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fighting ships of the world

SPANISH NAVY (SPAIN)

TORPEDO SHIPS

CHURUCCA destroyers (1928-1937)

Lepanto 1936

Almirante Antequera 1936

Císcar 1939

Churucca 1960

Project history: Design J was developed by SECN in 1921 with British assistance on the basis of construction of British Scott class leaders of WWI era. Very successful and perfect ships, Churucca class destroyers were, possibly, one of the best destroyers of the world built in 1920-1930s. Basic lacks were overload and insufficient stability owing to considerable top weight were (mainly, of armament), anti-submarine armament besides, was purely symbolical. At the same time they differed by good seaworthiness, reliable machinery and considerable endurance.
    First three destroyers (Churucca, Alcalá Galiano and Sánchez Barcáiztegui) were ordered according to the programme from 17.2.1915, however owing to a protraction with laying they were again authorised by the law from 11.1.1922 already under the design J. Three more ships (Almirante Ferrándiz, José Luis Díez and Lepanto) were built according to the decree from 31.3.1926. First two ships, Churucca and Alcalá Galiano in 1926 were sold to Argentina before commission, and instead of them under decree from 25.5.1927 two new destroyers with the same names were ordered and one more additional ship (Almirante Valdés). Seven ships of 2nd series (Almirante Antequera class) were authorised by decree from 30.6.1929 on the means earlier assumed to building of heavy cruiser Ferrol. Sold to Argentina Churucca (i) on 4hrs trials shown average maximum speed 37.64kts and 39.76kts with boilers forcing.
    Ships of 1st series (Churucca class) had five 120mm/45 guns equipped by small shields. Destroyers of 2nd series (Almirante Antequera class) differed by increased bridge, tripod foremast, and only 4 main guns for reduction of top weight (gun no3 was removed). Ships of 2nd series should carry Vickers-Armstrong Mk F 120mm/45 guns and new massive director with 3m rangefinder (instead of 2.74m on earlier ships, but really ships received these directors already after 1939, and before they were arranged only by improvised rangefinder posts. Owing to insufficient financing after revolution of 1931 delivery of armament by San Carlos was effected extremely slowly and consequently prior to the beginning of Civil war lead ship of 2nd series Almirante Antequera (without director) was completed, and remaining six ships were partially or completely without artillery at Cartagena. Whereas San Carlos has come into the hands of Nationalists, for completion of six ships of 2nd series Republicans had to improvisate.

Modernizations: 1937, Sánchez Barcáiztegui, José Luis Díez, Lepanto, Churucca, Alcalá Galiano, Almirante Valdés: - 1 x 1 - 120/45

1938, José Luis Díez, Ulloa: + 1 x 2 - 25/60 M1938

1938, Churucca, Lepanto: + 1 x 1 - 25/60 M1938

1938, José Luis Díez: - 1 x 2 - 25/60; + 2 x 1 - 40/39 QF Mk II, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon M36

9/1938, Almirante Valdés: + 1 x 1 - 40/39 QF Mk II

late 1938, Jorge Juan, Ulloa: - 4 x 1 - 102/50; + 4 x 1 - 120/45 Vickers-Armstrong Mk D

1939-1940, Almirante Miranda: - 1 x 1 - 102/50

1939-1940, Gravina: - 5 x 1 - 102/50; + 4 x 1 - 120/45 Vickers-Armstrong Mk F

1939-1940, Escaño, Císcar, Jorge Juan, Ulloa: - 4 x 1 - 120/45; + 4 x 1 - 120/45 Vickers-Armstrong Mk F

1943-1945, Sánchez Barcáiztegui, José Luis Díez, Lepanto, Churucca, Alcalá Galiano: - 1 x 1 - 76/45; + 2 x 2 - 37/80 SK C/30, 4 x 1 - 20/65 C/38, 4 DCT

1943-1945, Almirante Valdés, Almirante Antequera, Almirante Miranda, Gravina, Escaño, Císcar, Jorge Juan, Ulloa: + 2 x 2 - 37/80 SK C/30, 4 x 1 - 20/65 C/38, 4 DCT

1960s, all survived: + radars, sonar

Naval service: Almirante Ferrándiz was sunk 29.9.1936 in Gibraltar by Nationalists heavy cruiser Canarias. Císcar was sunk 19.10.1937 at Gijon by aircraft of Nationalists, salvaged by them 21.3.1938 and after repair at El Ferrol commissioned by National fleet 28.2.1939.
José Luis Díez 27.8.1938 in Gibraltar was damaged in battle against Nationalists heavy cruiser Canarias and was harboured at Gibraltar. At attempt to leave therefrom 30.12.1938 José Luis Díez received new damages in battle against Nationalists minelayer Vulcano and ran aground. Next day she was salvaged and towed off to Gibraltar where she was interned till the end of war and 25.3.1939 transferred to National fleet.
Alcalá Galiano 11.6.1937 was hard damaged at collision with transport Magallanes. Churucca 12.8.1937 near Cartagena was torpedoed by Italian submarine Jalea. Both these destroyers passed to Cartagena for repair, in 1938 received there additional damages as result of raids of aircraft, then disarmed and remained on shipyard up to the end of Civil war. Sánchez Barcáiztegui, being under repair at Cartagena, was seriously damaged by an air bomb 5.3.1939. Remaining 8 destroyers of this class this very day left to Bizerte where 7.3.1939 were interned by French. They were transferred to Nationalists 31.3.1939.
Ciscar was lost on rocks at El Ferrol 17.10.1957.

Almirante Antequera 1937

José Luis Díez 1951

© Ivan Gogin, 2011-15