Iron and sea have been two constants in our history. Consequently, the shipbuilding industry of wooden boats has traditionally been the second most important activity, after the ironwork in the ironworks. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, this activity declined until it disappeared.
In its place emerged an important shipbuilding industry at the end of the 19th century. The most important improvements in shipbuilding were the replacement of the sail by steam propulsion, the construction of steel hulls replacing wooden ones, and the incorporation of the propeller as a propulsion system.
The moment that marks the change of course regarding the shipbuilding of iron ships in the Nervión estuary was the publication of the Royal Decree of October 13, 1887, which modified the shipbuilding programme of Admiral Rodríguez Arias. On June 1, 1889, he signed the contract to construct three armoured cruisers for the Spanish Navy, the community company Martínez Rivas & Palmer. This company didn’t even have the shipyard built.
On the slipway of the new shipyard built for this purpose in Sestao:
- With regards to the Infanta Maria Teresa, the keel was laid on July 24, 1889, the launch of the cruiser took place on August 30, 1890, and began to sail on August 28, 1893. It was the flagship of Admiral Cervera’s squadron. The model can be seen at the Itsasmuseum in Bilbao.
- With regards to the Vizcaya, the keel was laid on October 7, 1889, launched on July 8, 1891, and began sailing on August 2, 1894.
- Admiral Oquendo’s keel was laid on November 16, 1889, its launch took place on October 3, 1891, and was delivered on August 21, 1895. A 140 mm Hontoria naval gun (5.5 in) belonging to Admiral Oquendo is preserved and restored at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
During the Cuban War, the three were sunk in the naval battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898.
