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All Spain Cartagena Submarine Peral

Submarine Peral

The world's first electric battery-powered submarine.

Cartagena, Spain

Added By
Annetta Black
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  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sub...
Taken through a 4 inch hole in the side of the hull   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The Sala de Isaac Peral, new home for the sub.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Business end of the sub, the single torpedo tube was at the front   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Peral’s submarine in the Naval Museum   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Bust of Isaac Peral the inventor   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Submarine Peral   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
The Peral in its new home - November 2016   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Steps now allow a close up look at the conning tower   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Launched in September 1888, the Peral Submarine was a triumph of new technology, powered only by electricity.

Equipped with both a periscope for above water viewing and search light allowing crews to view the waters around them and the ocean floor, the Peral was also armed with a single torpedo tube. Although this marvel performed admirably, she only served two years, primarily testing the technology in underwater trials. The Peral was decommissioned in 1890.

In 1890 Peral was withdrawn from service, equipment removed with the hull eventually (in 1929) being put in store at the submarine base at Cartagena.

In 1965 the authorities of Cartagena succeeded in getting the hull moved to the Plaza de los Héroes de Cavite and apart for temporary removal to Seville for the World’s Fair in 1992 it remained there until 2002 .

In 2002 was moved to the Paseo Alfonso XII, in front of the port of Cartagena Over the years exposure to sun and water started to take its toll and in 2013 Peral was given a major restoration and on 12 Dec that year moved to a newly restored annex of the Naval Museum of Cartagena called the Sala de Isaac Peral a building which is provided with lots of natural light but yet gives protection from the elements that its previous site lacked. The Sala has new interpretation material in both Spanish and English and the exhibit can now be approached very closely with a set of steps on the starboard side to take the visitor level with the primitive conning tower. The submarine is illuminated inside and a tiny aperture allows a little peek or an interior shot from a small camera lens.

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Retro Tech

Know Before You Go

The Sala de Isaac Peral is immediately to the west of the main naval museum in a glass-faced building. Officially entrance to both the museum and the Sala are free but the requested three Euro donation is a bargain.

Community Contributors

Added By

Annetta Black

Edited By

Dr Alan P Newman, ssapping1, Luis Morato, Xavixavir

  • Dr Alan P Newman
  • ssapping1
  • Luis Morato
  • Xavixavir

Published

January 31, 2012

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peral_Submarine
  • http://www.histarmar.com.ar/InfGral/AASidoli/SubmarinoPeral.htm
Submarine Peral
Paseo Alfonso XII
Cartagena, 30203
Spain
37.60687, -0.981353
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Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cartagena

Cartagena

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Places 4

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Photo of Cartagena

Cartagena

Spain

Places 4

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