Spanish cruiser Velasco

Velasco was built as the lead ship of a new class of iron-hulled unprotected cruisers designed for colonial service in the Spanish Empire. The ships were barque-rigged, with three masts and a bowsprit, and had one rather tall funnel. Velasco and the next ship of the class, , both built in the United Kingdom, were differently armed and slightly faster than the final six ships of the class, all of which were built in Spain. Velasco and Gravina were the first Spanish warships to be painted white. In 1880, the Spanish government signed a contract for the construction of Velasco with the Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. of Leamouth, London, in the United Kingdom. Her keel was laid in 1881 and she was launched on 27 August 1881. After fitting out and completion, she was delivered to the Spanish Navy. ==Operational history==

1880s Velasco completed her delivery voyage to Spain with her arrival at Ferrol in March 1882. The Philippine Revolution, known to the Spanish as the "Tagalog Revolt," began on 23 August 1896 with an uprising on Luzon in which Philippine rebels seized control of the Arsenal of Cavite. She was so far from operational readiness that the Spaniards made made no effort to get her ready for war service. and lacking her guns, Velasco was unable to move or fire at the American ships and was sunk. During the battle, part of her crew served aboard the unprotected cruiser , which also was sunk. ==References==