Churruca-class destroyer (1927)

The Churruca class came in three groups. Initially, the first three ships were intended to be repeats of the previous Alsedo class. However, a financial delay prevented this once the project was refinanced the first group was based on the British Admiralty type flotilla leader (Scott class) design. The destroyers had a standard displacement of 1,560 tonnes (1,535 long tons) and were 2,120 tonnes (2,087 long tons) at full load. They were 101.50 metres (333 ft 0 in) long overall and 97.52 metres (319 ft 11 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 9.68 metres (31 ft 9 in) and a mean draught of 3.20 metres (10 ft 6 in).^[1]

The Churruca class were propelled by two shafts driven by Parsons geared turbines powered by steam provided by four Yarrow boilers. The engines were rated at 42,000 shaft horsepower (31,319 kW) and the destroyers had a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). The Churruca class had 508 tonnes (500 long tons) capacity for fuel oil. The destroyers had a complement of 175 officers and ratings.^[1]

The class was armed with five 120-millimetre (4.7 in) L45 guns in single mounts. They had one 76 mm (3 in) gun for anti-aircraft defence and four machine guns. They were also equipped with six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes in two triple mounts and two depth charge throwers.^[1][2]

The second group differed only slightly from the first. Their displacement was greater, at 1,543 tonnes (1,519 long tons) standard and 2,209 tonnes (2,174 long tons) at full load and they had greater bunkerage for the fuel oil, with capacity for 548 tonnes (539 long tons), which gave them a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).^[2][3] The third group differed greatly, as their construction had been delayed and newer systems were added. Their displacement was increased again, at 1,676 tonnes (1,650 long tons) standard and 2,205 tonnes (2,170 long tons) at full load. They retained the increased fuel capacity and range of the second group while having different armament. They were equipped with four 120 mm guns and but had six 37 mm (1.46 in) in three twin mounts and three 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon for anti-aircraft defence.^[4]

In the early 1940s, all the surviving Spanish ships were modified and had one of the 120 mm guns landed and were given two twin-mounted 37 mm guns and four 20 mm cannon for improved anti-air defence. They retained their torpedo tubes, but the number of depth charge throwers was increased to four. In later years, some of the 37 mm and 20 mm guns were removed. The third group, or Alava class, underwent modernisation in the early 1960s. Their forecastle was lengthened by 8.0 metres (26 ft 3 in) and the displacement increased to 1,842 tonnes (1,813 long tons) standard and 2,287 tonnes (2,251 long tons) at full load. The engines were rerated at 31,500 shp (23,490 kW) and the ships had a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph), with fuel oil capacity of 370 tonnes (364 long tons). Their armament was completely made over, with three single 76 mm/50 calibre guns, three 40 mm/70 calibre SP48 anti-aircraft guns, two side-launching racks for six anti-submarine (ASW) torpedoes, two Hedgehog ASW mortars, eight depth charge throwers and two depth charge racks. A lattice mast was added and caps were placed on the funnels and they were given MLA-1B air search radar, SG-6B surface search radar, Decca TM-626 navigational radar and two Mk 63 fire control radar sets. For ASW, the two ships were equipped with SQS-30A hull-mounted sonar.^[5]

In Argentine Navy service, the two vessels that became known as the Cervantes class had their midships 120 mm gun replaced with two twin 40 mm (2 in) guns with the 76 mm gun later being replaced with a further twin 40 mm mount.^[6] Two of the twin mounts were located between the funnels and one after of the funnels.^[7]

In 1915, the Spanish government authorised an extensive building programme by the Spanish Navy. The first three ships of the Churruca class were intended to be members of the Alsedo class which was based on the British M class but and were planned for construction during World War I. However, due to financial constraints, their construction was put off and when financing was approved for the new destroyers in 1922, a newer design was chosen. The first Churruca and Alcalá Galiano were sold to Argentina, and were replaced by two new destroyers bearing the same name. The class was considered successful, which led the Spanish government ordering a second group. Two vessels of the last group's construction became delayed by the Spanish Civil War and World War II, that they eventually became a third group. The first Churrucas began entering service with the Spanish Navy in 1929.^[1]

On the eve of the rebellion in the Spanish protectorate in Morocco, the active Churruca-class destroyers were ordered into the Gibraltar Strait to prevent any rebels from crossing to Spain. Churruca sailed to Ceuta where the destroyer joined the Nationalists. Churucca then transported Nationalist troops to Cadiz on 19 July 1936. However, the crew arrested the officers and rejoined the Spanish Republican Navy. Almirante Ferrándiz and Gravina took part in the Battle of Cape Espartel, where Almirante Ferrándiz was sunk by the Nationalist cruiser Canarias. Lepanto, Almirante Valdes, Almirante Antequera, Gravina, Jorge Juan, and Escaño participated in the Battle of Cape Cherchell. Lepanto, Sánchez Barcaiztegui, Almirante Miranda and Grafina were engaged in the Battle of Cape Palos, where Lepanto sank the Nationalist cruiser Baleares with torpedoes. Ciscar was sunk by aircraft in Gijon harbour, refloated by the rebels, and used by them in the final phases of the war.^[9]

Sánchez Barcaiztegui was bombed and sunk in shallow water at Cartagena in March 1939, but later raised and returned to service following the war. José Luis Díez was severely damaged in an encounter with Canarias and was beached in Catalan Bay. The ship was raised and towed to Gibraltar where the vessel was interned until the end of the war. When the Spanish Civil War ended, the class was turned over to the Nationalists. Spain remained neutral during World War II Ciscar ran aground in fog off El Ferrol in October 1957. Salvage of the ship was abandoned in 1958 and the vessel was stricken.^[9]

Construction of what became the third group was delayed due to the Spanish Civil War and began again in 1939. However, construction was stopped in 1940 due to World War II. They were finished only after the war. The remaining ships of the first and second groups underwent modernisation in the 1950s and further updates were planned but later cancelled in the 1960s. The third group were modernised in the early 1960s and rerated as "fast frigates". Liniers was used for midshipman training at the Naval Academy until 1982. Liniers, the last of the class, was stricken in 1982.^[5]

 

Churruca and Alcalá Galiano were sold to the Argentine Navy while under construction on 10 June 1926. They were renamed ARA Cervantes (E1) and ARA Juan de Garay (E2) respectively. Cervantes reached 39.76 knots (73.64 km/h; 45.75 mph) while on sea trials.^[6] The ships were commissioned on 3 September 1927 and modernised after World War II. In 1952, the two vessels were reclassified as destroyer escorts (torpederos).^[7]

Cervantes was severely damaged by Gloster Meteor fighters loyal to Juan Domingo Perón while evacuating personnel from the rebel naval base of Río Santiago during the 1955 Revolución Libertadora. She was placed in reserve in May 1961. Juan de Garay was used as a training vessel from 1952–1959.^[7] Cervantes was stricken on 24 June 1961 and Juan de Garay on 25 March 1960.^[6]

• Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
• Flórez, Dionisio García (2002). Buques de la Guerra Civil Española. Destructores (in Spanish). Madrid: Almena. ISBN 84-932284-7-8.
• Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
• Whitley, M. J. (2000) [1988]. Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Churruca Class Destroyers.

• First serie of Churruca Class in spanish
• Second serie of Churruca Class in spanish
• Destroyers in Spanish civil war (in Spanish), with pictures
• ARA Cervantes in Histamar
• Armada Ships – Destructores. Churruca (1931–1963)