Training Ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano
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- WELCOME -Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano".
- HISTORY -Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano".
- MISSION - Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano".
- CHARACTERISTICS - Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano".
WELCOME - Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano"
You are on board the Spanish Navy training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”, one of our most representative ships, and one of the largest and oldest tall ships still operational.
This four mast brig-schooner with crossed foresail was built in Cádiz at the “Echevarrieta & Larrinaga” shipyards. She was launched on March 5th 1927. Since then, she has sailed more than a million and a half nautical miles through all the seas of the world and calling at the most important ports in the course of 80 years.
As training ship, the “Elcano” (as she is known) is entrusted with the formation and training of the future Spanish Navy officers: the midshipmen. To this end, a six-month training cruise is organised every year, usually sailing outside Spain. Most of the instruction is carried out at sea where midshipmen receive classes and take part in all types of manoeuvres. Of the 80 cruises she has completed, 10 of them have been around the world. In all these years the ship has sailed in strong winds and rough seas showing her seaworthy condition.
The “Elcano” is also a floating embassy. Her presence in foreign countries and ports contributes considerably to the Spanish foreign policy; when showing the flag, apart from giving a good image, allows Spanish citizens living abroad to step onto a “small part of the Homeland”.
The ship was named after a distinguished and eminent sailor: Juan Sebastián de Elcano, protagonist of one of the greatest heroic feats in the history of Spain. Elcano was born in Guetaria (Basque Country) in 1476. He signed on as an expert seaman in a five ship expedition dispatched by King Charles I of Spain. The flotilla sailed in 1519 from Sanlúcar de Barrameda under the command of the Portuguese sailor Magellan with the task of finding a new route towards the Spice Islands. After sailing around South America, discovering the Philippines and suffering all sorts of disasters (shipwrecks, starvation, Magellan’s death...) the expedition, with just one remaining ship, the “Victoria” under the command of Elcano, arrived at Spain three years after their departure, having sailed around the world for the first time. King Charles I gave Elcano a coat-of-arms with a globe and the motto: PRIMUS CIRCUMDEDISTI ME (You were the first to sail around me).
HISTORY - Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano"
- Introduction. Biography of Juan Sebastián de Elcano.
- Background. The idea of a Training Ship. The corvette “Nautilus”.
- Building of the Ship. Why the name “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”?
- The first Commander and her first Cruise.
- Cruises. Relevant information.
- Relation of the training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” with the Spanish Crown.
- Commanding Officer of the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano“
Introduction. Biography of Juan Sebastián de Elcano.
Juan Sebastián de Elcano was born in Guetaria (Basque Country) around 1476. He was a merchant who took part in the Africa Campaign with a ship of his own under the command of Cardinal Cisneros.
With the experience gained he embarked on board the “Concepción”, one of the five galleons which sailed from Sanlúcar de Barrameda on September 27th 1519 under the command of the Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan. King Charles I of Spain tasked them with the mission of finding new routes to India sailing westwards. The new route was found on November 27th 1520 when three remaining galleons arrived at the Pacific Ocean through the Strait named after its discoverer. After many incidents a sole ship arrived at Seville on September 6th 1522 achieving one of the most impressive deeds in the History of Mankind. Out of the 275 men who formed the expedition only 17 returned, most of them sick and exhausted.
It was the first time a man sailed around the world and Elcano engraved his name in History with golden letters.
Background. The idea of a Training Ship. The corvette “Nautilus”.
Candidates to Navy Officers are called Midshipmen (Guardia Marinas) since 1717 when Quartermaster General José Patiño founded in Cádiz the Royal Company of Midshipmen during the reign of King Phillip V, the first Spanish Monarch of the present Bourbon dynasty.
The city of Cádiz was therefore the city that welcomed the first Midshipmen and it was fit that the same city built the training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” 200 years later.
Since the very beginning, the Royal Companies of Midshipmen – the one already mentioned in Cádiz and two further schools in Ferrol and Cartagena – gave great importance to the practical training of students. No wonder that six of the eight years that lasted the military instruction of candidates until promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade, were spent on board different warships; their Commanders and Senior Officers were also their teachers.
It was in 1862 when the concept of an exclusive training ship for future naval Officers took shape. To this end the frigate “Esperanza” was tasked with this mission along with the corvettes “Villa de Bilbao”, “Santa María” and “Trinidad”. They were subsequently replaced in 1874 by the frigate “Blanca” and in 1881 by the “Almansa” and “Asturias”.
In 1886 the corvette “Nautilus” was entrusted with this instruction task. Her first training cruise with midshipmen took place in 1888 under the command of Commander Fernando Villaamil.
