ARA La Argentina

The ARA "La Argentina" was a light cruiser, designed for training naval cadets, built for the Argentine Navy. The ship was authorised in 1934, and the contract was put out to tender in 1935, being won by the British company Vickers-Armstrongs at a cost of 6 million gold Pesos.

"La Argentina" was built in Barrow in Furness, England. She was laid down on 11 January 1936, launched 16 March 1937 and not completed until 31 January 1939, being delayed by the British re-armament programme. She was decommissioned in 1974 and scrapped.

Design

The design was based on British practice, being modified to meet the requirements of the Argentinians for a training ship with 60 cadets. This ship was an enlarged version of the "Arethusa" class, armed with triple turrets.

ervice

The ship sailed from Britain in February 1939 and arrived at La Plata on 2 March, being commissioned on 12 April 1939. She made several training cruises before the war but was placed in the active squadron to maintain Argentine neutrality. After the war she made many training cruises before retiring in 1972.

References

* M.J. Whitley, "Cruisers of World War Two", 1995, Arms and Armour Press ISBN 1-86019-874-0
* [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aj.cashmore/argentina/cruisers/laargentina/index.html Warships on the web]