My Workbench

Sunday, February 9, 2014

GHQ Spanish 74 Gun Ship Monarca

This one is the last of the Montanes (Mountaneer) class ships of the line. Monarca's history below is taken from, you guessed it, my favorite Spanish Naval History website http://www.todoababor.es/listado/navio-monarca2.htm. Again, this is a direct translation to English so the syntax may be difficult to understand.

He belonged to the series of Ildefonsinos as draft Romero Landa. It was launched on March 17, 1794
Just under Jose Salcedo in 1794 performed comparative tests with the "Mountaineer" resulting favorable to the latter, replacing the rigging in 1795. It was added to the squad and went to the relief Lángara Roses.
In April 1798 along with the frigates "Mercedes" and "Peace" start from Cadiz, under Brigadier Just Solano, on a diplomatic mission to North America, breaking the British blockade that at that time surrounded the city of Cadiz, the British did not pursue him . During the trip the British frigate captured the English brig Peggi and Sidney. The division of frigates Captain D. Manuel De Emparán accompanying the convoy (Ceres, Asunción, Iphigenia and Diana for defense of Suriname) captured the British frigate Priscot General, requesting later sharing prey to the crew. He also left astern two British ships of line tried to cut him off in the Bahama Channel. Subsequently returns to Vigo Ferrol with flow passing for conditioning.
In January 1799 with 3 division manner other ships and 3 frigates transporting Tenerife Infantry Regiment Vitoria.
Later, under the command of Don Joaquín Mozo, part of the squad that part Melgarejo Roquefort.
In 1805 Monarch Argumosa said his commander on the ship seaworthy properties: "Your merineras properties in all positions are advantageous to all ships which sailed from Ferrol to" , I included the French ships.
In Trafalgar was directed by D. Teodoro Argumosa who was wounded in combat, the ship being boarded. It sank on the beach in San Lucar because of the storm that followed the battle.
»Dimensions.
A ship
. Burgos feet and inches
Length: 190
Keel: 170, 2
Breadth: 52
Depth: 25
Tonnage: 1,640
(JFRL)
In 1805
Burgos feet (and inches):
- clean Keel: 170 and 2''
- Width: 52
- Length: 190
- Depth: 25
- Plan 28 and 4''
- Tons: 1,640
- Cala aft: 27 and 6 ''
- Bow: 23 and 6''
- Difference: 1 and 8''
- Media Battery: 6 and 7''
- quintals of iron ballast: 3,311
- In ballast: 5,300
- Destruction 7
(CDT)
"Artillery.
A ship
28 x 24 lb cannons
30 x 18 
lb cannons
16 x 8 
lb cannons
At the Battle of Trafalgar
28 x 24 lb cannons
30 x 18 
lb cannons
6 x 8 
lb cannons
10 x 30 lb carronades
6 x 24 lb 
carronades
6 x 4 
lb cannons
(CDT)
"Provisions.


At the Battle of Trafalgar
- Officers war: 17 (one Ensign is a midshipman enabled as such.)
- Midshipmen 3
- Senior Official 10
- Foremen and guardians 8
- Carpenters 8
- Calafates 8
- Armero diver and cook lamplighter 8
- Infantry Squad: 243 (117 Marines and 116 of theVolunteers of the Crown )
- Troop Artillery: 54 (24 marine artillery, 17 of the 13 Army and Marine battalions aggregates).
- Artillery Preference: 18
- Regular Artillery: 62
- Mariners: 115
- Grumetes: 100
- Pajes: 19 Total: 672 (CDT
)









I still have the 112 gun 1st rate Salvador del Mundo and a 36 gun frigate, both Davco models; and a GHQ 22 gun Xebec. That's all I have for Spanish ships at the present. But these will have to wait until I finish another two week hitch up north.

