The concept of this class originated from the idea of building ships “equipped with all the improvements needed to make them perfect machines for both sea and river warfare".

Javari, in turn, sank on November 22, 1893, after an exchange of salvos with the Fortress of São João during the 1893 Navy Revolt.

Later reports concluded that the penetration of the shots was caused by the poor condition of the ship at the time of the collision, and the trepidation generated by the firing of the monitor's 254-millimeter cannons.

With relatively low freeboards, they faced difficulties operating in rough seas and had limited maneuverability and lower speeds compared to contemporary ships of the same type (11 miles/h — 17.7 km/h).

Maneuverability was improved in an upgrade carried out between 1880 and 1881 when new rudders were installed, but the ships primarily operated in coastal or sheltered waters.

[4] Days before the signing of the Lei Áurea that abolished slavery in Brazil, there was a popular mobilization, with the participation of journalists, to raise funds for the purchase of the golden feather that would be used on the occasion.

[7] On March 27, 1892, the Solimões was accompanied by the monitor Bahia and both headed for the port of Santos to carry out joint maneuvers.

On the way, the commander of the Solimões received a mission, via telegraph, to head for Corumbá, in what was then the province of Mato Grosso, to support the legalists who were fighting a separatist insurrection.

Some reports indicate that Captain Xavier de Castro ordered a group of crew members to take a dinghy to the coast to request help from the nearest authorities.

It was without its propulsion and was anchored between Ponta do Calabouço and Villegagnon Island, in Guanabara Bay, when it started a confrontation with the fortresses of Barra do Rio de Janeiro.

The tug Vulcano attempted to move Javari to a safer position for repairs, but this was not feasible due to ongoing damage to the monitor.