Battle of Vuelta de Obligado
Paraná River near Obligado, San Pedro, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
What happened
Argentine forces under General Lucio Norberto Mansilla, for the government of Juan Manuel de Rosas, fought a British and French fleet. Britain and France wanted to sail freely up Argentina's rivers to trade. To stop them, Mansilla stretched three thick chains across the Paraná River, held up by about 24 boats, with cannons on the bank. The British and French fleet broke through the chains and silenced the guns, but their ships were badly damaged.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Although the fleet won the battle, the cost convinced Britain and France that sailing Argentina's rivers without permission was not worth it. Treaties later recognised the Paraná as an Argentine river.
What came next
The damaged ships were stuck for about 40 days for repairs. Britain made peace in 1847 and France about a year later.
Did you know?
Argentina celebrates 20 November as its Day of National Sovereignty in memory of the battle.
Timeline
- 20 November 1845The Battle of Vuelta de Obligado.
- 1847Britain signs the Arana-Southern Treaty.
- 197420 November becomes a national observance.
- 2010The Day of National Sovereignty becomes a public holiday.