Our Legacy
This Spanish Navy Park-Museum in Limpias was inaugurated in 1983 through an agreement between the Limpias City Council and the Ferrol Naval Museum, which provided museum funds for display in the park.
The funds of the Ferrol Naval Museum have been temporarily loaned, and the agreement is periodically renewed.
The town of Limpias was once closely linked to maritime trade and is considered the first inland port of the Crown of Castile, where it held great importance. The Castilian navy, along with that of Aragon, constituted the origin of the Armada, whose first significant action was carried out by Admiral Bonifaz, who, sailing from Santander with a fleet of ships from coastal towns in Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia, captured the city of Seville on May 3, 1248, breaking the chains surrounding the city.
The park-museum, unique in Spain, features the signal mast of the destroyer "Gravina", artillery mounts of various calibers belonging to Navy units, radars, anchors, and anti-submarine warfare elements such as sonars and torpedoes.
ANCHOR TYPE ADMIRALTY
ANCHOR TYPE HALL
37 MM OERLIKON ANTI-AIRCRAFT CANNON
BOFORS BREDA 144 MODEL 76 40MM/70 CANNON
152.4/50 mm GUN. VICKERS MODEL
MUZZLE-LOADING CANNON, 18th CENTURY
MEROKA DEFENSE CANNON MODEL 2A 20/120 MM
MK-68 FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH AN/SPG-53B RADAR
MK-73 FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH AN/SPG-51C MISSILE GUIDANCE RADAR
TRIPOD MAST OF THE DESTROYER “GRAVINA” D-62
CONTACT MOORED NAVAL MINE (VICKERS TYPE)
PLATE WITH THE INSCRIPTION “ADMIRAL”
VARIABLE DEPTH SONAR AN/SQS-35
TORPEDO TYPE G-7
El Ancla de Almirantazgo o de cepo es el tipo de ancla clásica que evolucionó a partir del primitivo modelo utilizado en el mundo antiguo.
It is distinguished by its excellent grip on hard and sandy bottoms, but its performance is inferior on mud bottoms.
Due to its size and weight, it is difficult to stow, making it unsuitable for small boats, but essential in the past for larger vessels.
Another drawback is that it must be anchored carefully to prevent the chain from becoming tangled in the stock and losing its effectiveness.
It is preferably used as a safety anchor or for anchoring in adverse conditions, being the only one that holds on to weedy bottoms.
Mission:
An anchor is a metal device, usually in the shape of a grappling hook, attached to a cable or chain and dropped into the sea to secure a vessel to the sea or riverbed and keep it in place. It is an essential piece of safety equipment for any ship and is used to prevent the vessel from being swept away by currents or wind when anchored or moored.
History:
Primitive anchors consisted of rocks or stones tied to ships to secure them to the bottom. These rocks evolved into hollowed stones tied with flax ropes, used as anchors. These anchors held the vessel in place simply by their weight and friction along the bottom. Later, wooden, iron, and/or steel designs were used.
To achieve greater anchoring capacity, the design evolved to include prongs that penetrated the bottom with the movement of the ship or became wedged into uneven areas of the bottom, increasing its resistance to movement. Both the size of the anchor and the thickness of the chain depend on the displacement or size of the vessel. The length of chain that must be heaved when anchoring depends on the depth and weather conditions (wind, sea state, and currents). The admiralty-style anchor emerged in the mid-19th century and is no longer in use today.
El Ancla tipo Hall es uno de los más utilizados en la actualidad. Carece de cepo y consta de dos brazos que son los responsables de que ésta se agarre al fondo marino. Poseen un bajo centro de gravedad para facilitar su lanzamiento. La cruz es de acero moldeado y forma un cuerpo con los brazos. En ella hay practicada una abertura de forma rectangular por la que entra la caña, que es de acero o hierro forjado. Están unidos entre sí por un corto y fuerte perno que sirve al mismo tiempo de eje de giro a los brazos, y facilitar su agarre al fondo.