Friday, February 7, 2014

GHQ Spanish 74 Gun 3rd Rate Montanes

The third completed ship of the Montanes (Mountaneer) class portion of my Spanish fleet is the Montanes herself (himself).
Again I must say that it is a pleasure to work on GHQ ships. The detail is absolutely the crispest (is that a word?) of all the manufacturers. Langton is also very nice, but slightly less crisp and a bit overlarge.

Here is the history of the class namesake from my favorite Spanish website http://www.todoababor.es/listado/navio-montanes.htm
Warning: This is a direct translation so the syntax may be difficult to understand.

Brigadier José de Bustamante y Guerra, with the military in charge of the place and province of Montevideo and the square of the Río de la Plata, got a subscription among his countrymen rich migrants to build a ship and give it to the king, so which was named the Mountaineer (Ferrol 1794), adding the instance that raised this purpose, to be commanded, especially in time of war and of having "stock" for Cantabrian ship captain.
The Mountaineer therefore was built by Julian Retamosa successor of the famous José Romero Landa as shipbuilder for the Navy. Based planes Romero Landa adjusted the ballast weight, tuned the bows and reinforced Sterns, achieving perfection as a ship of Spanish online on this ship, being with Neptune and Argonauta ships of this class, and its properties close-hauled to a long stern or extraordinary and could be compared to the best advantage to foreigners.
Faster than his contemporaries came to walk with cool wind 14 knots on a long upwind and 10, normal being 10 and 8 respectively. In addition, its low battery consevaba perfectly, with a height above the waterline 1.89 meters.
Its first commander is Captain Don Jose Jordan, who after the French capture fragta Efigenia circumvent got during the war to Spain and other Western powers declared revolutionary France, eight French ships (one of three bridges) and two frigates, achieving anchor in San Feliu on March 30, where I had time to acoderarse, repelled the attack which lasted 2h 30 'where he had long range combat with ships that on going through his side and that was favorable to Montanes he came to shoot 1,100 rounds. The Spaniards suffered only the loss of the constable and two sailors and several wounded. The French withdrew and returned to Menorca.
The May 14, 1795 comes to Mahon of arrival, with the French prisoners who had captured the frigate "Iphigenia".
That same year the squadron insignia Squadron Leader Don Ignacio María de Álava which is intended to strengthen the Philippines Spanish presence in the area, and that it was composed of three ships and five frigates. On the trip there was sick on board with smart arrangements Álava and during the Pacific crossing endowments vessels is constantly exercised in the use of artillery as they thought (rightly) that were at war with England.
The vessel was maintained, then eight years with the primary mission to harass British trade in the seas of China. Although this work was not very prominent Spanish fleet was fully prepared to fight the British, if presented, achieving a deterrent to make a hypothetical attack on the Philippines by those who preferred to attack French positions, less fiercely defended . Alava surprised once two ships and one British frigate somewhat neglected in the coast of China near Canton. The British had to prepare chopping cables and leaving boats and supplies. They were able to escape because the Mountaineer especially watered and had damage to the rig. Then the British reported that the two ships and the frigate had given chase to the Spaniards.
He returned in 1803 to Cadiz, where he would be out of service for repair.
Enlistment was decided in June 1805 and a record six and a half hours long it is forroó copper helmet.
Your comandate reports after arriving from Ferrol to Cadiz:
  • "Since leaving this ship of Ferrol began to fall ill with fever that the optional features of putrid and sinocales. These have increased every day, and today there are 72, of which 31 have been in a state of convalescence, which is attributed to the lack of clothing for your toiletries and clothing, and even in these three days have passed three individuals, one troop and two seamen, the surgeon who does not judge this disease is epidemic. "
In Trafalgar lost his two commanders, Francisco Antonio Alcedo and Hazel, but Lieutenant Don Alejo Gutiérrez de Rubalcava managed to take the bay of Cadiz, 20 crew members were killed and 29 were wounded.
Once repaired its faults (February 25, 1806) made several trips, making landfall in the Balearic and Canary Islands.
In June 1808 participated in the capture of the French squadron in Cadiz Rosilly.
Under Jose Quevedo on May 1, 1809, preserved the ship "San Lorenzo" and lead to two English French to Canary prisoners, returning to Cadiz on 18 September. Party to Puerto Rico to take prisoners and convicts and collect flow in December.
He had his end in a violent storm off the bay of Cadiz being commanded by José Quevedo, on March 6, 1810. It was partially burned by the French, who were besieging the city, but could be recovered, being sold at public auction on March 12, 1822.
  • (TAB) (SG) (AL), (CDT) (RHN)
»Dimensions.
At the launch
Length between alefrices 52.88 mts.
Breadth 14.44 m
Depth 15.29 m
Draught 6.65 m médio
Despalzamiento (914 tonnes kg) 2763.12
Tonnage (tons of 40 cubic feet) 1.500.
alive copper lined Work 2,400 approx plates.
In 1805
Burgos feet (and inches):
- clean Keel: 169, 6''
- Width: 51
- Length: 190
- Depth: 25, 6''
- Plan 28
- Tons: 1499
- Cala aft: 26, 3 ''
- Bow: 24, 4''
- Difference: 1, 11''
- Drum Media: 7, 2 1/2''
- quintals of iron ballast: 2.634 1/2
- In ballast: 750
- Destruction 8''
(CDT)
"Artillery.
At the launch
1st Battery 28 x 24 lb cannons
2nd 28 x 18 pounders
August 10 Alcazar
Castle August 6
(SG).
At the Battle of Trafalgar
28 x 36 lb cannons
30 x 18 
lb cannons
8 x 8 
lb cannons
10 x 30 pound carronades
(CDT)
"Provisions.

At the Battle of Trafalgar
- Officers of War: 12 + 2 Army: 14
- Midshipmen 2
- seniors Official 9
- Foremen, guardians and patterns pot 9
- Carpenters 8
- Calafates 8
- Armero diver lamplighter and cook 6
- Troop Infantry: 275 (167 Marines and 108 of the 2nd Battalion of Volunteers of Catalonia)
- Troop Artillery: 53 (33 Artillery Navy and 20 Army)
- Artillery Preference: 21
- Regular Artillery: 97
- Mariners: 112
- Grumetes: 114
- Pajes: 21 Total: 749 (CDT)
Cadiz, June 3, 1806
Official war 11
army officers 2
older Officers: 10
Officers sea: 30
Infantry Troop 245
Troop Artillery 43
Artillery sea: 102
Mariners: 122
Grumetes: 107
Pajes: 14
Total: 686
(CDT)
In capturing the angle Rosilly, 1808

Official war 11
army officers 2
older Officers: 10
Officers dick Sea 10
Sea Officers temporary salary: 27
Infantry Troop 170
Troop Artillery 86
Artillery Mar 91
Mariners: 118
Grumetes: 72
pages: 10
Total: 607


My inspirational painting:

The hull:





Finished:












Thursday, February 6, 2014

GHQ Spanish 80 Gun Neptuno

The next ship in my Spnish fleet is the 80 gun 3rd rate Neptuno. The following history is from Wikipedia:
Neptuno was an 80-gun Montañes-class ship of the line of the Spanish Navy. She was built in 1795 and took part in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. She fought with the Franco-Spanish fleet in the battle of Trafalgar, and was wrecked in its aftermath.
Neptuno was built at Ferrol and launched in 1795. She entered service in time to support an attempt to unite with a French force and land troops in England, but the Spanish fleet under Admiral José de Córdoba y Ramos was intercepted and engaged by a British fleet under Sir John JervisNeptuno did not take part in the battle, having been sent into port beforehand. Several years later she was in a Spanish port when the combined Franco-Spanish fleet under Vice-Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve arrived, having sailed to the West Indies and back, and been engaged by a British fleet in the Battle of Cape FinisterreNeptuno joined the fleet in her attempt to reach Brest, but the plan to join with another French fleet failed and Neptuno ended up with the rest of the fleet, blockaded in Cadiz by a British fleet under Lord Nelson.
Villeneuve came out of Cadiz in late 1805, and was engaged by Nelson in the decisive Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October. As the lead ship of the line, Neptuno was initially isolated from the main fighting, though she joined in an attempt later in the day to come to the aid of Villeneuve's flagship. Instead she became trapped and engaged by two British ships and, after fighting for over an hour, surrendered. She was taken in hand by a British prize crew, but two days after the battle a sortie by some of the survivors from the battle succeeded in retaking her. She was towed towards a friendly port but, already badly damaged in the battle, was caught up in the powerful storm that struck the area and ran aground. Her crew were evacuated, and Neptuno broke up in the heavy seas. 
80 guns:
  • Lower gundeck: 28 × 24 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 30 × 24 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 8 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 4 × 8 pdrs
  • Poop deck: 4 × 18 pdr carronades
Tons burthen:   1753
Length:               181 ft (55 m) (keel)
                             175 ft 3 in (53.42 m) (gundeck)
Beam:                 51 ft (16 m)

Draught:             26 ft 7 in (8.10 m) (afore)












Tuesday, February 4, 2014

GHQ Spanish 80 Gun Argonauta

I submit the first completed ship of the four Montanes class 3rd rate Ships of the Line, the Argonauta. The history of this ship below is translated from the excellent Spanish website http://www.todoababor.es/listado/navio-argonauta.htm. Be warned this is a direct translation so the syntax may be a bit hard to understand.

Built by Retamosa following plans Romero Landa, but perfected, resulting in one of the best ships in Europe, along with her sister ship "Neptune". Since its launch it was framed in the square of El Ferrol.
