Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Basque Auxiliary Navy

As the Basque part of Republican Spain was separated from the rest, it had to extemporize its own navy with which to protect its coast. Most of the vessels were ex-trawlers that were armed with whatever weapons were available.

The ships of the Basque Auxiliary Navy included:

Araba

• Displacement: 1,190 tons
• Armament: 1 x 4” (102mm) (1 x 1); 2 x 8mm Machine Guns (2 x 1)
• Complement: 50

Bizkaya

• Displacement: 1,190 tons
• Armament: 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1); 2 x 8mm Machine Guns (2 x 1)
• Complement: 50

Donostia

Donostia.

Donostia's main armament ... a 3" (76mm) gun.

• Displacement: 287 tons
• Armament: 1 x 3” (76mm) (1 x 1); 1 x 4 pdr (47mm); 2 x 8mm Machine Guns (2 x 1)
• Complement: 30

Gipuzkoa

• Displacement: 1,251 tons
• Armament: 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1), 2 x 8mm Machine Guns (2 x 1)
• Complement: 50

Goizeko Izarra

• Displacement: 136 tons
• Armament: 1 x 6 pdr (57mm) (1 x 1)
• Complement: 18

Iparreko Izarra

Iparreko Izarra.

• Displacement: 136 tons
• Armament: 1 x 6 pdr (57mm) (1 x 1); 1 x 8mm Machine Gun (1 x 1)
• Complement: 18

Nabarra

Nabarra before her conversion from a trawler.

Nabarra.

Nabarra.

• Displacement: 1,204 tons
• Armament: 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1); 2 x 8mm Machine Guns (2 x 1)
• Complement: 50

Yesterday's incident in Westminster

I wish I wasn't having to write this blog entry today ... but I felt that I could not ignore what happened yesterday in Westminster. If that offends any of my regular blog readers, please accept my apology and I hope that you will return and read future blog entries.

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I have lived in London for most of my life. In fact I was born in the General Lying In Hospital, which is very close to the southern end of Westminster Bridge and only a few hundred yards from the location of yesterday's incident.

As a result of living in the capital, I have been close to several terrorist attacks.

• On 7th November 1974 I was visiting my then girlfriend (who is now my wife) when the PIRA (Provisional Irish Republican Army) bombed the 'King's Arms' public house just a few hundred yards from where she lived. Two people were killed and twenty eight injured.
• On 14th May 1990 I was in my office at Eltham Green School when I felt – and then heard – the bomb planted by the PIRA at the headquarters of the Royal Army Education Corps in Eltham Palace. Four people were injured.
• On 22nd May 2013 I was at home on Shooters Hill when Fusilier Lee Rigby was killed in Woolwich, less than a mile from where I live. I had planned to go to Woolwich on that day and at approximately the time that Lee was killed to visit the local branch of the NatWest Bank, but changed my mind before leaving home.

I have never let the fact that I was near to these incidents affect the way I have lived my life. Like everyone else, I carried on as normal in the knowledge that life was for living, and not to be spent cowering in a corner in a state of perpetual fear.

Yesterday was not the first time that the Houses of Parliament have been the scene of such an attack.

• On 11th May 1812 the Prime Minister – Spencer Perceval – was assassinated inside the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham, a merchant who had been imprisoned in Russia and who thought that he was entitled to some form of compensation from the government. He killed Perceval when his petitions for that compensation had been rejected.
• On 17th June 1974 the PIRA planted a bomb that did extensive damage to part of the building and caused injuries to eleven people.
• On 30th March 1979 the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) planted a bomb under Airey Neave's car whilst it was in the Houses of Parliament's underground car park, as a result of which he was killed as he drove up the exit ramp. At the time Airey Neave was the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and a prominent supporter of Margaret Thatcher, the then leader of the Opposition.

Despite all of these attacks, life in London went on as it had before. People were vigilant – and probably more than a little anxious – but not cowed. The majority accepted that if they stopped trying to live a normal life, they were showing that the attackers had not won ... and would not and will not win.

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Today I feel very strongly that we should be thinking about those who were affected by yesterday's attack, especially the families of those who died (including PC Keith Palmer, who – despite being unarmed – tried to stop the attacker), those who were injured, those who dealt with the injured, and those who were in the Westminster area and who saw what happened.

I certainly am thinking of all of them ... and today I will try to carry on doing what I planned to do regardless of the fact that there was a terrorist attack in London yesterday.

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Yesterday was also the first anniversary of the bomb attacks in Brussels that resulted in the deaths of thirty two innocent civilians and the three bombers, and caused injuries to over three hundred people. I do hope that yesterday's attack in London was not someone's distorted and perverted idea of marking that anniversary.