The anchor on display comes from the Churruca-class destroyer "Gravina," acquired from the United States. It served in the Navy from 1970 to 1992.
Mission:
An anchor is a metal device, usually in the shape of a grappling hook, attached to a cable or chain and dropped into the sea to secure a vessel to the sea or riverbed and keep it in place. It is an essential piece of safety equipment for any ship and is used to prevent the vessel from being swept away by currents or wind when anchored or moored.
History:
Primitive anchors consisted of rocks or stones tied to ships to secure them to the bottom. These rocks evolved into hollowed stones tied with flax ropes, used as anchors. These anchors held the vessel in place simply by their weight and friction along the bottom. Later, wooden, iron, and/or steel designs were used.
To achieve greater anchoring capacity, the design evolved to include prongs that penetrated the bottom with the movement of the vessel or remained secured in uneven areas of the bottom, increasing its resistance to movement. Both the size of the anchor and the thickness of the chain depend on the displacement or size of the vessel. The length of chain that must be lowered when anchoring depends on the depth and weather conditions (wind, sea state, and currents). The Hall anchor appeared at the end of the 19th century, and continues to be used.
Basic Description:
This mount comes from the “Canarias” Cruiser, a ship that was in service from 1936 to 1975, alongside its twin, the “Baleares” Cruiser, both part of the Navy’s heavy cruiser fleet. Later, this cannon was repurposed for ceremonial salutes at the Ferrol arsenal.
With a 37 mm caliber, it had a firing rate of between 150 and 170 rounds per minute, a maximum range of 8–9 km, and an effective range of 4–5 km, with a muzzle velocity of 880 m/s.
Mission:
This cannon was primarily designed for short- and medium-range anti-aircraft defense, effective against low- and mid-altitude aircraft, as well as lighter surface threats.
The elevated position of some of these mounts enhanced their ability to track and engage aircraft at varying altitudes.
History:
History:
The Oerlikon cannon was developed by the Swiss company of the same name. Oerlikon is renowned for its automatic cannons, widely used on warships and in other roles since World War II.
As aerial threats became more sophisticated—especially with the advent of anti-ship missiles—anti-aircraft systems like the Oerlikon became partially outdated. Nevertheless, at the time, they represented a balance between rate of fire and firepower, making them suitable against propeller aircraft and lighter targets.
Basic Description:
This is a short-range anti-aircraft artillery piece, primarily intended for close-in defense of ships against aircraft, helicopters, and missiles. The cannon is part of an automated defense system that was widely used by various navies throughout the 20th century.
It features a 40 mm caliber barrel with a length of 70 calibers, equivalent to approximately 2.8 meters. It had a firing rate of around 300 rounds per minute and a muzzle velocity of 1.02 meters per second. These cannons were capable of firing various types of ammunition, including high-explosive (HE), tracer, and specialized anti-aircraft rounds, with a maximum range of about 12 km and an effective range of 2–4 km.
Estos cañones estaban preparados para disparar diferentes tipos de proyectiles, incluyendo alto explosivo (HE), trazador, y municiones antiaéreas específicas, con un alcance máximo de alrededor de 12 km y efectivo de unos 2-4 km.
Mission:
These cannons were integrated into automatic fire control systems, which included radar and sensors that allowed for automatic targeting of aerial threats, improving accuracy and reducing reaction time.
In summary, the Bofors Breda was a key component of close-in defense against aerial threats. Its high rate of fire and ability to be automatically controlled by radar systems made it effective in protecting ships from enemy missiles and aircraft.
History:
In 1953, during the height of the Cold War and amid fears of a Soviet attack on the United States via the Mediterranean, the governments of Spain and the U.S. signed agreements that included the modernization of Audaz-class destroyers, Liniers-class destroyers, Pizarro-class frigates, D-class submarines, and other smaller vessels.
