Servir en la marina de Aranjuez en el Siglo XVIII: un destino deseado = Serving in the Navy in Aranjuez in the 18th Century: A Desirable Destination

Desde mediados del siglo XVIII, la navegación de recreo por el Tajo fue una de las diversiones primaverales de la corte durante las «jornadas» de Aranjuez. Allí se construyeron varias embarcaciones con lujoso empavesado para el recreo de la familia real, y otras auxiliares. Anualmente para su cuidado y equipamiento, y para la periódica limpieza del cauce del Tajo, desde  el departamento naval de Cartagena se enviaron efectos y pertrechos, un número variable de hombres de marinería y de maestranza (carpinteros de ribera y calafates), y unos pocos de las brigadas de artillería. Este destino en las llamadas «jornadas» fue muy apetecible, por llevadero y bien retribuido en comparación con la dura prestación militar en la Armada. Por tal motivo, en general un mismo personal eventual sirvió en Aranjuez varios años, siendo un mérito que facilitaba su promoción profesional y la de sus hijos. Abstract From the middle of the 18th century, royal recreational navigation on the Tagus River, known as the «jornadas» of Aranjuez, was one of the court’s springtime leisure activities.  At the same place they were built several ships as auxiliary vessels; these were decorated and dressed luxuriously for the entertainment of the royal family. The naval department of Cartagena was responsible for the care and equipment of the ships and carried out regular cleaning of the Tagus riverbed, an operation which took place every year. They would sent fixtures and fittings, and assign a number of seamen and skilled workers (carpenters and specialists in caulking), and a few personnel from the artillery brigades; the number of staff would vary accordingly. This work destination, so-called «jornadas», was very attractive being less demanding and better paid than the hard military work in the Armada. For this reason, as a general rule, the same personnel served in Aranjuez for several years, this was considered a privilege since it enabled their professional advancement and that of their children.