José Ferrándiz y Niño

Who was José Ferrándiz y Niño?

José Ferrándiz y Niño was a Spanish soldier and politician who became a vicealmirante in the Spanish Navy. He was born in Seville and died in Madrid.

He was teacher in the Floating Naval School in Ferrol. He was part of Rear Admiral Manuel De La Camara’s squadron when it was sent to Philippines during the Spanish-American War; the squadron was detained in Port Said, after a dispute with Egypt over permission to coal, and never reached its destination.

He reached the rank of capitán de navío in 1903, when he was appointed Minister of the Navy during Antonio Maura’s first government. He was in office again from 1907 to 1909. During this time, he enacted the law 7 January 1908 for the building of a new squadron after the disastrous results of the Spanish-American War. Known as Ferrandiz’s Law, this authorized:

3 España-class battleships of 15,700 tons each

3 Bustamante-class destroyers of 350 tons each

4 Recalde-class gunboats of 800 tons each

24 T-1-class torpedo boats of 180 tons each