The Bofors Breda cannon, after decades of service, was a significant element of defensive capability. Our destroyers participated in exercises and escort operations where anti-aircraft defense was crucial, especially during the Cold War.
Basic Description:
Gun from the cruiser Miguel de Cervantes, a Navy vessel that was in service from 1928 to 1964. This 152.4 mm/50 Vickers-brand gun was one of the main naval artillery pieces.
It has a caliber of 152.4 mm and a barrel length of 50 calibers, equivalent to approximately 7.62 meters.
Each shell weighed around 45 kg, with a maximum range of about 20–22 km, a muzzle velocity of 870 meters per second, and a firing rate of 5 to 7 rounds per minute.
Mission:
These guns were primarily used for coastal bombardment, combat against other cruisers and destroyers, and also against land targets. During the Spanish Civil War, cruisers of the Cervera class participated in several naval engagements, as well as blockade and escort operations.
History:
The 152.4 mm/50 Vickers guns on Cervera-class cruisers were powerful artillery pieces for their time, significantly enhancing the offensive capabilities of these warships during their active service.
They were a type of light cruiser commissioned in the 1920s as part of the Navy’s modernization program. These ships were armed with these guns, which served as their “main armament.”
The Cervera class included three light cruisers: Príncipe Alfonso (later renamed Libertad and subsequently Galicia), Almirante Cervera, and Miguel de Cervantes.
Over time, advancements in naval technology and the development of larger-caliber guns with higher firing rates made the 152.4 mm pieces less effective compared to modern artillery systems. Nevertheless, in their era, they were formidable weapons, especially within the context of our Navy.
Basic Description:
18th-century cannon, captured from the British during the reconquest of Menorca in 1782. Manufactured in the United Kingdom using natural (wood) and processed (cast iron) materials, it measures 257 cm in length, 160 cm in width, and 140 cm in depth.
These weapons were known as “muzzle-loading” because they were loaded through the cannon’s mouth, unlike later, more modern designs. They fired spherical iron projectiles, with weights corresponding to the caliber in “pounds” (typically 12 or 24 pounds).
The typical design included engravings or inscriptions indicating its origin, manufacturer, or the monarchy under which it was produced.
Mission:
Cannons like this were essential elements in the defense of fortifications and ships during 18th-century warfare. They were mounted on wooden carriages with wheels, allowing them to be moved along walls or ship decks.
History:
The Reconquest of Menorca in 1782 was a military operation carried out by Spain, with French support, in the context of the American War of Independence. Spain, allied with France, saw an opportunity to reclaim Menorca, which had been under British control for most of the 18th century since its capture in 1708.
Beyond its original function as an artillery piece, the cannon represents a link to an important chapter in Spanish military history. The recovery of Menorca was a significant achievement amid the tensions between major European powers in the 18th century.
Monuments like this connect current generations with significant episodes of the past and allow us to remember not only Spain’s military history but also its strategic role in controlling key Mediterranean territories such as Menorca.
Basic Description:
Cannon originating from the frigate “Baleares,” which was in service from 1973 to 2005. It is a multiple mounting system consisting of 12 automatic 20 mm cannons, arranged in two rows of six cannons each. Each cannon has a caliber of 20 mm and a barrel length of 120 calibers, meaning the barrel is 120 times the calibre-i.e., 2.4 meters long.
It uses Rheinmetall high-rate-of-fire cannons, highly effective in creating a “wall” of projectiles against rapidly approaching threats. Each cannon has a firing rate of 1,440 rounds per minute, meaning the entire system can fire over 17,000 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 2 km.
The system was controlled by a target-tracking radar and optronic systems (optical and electronic), allowing it to autonomously identify, track, and engage targets.
Mission:
It is a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), designed to protect ships against short-range threats such as anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, or even fast boats.
It is intended to serve as the last line of defense. In most cases, ships would first use anti-aircraft missiles to neutralize long-range threats, and if those failed, these cannons would be activated.
