History of España-class battleship in Timeline

The España-class battleships were a trio of dreadnoughts built for the Spanish Navy between 1909 and 1921: España, Alfonso XIII, and Jaime I. These were Spain's only dreadnoughts, constructed with British support as part of a defense agreement. World War I significantly delayed the completion of Jaime I due to material shortages. They were the smallest dreadnoughts ever built, a consequence of Spain's economic constraints and limited naval infrastructure. The design prioritized a main battery of eight 12-inch guns, resulting in compromises on armor and speed.

1903: Fleet Plan of 1903

In 1903, the Fleet Plan of 1903 aimed to rebuild the Spanish Navy with a focus on seven battleships and three cruisers, but was too ambitious for Spain's economy.

April 1904: Entente Cordiale Reached

In April 1904, Britain and France formed the Entente Cordiale, impacting Spain by addressing control over Morocco and leading to closer ties.

1905: Fleet Plan of 1905

In 1905, the Fleet Plan of 1905 proposed eight battleships, torpedo boats, and submarines, but it failed due to the government's weaknesses and lack of public support.

1906: Dreadnought Commissioned

In late 1906, the revolutionary "all-big-gun" HMS Dreadnought was commissioned.

March 1907: Design Revision Requested

In March 1907, Commodore José Ferrándiz y Niño prompted the Junta Técnica de la Armada to revise battleship designs following the commissioning of the HMS Dreadnought.

May 1907: Informal Agreement to Contain Central Powers

In May 1907, Spain, Britain, and France reached an informal agreement to contain the German-led Central Powers, with Spain supporting the French Navy.

September 1907: Vickers Provides Battleship Design

In September 1907, Vickers presented a design for a 15,000-ton battleship with eight 12-inch guns, which became the basis for the design competition requirements.

January 1908: Fleet Plan of 1907 Signed Into Law

On January 7, 1908, the Fleet Plan of 1907 was officially signed into law, proposing the construction of three battleships and other vessels.

April 1908: Design Competition Issued

On April 21, 1908, the Spanish government issued a design competition for the construction of new battleships, requiring builders to modernize Spanish shipyard facilities.

October 1908: Artillery Committee Recommendations

In October 1908, the Artillery Committee found the SECN and Schneider proposals superior, but without a marked advantage, during evaluations for battleship construction.

February 1909: Navy Requests Revised Design from SECN

In February 1909, the Navy requested SECN to revise its battleship design, including increased freeboard and armor, based on strategic needs against Italian and Austro-Hungarian fleets.

1909: España Class Construction Begins

In 1909, construction began on the España-class battleships (España, Alfonso XIII, and Jaime I) for the Spanish Navy as part of a defense agreement with Britain and France.

July 1914: World War I Causes Delays

In July 1914, the outbreak of World War I caused delays in the completion of the España-class battleships, particularly Jaime I, due to material shortages from Britain.

August 1914: España at outbreak of WWI and Panama Canal opening

In August 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, España was the only member of her class completed, though Spain remained neutral, so she saw no action. Also in August 1914, España participated in the opening ceremonies for the Panama Canal.

May 1915: Jaime I Completed Except for Armament

In May 1915, Jaime I was completed except for its main guns, which were delayed due to World War I.

May 1915: Jaime I Almost Complete

In May 1915, Jaime I was nearly finished, but its guns were not delivered until 1919 due to material shortages from the UK during World War I.

August 1915: Alfonso XIII joins 1st Squadron

In August 1915, Alfonso XIII joined España in the 1st Squadron of the Spanish fleet.

1915: España at Panama Canal Opening and Training

In 1915, España represented Spain at the opening of the Panama Canal and later conducted training exercises with Alfonso XIII.

1919: Jaime I Receives Guns

In 1919, the guns for Jaime I were finally delivered, completing the ship after delays due to World War I material shortages.

1919: Main Guns Delivered to Jaime I

In 1919, the main guns for Jaime I were finally delivered, completing the ship's construction.

1920: Long-Range Voyages

In 1920, España and Alfonso XIII undertook long-range voyages to North and South America. España was damaged in an accidental grounding off Chile.

1920: España's cruise to the Americas

In 1920, España was sent on a long-distance cruise to North and South America. During the voyage, España was damaged off the coast of Chile and required extensive repairs before she could return home.

1921: Battleships Support Rif War

In 1921, España and Alfonso XIII provided gunfire support in the Rif War; Jaime I joined them after commissioning.

1921: España Class Completion

In 1921, the España-class battleships, consisting of España, Alfonso XIII, and Jaime I, were completed for the Spanish Navy.

