Brazilian monitor Solimões (1875)
Solimões was an armored monitor operated by the Imperial Brazilian Navy. The warship was built at the French shipyard Forges et chantiers de la Méditrranée and launched to sea in 1875, being commissioned on April 23 of that year. She was the most powerful ship of the navy at the time of her incorporation. Solimões had four cannons and armor reaching up to on the gun turrets. The ship was expected to have good navigation capabilities on the high seas, but had little agility in maneuvering and could not operate in rough seas due to her low side. These characteristics forced the ship to always sail close to shore. The Solimões was part of the Evolution Fleet in 1884, composed of the best ships in the fleet. In May 1892, she sailed together with other vessels bound for the province of Mato Grosso to help forces loyal to the federal government against separatist rebels. As they approached the Uruguayan coast, the Solimões sank with most of its crew, leaving only five survivors. The circumstances of the sinking were never clarified and caused a public controversy in Brazil. Sabotage was thought to have been committed by the survivors since they all had time to put on their best clothes and coats, collect money, and get into the escape boat. Their narrative was that they were sent by the captain to get help. However, there was not a single officer to command them and there were crew members much more qualified than they were to carry out this order. Construction The monitor was built at the Forges et chantiers de la Méditerranée shipyard in La Seyne, France, between 1874 and 1875. Her construction happened under the supervision of Lieutenant-Captain Carlos Braconnot. The ship was named Solimões after the river of the same name located in the province of Pará. She went through an armament show and incorporation on April 23, 1875. Her first commander was Frigate Captain Miguel de Melo Tamborim. Javary-class ships were the largest in the navy when incorporated. Characteristics The Solimões had a displacement of 3,700 tons, a length of , a beam of , and a draught of , two reciprocating steam engines of , two propellers, and a maximum speed of . Her hull had midships; bow and stern, ; main gun turrets, 12-inch; deck, ; and control tower armor. The ship had four Whitworth cannons mounted in two turrets; two Nordenfelt guns; and two machine guns. The compartments were watertight and located in the bulge of the ship. Solimões had a funnel and three masts, being rigged to the schooner and sailing cloth. Her crew numbered 135 men. Service The Solimões and Javary monitors arrived in the Empire of Brazil around 1875. Vessels with great technical and handling capabilities were expected, whether at sea or on the river. The ships' 305-millimeter armor and 254-millimeter cannons were the most powerful in the country at the time. However, reality proved to be just the opposite. With too low