Active 1838–1905 Branch Royal Navy | Country United Kingdom Type Fleet | |
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Garrison/HQ Stanley, Falkland Islands | ||
The South East Coast of America Station was a minor fleet of the Royal Navy which existed from 1838 until just after the end of the 19th century.
Contents
History
The station was separated from the Pacific Station in 1838 in order to combat the slave trade in Brazil. In its early years it was often referred to as the "Brazils and River Plate Station". In the mid-1840s Rear Admiral Samuel Inglefield took decisive action to keep the Paraná River open so ensuring continuity of trade during the Uruguayan Civil War.
The station suffered significant ship reductions between 1869 and 1874. From 1870 it was commanded by a captain, designated the "senior officer", and comprised just three gunboats although it had responsibility for the Western Atlantic from Brazil South. The squadron's only permanent base was a coal station at Stanley on the Falkland Islands. It was disbanded altogether in 1905.
In September 1914 Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock was ordered south to re-establish the station in the face of the German threat at the start of the First World War. His squadron was destroyed at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November 1914.
Commanders
Commanders included: