The Brazilian Navy had high seas vessels, with more firepower but lesser speed; the Argentine Navy relied on fast maneuvering ships. Some Argentine commanders believed that the lack of manoeuvring of the Imperial vessels in shallow waters and the speed of their own ships could decide some engagements in their favour.
The Argentine squadron The Argentine commander was confident that, by using the surprise element, his more maneuverable ships could inflict damage and that he could escape before the Brazilian force could counterattack. However, he was unaware of the enemy's initial three-to-one advantage in terms of ships on the first day of battle (which escalated into a four-to-one advantage by the second day). Brown also underestimated the Brazilian fleet's ability to cut off any route of escaping in time. As a result, the battle was a two-day pouring of shells onto his men. At night Brown left the anchorage with the
Republica,
Independencia,
Congreso and
Sarandí. The Brazilian watchman-corvette,
Maceió, alerted the squadron using cannon and signal lamps. The corvette
Liberal and the brigs of the second division, at anchor eight miles from the outer channel of the harbor, moved promptly. The Argentines dropped all their sails in search of the ocean. At two o'clock in the morning the Brazilians opened fire, making an effort to put the pursued Argentine ships between the line of Imperial brigs and the coast. The
Maceió took care of the
Congreso, which left the line of its own entering between the banks and seeking refuge in
Ensenada. The
Independencia and the
Republica, turning in the same direction, ran aground between the ends of Palo Blanco and Confisco. The
Sarandí sided with those, to join their fires to the defense. The artillery duel and the rescue and destruction maneuvers lasted for hours. By 7 P.M., Admiral
Pinto Guedes' squadron appeared, but of all its vessels only the
Pirajá, led by João das Botas, and the
Independencia ou Morte, due to their smaller size, could approach the enemy. At night the wind changed, pushing six small schooners from Colonia capable of navigating the banks. The final attack on the stranded Republicans was prepared while the high-board ships closed the escape route. The schooners rounded up the Argentines, hitting them with cannon fire until 2 P.M, when they proceeded to board the Argentine ships. The
Independencia lowered the flag, and the
Republica, in spite of a well put up resistance, was overwhelmed. Admiral Brown, with a wound in his thigh, transferred to the
Sarandí and returned to Buenos Aires. == Aftermath ==