Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Libertad-class Cruisers

The class was built at El Ferrol between 1922 and 1931. The design was based upon the British E-class Light Cruisers. Libertad was originally named Principe Alfonso.

Cruiser Libertad.

Cruiser Almirante Cervera.

Cruiser Miguel de Cervantes.

Ships' characteristics:

• Displacement: 7,475 tons standard; 9,237 tons full load
• Dimensions:
• Length: 579’ 6” (176.6m)
• Beam: 54’ (16.5m)
• Draught: 16’ 6” (5m)
• Speed: 33 knots
• Armour: Belt: 3” to 1.6” (75mm to 40mm); Deck: 2” to 1” (50mm to 25mm)
• Armament: 8 x 6” (152mm) (3 x 2, 2 x 1); 4 x 4” (102mm) (4 x 1); 2 x 3 pdr (47mm) Anti-Aircraft Guns (2 x 1); 12 x 21” (533mm) Torpedo Tubes (4 x 3)
• Complement: 564

Libertad served with in the Republican Navy. She survived the Civil War, and was renamed Galicia. She was stricken and broken-up in the early 1970’s.
Almirante Cervera served in the Nationalist Navy. She survived the Civil War, and was stricken and broken-up in the 1960’s.
Miguel de Cervantes served in the Republican Navy. She was torpedoed off Cartagena on 23rd November 1936. The damage was later repaired, and she survived the Civil War. She was stricken and broken-up in the 1960’s.