WesWorld

Interesting, while the French, British and Dutch and South African empires have evolved to have more local representation, Iberia seems to have maintained a firm central grip. Saying that the British and Dutch empires have no central representation in their parliamentary systems of overseas representatives and the governors remain the de facto controllers. At least the illusion of democracy is there...

October 1, 1945

With the impending completion of the battleship Saturno and the heavy cruiser El Oso, a number of older warships now face retirement.

The four Carlos V class battleships are the most prominent examples, with all four to be removed from service at the beginning of the new year. Sources indicate that the lead ship is to be handed over to a civilian trust for preservation as a museum ship, while the remaining three are to be disposed of. It is generally thought that the ships' age will deter prospective buyers and that they will be scrapped.

The armored cruiser Pinta is also due for immediate disposal. The ship has been on the market for several months but no interest has been expressed in her. She is expected to be scrapped next year.

Facing a somewhat unexpected public campaign against deletingg the armored cruiser El Cid, the Armada has cancelled plans to sell or scrap the aging ship. It is expected that she will, rather, be refitted to function as a training ship, which may include prolonged cruises to the Confederation's extended territories.

A number of older ocean-going gunboats are now also listed for disposal, and are likely to be scrapped.

Sources indicate that, while no decision has yet been made and no deletions are scheduled for 1946, senior officers are looking to retire some of the fleet's oldest light cruisers as additional units of the Espada Ropera class enter service. The Armada's light cruisers have been much-maligned in academic circles on account of their peculiar armaments, sometimes questionable armor schemes, and Cleito-related design decisions that led some types to be over-armed for their size.