ARA El Plata (1874)

Summary

ARA El Plata was the first of two El Plata-class monitors built in Britain in the 1870s for the Argentine Navy.

Watercolor of El Plata
History
Argentina
NameARA El Plata
BuilderLaird Brothers, Birkenhead
Launched29 August 1874
Stricken16 November 1927
FateScrapped, 1929?
General characteristics (as built)
TypeEl Plata-class monitor
Displacement1,535–1,677 long tons (1,560–1,704 t)
Length180 ft (54.9 m) (p/p)
Beam44 ft (13.4 m)
Draft9 ft 1 in (2.8 m)
Installed power750 ihp (560 kW)
Propulsion2 shafts, 2 compound steam engines
Speed9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Range1,400 nmi (2,600 km; 1,600 mi)
Complement120
Armament
Armor
  • Belt: 4.5–6 in (114–152 mm)
  • Deck: 1 in (25 mm)
  • Gun turret: 8–10 in (203–254 mm)

Description edit

El Plata was 186 feet (56.7 m) long overall, with a beam of 44 feet (13.4 m) and a draft of 9.5–10.5 feet (2.9–3.2 m). She displaced 1,535–1,677 long tons (1,560–1,704 t), and her crew numbered 120 officers and enlisted men.[1]

The ship had two compound steam engines, each driving one propeller shaft, rated at a total power of 750 indicated horsepower (560 kW). This gave her a maximum speed of 9–9.5 knots (16.7–17.6 km/h; 10.4–10.9 mph). El Plata carried 120 long tons (122 t) of coal which gave her a range of approximately 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km; 1,600 mi).[1]

History edit

See also edit

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Chesneau & Kolesnik, p. 401; Ironclads Vasco da Gama and Andes, p. 108; Silverstone, p. 11

Bibliography edit

  • Gardiner, Robert, ed. (1979). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-133-5.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-907-3.
  • "Ironclads Vasco da Gama and Andes". Warship International. X (1). Toledo, Ohio: Naval Records Club: 106–08. 1973.

External links edit

  • "MONITOR A.R.A. "EL PLATA" 1875". Histarmar - Historia y Arqueologia Marítima (in Spanish). FUNDACION HISTARMAR. Retrieved 3 July 2014.