Spanish ship Mexicano (1786) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Spain |
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| Name | Mexicano |
| Builder | Havanna |
| Launched | 20 January 1786 |
| Fate | Sold, Ferrol, 1815 |
| Notes |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Santa Ana-class ship of the line |
| Tonnage | 2,112 tonnes |
| Length | 56.14 m |
| Beam | 15.5 m |
| Draught | 7.37 m |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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| Armour | None |
The Mexicano (also called Mejicano) was a very large warship built for the Spanish Navy in 1786. It had 112 cannons and was built in Havanna. This ship was part of the Santa Ana class, which were eight huge warships.
Mexicano served the Spanish Navy for 30 years. It was active during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. These were major conflicts of that time. The ship was sold in Ferrol in 1815. Even though it was a strong part of the Spanish fleet, its only big battle was the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797.
Building a Giant Warship
The Santa Ana class ships were built for the Spanish fleet. They were made in the 1780s and 1790s. These were very powerful warships, similar to the biggest ships of the Royal Navy.
Other ships in this class included the Santa Ana, Conde de Regla, and Salvador del Mundo. Also, there were the Real Carlos, San Hermenegildo, Reina María Luisa, and Príncipe de Asturias. Three of these ships were captured or destroyed during the wars.
Mexicano was built in Havanna. It took 11 months to build in 1785. The cost was 328,000 pesos, which was a lot of money back then. Most of the money came from the local government of New Spain. This area is now known as Mexico, and that's where the ship got its name.
The Ship's Journey and Battles
The Mexicano's first trip was from Havanna to Ferrol. It had 80 cannons for this journey, which was fewer than its full number. Captain Miguel Felix Goycoechea was in charge. He said the ship sailed very well and was strong.
In 1797, Mexicano was part of the Spanish fleet. This fleet fought the British at the Battle of Cape St Vincent. The Spanish fleet lost the battle, and four of their ships were lost. Mexicano survived, but 25 crew members died, including Captain Francisco de Herrara. Also, 46 crew members were badly hurt.
Between 1799 and 1801, Mexicano joined the French and Spanish fleets. They were based in Brest after a campaign called Croisière de Bruix.
By the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Mexicano was kept in Ferrol. Its hull, which is the main body of the ship, was in poor condition. After the war ended, the ship was sold and taken apart.
See also
In Spanish: Mejicano (1786) para niños
