The rebels at Ferrol, Galicia, had been able to seize the city's naval base in July 1936, but at a large cost: over 30 mutinous officers had been shot dead by hundreds of sailors loyal to the Republic.

In September, a small squadron, including Almirante Cervera and Canarias, steamed from Ferrol to engage the Republican navy.

The main guns of Canarias found their mark at a range of 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) with their second salvo, while those of Almirante Cervera performed poorly.

Almirante Ferrándiz, having been hit six times, blew up and sank 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) south of Calaburras.

Thirty-one seamen from Almirante Ferrándiz were rescued by Canarias, while the French liner Koutubia picked up another 26, including her commander, José Luis Barbastro Jiménez.