A suitable environment

The Basque coast enjoys practically all the natural resources needed for shipbuilding. Oak, abundantly available in local forests, was always the first choice as a raw material. The wood is sturdy and highly resistant to alternate exposure to water and air. Oak also provide the immense range of different straight and curved shapes needed to build a ship. High-quality iron ore from Bizkaia was processed in the many forges scattered along the sea coast. They were powered by the force of the rivers and fired by the charcoal produced in the extensive forests. The combination of iron ore, energy and fuel led to the development of a burgeoning steel industry, founded to a great extent on shipbuilding. 60. The mountainous geography of the Basque Country led to the growth of a wide variety of different tree species on the hillsides. As well as the abundant oaks –the wood most often used in the shipyards– other species such as beech, chestnut, ash, walnut, fir and holly were also used to make oars, pulleys, masts, etc. 61. From the eighteenth century on, the beech and fir woods of Irati provided excellent materials for shipbuilding. The huge firs were used to make masts for the frigates and ships-of-the-line of the royal, shipyards and the beeches supplied material for making oars.

The mountainous geography of the Basque Country led to the growth of a wide variety of different tree species on the hillsides. As well as the abundant oaks -the wood most often used in the shipyards- other species such as beech, chestnut, ash, walnut, fir and holly were also used to make oars, pulleys, masts, etc. © José Lopez

Rivers. The heavy rainfall and steep hillsides of the region helped power the water mills needed to drive the hammers and bellows in the forges. © José Lopez

Charcoal. The pieces for the ships were smoothed out in the forests. This process produced large quantities of wood, which was used to make charcoal, essential for firing the furnaces of the forges. © José Lopez

Agorregi Forge. The iron ore mined in the Basque Country could be processed industrially in local forges thanks to the abundant availability of water power and charcoal. Iron production, which has close ties with shipping, has played a central role in the Basque economy for centuries. © José Lopez

From the eighteenth century on, the beech and fir woods of Irati provided excellent materials for shipbuilding. The huge firs were used to make masts for the frigates and ships-of-the-line of the royal shipyards and the beeches supplied material for making oars. © José Lopez

Beech trees are long and straight, making them ideal for building keels. Although beech wood does not withstand alternating exposure to water and air well, this did not pose a problem in the case of the keels, which remained underwater at all times. © José Lopez

Pruned oak. Cattle grazing in the forests destroyed shoots and saplings. The result was an unusual way of managing woodland. The trees were pruned to a certain height, so that the cattle could not reach the young branches that would replace those recently cut off. The young branches were trained into the shapes the shipbuilders required. © José Lopez

Cultivated oaks. All parts of the oak could in making the different parts used to build a ship. © José Lopez

Cultivated oaks. © José Lopez

Ironworkers at the Mirandaola forge in Legazpi. © José Lopez

Many of the products manufactured in the forges were used to meet the demand for ships' nails, anchors and guns. © José Lopez