History:
The Meroka (Mechanized Rotation and Automatic Cannon) is a CIWS of Spanish origin, developed by the company FABA (Fábrica de Artillería Bazán) in collaboration with the Spanish Navy.
In 1972, it was proposed to adopt the Meroka for use as an anti-aircraft weapon in the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The Air Force declined the proposal, but the Navy showed interest and commissioned the construction of 20 mounts in 1975. The 1973 war had highlighted the threat of anti-ship missiles, prompting the Navy to request radar-based fire control for the system.
Throughout its service life, the Meroka system was updated with improvements in fire control, sensors, and ammunition to remain effective against emerging threats. It proved to be an effective system for the Navy, although it had limitations compared to other contemporary CIWS systems such as the American Phalanx or the Russian AK-630.
Basic Description:
This fire control system and its radar was fitted on board the frigate Baleares, a vessel that served from 1973 to 2005 as part of a series of five frigates known as the Baleares class or Class 70.
The AN/SPG-53B radar was a tracking and fire control radar designed to integrate with the MK-68 fire control system. It enabled precise tracking and monitoring of targets, providing essential data based on various parameters such as target distance, speed, wind direction, and the ship’s own position, among others, to perform accurate firing calculations.
Mission:
The system was particularly valuable in surface naval combat and area air defense, allowing the Baleares-class frigates to defend against a wide range of threats.
It was designed to engage both surface targets—such as small vessels or enemy ships—and aerial threats (aircraft, missiles), although the latter required faster reaction times.
History:
The MK-68 fire control system with the AN/SPG-53B radar was a crucial component installed on the Baleares-class frigates of our Navy, which entered service between 1973 and 1976. These frigates were a variant of the Knox-class frigates from the United States Navy and were modernized with various systems to enhance their combat capabilities.
The MK-68 fire control system was essential for managing the main artillery of these frigates, particularly the dual-purpose 127mm MK-42 gun (for both surface and air targets). It represented the most advanced fire control technology of its time, enabling the frigates to maintain effective defensive capabilities for several decades, until they were eventually replaced or supplemented by more modern technologies.
Although no longer at the forefront of naval defence, they played a key role in the Navy during the final third of the 20th century.
Basic Description:
This fire control system and its radar was fitted on the frigate “Baleares,” part of a series of five frigates known as the “Baleares class” or class 70.
The MK-73 fire control system consists of a weapons control system responsible for providing precise data for tracking and target assignment for the ship’s missiles and artillery. It handled the acquisition, tracking, and control of both aerial and surface targets, supplying information to the weapons systems for engagement.
Its operation relies on the AN/SPG-51C radar, a fire control radar that functioned as an “illuminator”—meaning that once a missile was launched, the radar illuminated the target, allowing the semi-active radar-guided missile to strike it.
This radar operated in the “C” band and was crucial for controlling anti-aircraft missiles and defending against enemy aircraft and missiles.
Mission:
The MK-73 fire control system with the AN/SPG-51C radar was essential on Baleares-class frigates to fulfill their air defense and surface combat missions. It provided the capability to counter aerial threats using semi-active guided missiles, offering significant defensive coverage within naval battle groups.
History:
The MK-73 fire control system with the AN/SPG-51C missile guidance radar was a key system installed on Baleares-class frigates of our Navy, based on the design of the American Knox-class frigates. These frigates were built in the 1970s and served until their decommissioning in 2005.
Although these systems became obsolete with the advent of more advanced naval technologies, during their operational period they were among the most sophisticated and contributed significantly to the defensive and offensive capabilities of our Navy.
Basic Description:
The tripod mast is a robust and essential structure found on many warships. This type of mast is characterized by having three legs that converge at the top, providing a highly stable base to support heavy equipment such as radars, antennas, and other communication and surveillance systems.
