Spanish ship Principe de Asturias (1794) facts for kids

Príncipe de Asturias, flagship of Vice-Admiral Federico Gravina, during the Battle of Trafalgar.
Quick facts for kids History
Spain
Name	Príncipe de Asturias
Builder	Real Astillero de La Habana, Havana
Launched	28 January 1794
Stricken	1817
Fate	Foundered in 1814 Remains ordered to be taken to pieces on 12 September 1820
General characteristics
Class and type	Santa Ana-class ship of the line
Tonnage	2,453½ tons
Length	58.506 m
Beam	16.16 m
Draught	7.37 m
Depth of hold	7.54 m
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	At the Battle of Trafalgar, 1141 Capture of the Rosily Squadron, 1036
Armament	On launch: 30 × 36-pounder cannon 32 × 24-pounder cannon 32 × 12-pounder cannon 18 × 8-pounder cannon At Trafalgar: 30 × 36-pounder cannon 32 × 24-pounder cannon 30 × 12-pounder cannon 6 × 8-pounder cannon 14 × 48-pounder obuses (howitzers) 6 × 24-pounder obuses (howitzers)
Armour	None

The Príncipe de Asturias (which means Prince of Asturias) was a very large Spanish warship. It had three decks and carried 112 cannons! This powerful ship was named after Ferdinand, who was the oldest son of King Charles IV of Spain. Ferdinand was also the heir to the throne, known as the Prince of Asturias.

This ship played an important role during the Napoleonic wars. It helped protect groups of ships (called convoys) and fought against both the British and French navies at different times. Its special religious name was Los Santos Reyes, meaning "the Holy Kings."

Building a Giant Ship

The Príncipe de Asturias was built in Havana, Cuba, in 1794. It was part of a group of ships called the Santa Ana class. These ships were designed by a person named Romero de Landa.

The Príncipe de Asturias was the last of eight ships in this class to be built. It was launched into the water on January 28, 1794. Honorato Bouyón was the person who watched over its construction.

The Ship's Adventures

The Príncipe de Asturias left Havana on February 26, 1795. Its first commander was Brigadier Adrián de Valcárcel. It arrived in Cádiz, Spain, on May 17, 1795, after safely guiding a valuable group of ships.

Battle of Cape St Vincent

In 1797, the ship was commanded by Brigadier Antonio de Escaño y García. It was part of a group of ships led by Teniente General (which is like a Vice-Admiral) José de Córdova. Their job was to protect another convoy.

After finishing that mission, but before reaching Cádiz, a sudden storm hit the ships. The storm pushed them far out to sea. As they tried to get back, they met a British group of ships. On February 14, 1797, they fought in the Battle of Cape St Vincent. The Spanish ships were defeated.

During this battle, the Príncipe de Asturias had 10 sailors killed and 19 wounded. It also helped save the main Spanish ship, the Santísima Trinidad, which was being attacked by British Commodore Horatio Nelson.

The Famous Battle of Trafalgar

At the famous Battle of Trafalgar, the Príncipe de Asturias was part of the combined French and Spanish fleet. It was the main ship (called the flagship) for the Spanish Teniente General (Vice-Admiral) Federico Gravina. Antonio de Escaño, who was now a Rear-Admiral, was his second-in-command. Brigadier Rafael Hore was the ship's captain.

During the battle, Gravina's ship was attacked by three British ships. The main mast and the smaller mizzen mast were shot through. The ropes and sails were also badly damaged. Gravina himself was seriously wounded in his left arm by cannon fire. He sadly passed away a year later from these injuries.

Seeing that they were losing the battle, Gravina managed to gather ten other ships around the Príncipe de Asturias. The ship suffered greatly, with 50 sailors killed and 110 wounded. After the battle, the French frigate Thémis had to tow the damaged ship. It then went through major repairs in Cádiz.

War with France

After France invaded Spain in 1808, the Príncipe de Asturias served during the Spanish War of Independence. This war was part of the larger Peninsular War. The ship became the flagship for Juan Ruiz de Apodaca.

It played a role in the capture of the Rosily Squadron. This was when several French warships were captured. These included the Neptune, Algesiras, Argonaute, Héros, Plutón, and the frigate Cornélie.

In September 1810, the Príncipe de Asturias and the Santa Ana sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Havana. They did this to avoid being captured by the French. In 1814, the ship hit a rock and sank. In September 1820, it was ordered that the remains of the hull be taken apart. However, parts of the ship could still be seen off Havana as late as 1834.

See also

• In Spanish: Príncipe de Asturias (1794) para niños