We've been away again!

Yesterday Sue and I returned from a short (two-week) but interesting cruise that took in Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and Morocco, and later this week I will be writing a detailed blog entry about what we saw and did.

We had visited some of the places before, but Morocco was our first venture to Africa ... and it was somewhat different from what we had expected. Bad weather prevent us from getting into Cartagena, and we had to make two unscheduled stops in La Coruña – one on the way out and one on the way back – due to medical emergencies.

During the cruise I actually began to write my next PORTABLE WARGAME book and with luck this should be finished in three or four month's time. I also did some reading (not as much as expected), went to some interesting lectures, and saw quite a few warships ... about which I will write blog entries in due course.

Vive l'Empereur! Some Napoleonic French Veteran Infantry

I have finally finished my last batch of Napoleonic French Infantry. They are from the Del Prado RELIVE AUSTERLITZ! range, and I am using them to represent Veteran Infantry of the sort that would be used to garrison important fortresses or to guard supply depots.

I will probably now take a short break before moving on to renovate, varnish, and base the Napoleonic French Artillery figures that I have left to do.

Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Armed Merchant Cruisers (Part 4)

Mallorca

Mallorca.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 2352 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 311’ 8” (95m)
• Beam: 38’ 9” (11.8m)
• Draught: 27’ 6” (8.4m)
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 1 x 4” (102mm) (1 x 1); 1 x 3” (76mm) (1 x 1)

Rey Jamie I

Rey Jamie I.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 2320 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 316’ 11” (96.6m)
• Beam: 37’ 9” (11.5m)
• Draught: 28’ 6” (8.7m)
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 1 x 4" (102mm) (1 x 1); 1 x 3” (76mm) (1 x 1)

Rey Jamie II

Rey Jamie II.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 1548 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 262’ 6” (80m)
• Beam: 34’ 5” (10.5m)
• Draught: 21’ 4” (6.5m)
• Speed: 15 knots
• Armament: 2 x 4" (102mm) (2 x 1)

Captured by the Nationalist Cruiser Canarias on 18th September 1937 and converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser.

Vicente Puchol

Vicente Puchol.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 1005 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 383’ 5” (86.4m)
• Beam: 38’ (11.6m)
• Draught: 22’ 8” (6.9m)
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 1 x 4” (102mm) (1 x 1); 2 x 3” (76mm) (2 x 1); 1 x 6 pdr (57mm) (1 x 1); 1 x 4 pdr (47mm) (1 x 1)

Initially used as an Auxiliary Minelayer, she was later converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser. She captured the 1,743-ton steamer Pomaron on 21st February 1938.

Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Armed Merchant Cruisers (Part 3)

Galerna

Galerna.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 1,204 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 230’ 8” (70.3m)
• Beam: 34’ 1” (10.4m)
• Draught: -
• Speed: 10 knots
• Armament: 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1); 2 x 3 pdr (47mm) (2 x 1)

J J Sister

J J Sister.

One of the guns carried by J J Sister whilst she operated as an Armed Merchant Cruiser.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 1,554 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 283’ 6” (86.4m)
• Beam: 38’ (11.6m)
• Draught: 22’ 8” (6.9m)
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 2 x 4" (102mm) (2 x 1)

Captured by the Nationalist Cruiser Canarias on 18th September 1937 and converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser.

Malaspina

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 998 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 224’ (68.3m)
• Beam: 35’ 1” (10.7m)
• Draught: -
• Speed: 12.5 knots
• Armament: 2 x 4" (102mm) (2 x 1); 1 x 6 pdr (57mm) (1 x 1)

Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Armed Merchant Cruisers (Part 2)

Ciudad de Palma

Ciudad de Palma.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 4,085 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 332’ 4” (101.3m)
• Beam: 48’ 10” (14.9m)
• Draught: 21’ 4” (6.5m)
• Speed: 17 knots
• Armament: 2 x 4.7” (120mm) (2 x 1); 2 x 3” (76mm) (2 x 1)

Converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser in Italy in 1936. She assisted the minelayer Jupiter in the capture of the British cargo ship Candlestone Castle in the Bay of Biscay on 17th July 1937.

Ciudad de Valencia

Ciudad de Valencia.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 2,496 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 266 ’9” (81.3m)
• Beam: 40’ 8” (12.4m)
• Draught: 8’ 2” (2.5m)
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 1 x 4.7” (120mm) (1 x 1); 2 x 4.1” (105mm) (2 x 1); 2 x 1.8” (47mm) (2 x 1)

After conversion she operated in the North Sea, where she sank the Republican merchantman SS Cantabria off Cromer, Norfolk, on 2nd November 1938.

