In 1922, a project was created with the assistance of the British company Armstrong to build new cruisers for the needs of the Spanish Navy. The project was based on the British E-class cruisers and incorporated the experience gained during World War I. The Spanish cruisers differed from their prototype by the location of their propulsion plants. At the beginning of the Civil War, a fight sparked off on board Almirante Cervera as the Republicans tried and failed to take the ship out of port, and the ship fell into the hands of Franco's side. The cruiser took part in the blockade of the coast, supported troop advances with covering fire, escorted convoys, and participated in the Battle of Cape Palos.