South East Coast of America Station

South East Coast of America Station
HMS Retribution, flagship of the South East Coast of America Station
Active 1838–1905
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
Type Formation
Garrison/HQ Stanley, Falkland Islands

The South East Coast of America Station was a formation of the Royal Navy which existed from 1838 until just after the end of the 19th century.

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. Its area of operation, along with that of the Pacific Station, was ultimately absorbed into that of the North America and West Indies Station, with its main base at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, which was redesignated the America and West Indies Station.

Commanders

Commanders included: