The Brazilian Imperial Navy

Marinha Do Brazil 1822-1889

Introduction: The Imperial Navy

In the 19th century, the Brazilian Navy played a pivotal role in the nation’s political, economic, and military history, particularly as Brazil transitioned from a Portuguese colony to an independent empire and eventually into a republic. The first period was the Independence and Nation Formation in (1822–1830s), creating its own navy from the remnants of the Portuguese Royal Navy stationed there after the transfer of the Portuguese Court to Rio de Janeiro in 1808.
When Brazil declared independence from Portugal in 1822, the Marinha became instrumental in securing the country’s coastline and suppressing pro-Portuguese uprisings in provinces like Bahia, Maranhão, and Pará. It was also led by famous officers such Thomas Cochrane, instrumental in defeating Portuguese forces.


The Pedro I ship that took part in the Brazilian War of Independence.

During the consolidation of the Empire in the 1830s–1850s, the Navy was critical in maintaining territorial integrity, in the Regency Period (1831–1840) and internal conflicts such as the Cabanagem and Farroupilha Revolts. It also played a role in safeguarding the Empire’s vast coastline and shipping lanes against piracy and foreign threats.

For what we are concerned, the Navy was modernize enough to face the Paraguayan War (1864–1870) as the Navy’s most significant engagement in the 19th century. The Brazilian Navy was pivotal in defeating Paraguayan forces on rivers like the Paraguay and Paraná, enabling advances into Paraguayan territory.


Brazilian Navy and Argentine Navy in the naval battle of Punta Colares.

The Battle of Riachuelo (1865) remained a decisive naval engagement where the Brazilian fleet, under Admiral Francisco Manoel Barroso, secured control of critical waterways. It cemented its place dear to the core of today’s Marihna, an history well known by all sailors.
There was later a phase of modernization and Growth from the 1870s to 1890, acquiring ironclads, steamships, and other advanced vessels from Europe, shifting from wooden sailing vessel to steam-powered iron-hulled warships.


Ironclad Brazil 1864

The Republican Transition in 1889 saw the Navy supporting the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic in 1889, transitioning from its monarchic roots to a new republican government. Technological Shifts occurred even before the Paraguayan War but after it, the Marinha starting incorporating modern ironclads and turreted warships, following global trends and discard its last Sailing Frigates for Steam Corvettes and Gunboats to patrol rivers and coastal areas as well as a high seas battle fleet with the Ironclads already deployed during the Paraguayan War, and those after, such as the 1883-85 Riachuleo and Aquidaban which prompted the United States to enquire about its naval relevance after the gradual declined of the “old navy”.


Training of the fleet in 1870

Naval Brazilian Bases were established in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Pernambuco, commanding key points on the coastline and covering its strategic needs.
Brazil however faced challenges of manpower, struggling with recruitment and training, and for a while, relying heavily on foreign officers and sailors, particularly from Britain. The other issue was political instability with Frequent civil wars and political upheavals which hindered consistent investment and reforms. And there was the question of Budget Constraints as the Navy often competed with the Army for funding, especially during economic downturns.
This was, in a nutshell, the essentials of the Brazilian Imperial Navy.

Summary

Until the Paraguaian War (1830-1864)

  • Barrozo class (1864)
  • Brasil (1864)
  • Tamandare (1865)
  • Lima Barros (1865)
  • Rio de Janeiro (1865)
  • Silvado (1866)
  • Mariz E Barros class (1866)
  • Carbal class (1866)
  • Wooden Corvette Nitcheroy (1862)
  • Wooden Corvette Vital de oliveira (1867)

After the Paraguaian War (1870-89)


1884 Cruiser Imperial Marinheiro

  • Siete de Setembro class (1874)
  • Javary class coast defence turret ships (1874)
  • Riachuleo class (1883)
  • Wooden sloop Trajano (1873)
  • Wooden corvette Guanabara (1877)
  • Wooden sloop Panahyba (1878)
  • Iron Sloop Primeiro de Marco (1881)
  • Composite Corvette Almirante Barrozo (1882)
  • Frigate Imperial Marinheiro (1884)

Towards 1900

The 1864 Brazilian Navy

(To come)

brazil Barrozo class (1864)

brazil Brasil (1864)

brazil Tamandare (1865)

brazil Lima Barros (1865)

brazil Rio de Janeiro (1865)

brazil Silvado (1866)

brazil Mariz E Barros class (1866)

brazil Carbal class (1866)

brazil Wooden Corvette Nitcheroy (1862)

brazil Wooden Corvette Vital de oliveira (1867)

The 1880 Brazilian Navy

(To come)

brazil Siete de Setembro class (1874)

brazil Javary class coast defence turret ships (1874)

brazil Riachuleo class (1883)

brazil Wooden sloop Trajano (1873)

brazil Wooden corvette Guanabara (1877)

brazil Wooden sloop Panahyba (1878)

brazil Iron Sloop Primeiro de Marco (1881)

brazil Composite Corvette Almirante Barrozo (1882)

brazil Frigate Imperial Marinheiro (1884)

The 1890 Brazilian Navy


Aquidaba in 1892-94, as colorized by irootoko Jr. The two ironclads shook up the lethargy of US Naval programs. Indeed for a time, the Brazilian Navy was the most powerful fleet in the Western Hemisphere. It was the world’s fifth in 1870 as well.

brazil Marshal Deodoro class coat defence battleships (1898)

brazil Cruiser Benjamin Constant (1890)

brazil Cruiser Alm. Tamandaré (1890)

brazil Cruiser Republica (1892)

brazil Cruiser Almirante Barrozo (1892)

brazil Torpedo Gunboat Inhanduay (1832)

brazil Torpedo Gunboat Tamayo (1898)

brazil Brazilian Torpedo Boats (1879-1893)

Read More

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Brazilian_Navy