Spanish battleship Alfonso XIII
Encyclopedia
Alfonso XIII was an España-class
dreadnought
battleship
of the Spanish Navy
which served in the Spanish fleet from 1915 to 1937. She was renamed España in 1931 for her sister ship, an earlier battleship España
that served in the Spanish fleet from 1913 to 1923.
In order to avoid rebuilding existing docks, she was constructed with a shorter hull than a purely rational design required, and her class were the smallest dreadnought-type battleships ever built. Amidships freeboard was only 15 feet (4.6 m), and the main battery guns were 24 feet 6 inches (7.5 m) above the waterline.
With a single stack
amidships, two tripod mast
s, and small superstructure
, the Alfonso XIII had a broadside
of eight 12-inch (305-mm) guns, each weighing 67.1 tons, firing an 850-pound (385-kg) shell at a muzzle velocity
of 2950fps (902 m/s) with a maximum range of 23,500 yards (21500 meters, or 11.6 nautical miles), at a rate of fire of one round per minute. The four twin turret
s were arranged with "A" and "Y" on the centerline, and the other two turrets in the wings ("B" to starboard, "Q" to port). This was done in preference to superimposed turrets, as was done in the South Carolinas, to save weight and cost. Alfonso XIII was able to fire a full broadside, and employ six guns in pursuit or retirement. The secondary battery was poorly laid out in casemates along the hull too close to the waterline.
Alfonso XIII was held up somewhat by a lack of materials from the United Kingdom as a result of the outbreak of World War I
.)
Built for coastal defense and national pride, more than combat, the Alfonso XIII and her sisters provided Spain with formidable ships at reasonable cost. Unfortunately, due to rapid technological change at the time and the lengthy construction time of the class, Alfonso XIII was obsolescent before completion.
, Alfonso XIII conducted cruises to show the flag, including a visit to Annapolis
, Maryland
, in 1920, during which USS Reina Mercedes
, a former Spanish Navy cruiser captured by the United States during the Spanish-American War
in 1898, flew the Spanish flag to honor her visit.
In September 1925, she provided fire support for the Al Hoceima
landings, a decisive operation of the Rif War
, in present day Morocco
.
In April 1931, after the overthrow of King Alfonso XIII
, Alfonso XIII was renamed España, the name previously held by her sister ship España
, which had been wrecked in 1923 while engaged in combat operations at Cape Tres Forcas
.
By 1934, the renamed España was laid up at Ferrol awaiting disposal. But she was refitted in 1936 and fought on the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War
, when she captured or drove back a number of Republican and foreign merchant ships. España seized the Republican freighter Mar Báltico with a cargo of iron ore on 13 February 1937 and on 30 April she prevented the entry of the British steamer Consett to Santander
by firing her main guns across the bows. According to Nationalist sources the Consett and other blockade-runners were escorted at the time by the destroyer HMS Forester
. Later that day España accidentally struck a mine laid by her own side and sank off Santander, while assisting the destroyer Velasco in turning away the British merchantman Knistley.
España class battleship
The España class was a series of three dreadnought battleships. They were the first and last dreadnoughts built in Spain, the only dreadnoughts ever operated by the Spanish Navy, and the smallest dreadnoughts ever built.- Description :...
dreadnought
Dreadnought
The dreadnought was the predominant type of 20th-century battleship. The first of the kind, the Royal Navy's had such an impact when launched in 1906 that similar battleships built after her were referred to as "dreadnoughts", and earlier battleships became known as pre-dreadnoughts...
battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
of the Spanish Navy
Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...
which served in the Spanish fleet from 1915 to 1937. She was renamed España in 1931 for her sister ship, an earlier battleship España
Spanish battleship España (1912)
España was a Spanish dreadnought-type battleship, lead ship of the España-class, in service from 1913 until she was broken up after running aground in 1924...
that served in the Spanish fleet from 1913 to 1923.
Technical Characteristics
Construction of Alfonso XIII was authorized by the Navy Law of 7 January 1908. She was laid down on 23 February 1910, launched on 7 May 1913, and completed on 16 August 1915.In order to avoid rebuilding existing docks, she was constructed with a shorter hull than a purely rational design required, and her class were the smallest dreadnought-type battleships ever built. Amidships freeboard was only 15 feet (4.6 m), and the main battery guns were 24 feet 6 inches (7.5 m) above the waterline.
