns of 200 mm and 4 of 160 mm

Crew: 147 hombres

CIUDAD DE CADIZ

Displacement: 2.879 tons

Lenght: 66 meters

Speed: 12 knots

Weaponry: 16 guns of 200 mm, placed 7 at each side and 2 rotatory at bow and stern.

Crew: 300 men

MINOR SHIPS

Spain had a great number of other minor ships, mainly used as coastguards, like gunboats, schooners, sloops, etc. Most of them were used in Cuba against contraband or to avoid the supply to the rebels of the island. 31 schooners, 23 sloops and an unknown number of gunboats were in service in these times, most of them steam propelled.