Rio de la Plata (Schooner)

[john sefton]

RIO DE LA PLATA. Topsail Schooner Built 1826.
100tn L25m B4m. Dr I.9m.
Incorporated into Argentine Navy April 1826 following Brazils declaration of war on the Argentine.
Escorted convoys of troops to Uruguay.
On 11 June 1826 participated in fight at Los Pozos. In July pursued by whole of a Brazilian division but manaqed to elude it. Took part in fight at Quilmas 1826 supporting flagship 25 DE MAYO. Damaged, repaired at Riachuelo. On 20 Dec 1826 with only one cannon she was surrounded by several Brazilian ships an unegual encounter began and in the middle of a circle of fire she sank without striking colours.
Her Capt succeeded in saving 55 of his crew by swimming to Uruguayan coast.
SSS Ency.
Argentine 1976. l2p. SG1521