The rates and classification of the vessels, set forth in the Guia Oficial
España for 1873–’74, are as follows:
Although the nominal force is thus formidable, it would appear that the
available force is relatively small.
I inclose translation of explanations on this subject, which appeared
originally in the “Diario Espanol,” but which have been adopted and
commented upon in most of the other journals of Madrid.
If not interesting to you, it may be to the Secretary of the Navy.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
[Extract from “La Epoca “of August 24,
1874.]
We have at Tangiers the frigate Navas de Tolosa, a vessel of 600
horse-power, with 48 cannon, whose mission is to be at the orders of the
minister plenipotentiary of Spain for the eventualities of the
insurrection of the Kabilas there against the Sultan. The nation is seen
worthily represented alongside the vessels which have gathered in that
roadstead for the protection of their respective citizens, and all
admire the discipline, the neatness, the order which reign on board the
frigate, and the subordination of its young and line-looking crew. It is
the only respectable vessel of those we count in service in the
Mediterranean.
The Cadiz is at Barcelona, an old side-wheel vessel of 500 horse-power
and 16 cannon, which, more than to guard the coast, is used as a
transport, forming, with the Diana, a sloop of three cannon and 160
horse-power, all the naval force which the superior authority of
Catalonia has at his disposal. Our readers will comprehend how necessary
would be a vessel at Tarragona, another at Rosas, and a division of
gunboats in the mouths of the Ebro; as it is an affront that the rebels
should impede navigation as far as Tortosa, and, with two or three bad
launches off the Cape of Oropesa and the Columbretas, that they should
keep Peñiscola blockaded, and cruise along the coast as far as Amposta
and the Alfaques.
At Valencia we have the Colon and the Lepanto, both side-wheelers, the
first with six cannon and engine of 350 horse-power, and the second with
two cannon and engine of 200 horse-power. The latter is of little use,
as she combines poor seagoing qualities with very slow speed, the Colon
being also slow. The coast from Castellon to the Gulf of San Jorge being
dominated by the Carlists, another class
[Page 910]
of vessels, which, we have not, was indispensable,
in order to be constantly lending protection to the coastwise traffic,
and preventing contraband of war and of clothes and tobacco, which is
carried on through Vinaroz, Benicarló, San Carlos de la Rápita, Ampolla,
Atmella, and other places on the coast.
The San Antonio is at Alicante; a small transport of 600 tons and 90
horse-power, built to carry the mail to Fernando Póo and now turned into
a cruiser, to the discredit of our honor before foreigners, who see that
we make use of such vessels for purposes of war; although it is true
that we have the tow-boats of Ferrol firing upon Zaranz and other points
of the Cantabrian coast.
At Carthagena, a naval station, there is on service the mystic Isabelita,
which is a transport much smaller than many of the launches carried
now-a-days by iron-plated vessels. To place this little boat in the
squadron of our forces in the Mediterranean is somewhat ridiculous.
The Liniers, at Almeria, we presume is destined for the prevention of
smuggling, although also of little use for this purpose, as it is a
small side-wheel steamer, with two cannon, and of 147 horse-power; slow,
twenty-eight years in service, and with very old engines. We can say the
same of the Alerta, which is at Malaga, of less power and more years
than the former, with two cannon, and very slow. The Vulcano is at
Cadiz, a side-wheel steamer, built in 1846, of 200 horse-power and six
cannon destined, we believe, to the prevention of smuggling; for as a
vessel of war she is worthless.
If from the south we pass to the north, we observe that all the means of
vigilance of which we have been able to dispose, for a coast so
extensive and of such special conditions as the Cantabrian, are reduced
to the schooners Consuelo and Prosperidad, of two cannon each, the first
with engine of 200 and the second of 80 horse-power; the Leon, with
side-wheels, of 230 horse-power, engines very old, and of little speed;
and the gun-boats Gaditano and Ferrolano, and some other little
steamboat armed for war. These are all the vessels which have to guard
an extensive hostile coast, by which the Carlists have received so much
help for a year past.
Neither the iron-clad frigates which we count, nor the magnificent ones
of wood which we possess, can be employed at the north for what we need
there. The Blanca was for a few days between Santander and Portugalete,
and was obliged to go to Ferrol to save herself from shipwreck. Another
class of vessels is needed for such cruisers, but unfortunately we lack
them, after having spent in the increase of the navy fabulous hundreds
of millions, (rs. vn.) The same happens to us in Cuba and the Philippine
Islands, notwithstanding the sadly-celebrated gunboats which were built
in the United States, and are to be found almost useless at the arsenal
of Havana.