In 1799 it was commanded by Juan Herrera Davila, who with four other ships (insignia of Lieutenant General Melgarejo in the "Real carlos"), two frigates and a brig departed from Ferrol bound to Roquefort to join a French squadron that should be waiting to support the rebels in Ireland. When they reached the French port unpleasantly realized that the French had not prepared any corner. After an unsuccessful British attack Melgarejo is ordered to join the squad combined Bruix and Mazarredo in Brest. After realizing that the city was blocked by 40 English ships wisely decided to go back to Ferrol.
In 1800 he was in the squad Joaquín Moreno. The same year brought the first virus Havana beef. Also in 1801 was found in the harbor of El Ferrol where his crew and garrison participated in the Battle of Brion .
In July 1801 the squadron is in rescue Moreno, in aid of the French units Linois who had participated in the Battle of Algeciras and needed out of the bay before the British returned. On the way back to Cadiz disaster "San Hermenegildo" and "Real Carlos" occurred.
In October 1801, he commanded by Salcedo Just did a cruise mainland accompanying the French fleet that had left Algeciras.
Form division in 1802 with Prince, Reina Luisa and Bahama to take Italy to the kings of Parma, made a trip from Cadiz to Veracruz and return to Cadiz.
In 1805 (January 15) came into dock in Cadiz, which had been vacated by the San Justo. Finished his readiness joins the squad attached to the French commanded by Villeneuve heads to Martinique, being the flagship of Lieutenant General Gravina, being the flag captain Rafael Hore. Combined Meeting with the June 8 west of Barbados two frigates French observation had indicated a British convoy of 16 candles delayed the squad by N.; Villeneuve hoisted signal then general hunting. Emprendiose this immediately and with such success, that at five in the afternoon, between the two most advanced frigates and Argonauta, that by adhering to a long march was incorporated them, made through and marinate all vessels, except one, due to its position that managed to escape the fate of his companions. This convoy, richly laden with sugar, coffee, cotton, rum and other colonial products, had exited from Antigua to Barbados, as a result of the news circulating about the arrival of Nelson with the square. Later the squadron combined share to European waters. When combined squadron was about to maneuver it the French ship Formidable accidentally addresses the Argonauta, causing serious damage to the bowsprit and part of the bow. Although Villeneuve told Gravina's squadron would go to walk the Argonauta damaged, the Spanish general told him no way, that they are not going to delay the square and through the work of the first Petty Officer of the Fleet, D . Miguel Garcia, Major Master carpenters, D. José María Santana, Assistant Construction Foreman, and D. Sunday Basallote Foreman and Master shipwrights could adequately repair the wreckage after only 8 hours.Something worthy of admiration with few means to board a ship for a fault that required yard.
On July 5, 1805 takes a leading role in the battle of Finisterre . This fight is the first ship in the line of combat, the action taken primarily by Spanish units. In combat the ship had surrendered the mizzen mast and bowsprit. Destroy the stern and the breakwater, which had already damaged the trip. Suffered 6 killed and 5 injured (4 gunners sea, 1 sailor, 1 rifleman Texas hunters). He came to Vigo with 65 patients.
In the battle of Trafalgar was part of the squad watching Gravina and thanks to his prodigious properties sailboat left the line, into the wind against the British ships approaching, making it the first rendered ship, faced only all the ships that were passing. After being wounded the Commander Antonio couple was captured on 30 sinking below, being burned by the British to prevent dam. Argonauta intervention was more print ships caused the British commanders.

