1 June 23, 2020
Articles
1. Kent R. Crawford, Donald E. Carlucci
Spanish Naval Ordnance in the Second Industrial Revolution
International Naval Journal, 2020, 8(1): 3-30.
Number of views: 536 Download in PDF
2. Ramón A. Rivero BlancoInternational Naval Journal, 2020, 8(1): 3-30.
Abstract:
The period known as the ‘Second Industrial Revolution,’ roughly from 1859 to 1883, affected the world’s navies no less than any other human endeavor. The wooden warship that had held sway from the 16th century gave way to iron hulls and iron armor. Sail power gave way to steam engines. And in the field of ordnance, smooth-bore cannon firing spherical solid shot or explosive shell were superseded by rifled cannon – Great Guns – firing elongated shot and shell to greater ranges with greater accuracy. All of the naval Powers faced the same two problems; which new technologies would be accepted and developed, and what to do with their stocks of cast-iron smoothbore guns. As a ‘medium’ Power, the choices made by Spain, coupled with a lack of industrialization, led to limited but brilliant successes, but ultimate failure.
The period known as the ‘Second Industrial Revolution,’ roughly from 1859 to 1883, affected the world’s navies no less than any other human endeavor. The wooden warship that had held sway from the 16th century gave way to iron hulls and iron armor. Sail power gave way to steam engines. And in the field of ordnance, smooth-bore cannon firing spherical solid shot or explosive shell were superseded by rifled cannon – Great Guns – firing elongated shot and shell to greater ranges with greater accuracy. All of the naval Powers faced the same two problems; which new technologies would be accepted and developed, and what to do with their stocks of cast-iron smoothbore guns. As a ‘medium’ Power, the choices made by Spain, coupled with a lack of industrialization, led to limited but brilliant successes, but ultimate failure.
Number of views: 536 Download in PDF
«Margarita»: the Confusing Biography of a Torpedoboat
International Naval Journal, 2020, 8(1): 31-51.
Number of views: 493 Download in PDF
3. Pedro R. BarreiroInternational Naval Journal, 2020, 8(1): 31-51.
Abstract:
To this moment, the international naval historiography, and especially the Venezuelan, has not accurately documented the true origin of the torpedo boat “Margarita”. Attributing her diverse origins: England, Ecuador or Spain, and manufacturers: Yarrow or Thornycroft. Simple questions like who; what; where; which means; why; how; when… have not been clearly answered so far. I’ve decided to solve these questions through the research of bibliography, bulletins, official archives, blueprints and photographs of that period of time. The result after such extensive and exhaustive research is that the "Margarita" was bought by the Venezuelan Government from a British shipyard, through agents of an allied third country, in order to hide its real end user, with the purpose of supporting the liberal revolution in Colombia, smuggling arms and troops, control rivers and coasts, seize private property, etc. as part of a Latin American liberal project with the ulterior ends of the restoration of Colombia, La Grande. During one of its revolutionary operations, it collided with another liberal war vessel and was left inoperative and its task force's commander a liberal Mexican mercenary brought it back towed to Venezuela, where it was "confiscated" by its real owner, the Venezuelan Government to avoid Colombian claims and then-after commission it to the Venezuelan Navy. first as a gunboat and later as a coastguard for the Customs Services until the end of the second decade of the twentieth century when it was quietly dismantled.
To this moment, the international naval historiography, and especially the Venezuelan, has not accurately documented the true origin of the torpedo boat “Margarita”. Attributing her diverse origins: England, Ecuador or Spain, and manufacturers: Yarrow or Thornycroft. Simple questions like who; what; where; which means; why; how; when… have not been clearly answered so far. I’ve decided to solve these questions through the research of bibliography, bulletins, official archives, blueprints and photographs of that period of time. The result after such extensive and exhaustive research is that the "Margarita" was bought by the Venezuelan Government from a British shipyard, through agents of an allied third country, in order to hide its real end user, with the purpose of supporting the liberal revolution in Colombia, smuggling arms and troops, control rivers and coasts, seize private property, etc. as part of a Latin American liberal project with the ulterior ends of the restoration of Colombia, La Grande. During one of its revolutionary operations, it collided with another liberal war vessel and was left inoperative and its task force's commander a liberal Mexican mercenary brought it back towed to Venezuela, where it was "confiscated" by its real owner, the Venezuelan Government to avoid Colombian claims and then-after commission it to the Venezuelan Navy. first as a gunboat and later as a coastguard for the Customs Services until the end of the second decade of the twentieth century when it was quietly dismantled.
Number of views: 493 Download in PDF
Uruguayan Gunboat “18 de Julio”
International Naval Journal, 2020, 8(1): 52-57.
Number of views: 524 Download in PDF
4. International Naval Journal, 2020, 8(1): 52-57.
Abstract:
The gunboat «18 de Julio» served in the Uruguayan navy fulfilling different functions, from its purchase in 1907 until the middle of the 20th century. After being retired from active service, he was transferred to a sports club in the city of Salto, on the Uruguay River, to be used as a social headquarters. This ship was built in 1884 in Leith, Scotland. Its first owner named it «Lady Nell» and the next, changed the name to «Normania». Before its time as a warship it was a luxurious steam yacht, which also had three masts and triangular sails. It had electric light and steam heating and private bathrooms in all cabins, as well as a spacious saloon with brass chandeliers on the ceiling, comfortable leather chairs, and two pianos. The dining room took up the entire beam of the ship. A smaller saloon included a library. She ended her days as a pleasure boat in the port of Buenos Aires, where she was acquired by the Uruguayan government to incorporate it into its military navy.
The gunboat «18 de Julio» served in the Uruguayan navy fulfilling different functions, from its purchase in 1907 until the middle of the 20th century. After being retired from active service, he was transferred to a sports club in the city of Salto, on the Uruguay River, to be used as a social headquarters. This ship was built in 1884 in Leith, Scotland. Its first owner named it «Lady Nell» and the next, changed the name to «Normania». Before its time as a warship it was a luxurious steam yacht, which also had three masts and triangular sails. It had electric light and steam heating and private bathrooms in all cabins, as well as a spacious saloon with brass chandeliers on the ceiling, comfortable leather chairs, and two pianos. The dining room took up the entire beam of the ship. A smaller saloon included a library. She ended her days as a pleasure boat in the port of Buenos Aires, where she was acquired by the Uruguayan government to incorporate it into its military navy.
Number of views: 524 Download in PDF