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ARA Moreno
History
 Argentine Navy
NameARA Moreno
Builderlist error: <br /> list (help)
New York Shipbuilding
Camden, New Jersey
Laid down9 July 1910
Launched23 September 1911
AcquiredMarch 1915
FateSold to Japan for scrapping in 1956, scrapped later
General characteristics
Class and typeRivadavia class battleship
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
27,940 tons normal,
30,600 tons full load
Lengthlist error: <br /> list (help)
176.02 metres (577.5 ft) waterline,
178.31 metres (585.0 ft) over all
Beam28.96 metres (95.0 ft)
Draught8.53 metres (28.0 ft) max. load
PropulsionCurtis geared turbines; 3 screws, 18 Babcock boilers, 45,000 shp
Speed23 knots (43 km/h)
Rangelist error: <br /> list (help)
3,950 miles (6,360 km) at 23 knots (43 km/h),
8,500 miles (13,700 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h)
Complement1215
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
12 x 12 inch, 50 cal. guns,
12 x 6 inch, 50 cal. guns,
4 x 3 inch AA guns,
4 x 3 pdr. guns,
6 x machine guns (4 landing),
2 x 21 inch torpedo tubes (submerged)
Armourlist error: <br /> list (help)
Belt (amidships): 11-8 inch,
Belt (bow): 5 inch,
Belt (stern): 4 inch,
Deck (slopes): 3 inch,
Side above belt: 9-8 inch,
Big gun turrets: 12-9 inch,
Secondary battery: 6 inch,
Conning tower (forward): 12 inch

ARA Moreno[N 1] was a dreadnought battleship built for the Armada de la República Argentina in the early 1910s. She was named after Mariano Moreno, a key member of the Primera Junta, and she was the second of two Rivadavia-class battleships; her sister was Rivadavia Moreno was launched on 23 September 1911 and completed in March 1915. A multitude of rumors regarding whether Argentina was going to sell Rivadavia and Moreno to one of the belligerent countries then fighting in the First World War were spread, but both were delivered and kept. This followed a series of mishaps and Moreno underwent an extensive refit in the United States in 1924––25. The 1930s were occupied with diplomatic cruises to Brazil, Uruguay, and Europe. As Argentina was neutral in the Second World War, Moreno was employed little in those years. Decommissioned in 1949, she was sold for scrapping in February 1956. After a 96-day tow—which was then a world record—Moreno was scrapped in Japan.

Background

In 1902, territorial disputes between Argentina and Chile over the boundary of Patagonia and control of the Beagle Channel were settled via British mediation. Provisions in the treaty which ended the dispute imposed restrictions on the navies of both countries. The British Royal Navy bought two pre-dreadnought battleships that were being built for Chile, and Argentina sold two of its cruisers, then under construction in Italy, to Japan.[1]

After the commissioning of HMS Dreadnought, Brazil decided in early 1907 to halt three now-outmoded pre-dreadnoughts which were then under construction in favor of two or three dreadnoughts.[2][3] These ships, which were designed to carry the heaviest armament in the world at the time,[4] and were described as "the last word in heavy battleship design" by Scientific American,[5] came as an abrupt shock to the Argentine navy.[2] Historian Robert Schenia commented that they "outclassed the entire [elderly] Argentinian fleet."[6] Although debates raged over whether it would be prudent to acquire dreadnoughts, which would cost upwards of two million pounds sterling (158 million sterling in 2008 terms), to counter Brazil's purchase, more border disputes with Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil decided the matter.[7]

Construction and trials

Moreno's keel was laid on 9 July 1910 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey. After the completion of the hull, she was launched on 23 September 1911. Isabel Betbeder, wife to the chief of the Argentine Naval Commission—which was overseeing the Rivadavia class' construction—sponsored Moreno. 13 short tons (12 long tons; 12 t) of tallow were needed to grease the slipways for the launch. The ship was then moored to a dock to commence fitting out,[8] which was finished on 15 February.[9]

Over the course of their construction, Rivadavia and Moreno were the subject of various rumors insinuating that Argentina would accept the ships and then sell them to one of the European governments or even Japan, a fast-growing rival to the United States.[10] In fact, the rumors were partially true; Argentina was looking to get rid of the battleships and devote the money gained to opening more schools. This angered the American government, as the ships had been built with the latest advances in American warship technology—yet they did not want to exercise a contract-specified option that gave the United States first choice if the Argentinians decided to sell, as naval technology had already progressed past the Rivadavias, particularly in the adoption of the "all-or-nothing" armor scheme. Instead, the United States, backed in its efforts by the State and Navy Departments, put diplomatic pressure on the Argentine government.[11]

