The Spanish Monitor PUIGCERDA
By Francisco Jose Diaz Diaz
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GENERAL:
During the last Carlist War, the Spanish Government ordered the
construction of various ships to support the loyal army in the north. One
of this ship was the monitor PUIGCERDA. The vessel existed into the era of
the Spanish American War.
BACKGROUND:
PUIGCERDA was the only monitor which saw service in the Spanish
Navy. During the last Carlist War, the City of Bilbao (North of
Spain) was blockaded by the Carlist troops. To support the garrison of
Bilbao, Spanish Government bought this monitor in France. She was launched
in 1874 and was commissioned in 1875. PUIGCERDA and gunboats SEGURA,
ARLANZA and TURIA served in the Nervión River, which passes through
Bilbao. When the war ended, she was sent to Ferrol Harbor until 1890. In
1890 she was decommissioned.
On 1898, when Spanish American War broke out, Monitor PUIGCERDA was
rearmed and sent to Vigo Harbour to prevent an American attack on the
Spanish Coast. In 1900 the vessel was sold.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The monitor design was outdated, and not suitable for modern seagoing
warfare.
TECHNOTES:
On 1898, when Spanish American War burst, Monitor "Puigcerdá" was
rearmed and sent to Vigo Harbour to prevent American attack to Spanish
Coast. In 1900 was sold.
TECHNOTES:
| Classification |
|
Iron-Hulled Monitor |
| Keel Laid |
|
?
|
| Launched: |
|
1874 |
| Commissioned |
|
1875
|
| Hull |
|
Iron |
| Armament: |
|
One 160 mm (6.3 inch) guns |
|
|
Two 120 (4.7 inch) guns |
| Contractor: |
|
Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterreneé, La
Seyne, Toulon, France. |
| Length: |
|
41 m |
| Beam: |
|
9 m |
| Draft: |
|
2 m |
| Displacement |
|
553 tons |
| Complement: |
|
59 men |
| Engine Type: |
|
Engines listed as generating 530 HP |
| Boiler Type: |
|
? |
| Speed: |
|
8 knots |
| Coal bunker capacity: |
|
23 tons |
| Normal coal supply: |
|
? |
| Armor: |
|
100 mm thick |
| Cost: |
|
? |
Lledó Calabuig, José "Buques de Vapor de la Armada
Española 1834-1885" (Steam ships of Spanish Navy from 1834 to 1885)
(Madrid, 1998, published by Agualarga Editores S.L.)
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