Minas Geraes was built by Armstrong Whitworth & Company shipyards in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Britain for the Brazil. It entered service in the Brazilian Navy in April 18, 1910. When launched, the Minas Geraes was the most powerful warship ever built. In South America, Minas Geraes and her sister ship São Paulo kindled a naval arms race among Brazil, Argentina, and Chile that lasted until WW1.
Photo taken during the Battleship’s visit of the U.S. in June-July 1913.
U.S. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Shortly after entering commission, in November 1910, both Dreadnoughts experienced widespread racial mutinies among the crewmen stationed at Rio de Janeiro. The mutiny that lasted 5 days, involving 2,000 crewmen, was called “Revolta da Chibata”, Revolt of the Lash. On the Minas Geraes, João Batista das Neves the Captain of the ship and other officials were killed. The two battleships and 7 other warships were then used by the rebels to bombard Brazilian Army forts, the Naval Arsenal, naval bases and even the Presidential Palace, causing panic and consternation. Only by offering general amnesty did the Brazilian government reclaim the warships. Fear of new rebellions paralyzed the entire fleet for months.
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