Mission:
The primary function of the tripod mast is Equipment Support (allowing the installation of heavy and bulky equipment without compromising the ship’s stability). It also offers Vibration Resistance (its design helps reduce vibrations caused by the ship’s movement and sea conditions) and Durability (it is built to withstand extreme conditions, including strong winds and marine corrosion).
Examples of Use:
Radars and Antennas: Tripod masts are ideal for mounting large radars and antennas, which are essential for detection and communication in military operations.
Surveillance Systems: They are also used to install cameras and other surveillance devices that require an elevated and stable position.
History:
With the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Spain and the United States in Washington on August 6, 1970, the transfer of military equipment to the Spanish Armed Forces was agreed upon. The Navy received a significant package of ships, which included five Gearing-class destroyers. Once in Spain, this new series of destroyers formed the Churruca class, gradually replacing the older Audaz-class destroyers.
Each of the ships in this new series was named in honor of Spanish Navy officers from the 18th and 19th centuries: Churruca, Gravina, Méndez Núñez, Lángara, and Blas de Lezo.
The Churruca-class ships displaced 3,480 tons at full load, with a length of 119.02 meters, a beam of 12.4 meters, and a draft of 6.7 meters. They were powered by four steam boilers and two turbines connected to two shafts, giving them a maximum speed of 34 knots and a maximum range of 4,800 nautical miles at 15 knots. Crew complement: 274 personnel.
The electronic sensors installed on the tripod mast included an AN/SPS-40 air search radar and an AN/SPS-10-F surface search radar.
Basic description:
The “Vickers Type” moored naval mine is an underwater weapon designed to sink ships and submarines, which entered service in the first half of the 20th century.
BasicIt consists of a submersible (a cart that remains on the bottom) connected to the mine (a large ball with horns) by a steel cable.
The mine is set to float just below the surface of the water, and upon contact with the hull of a ship or submarine, the horns break, igniting the firing circuit and causing it to explode. Its explosive charge exceeds 200 kg. When the cable breaks and it drifts, it poses a risk to maritime navigation.
Mission:
A naval mine, according to NATO designation, is an explosive device placed at sea with the intention of sinking or damaging vessels, or impeding free maritime traffic.
Due to their design, they can be contact mines (like the mooring mine) or influence mines (activated by changes in the magnetic or electric field, or water pressure, produced by the passage of a ship or submarine).
The threat of mines prevents you from traveling by sea to where you want, when you want, and how you want.
History:
The naval mine has been used continuously in every conflict from the American Civil War to the Ukrainian War (in the Black Sea) or used by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Their low cost, effectiveness, and easy accessibility to terrorist organizations suggest that they will continue to be used in any future conflict.
Therefore, and contrary to what we might think, naval mines (whose origins date back to the American War of Independence in 1776) continue to represent a clear threat to the free passage of ships through maritime spaces. During World War II, more than 700,000 mines were laid.
Bronze plate engraved with the name of the light cruiser “Almirante Cervera.”
Spanish warships display their names on golden bronze plates for several reasons tied to naval tradition, symbolism, and material durability. These bronze plates are used for their resistance to corrosion, which is crucial in maritime environments where exposure to saltwater can quickly degrade other materials.
Mission:
The use of bronze carries aesthetic and prestigious value. Its golden hue conveys a sense of solemnity and distinction, fitting for representing the importance of a warship and its role in national defense. Moreover, bronze has historically been used in the manufacture of weapons, cannons, and naval components, reinforcing its symbolism of power and military tradition.
Being made of this material, the plates are easily visible and long-lasting, ensuring that the ship’s name remains legible and prominent throughout its operational life.
History:
The order to place the names of Spanish Navy ships on bronze plates is attributed to King Alfonso XIII. During his reign (1886–1931), Alfonso XIII was a strong advocate for the modernization of the Navy. Among his initiatives was the introduction of this tradition of displaying ship names on golden plaques, likely intended to enhance the majesty and prestige of warships.
