Ferrol Naval Base
| Ferrol Naval Base | |
|---|---|
| Arsenal de Ferrol | |
 | |
| Type | Military base |
| Site information | |
| Owner |
 |
| Controlled by |
 |
| Site history | |
| Built |
16th century 1740-1790 |
| In use | 1726 –present |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | Vice admiral Antonio Duelo Menor[1] |
| Occupants | See Ships |
The Naval Base of Ferrol also known as Arsenal of Ferrol is a military base and arsenal of the Spanish Navy located in Ferrol, Spain. It is the main Spanish base of the Atlantic.
History
The first warships arrived in the Ría de Ferrol in the 16th century, with the House of Austria on the Throne. However, it was not until 1724, when the monarch of the House of Bourbon, Felipe V established Ferrol as the main port of the Atlantic.
It is in the decade of 1740 to 1750 when it begins to plan and to execute the great complex that suppose the new shipyards and Arsenal. The appointment of Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea, Marquis de la Ensenada, as Minister of the Navy, in 1743, implies the definitive impulse and consolidation of the ideas conceived by Patiño (previous Minister of the Navy).
Since the first launch ("San Fernando" ship) was made in 1751, the shipyards steps have always been occupied. At the same time, 12 ships can be build. Carlos III paid more attention to the Navy than his predecessors, and in effect, he achieved that in 1790 the Arsenal was practically finished, with a capacity to maintain 70 ships, through a workforce of 5,440 men.
During the reign of Isabel II and because of the industrial revolution, in 1850 is created the School of Machinists and the School of Naval engineers, and the steam engine workshop is built, as the protagonist of this century would be the frigate propeller.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the first Spanish battleships (España class) were built in Ferrol. As of 1912, the shipyards of Ferrol were constructed battleships and cruisers and the destroyers and submarines were constructed in Cartagena.
In recent years the Naval Base of Ferrol has been modernized in its facilities. The Navy Marine Corps Barracks were built; the new warehouses and the Electricity and Electronics Workshop; new facilities for docks numbers 1 and 2; was built the Cannons Workshop. The docks have been expanded, and vessels can be moored around the basin.
In 2003 it was necessary to expand dock 5 for the mooring of the Álvaro de Bazán class frigates. Since 2013, among the new facilities inaugurated, it is worth mentioning the Naval Archive of Ferrol.[2]
Ships
- Alvaro de Bazan class
- Serviola class
- ESPN Serviola (P-71)
- ESPN Centinela (P-72)
- ESPN Vigía (P-73)
- ESPN P-74 Atalaya (P-74)
- Replenishment oiler class
- Patroll ships
- Cabo Fradera (P-201)