The Argentine government, bolstered by socialist gains in the legislature, refused to back down. No less than three bills proposing the sale of the battleships were introduced in May 1914, but all were defeated by late June. The beginning of the First World War reopened these rumors. The German and British ambassadors both complained to the United States' Department of State; the former believed that the British were going to be given the ships as soon as the reached Argentina, and the latter charged the United States with ensuring that the ships did not fall into anyone else's possession but Argentina. International armament companies attempted to influence Argentina into selling them to one of the smaller Balkan countries, from which they would find their way into the war on someone's side.[12][N 2] In October 1914, Moreno sailed to New York where she was painted in the New York Naval Shipyard. With this finished on the 24th, Moreno went out to conduct her sea trials starting on the 25th. Reporters for newspapers, including The New York Times, and American naval officers were allowed on board during this time; the Times reporters gave a glowing account of the alcohol-serving café on the ship, calling it "the cutest little bar on any of the seven seas." For the United States, this was an unheard-of feature, as alcohol had been banned on US Navy ships.[14]

The trials were plagued with serious engine trouble, culminating with the failure of an entire turbine on 2 November. Moreno was forced to put in at Rockland, Maine—where many of the observers on board were left to be brought back by train to Camden—before proceeding to the Fore River Shipyard in Massachusetts for repairs. Fore River was utilized because that company built the engines that were installed in the ship.[15]

In early 1915, nearly five years after construction began, a major row erupted between the Argentine government and the shipbuilding contractors. The latter wanted to be paid for additional work they had done, but the Argentines did not believe this was warranted, as Moreno had been scheduled to be completed more than a year prior. With mediating assistance from Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy at the time, Moreno was given to waiting Argentine sailors, who had been staying in American battleships moored in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, on 20 February. The dispute was handled by arbitration.[16][17][18]

Even Moreno's departure was marked by mishaps. On the night of 26 March, Moreno accidentally rammed and sunk the barge Enterprise when she was on the Delaware River, 30 miles (48 km) south of Philadelphia near the city of New Castle. No one was hurt, but the battleship was accidentally run aground immediately thereafter. Efforts to refloat her succeeded, and Moreno continued on her way at around 7:30 the next morning without damage.[19]

On the 29th, President Woodrow Wilson was hosted for lunch onboard the warship, accompanied by the Argentine ambassador to the United States, Romulo S. Naon.[20] On 15 April, Moreno ran aground in the river again, this time near Reedy Island. Like the previous time, she was not damaged and tugs were able to refloat the ship the next day.[21][22]

Service

Moreno docked in Argentina for the first time on 26 May 1915.[N 3] She was immediately assigned to the Argentine Navy's First Division, based out the major naval base of Puerto Belgrano, where she remained until 1923, when she was put into the reserve fleet. In 1924, Moreno was sent to the United States for a major modernization. The opportunity to show the flag was not missed, as Moreno made stops in Valparaiso and Callao before transiting the Panama Canal and sailing north. Most of the work was done in Philadelphia, though armament changes were made in Boston. When she returned to Argentina in August 1926, Moreno was assigned to the training division of the Navy. She was then reassigned to the 1st Division sometime after the training division was abolished in 1928, and in 1932 she was moved into the new Battleship Division with Rivadavia.[24]

The remainder of the 1930s was filled with diplomatic cruises.[24] In 1933, Moreno—escorted by the three Mendoza-class destroyers—brought Argentine president Agustín Pedro Justo to Brazil for a major diplomatic visit.[24][25] Departing in the afternoon of 2 October, he arrived in Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 7 October to huge celebrations. Brazilian ships of the first and second squadrons along with three squadrons' worth of warplanes met Moreno at sea and escorted her to the harbor. When Justo landed and traveled by car to Guanabra Palace, the road was flanked by a plethora of army and naval forces along with thousands of citizens. Rio was described as "ablaze with light," and a 95 feet (29 m)-high imitation of France's Arc de Triomphe was erected, onto which various colors were projected.[26] Justo then took a royal train, originally designed for Albert I of Belgium's use during Brazil's 1922 centennial celebrations, to Sao Paulo. After three days, he traveled to Santos, where he boarded Moreno to travel to first Uruguay, then back to Argentina; he arrived in the latter on 22 October.[24][27]

In 1934, Moreno was sent as one of Argentina's representatives for the anniversary of Brazil's independence. In 1937, Rivadavia and Moreno were sent on a diplomatic cruise to Europe. Departing Argentina on 6 April, they split up when they reached the English Channel.[28] Moreno participated in the British Spithead Naval Review, where The New York Times described her as "a strange vestigial sea monster in this company of more modern fighting ships."[29] After, Moreno sailed to Brest, France to meet up with Rivadavia, from which they cruised to Wilhelmshaven before splitting paths again; Moreno went to Bremen, while Rivadavia put in at Hamburg. They then sailed for home and arrived in Puerto Belgrano on 29 June.[28]

