| Unit Name: | Commander-in-Chief South America |
| Branch: | Royal Navy |
| Type: | Formation |
The South America Station was a formation of the Royal Navy which existed from 1808 to 1838 when it was split into the Pacific Station and the South East Coast of America Station.
Following the invasion of Portugal by Napoleon, the Portuguese court escaped to Brazil with an escortof the Royal Navy under the command of Admiral Sidney Smith. Following the establishment of the Portuguese Court in Rio de Janeiro in early 1808, was shortly followed by the reinforcement of Smith's escort and the establishment of the Brazil or South America Station.
The commander-in-chief heading the formation played a diplomatic role in South America in the early nineteenth century as the British diplomatic service was limited to having a representative in Brazil.[1]
| List of commanders-in-chief, South America (1808–1837)[2] [3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander-in-chief | From | Until | Notes |
| Rear Admiral William Sidney Smith | 25 January 1808 | 17 May 1809 | |
| Vice Admiral Michael de Courcy | 18 May 1809 | 1812 | |
| Rear Admiral Manley Dixon | 1812 | 1816 | |
| Commodore William Bowles | 1816 | 17 May 1819 | |
| Commodore Thomas Hardy | 18 May 1819 | 16 November 1823 | |
| Rear Admiral George Eyre | 16 November 1823 | 1826 | |
| Rear Admiral Robert Otway[4] | 1826 | 1829 | Later promoted to Admiral, flagship was |
| 9 January 1829 | January 1833 | Promoted to vice admiral 10 January 1837 | |
| 1 January 1833 | 9 July 1834 | Died en route to station | |
| July 1834 | 16 September 1834 | Temporary command after death of Seymour | |
| 16 September 1834 | 17 May 1838 | Promoted to Vice Admiral 10 January 1837 | |