In 1910 the “Nautilus” was decommissioned as training ship and in 1933 she was broken up at La Graña shipyard. Her last Commander was Manuel de Mendívil Elío who, in turn, was the first Commanding Officer of the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”.Building of the Ship. Why the name “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”?
After decommissioning the ship “Nautilus” in 1910, the Spanish Navy had no training ships. Midshipmen trained on board other operational warships although they did not fulfil the necessary instruction requirements. A new ship was needed capable of meeting those demands.
The project began to take shape in 1923 when the Ministry of the Navy signed a contract with Horacio Echevarrieta y Maruri on April 6th to fit out the sailing ship “Minerva” as training ship for midshipmen. Next year, a Royal Decree dated June 30th approved the shipbuilding of a new ship called “Minerva”.
Once the Spanish Navy gave its consent, a project based on the model designed by English engineer Charles V. Nicholson was signed with the Echevarrieta & Larrinaga Shipyards. The keel was laid on November 24th 1925 in the presence of Infante Don Carlos, Prime Minister general Primo de Rivera, the military governor of Cádiz Pedro Mercader and other authorities. During the ceremony, Horacio Echevarrieta suggested general Primo de Rivera to change the name for “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”. The general raised the proposal to King Alfonso XIII who accepted the change.
With her new name the ship was launched on March 5th 1927 in the presence of Carmen Primo de Rivera, daughter of the Prime Minister. In all fairness and after four centuries after his death in 1526, Elcano received a most wonderful homage.
The first Commander and her first Cruise.
Once completed the ship was delivered to the Spanish Navy on February 29th 1928. On board were the Minister of the Navy, Vice-admiral Cornejo, the Chief of the Carraca Shipyard, Vice-admiral Sánchiz and her first commanding officer, Commander Manuel de Mendívil who was also the last commanding officer of the “Nautilus”.
Before her first training cruise, the required sea trials were carried out in the course of a short voyage without students between April 18th and July 15th 1928. Six Spanish ports were visited: Cadiz, Malaga, Seville, Las Palmas, Tenerife, San Sebastian and back to Cadiz. In the course of her first day’s run, king Alfonso XIII embarked, thus commencing a close relationship between the Spanish Royal Family and the “Elcano”.
In San Sebastian the training ship received the Battle Ensign from Infanta Beatriz de Borbón, daughter of king Alfonso XIII, on July 4th. Back in Cadiz and after cleaning the bottom, the ship set sail with her first class of Midshipmen in August 1928, sailing Eastwards around the world returning in May 1929.
From the data collected in this first voyage, a series of conclusions were drawn regarding stability measurements and evolutionary manoeuvres. Consumption charts were also obtained. Commander Mendívil was not happy with the ship’s rigging and wrote a report favouring that of the frigate “Nautilus”. However, once the ballast was properly relocated aft, it was decided to keep the current rigging of the brig-schooner.
Cruises. Relevant information.
In the course of all these years, the ship has sailed 10 times around the world and has visited 68 countries and 181 different ports. The ship has sailed one and a half million miles which amounts to 26 years of continuous sailing.
The ship belongs to the “Sail Training Association” and participates in its races and Naval Weeks. In 1974 she got for the first time the “Boston Tea Cup” awarded to the ship that travels the longest distance in 24 hours in full sail. She has also won that Cup in 1979, 1996/1997 (ninth cruise around the world), 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 1997 she established a new record sailing 275.2 miles in 24 hours. She has reached 17 knots with 75-knot winds and spent 42 at sea without visiting any port. She has also crossed the Magellan Strait twelve times recalling the heroic feat of the Portuguese sailor.
In 1937, 38 and 39 the ship did not sail because of the Spanish Civil War. There were important overhauls in 1956 and 1978.
Relation of the training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” with the Spanish Crown.
During the sea trials in 1928 King Alfonso XIII and his son the Infante Don Juan sailed on board the ship in transit to Malaga through the Strait of Gibraltar. Months later the Infanta Beatriz handed over the combat flag in Pasajes (1928).
His Majesty King Juan Carlos I embarked as midshipman and took part in the 30th training cruise (1958). His Royal Highness the Earl of Barcelona, father of His Majesty the King sailed in the ship during her 5th Cruise around the world (1978-79) from Honolulu to Manila.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias also embarked as midshipman taking part in the 58th training cruise along with the rest of his class.
Her Majesty de Queen embarked in 2001 in the island of Cabrera (Balearic Islands) and sailed to Palma de Majorca.
To celebrate the 75º anniversary of the 1928 voyage of King Alfonso XIII from Cádiz to Málaga, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia embarked on October 26th and 27th 2003.
