Brazilian monitor Parnaíba (U17)

Parnaíba (U-17) [paʁnaˈibɐ] is a river monitor of the Brazilian Navy. She is currently the last monitor in service.

History
Brazil
Name: Parnaíba
Namesake: Parnaíba
Builder: Arsenal de Marinha do Rio de Janeiro
Laid down: 11 June 1936
Launched: 2 September 1937
Commissioned: 9 March 1938
Homeport: Rio de Janeiro
Status: in active service
General characteristics
Type: River monitor
Displacement:
  • 620 tons - Standard
  • 720 tons - full load
Length: 55 m (180.4 ft)
Beam: 10.1 m (33.1 ft)
Draught: 1.6 m (5.2 ft)
Propulsion:
  • Diesel engines
  • Two propellers
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h)
Range: 1,350 mi (1,170 nmi; 2,170 km) (2500 km) 10 knots (19 km/h)
Endurance:
  • 16 days
  • 90 tons of fuel
Complement: 74
Armament:
  • 1 × 76mm cannon
  • 2 × Bofors 40 mm/ 70 automatic cannons
  • 6 × 20 mm Oerlikon
  • 2 × 81mm mortar
Aviation facilities: Helipad

History

She was built for the navy in Rio de Janeiro and commissioned on 9 March 1938. She participated in the Second World War and is, as at 2020, the world's oldest commissioned warship still in active service.[1]

She is assigned to the Mato Grosso Flotilla.

Modernization

She underwent a modernisation program at the Ladario Riverine Naval Base between January 1998 and 6 May 1999, during which her original reciprocating engine plant was replaced with diesel engines to increase her range and endurance. One of her original engines was placed on display at the Sixth Naval District's Lieutenant Maximiano Memorial Hall.[2] A helicopter platform has been fitted over the fantail, allowing her to operate the IH-6B Bell Jet Ranger III, replacing the Eurocopter AS350.

References

Notes
  1. Beckhusen, Robert (25 May 2018). "One of the World's Oldest Military Ships Is Sailing Down a River in Brazil". warisboring.com. Bright Mountain Media. Retrieved 26 May 2018. In terms of operational and active ships doing military work, perhaps only the Russian salvage ship Kommuna is older...
  2. "Diretoria de Engenharia Naval realiza VISITEC às OM do 6º Distrito Naval" [Naval Engineering Directorate conducts VISITEC to OM of the 6th Naval District]. Pantanal News. August 16, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2012. (in Portuguese)

Bibliography
  • Wertheim, Eric (2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-955-X.
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