The First Australe War, Act 6

Here is that story!
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Map 73

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At the beginning of 1833 the English made a considerable effort and lined up 2000 Paixhans cannons for 100 warships. They increased their fleet to 180 units with 4 experimental steam-powered ironclad frigates.

The Brazilians have not remained inactive and have 220 warships and 3000 Paixhans cannons for 150 ships are now equipped with them. They also built 3 ironclad sailing frigates.

In India, the English repelled the Brazilians at the Battle of Gathal (January 26, 1833). Bengal is temporarily saved. The English command then imagined an intervention in Southern Africa with the help of the Boers to divert the Brazilian effort.

In June 1833 a fleet of 110 warships including 3 ironclad steamers plus 300 transports with 140,000 men left for southern Africa. The Brazilians decide to intercept it with 110 Brazilian warships and 2 armored frigates: battle of Cape Finistère (July 5, 1833).
This battle is even more enormous than that of Cape Spartel: 220,000 men, 520 ships.
The battle is balanced but the Brazilians having more Paixhans cannons, they inflict more losses. The English lost 29 warships and 37 transports, the Brazilians 21. In total 42,000 people were killed, two thirds of whom were English.

The English steam battleships are too heavy and not powerful enough, their paddle wheels are easy to destroy. The Brazilian armored frigates have insufficient armor and, deprived of their masts, are immobilized. All these ships are lost.

After the battle, each fleet returns to its port. Half of the English transports, however, managed to get through and 20,000 English soldiers arrived in Angola but they could no longer do anything.

Everyone claims victory but the report of losses and the failure of the landing confirms an English defeat. This pushes the English to accept the Brazilian peace conditions.