Chilean destroyer Aldea

(Redirected from Chilean destroyer Alden)

The third Aldea was a Serrano-class destroyer of the Chilean Navy in service from 1928 to 1967, but temporarily reactivated in 1973 to participate in the coup d'etat, where she and Captain Prat were used to secure Federico Santa María Technical University.[1] She was laid down in 1928 by Thornycroft, at Woolston, Hampshire, England. She was launched by Mrs. Berta Castro de Merino (mother of future admiral José Toribio Merino) in November 1928, and commissioned in July 1929.

Aldea at sea circa 1932
History
Chile
NameAldea
Ordered1928
BuilderJohn I. Thornycroft & Company
Laid down8 March 1928
Launched28 November 1928
Commissioned26 July 1929
Decommissioned21 June 1957
FateScrapped
General characteristics
Class and typeSerrano-class destroyer
Displacement
  • 1,090 long tons (1,107 t) standard
  • 1,430 long tons (1,453 t) full load
Length91.44 m (300 ft)
Beam8.84 m (29 ft)
Draught3.86 m (12 ft 8 in)
Propulsion
  • 3 × boilers
  • Parsons-type geared steam turbines
  • 2 shafts
  • 28,000 hp (20,880 kW)
Speed35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Complement130
Armament

Aldea was one of six vessels in its class to serve Chile. The class was ordered from the United Kingdom and delivered in 1928 and 1929. Like its sister ships Riquelme and Videla, it was also equipped for duties as a minesweeper. The vessels had a displacement of 1,430 long tons (1,453 t) at full load and were armed with three 4.7 in (120 mm)/45 and one 3 in (76 mm)/40 DP gun, as well as six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. The ships could make 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph), but their light build proved unsuitable for the harsh southern waters off Chile's coast.

References

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  1. ^ Francois, David (2018). Chile 1973, the Other 9/11: The Downfall of Salvador Allende. Helion Limited. p. 47. ISBN 9781912174959.
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