Commanding Officer of the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano”.
| Nombre | Fecha del Crucero |
|---|---|
| D. MANUEL DE MENDIVIL Y ELIO. | 29.09.27 |
| D. CLAUDIO LAGO DE LANZOS Y DIAZ. | 04.06.29 |
| D. JOAQUIN LOREZ CORTIJO. | 05.06.31 |
| D. SALVADOR MORENO FERNÁNDEZ. | 07.06.33 |
| D. CRISTOBAL GONZALEZ-ALLER Y ACEBAL. | 24.06.35 |
| D. FERNANDO MELÉNDEZ BOJART. | 15.12.39 |
| D. PEDRO SANS TORRES. | 20.12.40 |
| D. CAMILO CARRERO BLANCO. | 17.01.42 |
| D. ANTONIO BLANCO GARCIA. | 24.11.42 |
| D. LEOPOLDO BOADO ENDEIZA. | 27.06.44 |
| D. MANUEL DE LA PUENTE Y MAGALLANES. | 18.07.46 |
| D. ALVARO DE URZAIZ Y DE SILVA. | 15.07.48 |
| D. LUIS CEBREIRO BLANCO. | 03.08.50 |
| D. GONZALO DIAZ GARCIA. | 15.07.52 |
| D. JOSE YUSTY PITA. | 19.08.53 |
| D. JOSE RAMON GONZALEZ PEREZ. | 20.07.55 |
| D. MIGUEL DOMINGO SOTELO. | 27.08.58 |
| D. JOSE DIAZ CUÑADO. | 26.09.60 |
| D. TEODORO DE LESTE Y CISNEROS. | 22.12.61 |
| D. FRANCISCO JAVIER DE ELIZALDE Y LAINEZ. | 06.08.63 |
| D. SALVADOR VAZQUEZ DURAN. | 18.11.64 |
| D. FRANCISCO GIL DE SOLA CABALLERO. | 17.08.66 |
| D. ALVARO FONTANALS BARON. | 20.09.68 |
| D. AGUSTIN ROSETY CARO. | 01.08.70 |
| D. RICARDO VALLESPIN RAURELL. | 28.09.71 |
| D. MARCIAL FOURNIER PALICIO. | 01.09.73 |
| D. ANTONIO NALDA Y DIAZ DE TUESTA. | 26.09.60 |
| D. ANGEL LUIS DIAZ DEL RIO Y MARTINEZ. | 03.10.77 |
| D. IGNACIO CELA DIZ. | 03.10.79 |
| D. CRISTOBAL COLON DE CARVAJAL Y MAROTO. | 07.01.81 |
| D. RAFAEL CEÑAL FERNANDEZ. | 30.10.82 |
| D. MANUEL DE LA PUENTE Y SICRE. | 19.08.83 |
| D. ANTONIO DIUFAIN DE ALBA. | 23.08.84 |
| D. RAFAEL MARTI NARBONA. | 15.11.85 |
| D. GABRIEL PORTAL ANTON. | 10.07.87 |
| D. JOSE ALEJANDRO ARTAL DELGADO. | 25.11.88 |
| D. PEDRO LAPIQUE QUIÑONES. | 03.10.89 |
| D. RAFAEL VALLEJO RUIZ. | 04.10.91 |
| D. ANGEL TAJUELO PARDO DE ANDRADE. | 01.10.92 |
| D. JUAN JOSE GONZALEZ-IRUN SANCHEZ. | 08.10.93 |
| D. ANTONIO GONZALEZ-ALLER SUEVOS. | 04.10.94 |
| D. MANUEL CALVO FREIJOMIL. | 15.09.55 |
| D. SEBASTIAN ZARAGOZA SOTO. | 18.09.96 |
| D. TEODORO DE LESTE CONTRERAS. | 02.10.97 |
| D. CONSTANTINO LOBO FRANCO. | 11.09.98 |
| D. JUAN C. MUNOZ-DELGADO DIAZ DEL RIO. | 08.10.99 |
| D. JAIME RODRIGUEZ-TOUBES NUÑEZ. | 06.10.00 |
| D. MANUEL REBOLLO GARCIA. | 05.10.01 |
| D. SANTIAGO BOLIVAR PIÑEIRO. | 04.10.02 |
| D. JUAN F. MARTINEZ NUÑEZ. | 03.10.03 |
| D. LUIS CAYETANO Y GARRIDO. | 29.09.04 |
| D. SALVADOR M. DELGADO MORENO. | 29.09.05 |
| D. JAVIER ROMERO CARAMELO. | 21.09.07 |
| D. MANUEL DE LA PUENTE MORA-FIGUEROA. | 25.09.09 |
MISISON - Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano"
The most important mission of the training ship “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” is to keep Spanish Navy midshipmen in their 4th academic year, in continuous and intimate contact with the sea, where they will later carry out their main professional activities.