With a single stack
Stack
-Mathematics:* Stack , general category-theoretical concept to formalise "pull-back" operations in geometry and algebra* Algebraic stack, a generalisation of scheme and algebraic space in algebraic geometry; a specific type of the above-Computers:...
amidships, two tripod mast
Mast (sailing)
The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall, vertical, or near vertical, spar, or arrangement of spars, which supports the sails. Large ships have several masts, with the size and configuration depending on the style of ship...
s, and small superstructure
Superstructure
A superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges, or ships...
, the Alfonso XIII had a broadside
Broadside
A broadside is the side of a ship; the battery of cannon on one side of a warship; or their simultaneous fire in naval warfare.-Age of Sail:...
of eight 12-inch (305-mm) guns, each weighing 67.1 tons, firing an 850-pound (385-kg) shell at a muzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity is the speed a projectile has at the moment it leaves the muzzle of the gun. Muzzle velocities range from approximately to in black powder muskets , to more than in modern rifles with high-performance cartridges such as the .220 Swift and .204 Ruger, all the way to for tank guns...
of 2950fps (902 m/s) with a maximum range of 23,500 yards (21500 meters, or 11.6 nautical miles), at a rate of fire of one round per minute. The four twin turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
s were arranged with "A" and "Y" on the centerline, and the other two turrets in the wings ("B" to starboard, "Q" to port). This was done in preference to superimposed turrets, as was done in the South Carolinas, to save weight and cost. Alfonso XIII was able to fire a full broadside, and employ six guns in pursuit or retirement. The secondary battery was poorly laid out in casemates along the hull too close to the waterline.
Alfonso XIII was held up somewhat by a lack of materials from the United Kingdom as a result of the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.)
Built for coastal defense and national pride, more than combat, the Alfonso XIII and her sisters provided Spain with formidable ships at reasonable cost. Unfortunately, due to rapid technological change at the time and the lengthy construction time of the class, Alfonso XIII was obsolescent before completion.
Operational history
After coastal defense duty during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Alfonso XIII conducted cruises to show the flag, including a visit to Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, in 1920, during which USS Reina Mercedes
USS Reina Mercedes (IX-25)
USS Reina Mercedes was an unprotected cruiser of the Spanish Navy which was captured in Cuba in 1898 by the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War. She was refurbished and used by the U.S...
, a former Spanish Navy cruiser captured by the United States during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
in 1898, flew the Spanish flag to honor her visit.
In September 1925, she provided fire support for the Al Hoceima
Al Hoceima
Al Hoceima is a city and port in the north of Morocco and in the center of the Rif Mountains. The Al Hoceima city region has a population of 395.644 and is the capital of the Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region...
landings, a decisive operation of the Rif War
Rif War (1920)
The Rif War, also called the Second Moroccan War, was fought between Spain and the Moroccan Rif Berbers.-Rifian forces:...
, in present day Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.
In April 1931, after the overthrow of King Alfonso XIII
Alfonso XIII of Spain
Alfonso XIII was King of Spain from 1886 until 1931. His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, was appointed regent during his minority...
, Alfonso XIII was renamed España, the name previously held by her sister ship España
Spanish battleship España (1912)
España was a Spanish dreadnought-type battleship, lead ship of the España-class, in service from 1913 until she was broken up after running aground in 1924...
, which had been wrecked in 1923 while engaged in combat operations at Cape Tres Forcas
Cape Tres Forcas
Cape Tres Forcas is the commonly used Anglicized name for a headland on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco and Spain.The Catalan name , the French Name , and the Arabic name all signify the same thing, the Cape of Three Forks.The cape is a large mountainous promontory of North Africa into the...
.
By 1934, the renamed España was laid up at Ferrol awaiting disposal. But she was refitted in 1936 and fought on the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, when she captured or drove back a number of Republican and foreign merchant ships. España seized the Republican freighter Mar Báltico with a cargo of iron ore on 13 February 1937 and on 30 April she prevented the entry of the British steamer Consett to Santander
Santander, Cantabria
The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community and historical region of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain. Located east of Gijón and west of Bilbao, the city has a population of 183,446 .-History:...
by firing her main guns across the bows. According to Nationalist sources the Consett and other blockade-runners were escorted at the time by the destroyer HMS Forester
HMS Forester (H74)
HMS Forester was a F class destroyer of the British Royal Navy, commissioned in 1935, that saw service in World War II, seeing action in Norway, in the Mediterranean, on the Russian and Atlantic Convoys, and during the Normandy landings before being sold for scrap in early 1946.-Construction:The...
. Later that day España accidentally struck a mine laid by her own side and sank off Santander, while assisting the destroyer Velasco in turning away the British merchantman Knistley.