Spanish cruiser Cristóbal Colón (1887)

Cristóbal Colón was a Velasco-class unprotected cruiser of the Spanish Navy.

An unidentified Velasco-class (here called "Infanta Isabel-class") cruiser in U.S. waters during the 1880s or 1890s, showing the appearance of Cristóbal Colón
History
Armada Española EnsignSpain
NameCristóbal Colón
NamesakeChristopher Columbus
BuilderLa Carraca shipyard, Cadiz, Spain
Launched1887
Completed1888 or 1889
FateFoundered 29 September 1895
General characteristics
Class and typeVelasco-class unprotected cruiser
Displacement1,152 tons
Length210 ft 0 in (64.01 m)
Beam32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
Draft13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) maximum
Installed power1,500 ihp (1,100 kW)
Propulsion1-shaft, horizontal compound, 4-cylinder boilers
Sail planBarque-rigged
Speed
  • 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)
  • made 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) on sea trials
Complement173 officers and enlisted
Armament
Notes200 to 220 tons of coal (normal)

Technical characteristics

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Cristóbal Colón was built at La Carraca shipyard, Cadiz, Spain. Her keel was laid in 1883. She had one rather tall funnel. The ship had an iron hull and was rigged as a barque. The cruiser made 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) on sea trials, probably the highest speed attained by a cruiser of this class.

Operational history

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Cristóbal Colón was sent to the Caribbean and foundered near Pinar del Río, Cuba, on 29 September 1895. A hurricane passing through the area broke up her wreck on 1 October 1895.

References

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  • Chesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, Eds. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905. New York, New York: Mayflower Books Inc., 1979. ISBN 0-8317-0302-4.
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