Libertad
Interned
Spanish Navy, then Spanish Republican Navy, then Nationalist navy (Spain)
| Type | Light cruiser |
|---|---|
| Class | Almirante Cervera |
| War | Spanish Civil War |
| Main guns | 8 × 6″ guns |
Service
| 1927–1931 | Príncipe Alfonso | |
| 1931–1939 | Libertad Renamed under the Republic | |
| from 1939 | Galicia Handed over at Bizerte |
Flagship of the Republican fleet. Hit Baleares twice at Cape Cherchell and fought at Cape Palos. Sailed for Bizerte with the fleet in March 1939 and was interned; returned to Spain and renamed Galicia.
Armament and specifications
Armament
As built
- 8 × 152 mm (6 in) Vickers-Carraca guns in 3 twin turrets and 2 single mountings
- 4 × 102 mm (4 in) AA guns
- 2 × 47 mm (1.9 in) Hotchkiss 3-pdr light AA guns
- 12 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes in 4 triple mounts
- 1 x 76 mm (3 in) gun (for disembarkation in boats)
1944
- 8 × 152 mm (6 in) Vickers-Carraca guns in 4 twin turrets
- 16 × 37 mm (1.5 in) guns in 8 twin mounts
- 20 × 20 mm AA guns in 5 quadruple mounts
- 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
- 1 × depth charge rack
Armour
- Belt 75–50 mm (3–2 in)
- Deck 50–25 mm (2–1 in)
- Conning tower 152 mm (6 in)
| Builder | SECN, Ferrol, Spain |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 24 November 1922 |
| Launched | 23 January 1925 |
| Commissioned | 20 September 1927 |
| Displacement | As built: 7,475 long tons (7,595 t) standard 9,237 long tons (9,385 t) full load 1944: 8,051 long tons (8,180 t) standard 9,748 long tons (9,904 t) full load |
| Length | 176.6 m (579 ft 5 in) |
| Speed | 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph) |
| Complement | As built: 566 1944: 603 |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Launched as Príncipe Alfonso
23 January 1925
Renamed Libertad
1931 · Renamed under the Republic
Battle of Cape Cherchell
Survived
7 September 1937
Hit Baleares twice
Battle of Cape Palos
Survived
5–6 March 1938
Admiral González de Ubieta's flagship
Renamed Galicia
1939 · Handed over at Bizerte
Fate
Interned
Scrapped 1970