ships archivos - El Blog de Artesanía Latina

We are lucky and our elite modelers friends too. You already know that we have manufactured a new edition of a very famous Spanish ship of the line: the so-called ‘Trafalgar 1805’. Let’s get to know, then, the relevant history of Santa Ana vessel in order to have a better perspective of what this great ship was like before assembling its splendid model ship in wood at 1:84 scale.

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA VESSEL: DIMENSIONS

The Santa Ana was a Spanish ship of the line equipped with 112 cannons that was part of the glorious Spanish Armada. Of course, in the Battle of Trafalgar it was armed with 104 cannons and 32 howitzers, but… What were its measures? It had a length of 213.4 feet and a beam of 58 feet, in addition to a total weight of more than two tons. To build it, the plans of the Navy engineer José Romero Fernández de Landa were taken as an example. This, in turn, was based on how another ship of the line was created: the Purísima Concepción. In this case, the one who would direct the construction of the Santa Ana would be Miguel de la Puente, using the aforementioned guidelines, with the engineers Sánchez Bort and Tomás Muñoz.

The beautiful Santa Ana sailboat was erected as one of the pioneering ships with three decks called ‘Meregildos’. In this very special group of ships, there were also another seven that were born later as Príncipe de Asturias, Mejicano, Reina María Luisa, Conde de Regla, Salvador del Mundo, Real Carlos and San Hermenegildo. All were built based on the Santa Ana by Royal Order of 1786.

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA VESSEL: FEATURES

Its characteristics? Huge decks, great maneuverability, a strong military muscle thanks to its numerous cannons and a great resistance capacity against the attacks of the sea and enemies. It carried three masts with square sails and two or three artillery decks. It even had lightning rods and metal chains! If one fell, the system channeled the electrical discharge to the sea.

The history of the Santa Ana vessel shows it as one of the best. He created a new way of fighting in those times that would be essential for the Navy. The different ships lined up one behind the other to create an artillery front that fired at the same time. Although the Santa Ana was launched in 1784, even years later it still underwent some improvements.

The Santa Ana and her naval brothers became the best warships on the European continent. It was a ‘sea monster’. Their crew? 745 sailors on its three decks, as a warship. When a conflict broke out, it was increased to 1,050. And, in the Battle of Trafalgar, it was up to 1,102. Of course, the largest of the ships of the line would finally be Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad, called ‘El Escorial de los Mares’.

INITIAL MARITIME JOURNEYS OF THE SHIP OF THE LINE

The history of the Santa Ana vessel begins in 1785 with Commander Félix de Tejada at the helm to make its first voyage, its first test. The maritime route began in El Ferrol and ended in Cádiz. He realizes that, even though it is very resistant in the worst navigation conditions, certain improvements must be made to the rigging and he opens the third La Carraca breakwater a year later.

In July 1797, the ship of the line Santa Ana begins to forge its legend. Admiral Jervis and Rear Admiral Nelson of the British Royal Navy attempt to storm Cádiz. And that is where sixteen gunboats are positioned between Rota, La Caleta (gate of Seville) and Sancti Petri, and an additional fifteen at the mouth of the port. Thus, they support the warship and reject the English under the orders of José de Mazarredo. Of course, the blockade and the British presence is repeated more times.

In February 1798, the Santa Ana resumed its maritime voyage with Mazarredo’s squadron. Twenty-two ships, five frigates and three brigantines to pursue the British fleet, made up of only 9 ships and several frigates. This withdrew towards San Vicente, while the Spanish squadron, failing to catch up with them, entered Cádiz again on the 13th. Jervis appeared four days later with twenty-two ships and six frigates to resume the blockade.

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA VESSEL: FIRST SETBACKS

Commander Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros took command in July 1799, aided by Lieutenant General Grandallana, campaigning in the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Cadiz. However, anecdotally, he was stranded shortly after starting his journey towards Brest together with the French fleet.

What happens then? That the Spanish warship is forced to return to the port of the Andalusian city to disarm and repair itself. A great setback for Spain for which Hidalgo de Cisneros is tried in court martial, although he is totally acquitted at the end of the process. Just before the Battle of Trafalgar, in which we will deepen in the next post, the history of the ship Santa Ana joins the captaincy of Alcalá Galiano between 1803 and 1804.

In the meantime, you can read more about the Santa Ana Line Ship Wooden Model (22905-N) and you can order it at this other link. Be amazed by its beauty and go ahead and build it!

