Cartagena Naval Base facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cartagena Naval Base
Arsenal de Cartagena
Type	Naval base
Site information
Owner	Spanish Ministry of Defence
Operator	Spanish Navy
Condition	Operational
Site history
Built	1732–82
Built by	Sebastián Feringán [es] (1732–62) Mateo Vodopich [es] (1762–82)
In use	1782 –present
Garrison information
Current commander	Vice admiral Aniceto Rosique Nieto
Occupants	See Ships

The Cartagena Naval Base, also called the Arsenal of Cartagena, is a very important military base for the Spanish Navy. It is located in the city of Cartagena, in the southeast of Spain. This base is one of the oldest in Spain, built in the 18th century. It serves as the main Spanish naval base in the Mediterranean Sea.

History of the Cartagena Naval Base

The Naval Base of Cartagena in 1799

The port of Cartagena has always been a special place. It was first started by the Carthaginians over 2,000 years ago. Its location on the Mediterranean Sea made it very important for trade.

Later, in the 18th century, King Philip V decided to make Cartagena a big naval base. This was part of a plan to make the Spanish Navy stronger.

Building the Arsenal

Work on the arsenal began in late 1731. It took many years to build, finally finishing in 1782. This was during the time of King Charles III. The whole project cost a lot of money, about 112 million reales.

By the 18th century, the Cartagena naval base was a huge industrial center. It had shipyards where new ships were built. There were also workshops for many different jobs. People worked on carpentry, rigging (setting up sails and ropes), and blacksmithing (working with metal). There were even art workshops to create decorations for the ships.

In the second half of the 18th century, the base was very busy. Workers built 21 large ships and 17 frigates. They also built more than 50 smaller vessels like brigs and galleys. Thousands of people worked at the Arsenal. They built and kept the ships of the Spanish Navy in good condition.

Later Developments

The Naval Base grew even bigger in 1849. This happened during the reign of Queen Isabel II. In 1889, new technology arrived: electricity was brought into the arsenal.

In 1918, some old dry docks were changed. They became special docks for submarines. These docks are still used for submarines today.

Ships at Cartagena Naval Base

The Cartagena Naval Base is home to many different types of ships. These ships help the Spanish Navy protect the country.

Submarines

• Galerna-class submarines:
  • Galerna
  • Mistral
  • Tramontana

Minehunters

These ships are designed to find and remove underwater mines.

• Segura-class minehunters:
  • Segura
  • Sella
  • Tambre
  • Turia
  • Duero
  • Tajo

Transport Ships

These ships help move supplies and equipment.

• Martín Posadillo (used by the Spanish Army but run by the Spanish Navy)
• El Camino Español (used by the Spanish Army but run by the Spanish Navy)

Polar Research Ships

These ships travel to cold places to study the environment.

• BIO Hespérides
• Las Palmas

Other Important Ships

• EW support ship: Alerta (helps with electronic warfare)
• Chilreu-class patrol vessels:
  • Alborán
  • Tarifa
• Descubierta-class corvettes:
  • Infanta Elena
  • Infanta Cristina
• Toralla-class patrol vessels:
  • Toralla
  • Formentor
• Submarine rescue ship: Neptuno (helps rescue submarines)
• Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessel:
  • Audaz
  • Furor

See also

• Rota Naval Base
• Escuela Naval Militar

Images for kids

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  The patrol vessel Formentor

• 

  The corvette Infanta Elena

• 

  The Diana (previously M-11) in Cartagena