Descubierta and Atrevida
The Descubierta and Atrevida were twin corvettes of the Spanish Navy, custom-designed as identical special exploration and scientific research vessels. They were built at the same time for the Malaspina Expedition. Under the command of Alejandro Malaspina (Descubierta) and José de Bustamante y Guerra (Atrevida) the two vessels sailed from Spain to the Pacific Ocean, conducting a thorough examination of the internal politics of the American Spanish Empire and the Philippines. They explored the coast of Alaska and worked to reinforce Spain's claim to the Pacific Northwest in the aftermath of the Nootka Crisis. After crossing the Pacific Ocean, the colonial government in the Philippines was examined. Exploration and diplomatic reconnaissance followed, with stops in Qing dynasty-era China, New Zealand, Australia, and Tonga.
The corvettes Descubierta and Atrevida; drawing by Fernando Brambila. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Spain | |
| Name | Descubierta and Atrevida |
| Builder | Tómas Muñoz, La Carraca shipyard, Cadiz |
| Launched | 8 April 1789 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | corvette |
| Tons burthen | 306 toneladas |
| Length | 33.3 m (109 ft) |
| Beam | 8.7 m (29 ft) |
| Depth of hold | 4.3 m (14 ft) |
| Propulsion | Sail (three masts, ship rig) |
| Complement | 104 |
| Armament | 14 × 6 pounds (2.7 kg) cannons, 2 × 4 pounds (1.8 kg) cannons |
Under Malaspina's supervision and according to his specifications the Descubierta and Atrevida were constructed at the La Carraca shipyard in Cadiz by the shipbuilder Tómas Muñoz . Both vessels were 33.3 m (109 ft) long with a beam of 8.7 m (29 ft), a depth of hold of 4.3 m (14 ft), and a tonnage of 306 toneladas. The complement of both the Descubierta and the Atrevida was 104. Their armament consisted of fourteen 6-pounder and two 4-pounder cannons. They were launched together on 8 April 1789.