Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII facts for kids
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The Alfonso XII was a special type of warship called an unprotected cruiser. It belonged to the Spanish Navy. This ship was named after King Alfonso XII of Spain. It was one of the first steel-hulled cruisers built in Spain.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Alfonso XII |
| Namesake | King Alfonso XII of Spain |
| Builder | Ferrol |
| Laid down | August 1881 |
| Launched | 21 September 1887 |
| Commissioned | 1891 |
| Decommissioned | 1900 |
| Fate | Sold 1907 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Alfonso XII-class cruiser |
| Displacement | 3,042 tons |
| Length | 278 ft 3 in (84.81 m) |
| Beam | 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m) |
| Draft | 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m) |
| Installed power | 4,400 ihp (3,300 kW) |
| Propulsion | 1-shaft compound |
| Speed | 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph) (designed) |
| Endurance |
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| Complement | 370 officers and enlisted |
| Armament |
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Building the Alfonso XII
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The Alfonso XII was built at the naval shipyard in Ferrol. Its construction started in August 1881. However, there were not enough materials, which made the building process very slow. The ship was finally launched into the water on September 21, 1887.
The ship had two tall funnels. Its main guns were made by a company called Hontoria. These guns were placed on the sides of the ship in special areas called sponsons. The Alfonso XII also had five fixed torpedo tubes. Two were at the front, one on each side, and one at the back.
Even though it was called an "unprotected" cruiser, meaning it didn't have heavy armor, it had a clever design. It had 12 watertight sections inside. This was a French-style system that helped the ship stay afloat even if some parts got flooded. The ship was designed to be fast and have a good amount of weapons. It was meant for service in Spain's colonies. However, it often had engine problems, which made it much slower than planned.
Life of the Ship
The Alfonso XII officially joined the navy in 1891. By 1897, it was anchored in Havana harbor in Cuba. At this time, it was the main ship for Admiral Vincente Manterola. But the ship could not move because its boilers needed big repairs. Some of its guns were even taken off the ship to help defend the harbor from land. The ship also took part in the First Melillan campaign between 1893 and 1894.
The Maine Incident
In early 1898, there was a lot of tension between the United States and Spain. On January 25, 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine arrived in Havana harbor without warning. The captain of the Maine, Charles Sigsbee, was worried about Spanish mines. He asked if his ship could anchor where the Alfonso XII was, thinking it would be safe there. But since the Alfonso XII could not move, the Maine had to anchor about 200 meters away.
The Maine was still there when it exploded and sank on February 15, 1898. The crew of the Alfonso XII helped a lot in rescuing the survivors from the Maine. They treated the injured sailors in the Alfonso XII's sick bay. They also helped guard the sunken ship. The crew even marched in the funeral for the men who died on the Maine.
Spanish-American War
As war got closer, the Alfonso XII put more of its guns ashore. These guns were used to make the coastal defenses stronger at the Torreón de la Chorrera. After the Spanish–American War started in April 1898, these guns sometimes fired at American ships. However, the Alfonso XII itself could not move. It was stuck in a harbor that was not a major part of the war. So, it could not help Spain much in the war.
After the war ended in August 1898, the Alfonso XII went back to Spain. It was taken out of service in 1900. The ship was sold in 1907.
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso XII (1891) para niños
