The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-07
WAR SHIPS In ACTION
INTERESTING REPORT ON THE BRA
LILLIAN NAVAL BATTLES.
Lieutenant Rogers's Description OF
the sinking of the Rebel Ironciad
A~qufdabnn by n Torpedo Boat.

WASHINGTON, Oct. Sin press and
about to issue in the course of a week is
the volume annually compiled by the Blu
reau of Naval Intelligence. entitled Notes
on the Years Naval Progress" The work
IS always of value to students Of naval de-
velopments, and this year is of particular
interest because OF the broad scope OF its
contents and especially in view Of its in
clusion of an article on the revolt in Brazil,
contributed by Lieut.. c. @. Rogers, who, as
an agent Of the intelligence office, was
with the American fleet at Rio de Janeiro.
and was an eyewitness Of the operations
in that harbor, ending in the final surrender
of the rebel Admiral. Da Cana. Lieutenant
Rogers describes in great detail the various
engagements between the rebel fleet and the
government forts, and as he nears the end
of the struggle he gives al account Of the
sinking Of the famous ironclad Aquidaban,
the details Of which have not before been
known in this country.
It seems that after Da Gama's surrender
at Rio the government sent a considerable
squadron in pursuit OF the A~quidaban. The
vessel was discovered at anchor at the
northern entrance of Sata Catarina strait,
about a mile from Fort Santagause. To d.
vert attention from the real purpose, which
was to attack the Aquidaban with torpedo
boats, the vessels of the government squad
ron began a vigorous fire on the fort.
Meanwhile the four torpedo boats-the
Sampiao, Silvado, Two and Affonlo-steamed
along the western shore until the Aquidaban
was discovered at anchor. This was on the
night of April 16. The sky was overcast,
a heavy rain was falling and the command
err Of the Sampiao reported 1t so dark that
he was less than two hundred yards from
The Anrf1ahnn rrhnp ha dfCnnyyQra6 hnr
The crew of the latter was expecting a
small steamer from Desterro that night
and, installing the Sampiao for her, did
headed toward the south. When first seen
by the Sampiao she bore on the starbOard
bow. The latter. therefore, turned to star
board TO launch the bow torpedo. This,
by some mistake of the officer in charge Of
1t, was fired before the vessel was in posi-
then backed. and. turning under the stern
of the AquidabaE, steamed slowly along
the port side, probably not more than
twenty yards from her. In this remark
able position, however, 1t was not until
the Sampiao was nearly past the battle
ship that the starboard after torpedo was
fired. 1t struck with terrific effect about
twenty feet abaft the stem of the Aqui-
daban, lifting the bow considerably out of
the water. The Sampiao then dashed ahead
at full speed TO rejoin the squadron.
Fl AQUIDABAN OPENS FIRE.
Before the first torpedo was launched
the Aquidaban opened fire on the Sampiao
and her consorts from the Nordenfeldts
and two of the five and seven-inch guns.
The Sampiao was hit thirty-five times in
the upper works and three times in the
hull by Nordenfeldt one-inch steel pro-
~jectiles. One of them penetrated the star
board bow near the water line. damaging
the distiller. Two of them struck a Hotch-
kiss rapid-firing three FOUNDER, one hitting
the breech square and tanning the breech
blocks tightly. while the other penetrated
the wall OF the gun directly over the cart
ridge chamber TO the depth of an inch, or
three-fourths of its thickness, but without
1njuring the bore. so that IL could still be
fired. Excepting a cadet who lost a finger,
no one on board the Sampiao was hurt.
Her escape was due to the darkness of the
night. coupled with such proximity to the
battle ship that the ~latters projectiles went
over her.
The Two launched two OF her torpedoes.
The breakage of a pipe connected with the
air compressor prevented the firing of the
bow tube. so that both these torpedoes
were launched from the after deck. The
Silvado was about to fire a torpedo when
her commander discovered that the Sam
piao was between his boat and the battle
ship. The torpedo fired by the Sampiao
was Of the Schwartzkopf type, containing
10 pounds OF gun cotton. The attack on
the AGuidaban was not renewed until the
next day. when it was discovered she had
been abandoned by her crew, who had es-
capped TO the main land. The big battle
ship. drawing twenty feet, was found in
twenty four feet of water; with the two
" lAlO 1d14 vi ndICI dlu
with a terrible hole in her. She was
foated and brought TO Rio under her own
steam.
Lieutenant Rogers secured valuable in
formation in the war. He says that the
discipline of the rebels was good, appar-
emily. and their courage and bravery adj
mitted of no question. Tn ships gener-
ally Tough at long range, the commanders
seeming TO be outstanding their resources
from the outset. With the exception of
the Aquidaban they were undermined and
seemed to be acting on a waiting policy.
expecting reinforcements from the south.
The army tugs and launches did good serv-
ice. They were very active and efficient at
night. transporting men and material, aid
during the day did much fighting. Armed
with revolving cannon and rapid-firing
iron. behind which were armed crews, they
were ugly antagonists. Their work in Rie
harbor showed that under the practical con
ditiOnS of nearly any war such port re-
sources could be well utilized as auxiliaries
in the defense of a harbor, river or bay.
Smokeless powder was used on board the
Tamadaro only. Upon the discharge of one
of her six-inch guns a small yellowish-red
cloud OF smoke was seen for a few mo-
ments. but it dissipated quickly, and at no
time would have interfered with her firing.
Great was the contrast when one of the
Aquidaban'S turret guns was fired; a thick,
heavy cloud of smoke that almost enyel-
oped the ship was the invariable result.
drifting slowly away unless a strong breeze
was blowing.
III OF BIG GUNS.
One important note by Lieutenant Rogers
touches the life of great guns. He says
that if the reported expenditure OF ammuni-