The ship was launched in 1927 and began its maiden voyage in 1928. It belonged to the Spanish Navy, made ten voyages around the world (not around Cape Horn , but via the Panama Canal or the Magellan Strait ) and 76 training voyages (status: end of 2004). It took and still takes part in many international sailing meetings. Currently is the world's largest yacht with schooner rigging (because of Fockrahtopps not a pure Gaffelschoner ) and after Sedov and Kruzenshtern (not counting cruise ships), the third largest sailing ship in the world going. His Majesty King Juan Carlos I was on board the ship with the Queen on October 26th and 27th, 2003.
Blanca, Almansa, Asturias, Náutilus (named after four earlier Spanish sailing training ships (three-masted ships)).
The construction plans of the Juan Sebastián de Elcano were used again to build the sister ship Esmeralda as the second Spanish sailing training ship. After financial and political problems, the Esmeralda eventually became a Chilean training ship.