In 1805
Burgos feet (and inches): 
- clean Keel: 179 
- Width: 54 
- Length: 200 
- Depth: 26 3'' 
- Plan 27 
- Tons: - 
- Cala aft: 26, 2'' 
- De Bow: 24, 8'' 
- Difference: 1, 6'' 
- Battery Media: 6, 4'' 
- quintals of iron ballast: 8,600 
- in ballast: - 
- Destruction: - 
(CDT)


April 9, 1805, Cádiz
30 x 36 pdrs
32 x 18 pdrs
16 x 8 pdrs
8 x 30 lb howitzers
4 x 24 pdrs
4 x 4 pdrs
(CDT)
At the Battle of Trafalgar
30 x 36 pdrs
32 x 18 pdrs
16 x 8 pdrs
12 x 30 lb howitzers
4 x 4 pdrs
(CDT)


April 9, 1805, Cádiz
- Senior Plana 9
- Official war: 14
- Midshipmen 2
- Senior Official: 16
- Foremen, guardians and patterns pot 9
- Carpenters 8
- Calafates 8
- Armero diver lamplighter and Cook: 5
- Troop Infantry: 182
- Artillery Troop 56
- Artillery Preference: 18
- Regular Artillery: 80
- Mariners: 120
- Grumetes: 56
- Pajes 11 Total: 594 (CDT)
In the battle of FinisterreAt the Battle of Trafalgar- Officers war: 14
- Army officers: 5
- Midshipmen: 1
- Senior Official 12
- Officers Mar 34
- Infantry Troop 182
- Troop Artillery: 62
- Artillery sea: 118
- Mariners: 122
- Grumetes: 53
- Pajes 10
Total allocation: 613 crew
Carrying: 324 soldiers of the regiments of Córdoba, and Texas.
Y 19 English prisoners.
Total: 956
(CDT)- Officers of War: 16 + 2 Army: 18
- Midshipmen: 1
- Senior Official 9
- Foremen, guardians and patterns pot 9
- Carpenters 8
- Calafates 8
- Armero diver lamplighter and cook 11
- Infantry Troop 279
- Troop Artillery: 61
- Artillery Preference 12
- Ordinary Gunners: 83
- Mariners: 160
- Grumetes: 120
- Pajes: 21 Total: 800 (CDT)









The other three ships: the Montanes, Monarca, and Neptuno are just waiting for rigging. They will be posted as they are finished. The GHQ's really are pretty ships.