Brazilian cruiser Almirante Barroso (1896)
| Company type | Protected cruiser |
|---|---|
| Industry | Naval military vessel |
| Founded | 25 August 1896 |
| Headquarters | Elswick , England |
| Products | Warship |
Almirante Barroso served as a protected cruiser in the Brazilian Navy from 1896 until its retirement in 1931. Notably, it was Brazil's inaugural vessel equipped with radio telegraphy. Throughout its career, it undertook diplomatic visits to Argentina and Chile among other duties. The cruiser also participated in government efforts against insurgents during the Revolt of the Lash. It was officially decommissioned in 1931.
Construction and design
Constructed at the Armstrong Whitworth shipyard located in Elswick, England, Almirante Barroso had its keel laid down in September of 1895. The ship was both launched and commissioned on the same day, August 25, 1896. This vessel marked the third to carry the name Almirante Barroso, honoring Admiral Francisco Manuel Barroso, Baron of Amazonas.
The hull was built using steel plates measuring five-eighths of an inch thick. Its design included fourteen watertight compartments, an armored deck, and a Cofferdam-type armored belt safeguarding critical sections. Additional features comprised a double hull structure, a reinforced ram bow, and two masts. The cruiser displaced 3,437 tons and measured approximately 107.989 meters overall length; with a length between perpendiculars of about 100.580 meters; an external beam spanning roughly 13.330 meters; a moulded beam near 13.101 meters; a depth of about 7.742 meters; a forward draft of approximately 4.990 meters; amidships draft at around 5.527 meters; and an aft draft measuring roughly 5.257 meters.
Propulsion was provided by two Humphreys triple-expansion steam engines generating a combined power output of 7,512 horsepower. These engines drove two three-bladed propellers enabling a maximum velocity of up to 22 knots. The vessel had an economical cruising range estimated at about 5,500 miles.
Armament consisted of six single-mounted Armstrong guns of 152 mm caliber and four single-mounted Armstrong guns of 120 mm caliber positioned with two on each side between the main battery guns. Additionally, ten single-mounted Nordenfelt guns of 57 mm caliber were arranged along the ship’s length from bow to stern. Six rapid-fire Nordenfelt cannons of 37 mm caliber were installed on platforms attached to the masts.
For auxiliary vessels and safety equipment, Almirante Barroso carried nine boats including a steam launch, a rowing boat, four longboats, two canoes, a boat, and a punt. Life-saving gear included twenty-seven life jackets and nineteen buoys to support its crew complement of three hundred eighty-nine personnel.
History
Almirante Barroso holds the distinction of being the inaugural Brazilian ship equipped with radiotelegraphy, marking the nation's initial ventures into this communication technology. In 1900, it served as part of the White Division alongside the battleship Riachuelo and the cruiser Tamoyo, tasked with transporting then-president Campos Sales to Argentina, reciprocating a similar visit by Argentine president Julio Argentino Roca. Notably, in 1903, it undertook a diplomatic voyage to Chile, reciprocating a prior visit from Chilean vessels to Brazil. The following year, in 1904, it functioned as the flagship of the Northern Naval Division stationed in Manaus, during heightened tensions between Brazil and Peru concerning territorial disputes. When the Aquidabã suffered its disaster in 1906, Almirante Barroso participated in rescuing survivors, including the injured and deceased. In 1908, it was responsible for repatriating the remains of admirals Barroso and Saldanha da Gama from Uruguay.[1] During the 1910 Revolt of the Lash, Almirante Barroso was among the loyalist vessels confronting the mutineers; however, its firepower, along with that of other government ships, was minimal compared to even a single rebel dreadnought.[2][3] The navy regarded this ship highly for its flawless upkeep and for maintaining strict discipline, orderliness, and operational efficiency on board. It remained in active duty until 28 July 1931.[1]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Marinha do Brasil, p. 5.
- ↑ Love 2012, p. 30-31.
- ↑ Morgan 2014, p. 220.