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SANTISIMA TRINIDAD ship model

Santisima Trinidad was a Spanish first-rate ship of the line and was the largest warship in the world when launched on March 2, 1769 in Havana. She had 136 guns (plus 4 small guns on the poop) -- the most guns of any ship of the line outfitted in the Age of Sail.

Santisima Trinidad was the only four-decker ship ever built. Her guns and her growing red color scared away enemy ships who only dared to come attack her in pack. This celebrated gigantic first-rate Spanish ship remained the world's biggest warship during her long 36 years of service. 



In 1779, when Spain joined France to declared war on England in support of the American War of Independence, Santisima Trinidad was selected to be the flagship in the Franco-Spanish operations in the English Channel. One year later, she led the fleet to capture an English convoy of 51 ships.

In 1797, at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, Santisima Trinidad first engaged with the two 74-gun British ships Culloden and Captain (commanded by Commodore Nelson.) Unable to sustain the massive Spanish ship's powerful gun blasts, the two British ships signaled for help. Santisima Trinidad was then surrounded and bombarded simultaneously by Blenheim, 90, Orion, 74, Irresistable, 74, and Excellent, 74. She fought valiantly until all masts were collapsed and half of her crew disabled. When the British tried to capture her, she was saved by the Pelayo, 74 and Principe de Asturias, 112.



Eight years later, Santisima Trinidad took part in the famous Battle of Trafalgar. The mightiest ship in the world was positioned immediately ahead of the French flagship Bucentaure. Determined to bring down the dangerous giant, the British ships made her a target for concentrated attack. Almost at the beginning of the battle, Santisima Trinidad engaged with Leviatan, 74,  Africa, 64, Neptune, 98, and Conqueror, 74. 310 guns against 140!

Santisima Trinidad fought to tie up four enemy ships for a long time. And although all the masts, spars and yards was dismantled, the gigantic ship still did not give up. Her guns continued to roar relentlessly until her collapsed sails covered and rendered the guns useless. Until then no enemy ships dared to come close to board her. 

The huge ship remained without moving. Her crew suffered more than 600 casualties, including Rear Admiral Cisneros. In the end, she was captured by the Neptune. The great ship sank in a storm the day after the battle while being towed by the Prince to Gibraltar to exhibit as a trophy.