Read the second part of the post…

Christmas is approaching. The dilemma begins. What present to give to the little ones? Technological products are almost a must in these times, but … And give traditional toys and games a chance? Artesania Latina has model kits for children over 8 years old so that they can play, build and develop their intellect without so much screen. The Art&Kids Collection is ideal for that even parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren share moments of fun and, most importantly, moments together. Our wooden model kits for children for building are expressly thought for the smallest of the house.

The wooden model kits for children older than 8 years are high quality and safe. Its assembly is very easy, so what better reason for parents and children to come together and spend personal moments together, as a family. In this way, they can establish their bonds through the game of building, of a common project at an early age. With moving parts to make boats, planes and other vehicles look more real! Next, we break down one by one which are the children’s models in the collection: ships, airplanes and other historical vehicles .

WOODEN MODEL KITS FOR CHILDREN +8: HISTORICAL SHIPS

Arouse the creativity and ingenuity of the little ones in the house with one of the model kits for children most coveted, the Pirate Ship. It is of pleasant construction and has a high quality components. This wooden model building kit includes child-safe moving parts, cotton sails, stickers, glues, paints and instructions on DVD for the computer. All for the fun of the boys. The scale model to build of the aforementioned ship has 65 parts and once completed it measures 12.8” (325 mm) long.

Another of the inescapable model kits for children +8 made by Artesania Latina is the requested Drakkar Viking Ship. It has, like the other modeling kits of this collection, moving parts, cotton sails, stickers, glues and safe paints suitable for the kids and step-by-step assembly on DVD format for Windows and Mac. It comes with 59 parts. Once it is built, it measures 10.55” (268) mm long.

The third boat that we present to you comes from the Nile, from Ancient Egypt. It is the ship model of the Cleopatra’s Egyptian Galley. The model kit comes with the same contents as the rest of the collection Art&Kids. It has 82 parts and it measures 10.62” (270 mm) long.

Currently, The last wooden scale model kit for children over 8 years from Historic Ships of Art&Kids Collection is another galley. This time, the Roman Ave Caesar. Its model can be built with the 69 parts included in the kit and once finished it measures 12” (305 mm) long.

MODEL KITS FOR CHILDREN +8: AIRPLANES AND MORE HISTORICAL VEHICLES

Not only boats consists of the fabulous collection Art&Kids model kits for children over eight years of age. Artesania Latina team has also thought about historical jewels of aviation such as fighters and four-wheelers such as the surfer van. Replicas of wooden airplanes and cars that delight the little ones… And also the oldest!

The first of the aviation artworks that we capture in a wooden modeling kit is the German triplane from World War I Fokker Dr I. Now children and parents can enjoy building the wooden model that belonged to Red Baron. Wheels and propeller are manually movable. The kit contains 43 parts and the finished model is 6.7” (170 mm) long.

The other essential aircraft for history, included in Art&Kids Collection of wooden model kits for children, is the British fighter from World War I Sopwith Camel. There are parts like engine propeller and wheels that you can move manually. Your scale model is assembled with the 47 parts that the kit brings. Once finished it measures 6.7” (170 mm) long.

The last model currently belonging to this collection of model kits for children +8 is the Hippie Van (Surfer’s Van). The one of all the life!
With laser-cut board sheets, so the shapes of the model are realistic and the assembly easy and pleasant. The roof of the model van is removable to allow access into the vehicle.

HEALTH AND MIND BENEFITS WITH ART&KIDS MODEL KITS FOR CHILDREN +8

Construction toys, such as our model kits for children Art&Kids, are very beneficial for the health and the mind of both children and adults. Firstly, this is so because their assembly increases motor skills and coordination of the hands and fingers. The future modeler, making use of her/his skill and precision, must place even very small parts. Scientific research also assures that vision improves because the children or adults who are assembling the model discard different shades of the same color. All this in regard to the physical terrain of the benefits of modeling for kids.

Secondly, because their logical reasoning is enriched since the child must assemble an exact copy of a wooden model. You have to plan in advance the stages of assembling the miniature replica and establish in what order to carry them out: logically, to place the masts, first you have to build the hull of the ship or to install the cabin, before the structure must be finished. Once the model is built after a lot of dedication, great self-esteem that the child gains and feels.

And thirdly, psychological terrain, it provides relaxation, serenity and concentration by working hard with detail. It is, in the case of the elderly, an unbeatable barrier against Alzheimer’s. It develops cognitive skills that facilitate analysis, comprehension, understanding the space in which one works, reading and mathematics… The wooden building models of Art&Kids Collection are the best gift for children this Christmas!

Tag: ships

Santa Ana Vessel History (I): The Pioneer Colossus of European Warships of Its Class