Spanish cruiser Miguel de Cervantes facts for kids

Miguel de Cervantes in Cartagena, circa 1930
Quick facts for kids History
Spain
Name	Miguel de Cervantes
Namesake	Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Builder	S.E.C.N in Ferrol
Laid down	27 August 1926
Launched	19 May 1928
Commissioned	10 February 1930
Stricken	1 July 1964
Fate	Sold for scrap July 1964
General characteristics
Class and type	Almirante Cervera-class cruiser
Displacement	9240 tons
Length	167.62 m (549.93 ft)
Beam	16.61 m (54.49 ft)
Draft	5.03 m (16.50 ft)
Installed power	80,000 shp (60,000 kW)
Propulsion	4 × Parsons turbines 8 × Yarrow boilers 4 × screws
Speed	35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range	4,950 nmi (5,700 mi; 9,170 km) @ 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Armament	Original: 8 × Vickers 152 mm cannon 4 × 101.6 mm AA cannon 12 × 533 mm torpedo tubes July 1936: 8 x Vickers-Carraca BL 152 mm cannon 3 x Vickers 101.6 mm cannon 2 x Vickers AA 47 mm cannon 12 x 533 mm torpedo tubes January 1937: 8 x Vickers-Carraca BL 152 mm cannon 3 x Vickers 101.6 mm cannon 1 x AA Hotchkiss 13.2 mm machine gun 12 x 533 mm torpedo tubes June 1838: 8 x Vickers-Carraca BL 152 mm cannon 3 x Vickers 101.6 mm cannon 1 x AA Vickers 76.2 mm cannon 2 x AA Hotchkiss 25 mm cannon 12 x 533 mm torpedo tubes October 1938: 8 x Vickers-Carraca BL 152 mm cannon 3 x Vickers 101.6 mm cannon 1 x Bofors AA 40 mm cannon 2 x AA Oerlikon 20 mm cannon 12 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
Notes	Could carry a Heinkel He 114 scout plane (after upgrades)

The Miguel de Cervantes was a type of warship called a light cruiser that served in the Spanish Navy. She was named after the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. This ship played an important role in the Spanish Civil War, fighting on the side of the Republicans. After the war, she continued to serve in the Spanish Navy. The ship was ordered in 1926 as part of a plan to build up the navy.

Early Service and the Asturias Revolution

The Miguel de Cervantes had her first tests at sea in December 1929. She was very fast, reaching 25 knots (about 46 kilometers per hour), which was faster than the Navy needed.

In 1934, the ship, along with her sister ship Almirante Cervera, helped put down a miners' strike in Asturias. They fired at a neighborhood called Cimadevilla. The Miguel de Cervantes also worked with the battleship Jaime I to carry soldiers and supplies to Gijón.

Role in the Spanish Civil War

On July 17, 1936, the Miguel de Cervantes and another ship, the Libertad, were ordered to sail to the Strait of Gibraltar. This was just as a rebellion began in Spain. The crews of the ships decided to support the government (Republicans) instead of the rebels (Nationalists).

The Republican fleet, which included Jaime I, Libertad, Miguel de Cervantes, and seven destroyers, met near Tangier International Zone on July 20. They then blocked the Strait of Gibraltar, which is a very important waterway.

Bombardments and Blockade

On July 22, the ships fired at the city of La Línea de la Concepción. Two days later, on July 25, they also bombarded Ceuta. From then on, the city of Málaga became their main base for keeping the blockade going.

Later, on September 21, the Miguel de Cervantes left Málaga with Jaime I and five destroyers. They left the Strait of Gibraltar area to help Republican soldiers who were surrounded in Northern Spain. After this mission, they returned to the Mediterranean Sea and made their base in Cartagena.

Torpedo Attack and Repairs

On November 22, 1936, while anchored near Cartagena, the Miguel de Cervantes was hit by torpedoes. These torpedoes were fired by an Italian submarine called Evangelista Torricelli. The ship was badly damaged but was towed into port. Because of air attacks, her repairs took a long time and were not finished until April 11, 1938.

End of the War

On March 5, 1939, the Miguel de Cervantes left Cartagena with most of the Republican Navy. They sailed to Bizerta in Tunisia, arriving on March 11. The next day, the crews asked for political asylum, meaning they wanted protection in Tunisia. Most of the sailors were kept in a camp, with only a few left to guard the ships. The rest were sent to a concentration camp.

Post-War Service

After the Spanish Civil War, the Miguel de Cervantes continued to serve the Spanish Navy. In 1949, she carried Francisco Franco, who was the leader of Spain at the time, to Lisbon, Portugal. In May 1952, she transported Franco again, this time to Barcelona for a big religious event called the XXXV International Eucharistic Congress.

The Miguel de Cervantes was also one of the ships used to land troops on the African coast during the Ifni War. This was a conflict that took place in the late 1950s.

Final Years

The Miguel de Cervantes was officially removed from service on July 1, 1964. Later that month, she was sold at a public auction to be taken apart for scrap metal. She was bought for 31,680,000 pesetas, which was the currency in Spain at the time.

See also

In Spanish: Miguel de Cervantes (1930) para niños