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The following article concerns Spanish auxiliary cruisers of the Spanish American War period. The author is searching for more information on these vessels, and would like verification of the facts as listed below. If you can aid in either of these goals please contact the website administrator, and he will put us in contact! We need your help!

When the Cuban Insurrection began, Spain found herslf in a difficult situation: She had a "fleet in being", but, in fact, Spain had no control of the Cuban coast. Small Cuban boats, scows, shalandas and etc. unloaded theirs contraband cargoes in the remote areas of the island's bay and coasts and the Spaniards had few small vessels for use in shoal areas to oppose these incursions.

Spain ordered a great number of small 3rd class gunboats from England and Spain, but for immediate use, they purchased and armed some small yachts, steamers and tugs.

Formally, these vessels didn't exist on the official Spanish Navy rolls, and this is why research into these vessels is rendered difficult. However, these vessel made a heroic stand, and it would be a great crime if they were forgotten in history.

The oriiginal owner of the wood-hulled vessel is unknown, as are the details of her service.  She was placed under the command of Ensign Aldereguia. On June 30, 1898, while operating off of Nicero (near Manzanillo), she ws overtaken by the USS HIST, USS HORNET and the USS WOMPATUCK. The CENTINELA, now under the command of Ensign Alejandro Aris Salagado, joined battle in spite of the unequal situation. During the action, she took 25 hits, killing one of her crewmen and wounding others. The vessel sunk in the shallows. However, one of her steam lines was damaged and the crew attempted to wrap the damage. The Americans mistakenly ook the steam to be the smoke of her guns and again opened fire. A few days later, the gunboat was raised and towed into Manzanillo for repairs. On July 18, she was destroyed by the Americans.

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "guard." ("sentinela")

The wood-hulled vessel was purchased in 1895, but the details are unknown. During the war, she served at Batabano. She was commanded by Ensign Montero.

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "dart."

The vessel was placed under the command of Lt. Ramos initially. By the time of the Spanish American War she was under the command of Lt. Don Ubaldo Seris. During the June 30 battle off Manzanillo with the USS HIST, USS HORNET and USS WOMPATUCK, she was hit several times, resulting in 2 of her crewmen being killed, and 4 more wounded. During the July 18 battle, she was destroyed by the Americans.

The vessel was named for Almirante Delgado Parejo (? - 1895), the commander
of Havana's naval base. He went down with the cruiser SANCHEZ BARCAZTEGUI
 when she was sunk near Havana on September 18, 1895.

The vessel's name means "Subordinate" in Spanish.

The vessel's name means "Hope" in Spanish.

The vessel's name means "Intrepid" in Spanish.

The vessel's name means "Faith, Fidelity" in Spanish.

The vessel's name means "Courier" or "messenger" in Spanish.

The vessel's name means "lightning" in Spanish.

ANTONIO LOPEZ(For more information on this vessel, click here!)
 

Displacement	Dimensions	Horsepower	Speed	Range	Bunker capacity	Class
50 tons	?	?	10	?	4 tons

This former tug was armed with one 57 mm/43cal. quick-fire Nordenfeldt gun and one 37mm/30cal quick-fire Hotchkiss. This vessel took part in battles on May 8, and may 11, 1898 near Cardenas. On May 11, she was engaged in an unequal battle ag8inst four U.S. Navy vessels. Early in the battle, the gunboar LIGERA was ordered out of action because of damage, ANTONIO LOPEZ's commander, Domingo Montez was ordered scuttled in the shallows while he, himself, continued firing one of her guns. The firing was accurate. The U.S. Torpedo Boat WINSLOW was badly damaged, with 5 men killed and four wounded (this was actually more damage than than both Admiral Montojo and Admiral Cervera were able to inflict at Manila Bay and Santiago respectively). The Americans claimed that the ANTONIO LOPEZ was sunk. She was not, but she did take 12 hits, killing two of her crew and wounding others. She took part in no other actions.

The vessel was named for Antonio Lopez (1817 - 1883), a  Spanish businessman who established the "Antonio Lopez Co", later reorganized and called the Campana
Transatlantica Espanola (CTE).

The vessel's name means "watchman" in Spanish.

The vessel was propably named for Reina Maria Cristina, the Queen of Spain.

The vessel's name means "Courage" in Spanish.

There in information, that during war AMALIA, ANITA, MARIA and PERLA
were on the Habana.

"Mansanillo battle," Warship International. 1977.

Valdiveso Mario, Naval Historian, El Ferrol, Spain (personal correspondence)

Voennie floty i morskaya spravochnaya knizhka na 1899 god. - SPb, Tipigraphy
E.Goppe, 1899.

Wilson H.W., Downfall of Spain.  (London, 1900).