Last December (1982) Brazil issued three stamps depicting three of her training ships, the ALMIRANTE SALDANHA, the BENJAMIN CONSTANT, and the BRASIL.
The BENJAMIN CONSTANT was built at the La Sere Shipyard, Toulon, France, and launched on October 11th, 1892. Because of a revolt of the Brazilian Navy in 1893, the ship did not leave Tôulon until 1894. It arrived at Rio de Janeiro in that year, on the 4th September.
In 1908 it made a voyage around the world. On that cruise she rescued 22 Japanese seamen who were shipwrecked on Wake Island. In 1909 the ship was sent back to Toulon where it received major repairs and some modernisation.
In 1917, in consequence of Brazil declaring war on Germany, she took possession of the German Liner BLUCHER, in I believe, the port of Bahia.
In 1926, after a few years reprieve, the vessel was decommissioned and sold for scrap.
The BENJAMIN CONSTANT was built primarily as a training ship but was classified as a light cruiser. In 1904 she was destined, should the need arise, to be converted into a minelayer. Built of steel, 2,750 tons displacement, 74 m x 13.90 m x 8.30 m.
Draught 6 metres. Triple expansion engine of 2,800 indicated horse power. Single screw. 15 knots. Ship-rigged. Sail area 1,800 square metres. It performed well under sail.
Twelve Armstrong 15 cm guns of which four were in barbetts (two on each side) and eight in battery (four on each side). Two Norden-field guns of 57 mm mounted forward. Ten machine guns and four Whitehead torpedo tubes. She was also fitted with a ram.
E J Hogan Log Book March 1983
Brazil SG1995