The so-called Argentine Revolution of 1893 was a failed insurrection by members of the Radical Civic Union (UCR) against the government of Argentina, then controlled by the National Autonomist Party (PAN).

Alem was for taking power through a coup d´ état, while Yrigoyen, who managed to promote his ally Aristóbulo del Valle to minister of defense, was confident that provincial rebellions could force the government to the bargain table.

After denouncing Yrigoyen's approachment as “appeasement” and “treason”,[3] Alem and his followers, supported by Swiss-German and Italian settlers from farming communities,[4][5] abetted a rebellion against the central government in Rosario, which broke out on 25 September.

[6] As soon as news of the uprising in Rosario reached Buenos Aires, the ARA Los Andes, a monitor warship commanded by Captain Ramón Flores, departed from the port of Tigre bound for the province of Santa Fe with the purpose of transporting weapons for the forces loyal to the Government.

[9] On the ground, meanwhile, a detachment of naval infantry beat off an ambush attempt by an armed group of Swiss settlers near the border between Santa Fe and Buenos Aires Province.

Repeatedly hit, taking water and with its speed reduced, the monitor was forced to seek shelter among the cargo vessels at anchor in Rosario's port.

Mansilla sent an ultimatum to the rebels: if the monitor do not submit to the government and the rebellious forces in Rosario do not lay down their weapons by 18:00, the Los Andes would be finished off and the city bombarded.

[13] With the defeat of Los Andes the uprising lost steam, and, after talks between Vallota and Alem, UCR flags were lowered and Rosario surrendered to government forces.

[15] Julio Argentino Roca, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the federal forces in the province of Santa Fe, praised the intervention of the Navy in a letter sent to Emilio Mitre, highlighting the engagement between armoured units as a groundbreaking naval action that showcased the revolutionary capabilities of this new ship design, only comparable to those involving the Peruvian ironclad Huascar.