The Portuguese Navy in the Independence of Brazil

From the King’s departure to the surrender os Cisplatina Province

Abstract

The Portuguese Revolution of 1820 caused not only the King's return to Lisbon, but also the secession of Brazil, under the direction of Prince Regent D. Pedro, satisfying the wishes of the majority of the brazilien population.

Trying to counter D. Pedro's attitudes of disobedience, the Government of Lisbon sent several military expeditions to Brazil.

The battles between the Portuguese and Brazilian naval forces always had undecided results.

The land siege and naval blockade to which they were subjected, the lack of food, the absence of directives from the Government of Lisbon, and the notion that independence was irreversible, led the Portuguese military leaders to leave Bahia, returning to Lisbon with about 6,000 people, embarked in 48 transports escorted by 17 ships of the Portuguese Navy.

Despite representing the abandonment of Brazilian territory, this convoy was pursued by the Brazilian Imperial Navy from the night of departure to the bar of the Tagus, with several ships being captured or destroyed.

The last city to surrender was Montevideo, in the Cisplatina Province. After a naval combat in its waters, the Portuguese military and naval forces surrendered on 18 November and embarked for Portugal on 8 March 1824. On that day the last Portuguese soldiers left Brazil.