These aesthetic and symbolic details were part of a broader effort to project an image of strength and distinction for the Navy, both nationally and internationally, during a time when Spain sought to maintain its status as a naval power.
Basic Description:
The Variable Depth Sonar (VDS), SQS 35, was an American-made sonar installed on numerous ships dedicated to anti-submarine warfare (in Spain, it was installed on the Baleares-class frigates), which improved the ships' performance in searching and locating submarines. Traditional ship-mounted hull sonars are severely limited in underwater detection due to the bathythermal environment (seawater temperature and salinity determine the speed of sound in the water and its trajectory), which causes submarines to navigate at depths where they are more difficult to locate.
However, the use of VDS sonars allows them to be set at the optimal depth for submarine detection, considerably increasing the probability of locating enemy submarines. The material on display corresponds to the "sonar body," known as the fish, as it is the submerged part. The consoles for processing the received data and the lowering mechanism (towing crane) remain on the ship.
El material expuesto se corresponde con el “cuerpo del sonar”, denominado pez, ya que es la parte sumergida, quedando en el buque las consolas para el tratamiento de los datos recibidos, y el mecanismo de arriado (grúa de remolque)
Mission:
The mission of sonars is the detection of underwater objects, so their use is not solely military. The frequency used is directly proportional to the target's resolution (a precise silhouette of a small target can be obtained using high frequencies, as is the case with side-scan sonars). However, the ranges at high frequencies are very small, making them useless in the search for submarines.
For submarine detection, sonars use low or medium frequencies. Detection distances, determined by bathythermal conditions, can range from a few yards to tens of miles.
History:
Sonar (an acronym for Sound Navigation and Ranging) is a technique that uses underwater sound propagation primarily for navigation, communication, or the detection of submerged objects.
Sonar can be used as an acoustic location tool, functioning similarly to radar, except that it uses sound pulses instead of emitting electromagnetic waves.
The VDS has been in use for less than forty years, and its main advantage is setting it at the optimal depth for submarine detection; something impossible to achieve with a hull sonar, as it is fixed to the vessel's underwater structure.
Basic Description:
The G-7 torpedo was a German-made torpedo designed to sink ships. It was launched from submarines. This torpedo was commonly used used by German U-boats during World War II.
Measuring 53.3 cm in diameter and over 7 m long, it was equipped with a warhead containing 280 kg of explosive. Its propulsion system was a 100 hp electric motor powered by batteries. The maximum speed did not exceed 44 knots, and the effective range at this speed was 5,000 meters. Although the torpedo originally followed a straight trajectory until impacting the target, some later versions included an acoustic sensor in its warhead.
The torpedo on display is a training torpedo (the warhead is painted a different color), similar to the combat torpedo, but without explosive. It is used in exercises to check the torpedo's performance, and it can be recovered for analysis.
Mission:
Torpedoes are underwater weapons designed to sink ships or submarines.
The launch platform can be a ship, a submarine, or an aircraft (in this case, they usually have a built-in parachute to reduce the impact upon entering the water and to protect their sensors).
Torpedoes launched from ships to sink submarines are called light torpedoes and are much smaller than those launched from submarines to sink ships (such as the G7), as ships are typically larger than submarines and, to sink or neutralize them, require the impact of a torpedo that can carry a large explosive charge (heavy torpedoes). This is not the case with light torpedoes launched against submerged submarines, as the impact of a small explosive charge is enough to cause a leak and render them inoperable.
History:
There are references to the use of underwater weapons, used as torpedoes against ships in the 18th century. They took advantage of ocean currents to move, or they were simply towed.
Their extensive use and evolution emerged during the World Wars, especially the Second World War, when guidance systems were improved to detect targets (search sonar built into the torpedo's head) and later wireguidance (which takes advantage of the information obtained by the launching unit, avoiding alerting the target and its evasive maneuvers until the final moment of the attack, since the torpedo does not emit acoustic signals until the end of its trajectory).
