Spanish destroyer Terror facts for kids
Terror in front of Larache in 1911
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Terror |
| Namesake | Spanish word for "terror" |
| Builder | Thomson, later Clydebank |
| Laid down | 9 February 1896 |
| Launched | 28 August 1896 |
| Completed | 20 November 1896 |
| Fate | Scrapped 1924 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Furor-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 370 tons |
| Length | 220 ft 0 in (67.06 m) |
| Beam | 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m) |
| Draft | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Installed power | 6,000 ihp (4,500 kW) |
| Propulsion | 2-shaft, 4-cylinder triple expansion, 4 Normand boilers |
| Speed | 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) |
| Complement | 67 officers and enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Notes | 100 tons coal (normal) |
The Spanish destroyer Terror was a fast warship built for the Spanish Navy. She was part of the Furor class of destroyers. Built in the United Kingdom, Terror started service in 1896. She was badly damaged during a battle in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1898. Later, in 1920, she was changed into a ship that could lay naval mines. Terror was taken apart for scrap metal in 1924.
Contents
Building the Terror Destroyer
The Terror was built in the United Kingdom. The company that built her was called Thomson. This company later changed its name to Clydebank Engineering & Shipbuilding Co..
When was Terror built?
The ship's main frame, called the keel, was put down on 9 February 1896. Terror was launched into the water on 28 August 1896. She was completely finished and ready for service by 20 November 1896. The ship had three tall funnels.
What was Terror designed for?
Terror was known as a "torpedo boat destroyer". Her main job was to protect bigger warships from small, fast torpedo boats. These torpedo boats would try to attack larger ships with torpedoes. Terror also carried torpedoes herself, so she could attack bigger enemy ships too.
Terror's Time at Sea
In early 1898, there was a lot of tension between Spain and the United States. Terror was part of the Spanish Navy's 1st Squadron. This group of ships was led by Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete.
Journey to Cape Verde
The squadron was told to gather at São Vicente. This island is part of Portugal's Cape Verde Islands. So, Terror left Cadiz, Spain, on 8 April 1898. She sailed with Admiral Cervera's main ship, the armored cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa. Other ships included the armored cruiser Cristobal Colon, and destroyers Pluton and Furor. They arrived at São Vicente on 14 April 1898. The ships had some engine problems and used a lot of coal on the trip. Soon, two more armored cruisers, Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo, joined them.
Starting the Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War began while Terror was at São Vicente. Portugal was a neutral country. This meant they could not help either side in the war. So, Portugal told the Spanish ships to leave São Vicente within 24 hours. Terror and the rest of Cervera's squadron left on 29 April 1898. Their destination was San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Because of ongoing engine issues and low coal, Terror and the other destroyers were towed for part of the journey. Cervera's ships reached Martinique on 10 May 1898. Martinique was owned by France, which was also neutral.
Engine Trouble in Martinique
While the other ships waited in international waters, Furor and Terror went into Fort-de-France. They hoped to get coal there. However, France was neutral and would not give them coal. Also, an American ship, the USS Harvard, had just left the port. French officials said that because of neutrality rules, the Spanish destroyers could not leave for 48 hours after the American ship. This meant they had to wait until 13 May 1898.
Terror's engines stopped working, so she could not move. The commander of the destroyers, Captain Fernando Villaamil, took Furor out into the harbor. He pretended to be testing her engines. Then, he quickly sailed her out into international waters 24 hours early. Cervera's main squadron continued their journey, leaving Terror behind. Terror soon got her engines working again. The French authorities then let her leave. She sailed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and arrived there on 17 May 1898.
Battle of San Juan
For about a month, nothing much happened. Then, the United States Navy started a constant blockade of San Juan on 18 June 1898. On 22 June 1898, the Spanish cruiser Spanish cruiser Isabel II, the gunboat General Concha, and Terror sailed out of port. They wanted to test the blockade. This led to the Second Battle of San Juan.
The American auxiliary cruiser USS St. Paul moved in. A short gun battle began. The Spanish ships quickly tried to get away. Isabel II and General Concha could not go faster than 10 knots (about 18.5 km/h). To help them escape, Terror started to make a torpedo attack on St. Paul. The St. Paul opened fire from about 5,400 yards (4,900 meters) away. She hit Terror many times. Two men on Terror were killed. These were the only people killed or injured on either side during the battle. Terror was badly damaged. She had a hole in her side. She had to retreat and was run aground on the beach to keep her from sinking.
After the War
Terror spent the rest of the war being repaired in San Juan. Her repairs were finished on 14 September 1898. This was about a month after the war had ended. After she was fixed, Terror returned to Spain.
Around 1920, Terror was changed into a minelayer. This meant she could place naval mines in the water. She was taken apart for scrap metal in 1924.
Images for kids
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Terror in front of Larache in 1911
See also
In Spanish: Terror (1896) para niños
