-The cruisers of the La Cruz-class, La Cruz and San Juan del Norte, where the topic of extensive debate among the admiralty and political figures of the time. They were far larger and manpower-intensive than anything yet built for the navy, and would be the most powerful steam-and-sail ships in all of Central America, being on par with even the vessels of the USA. Eventually, the funding for both was provided due to the fear of civil war in both Honduras and the United States, and they were ordered from John Laird and Sons in England. The facilities for handling them were also funded by the same emergency spending increase, which included the expansion of the dockyard at Puerto Cabezas (received 2 new steam cranes as well as an additional drydock for handling the new ships) and the construction of an entirely new base and dockyard at San Juan del Sur on the West Coast. They were ordered in 1859, laid down the same year, and completed and commissioned in 1861.
-The ships were nearly 80 meters long overall, from their stern to the tip of the bowsprit. They were typical British steam-and-sail vessels, with two tall, swept-back masts, smooth lines, and a central funnel. However, she did incorporate some new, interesting features, including the addition of an armored conning tower just forward of the foremast, for the purpose of housing an admiral and his command staff during a fleet action.
-As for propulsion, they had 6 rectangular coal-fired boilers powering 2 x trunk-type steam engines. The engines were manufactured by John Penn and Company, who were already contracted for the engines to be fitted on HMS Warrior. The machinery bid was close, with the Penn Company narrowly winning out over the Maudslay Company after a lengthy decision process. Top speed of 15 knots under sail and steam, 7 under steam only, and 9 under sail. The screw was fixed, and could not be raised. There was a clutch system to engage and disengage it, and it turned freely when not in use.
-The armament fitted to both vessels was of typical British fashion as well, and very reminiscent of the follow-on ship built by the same company, the CSS Alabama (Ironically, Alabama would be the ships only foe in a battle). The broadside armament was originally composed of 8 x 32-pounder naval smooth-bores, while the bow and stern swivel guns were of the 40-pounder Armstrong rifled breech-loading type. The bulwarks could collapse to either side of the swivel guns to allow them a wide firing arc to either side of the vessel. The 32-pounder smooth-bores were replaced by 20-pounder rifled Parrott muzzle-loaders in 1873, while the swivel guns were left in their original positions.
-The vessels entered service in 1861, when they finished fitting out, which was a long and drawn-out task because of the quick building time and several minor flaws that needed rectification. Deployed with the Pacific fleet, they were tasked in 1862 with finding the raider Alabama. They sighted her off the coast of Java on 12 December, 1863. The commander gave the signal for both ships to raise steam, as they were anchored in the straights of Malacca. They gave chase to the Alabama, which raised its sails and gone to full steam, and was now moving away to North-Northwest at a speed of 12 knots. The ships, after 5 minutes of raising steam, had reached a speed of 9 knots, and where closing in on the raider. La Cruz moved to her port side, having now achieved a combined speed of 14 knots, while the Alabama was making 13, which was her maximum speed. They came within firing range, and the order was given to run out the guns. The Alabama fired both her swivel guns, a 68-pounder and a 110-pounder. The 110-pounder shell slammed into La Cruz's after section, partially disabling her steering gear. Her captain dropped speed to assess the damage. Meanwhile, her forward Armstrong gun fired at the Alabama, hitting her stern gallery and causing a fire from an oil lamp that was promptly doused by the crew. By now, San Juan had closed the gap and begun firing. Two 24-pound shells hit the Alabama, disabling two of her broadside guns. However, Alabama now fired her aft swivel gun at San Juan. The shot slammed into her side, and penetrated a steam pipe connecting two of the boilers. The pipe burst, killing two crewmen. San Juan dropped to 7 knots speed from the serious loss of steam. La Cruz had built up steam and cruised at 9 knots back into the fight. She fired a 32-pound gun at the Alabama, but at extreme range the shot fell short. Alabama escaped and headed back to the Indian Ocean, away from the two vessels. They were returned to the Potosi Yard for repairs, and served the rest of the war in coast patrol duty. Re-armed in 1873, they served until 1880, when they were scrapped in favor of all-iron ships.