1921: Jaime I completion and Alfonso XIII cruise

In late 1921, Jaime I was completed. Also, in 1921, Alfonso XIII was sent on a long-distance cruise to North and South America.

1921: Start of the Rif War

In mid-1921, the Rif War began as the Riffians in Spanish Morocco rebelled against the Spanish colonial government.

August 1923: España runs aground

In August 1923, while bombarding Rif positions, España ran aground off Cape Tres Forcas.

1923: España Runs Aground

In 1923, España ran aground off Cape Tres Forcas while bombarding Rif positions.

November 1924: España Destroyed After Grounding

In November 1924, España was destroyed by storm damage after running aground off Cape Tres Forcas in 1923 while bombarding Rif positions. Some of her guns were salvaged for coastal artillery.

November 1924: España declared a complete loss

In November 1924, severe storms battered the wreck of España, which had run aground in August 1923, breaking the hull in half and rendering her a complete loss.

1925: Alfonso XIII flagship at Alhucemas landing

In 1925, Alfonso XIII served as the flagship of the Spanish fleet during the landing at Alhucemas.

1927: Spanish forces defeat rebels

In 1927, Spanish forces were able to defeat the rebels in the Rif War.

1931: Alfonso XIII Renamed España

In 1931, after King Alfonso XIII was deposed and the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed, Alfonso XIII was renamed España, and both ships were put in reserve to cut costs.

1931: Overthrow of King Alfonso XIII and renaming of battleship

In 1931, after the overthrow of King Alfonso XIII and the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic, his namesake battleship was renamed España. Both vessels were immediately decommissioned to reduce costs during the Great Depression.

1933: Jaime I Returns to Service

In 1933, Jaime I was brought back into service to serve as the fleet flagship.

1933: Jaime I recommissioned

In 1933, Jaime I was recommissioned to serve as the fleet flagship.

July 1936: Modernization Interrupted by Civil War

In July 1936, the Spanish Civil War began, halting the ambitious modernization plans for the surviving España-class battleships.

July 1936: Outbreak of the Spanish Civil War

In July 1936, the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War prevented modernization programs for the surviving battleships from coming to fruition. España was undergoing a limited refit in anticipation of the modernization when the Spanish coup of July 1936 initiated the conflict.

September 1936: Republican fleet sortie to disrupt blockade

In September 1936, Jaime I sortied with a pair of cruisers and four destroyers to disrupt the blockade imposed by España. The Republicans withdrew in October 1936, having achieved nothing.

1936: Ships Re-equipped During Civil War

In 1936, after being seized by the Nationalists, Alfonso XIII (renamed España) had its 76.2 mm guns replaced with German 88 mm flak guns and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. Jaime I, retained by the Republicans, was re-equipped with Vickers 47 mm anti-aircraft guns and a twin 25 mm Hotchkiss mounting.

1936: Start of Nationalist uprising and naval divisions

In 1936, at the start of the Nationalist uprising led by General Francisco Franco, most of the Spanish Navy's fleet remained loyal to the Republican government. The crew of España killed most of the ship's officers, who had declared support for Franco, but surrendered the ship to Nationalist control after a duel with coastal artillery. Jaime I remained under Republican control. Also in 1936, the Republican fleet attempted to block the crossing of Franco's Army of Africa from Morocco to mainland Spain.

April 1937: España Lost to a Mine

In April 1937, España was lost after striking a mine during the Spanish Civil War, though nearly all her crew was saved.

April 1937: Loss of España

On 30 April 1937, España was lost off the coast of Santander while on blockade duty, having struck a mine laid by a Nationalist minelayer. Most of her crew was rescued by the destroyer Velasco.

May 1937: Jaime I attacked at Cartagena

In May 1937, while under repair at Cartagena after running aground, Jaime I was attacked by five Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers of the Italian Aviazione Legionaria, sustaining damage.

June 1937: Jaime I Destroyed by Explosion

In June 1937, Jaime I was destroyed by an accidental explosion during the Spanish Civil War after being attacked by German and Italian bombers. Guns from Jaime I were later used for coastal batteries.

July 1939: Hull of Jaime I discarded

On 3 July 1939, the hull of Jaime I, which had been damaged by fire and determined to be beyond economical repair, was discarded.

May 1984: Expeditions to survey wreck of España

Several expeditions to survey the wreck of the second España (formerly Alfonso XIII) took place between February and May 1984.

1999: Decommissioning of coastal fortifications

In 1999, some of the guns from the first España, which had been recovered and used in coastal fortifications, were decommissioned.

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