Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:59:48-3:01:16

South American dreadnoughts versus España

In a hypothetical battle, the larger South American ships gain an edge from armament and crews that could become cohesive when war threatened.

Argentine NavyBrazilian NavyChilean NavyCrew QualityEspaña Class BattleshipsNaval Mutinies
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Question

Who would win between España-class ships and two South American dreadnoughts with supporting fleets?

Short answer

The South American force, owing to stronger ships and crews more likely to become effective when facing an external enemy.

Notes

The South American side has the advantage despite recurring disputes and mutinies inside the Brazilian and Argentine fleets. The important distinction is between peacetime factional conflict and behavior under an external threat. Brazilian crews in particular could set internal quarrels aside when a foreign opponent appeared and then work together effectively. España's service history exposed deeper problems of command, officer relations, and political loyalty. Stronger South American ships and their capacity for wartime cohesion outweigh their turbulent internal culture in this hypothetical engagement.