Spanish Nationalists battleship Espana sunk by Spanish Republican aircraft according to the Dutch newspaper De Indische courant dated 1 May 1937

An item reported that Spanish government aircraft sunk the Spanish nationalistic 15.452 ton battleship Espana (1) on a distance of 4 miles from Cabomayor. Her crew was rescued by the Spanish nationalistic destroyer Velasco. A second item dated Santander, Spain 30^th April reported after the aircraft hit her ammunition magazine. An item dated Bilbao, Spain 30 April reported that she was hit by several bombs and sunk within 45 minutes. The Velasco tried to safe her officers but not the rest of her crew. The most of them were saved by fishermen from Santander while the Velasco fled. An item dated Paris, France 30^th April reported shat she was armed with 8-30,5cm guns and some smaller calibre guns, with a horsepower of 20.000 hp and a speed of 20.000 hp. Her crew numbered 854 men. Originally was she named Alfonso XIII but renamed Espana when the Republic was founded. An item dated Bilbao, Spain 30 April reported that she was sunk when aircraft supported the British cargo ship Knitsley which was attacked by the Velasco preventing her to enter a harbour. Harbour authorities of Santander requested for air support which came within short time and their bombs hit the aft ship of the Espana which disappeared immediately under water causing her capsizing.(2)

Notes

1. Of the Espana-class, laid down by Naval Dockyard, El Ferrol, Spain as the Alfonso XIII on 23 February 1910, launched on 7 May 1913, completed on 16 August 1915, renamed in 1931 and sunk on 30 April 1937.

2. Spanish Civil War between17 July 1936 and 1 April 1939 resulting in an end of the Second Spanish Republic.