Frigate Amazon's helm
Photo: Rômulo Fialdini - Book: MHN - Bank Safra
"Carrancas" from paraguayan ships
Photo: Rômulo Fialdini - Book: MHN - Bank Safra
Arms used at the combat
Photo: Rômulo Fialdini - Book: MHN - Bank Safra
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June 11, 1865, Paraná River, Argentina
Nine o'clock in the morning of a clear day and good weather. In a small
curve of the river, next to a creek that would become famous, the
Riachuelo, the Paraguayan fleet, under the orders of the competent Comodore
Pedro Meza, prepared to break through the Brazilian naval blockade.
The well planned strategy foresaw a night attack, but damage in one of the
ships delayed the operation. Paraguayan ships descended the river in full
speed, profiting the current, and, in fifteen minutes after facing the
oponent, shooting in both sides began. In the Brazilian side, eleven ships;
Paraguay with fifteen ships. In a fierce battle, victory seemed to favor
Paraguay.
Once recovered from the surprise attack, Brazilians
counterattacked. In command of the frigate "Amazon", Admiral Barroso. At 4
pm, only four Paraguayan ships still kept afloat.
Comodore Pedro Meza is deadly wounded and 1.500 of his men out of combat. The Brazilian fleet
wins the battle, having lost 247 men and the corvette "Jequitinhonha". This
combat, that practically decimated the Paraguayan fleet, ends the first
stage of the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) that reunited Brazil, Uruguay and
Argentina in a Tripple Allliance against Paraguay.
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