Domine

Domine.

Ship’s characteristics:

• Displacement: 6915 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 408’ 2” (124.4m)
• Beam: 53’ 9” (16.4m)
• Draught: -
• Speed:16 knots
• Armament: 4 x 4” (102mm) (4 x 1)

She was used as an Armed Merchant Cruiser in the Bay of Biscay from September to December 1936. She was then converted into a fast transport and later used as supply ship.

Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Armed Merchant Cruisers (Part 1)

Along with the Mar Cantabrico and Mar Negro, the Nationalists also converted a number of merchant ships into Armed Merchant Cruisers. Included amongst the ships converted were:

Antonio Lázaro

Antonio Lázaro.

Ship's characteristics:

• Displacement: 1514 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 283’ 5” (86.4m)
• Beam: 38’ (11.6m)
• Draught: 22’ 8” (6.9m)
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 1 x 4.7” (120mm) (1 x 1); 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1); 1 x 6 pdr (57mm) (1 x 1), 2 x 4 pdr (47mm) (2 x 1)

Initially used as an Auxiliary Minelayer, she was later converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser.

Ciudad de Alicante

Ciudad de Alicante.

Ship's characteristics:

• Displacement: 2434 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 226’ 9” (81.3m)
• Beam: 40’ 8” (12.4m)
• Draught: -
• Speed: 16 knots
• Armament: 1 x 4.7” (120mm) (1 x 1); 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1); 1 x 4 pdr (47mm) (1 x 1)

She operated with the Ciudad de Valencia in the North Sea, where she assisted in the capture of the Republican steamers Sil and Río Miera.

Ciudad de Mahon

Ciudad de Mahon.

Ship's characteristics:

• Displacement: 1,551 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 235’ 10” (71.9m)
• Beam: 36’ (11.0m)
• Draught: -
• Speed: 14 knots
• Armament: 2 x 4” (102mm) (2 x 1); 1 x 3" (76mm) (1 x 1)

She sank the Republican steamer Fernando Po in the Bight of Biafra on 14th October 1936.

Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Mar-Class Armed Merchant Cruisers

Both Mar Cantabrico and Mar Negro were freighters that were used by the Republicans to try to break the Nationalist blockade. The Mar Cantabrico was captured on 8th March 1937, and the Mar Negro was taken on the 1st September 1937. They were then extensively reconstructed at El Ferrol to become Armed Merchant Cruisers that were taken into service by the Nationalist Navy.

The Mar Cantabrico as a merchant ship.

The Mar Negro after conversion into an Armed Merchant Cruiser.

Ships' characteristics:

• Displacement: 6,632 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 421’ 7” (128.5m)
• Beam: 53’ 10” (16.4m)
• Draught: 34’ 2” (10.4m)
• Maximum Speed : 15 knots
• Armament: 4 x 5.9" (150mm) (4 x 1); 4 x 3.5" (88mm) (4 x 1); 2 x 2.25" (57 mm) (2 x 1) [Mar Cantabrico only]; 4 x 3" (76mm) (4 x 1) [Mar Negro only]; 3 x 0.79" (20mm) (3 x 1) [Mar Negro only]
• Complement: Unknown

Mar Cantabrico survived the Civil War and was re-converted to a freighter after the war. She was lost as a result of a fire in 1962.
Mar Negro survived the Civil War and was re-converted to a freighter after the war. Her fate after 1973 is unclear.

Ships of the Nationalist and Republican Navies during the Spanish Civil War: Falange (LT 11)/S2-Class Motor Torpedo Boats

S2, S3, S4, and S5 were all built in 1932 for the German Kriegsmarine, and were transferred to the Nationalist Navy in 1936. They were all renamed and renumbered as follows:

• S2: Falange (LT 11)
• S3: Oviedo (LT 12)
• S4: Requete (LT 13)
• S5: Toledo (LT 14)

Ships’ characteristics:

• Displacement: 46.5 ton standard; 58 tons deep load
• Dimensions:
• Length: 91' 8" (26.8m)
• Beam: 13 '9" (4.2m)
• Draught: 3' 6" (1.06m)
• Maximum Speed: 34 knots
• Armament: 1 x 0.79" (20mm) (1 x 1); 2 x 19.7" (500 mm) Torpedo Tubes
• Complement: 18

Falange (LT 11 ex-S2) sank on 18th June 1937.
Oviedo (LT 12 ex-S3) survived the Civil War, and was stricken and broken up in the 1940's.
Requete (LT 13 ex-S4) survived the Civil War, and was stricken and broken up in the 1940's.
Toledo (LT 14 ex-S5) survived the Civil War, and was stricken and broken up in the 1940's.