The naval actions of the Itaparicana Flotilla during the War of Independence in Bahia 1822-1823

Abstract

In late 1822, when the independence process was in a clear state of development in Bahia and the forces against Portugal were already fighting, an unusual force was organized by the insurgents in that Province. It was a small naval force which was responsible for the defense of the island of Itaparica, for the offensive actions of harassing the Portuguese, and contributed to the naval blockade against Salvador. Until the arrival of the imperial fleet under the command of Lord Thomas Cochrane, the Itaparican Flotilla bore the brunt of the naval combat in Baía de Todos os Santos. In this sense, the present article intends to visit the narrative about its constitution, the combats, the successes, and the setbacks of the conflict, showing how the performance of the Flotilla contributed decisively to the victory of the Brazilian cause.