THE BRAZILIAN NAVY

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 21

THE BRAZILIAN NAVY

OVERHAUL IN PROGRESS. AMERICA AS ADVISER. Brazil is overhauling her navy. An interim credit of £1,000,000 has been authorised for naval purposes, part of which will bedevoted to the construction of a naval arsenal and the establishment of five naval bases. On the fleet side no announcement has yet been made regarding any new construction, but it appears «eitain that a considerable programme will be embarked upon eventually. The delay in this programme is probably due to a desire to afford the United States Naval Mission to Brazil time in which to examine the requirements of the Brazilian Navy. At one time the Brazilians looked to (.he British Navy for guidance, and obtained tlieir war vessels from British firms. Their two Dreadnoughts, the Minas Geraes and Sao Paulo, together with the two modern light cruisers and all the effective destroyers are British built, while the general organisation of the navy was similar to that of the ltoval Navy. ' The waning of the British naval prestige in South America is largely due to the withdrawal of our squadron from those waters. A south-east coast of America squadron was re-established after the war, but was withdrawn about two years ago on the score of economy. The eleventh-hour decision to send the battle-cruisers Hood and Repulse to Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the exhibition may have dbne something toward restoring British prestige, but it was then too late to affect the decision arrived at in Tegard to Brazilian naval reorganisation. These two fine ships made a great name for themselves, and impressed the local people as magnificent examples of the skill of British naval architects, while their crews won the majority of the sporting events which were open to ships of the various navies present. At a review on shore before the President, it is reported that the British crews received by far the greatest ovation on account of their steadiness on parade and fine physique, the marines being especially 7*ol»worthy.