This, along with the eminently practical teaching on board, contributes to consolidate and strengthen their technical and seafaring knowledge, aimed at achieving a high level of general culture, as well as getting acquainted with the principles, customs and virtues which make up the soul of the profession.
In accordance with the current syllabus of the Naval Academy, the midshipmen embark on board the “Juan Sebastián de Elcano” during the second semester of the fourth academic year.
During this period they follow an Instruction Cruise on board. A standard cruise consists in a six month voyage to America sailing 22,000 miles with 155 day’s runs.
Upon conclusion of the instruction cruise, Navy midshipmen will be promoted to Ensigns and those from the Marine Corps to Second Lieutenants.
General structure of the ship’s organisation
The ship is commanded by a Spanish Navy Captain aided by his Executive Officer and supported by their corresponding Officers. The remaining personnel is organised, according to the ship’s responsibilities, into: the Operational Organisation for everything related to the operation and readiness of the ship, and the Administrative Organisation for training and administration.
The Operational Organisation is divided into two branches: Services and Assignments. It provides personnel for all sorts of situations, activities and emergencies.
The Administrative Organisation is also divided into Services and Assignments with two chains of command. As a general rule the orders channelled through the Operational Organisation precede those issued by the Administrative Organisation.
Personnel.
Officers:
- 1 Commanding Officer (Captain)
- 1 Executive Officer (Commander)
- 1 Head master (Lieutenant Commander)
- 7 Lieutenants
- 5 Lieutenants Junior Grade
Non-Commissioned Officers:
- 7 Senior Chief Petty Officers
- 14 Chief Petty Officers
Ratings:
- 33 Petty Officers 1st Class
- 38 Petty Officers 2nd Class
- 68 Ratings
Services and assignments
Services and assignments are the functional and administrative departments in which the ship’s materiel and personnel are structured to carry out the activities related to training and administration, in order to ensure the best general operation of the ship.
On board, the following Services exist:
Engine Service:
- Propulsion
- Electricity
- Damage Control
Financial, Administrative and Supply Service:
- Supply
- Accommodation
Other independent services:
- Bridge and Navigation
- Meteorology
- Communications
- Weapons
- Manoeuvre
- Electronics
- Health services
CHARACTERISTICS - Training Ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano"
Historical and Technical Data.
Historical data
- Shipyard: Echevarrieta & Larinaga (Cádiz)
- Shipbuilding: November 1925
- Launching: March 5th 1927
- Delivery to the Navy: August 17th 1928
- Significant modifications: 1955-56 / 1978/ 1992/2000 2005-06
- 77 Training Cruises (10 times around the world)
Technical data
- Displacement: 3,754 tons
- Length: 94m
- Beam: 13m
- Draft: 7.4m
- Engine speed: 10 knots
- Propulsion: 1 SULZER-BAZAN diesel engine of 1.500 hp
- Complement: 226
- Total sail surface: 3,151 m2
- Craft and rescue assets:
- 1 “Lepanto” type craft for 13 people
- 1 “Cormoran” type RHIB DSL 730
- 2 “Narwhal” type RHIB 450
- 2 Wooden rowing whaleboats for 11 people each
- 23 “Duarry” lifeboats for ship abandonment
- 1 “Duarry” craft for 4/5 people for “man overboard”
- 330 rigid life jackets
- 65 inflatable life jackets
- 7 round floating rings with lights in the bridge, forecastle and quarter deck
ARBOLADURA:
- CUATRO PALOS VERTICALES Y BAUPRES
- CADA PALO CUENTA CON MACHO Y MASTELERO
- TRINQUETE = > "Blanca".
- MAYOR PROEL = > "Almansa".
- MAYOR POPEL = > "Asturias".
- MESANA = > "Nautilus".
- CADA PALO CUENTA CON MACHO Y MASTELERO
JARCIA: Conjunto de cabos y cables de un buque.
JARCIA FIRME: Fija / Tensa / no varía posición. Burdas, Obenques, Estayas, Nervios.
JARCIA DE LABOR: Cabos y Aparejos móviles. Drizas, Escotas, Contras, Cargaderas.
SUPERFICIE VELICA: 3.151 m2
TOTAL 20 VELAS. EN TRES GRUPOS:
- APAREJO de CRUZ: Trinquete, Velacho Bajo, Velacho Alto y Juanete.
- APAREJO DE CUCHILLO.
- CANGREJOS: Trinquete, Mayor Proel, Mayor Popel y Mesana (Cangreja).
- FOQUES: Trinquetilla, Contrafoque, Foque y Petifoque.
- VELAS ALTAS:
- ESTAYS: 3 Estays( Palo donde van izadas) y Foque Volante (Se considera el estay del Trinquete)
- ESCANDALOSAS: Trinquete, Mayor Proel, Mayor Popel y Mesana.