In November 1939, Moreno and Rivadavia traveled together to Brazil with naval cadets. However, before they could return, four Buenos Aires-class destroyers had to be sent to escort the ships back, as the Second World War had erupted in Europe. As Argentina remained neutral in the war, Moreno was utilized little. By 1949, she had been decommissioned into reserve and was used as an barracks ship. In 1955, during the Revolución Libertadora, Moreno was used as a prison ship. Also during this time, Moreno's crew was reduced to the bare minimum. On 1 October 1956, the ship was stricken from the navy list; on 11 January 1957, Argentina sold the old warship to scrappers for $2,468,660. Five months later (12 May), the Argentine fleet assembled to salute Moreno one last time as she was towed out by the Dutch-owned ocean tugs Clyde and Ocean. Moreno was taken through the Panama Canal to Japan's Yawata Iron and Steel Company, where they arrived on 17 August; the tow lasted 96 days, which was a world record at the time.[24][30]

Notes

  1. ^ "ARA" is an acronym for Armada de la República Argentina
  2. ^ The specific example given in Livermore, footnote 106, is that a "group of French bankers, on behalf of the Russian government, were offering in gold twice the contract price of the ships, which were to be turned over to Greece."[13] Turning over the ships was likely meant as a way around the United States' neutrality rules.
  3. ^ Whitley explains the delay between completion and arrival dates by noting that Moreno was "diverted to attend the ceremonies marking the opening of the Panama Canal and an international [naval] review in Hampton Roads, [Virginia],"[9] but a related New York Times article reveals that Moreno was not a participant.[23]

References

  1. ^ Hore, Battleships of World War I, 91.
  2. ^ a b Whitley, Battleships of World War II, 24.
  3. ^ Paulo de Oliveira Ribeiro, Os Dreadnoughts Da Marinha Do Brasil: Minas Geraes e São Paulo Template:Pt icon, Poder Naval Online, accessed 16 April 2009.
  4. ^ "Germany may buy English warships," The New York Times, 1 August 1908, C8.
  5. ^ "The Brazilian Battleship "Minas Geraes"," Scientific American 102, (19 March 1910): 240–241. ISSN 0036-8733.
  6. ^ Schenia, "Argentina," 400.
  7. ^ Schenia, "Argentina," 401.
  8. ^ "Moreno Launched For Argentine Navy," The New York Times, 24 September 1911, 12.
  9. ^ a b Whitley, Battleships of World War II, 21.
  10. ^ "Germany Will Buy Two Battleships," Toronto World, 10 August 1914, 12.
  11. ^ Livermore, "Battleship Diplomacy," 45–46
  12. ^ Livermore, "Battleship Diplomacy," 46–47
  13. ^ Livermore, "Battleship Diplomacy," 47
  14. ^ "Argentine Ship No Dry Territory," The New York Times, 26 October 1914, 11.
  15. ^ "New Battleship Disabled," The New York Times, 3 November 1914, 18.
  16. ^ "Dispute over Warship," The New York Times, 18 February 1915, 9.
  17. ^ "Dreadnought Row Ended," The New York Times, 21 February 1915, 1.
  18. ^ "[No Title]," The New York Times, 21 February 1915, 1.
  19. ^ "Battleship Sinks Barge," The New York Times, 28 March 1915, 5.
  20. ^ "President Predicts Union of Americas," The New York Times, 30 March 1915, 4.
  21. ^ "The Moreno Again Ashore," 16 April 1915, 8.
  22. ^ "Argentine Ship Afloat," The New York Times, 17 April 1915, 6.
  23. ^ "City To Welcome Fleet Today," The New York Times, 8 May 1915, 13.
  24. ^ a b c d e Whitley, Battleships of World War II, 22.
  25. ^ "Justo Off to Brazil on Oct. 7," The New York Times, 21 September 1933, 11.
  26. ^ "Brazil Welcomes Head of Argentina," The New York Times, 8 October 1933, 18.
  27. ^ "Justo Off for Sao Paulo," The New York Times, 12 October 1933, 9.
  28. ^ a b Whitley, Battleships of World War II, 21–22.
  29. ^ Hanson Baldwin, "158 Warships Boom Salute to George in Spithead Review," The New York Times, 21 May 1937, 1 and 9.
  30. ^ "96 Day Tow," The New York Times, 18 August 1957, 61.

Bibliography

  • Livermore, Seward W. "Battleship Diplomacy in South America: 1905–1925." The Journal of Modern History 16: no. 1 (1944), 31–44. JSTOR 1870986. ISSN 0022-2801. OCLC 62219150.
  • Schenia, Robert L. "Argentina" in Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships: 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1984. ISBN 0870219073. OCLC 12119866.
  • Whitley, M.J. Battleships of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1998. ISBN 155750184X. OCLC 40834665.


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