Monday 3 January 2022

AdamC Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad Flawed Napoleonic "Death Star" 45 points (Ready)

 Some ships are truly legendary and the Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad usually called just the "Santisima Trinidad." 

Originally built as a 112 gun 3 deck ship of the line (First rate in English reckoning) in 1769. At some (possibly 1795) point she was increased to 130 or 136 or 140 guns.    The best information I can find on her armament is 3decks.org which says she had 136 guns and 4 swivel guns which no one would count as part of her rating. 

Her 4th Deck was actually just her spar-deck blanked over so it was flush allowing her to carry extra guns.  This gave her a few extra guns but also made her top-heavy and ponderous indeed one of her nicknames was: "El Ponderoso (another nick name was El Escorial de los mares royal palace of the sea... not a name that say "Battle Ready") 

She fought in the American helping capture 55 ships out of a 63 ship convoy defended by the Royal Navy.  


She faced the Royal Navy again in the Battle of Saint Vincent where she was forced strike but the English fail to take possession of her and two Spanish ships managed to rescue her.  She was not so lucky at Trafalgar where just ahead of the French Flagship she was a high priority target.  She was again dismasted and this time captured and then sank in the Trafalgar storm.   Her reputation as one of the "most powerful warships" is probably over blown.  

The French Ocean class was larger and with "only 120 guns" had  a broad side only slightly lighter than the Santisima Trinidad.  Her lack of Carronades meant that smaller British Ships of Line where much closer in strength than a simple count of guns would indicate. Still her massive size must must have made her an intimidating sight.  1st Rate ships of the line are 25 Points (or where last year) and the "no moon" add an extra 20 points. 

Great work on this gin palace Adam.  The Spanish navy had some fine ships and also some fine officers, but were sadly let down by their ministers and their choice of allies.  However if you do things early in the Revolutionary period you can ally the Brits and Spanish as they blockade Toulon.


22 comments:

  1. Gin Palace is a good description though since she was built in Cuba maybe Rum and Cigar palace fits better 😉

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  2. Loving that Adam! A great looking building

    Cheers
    Matt

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  3. A very nice ship Adam, what actual size she is?

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    1. She's 1/700 Scale about 6 inches long (including the bowsprit) a bit less than an inch wide and about 4 inches high.
      Pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/157946827746331/posts/1859570284250635/

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  4. You definitely come into your own when painting ships, Adam. Nice work! :)

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  5. Lovely build on some Napoleonic Naval classics 👍

    Regards KenR

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  6. Nicely done and makes me want to get my 35 yr old copy of Wooden Ships & Iron men out!

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  7. Splendid Spanish 1st rate,she looks lovely!
    Best Iain

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  8. Great work Adam, I used to have one of these in teeny tiny Tumbling Dice scale!

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  9. Another marvelous tall ship for your collection.

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