[1] The Colombian Navy was first formed in 1810 during the war of independence, exiled during the Spanish reconquest in 1815 and returned in 1819 during the successful rebellion of Simon Bolivar.

In 1867 the navy was decreed to be sold again,[3] standing naval forces consisting only of the coastguard and steamers for interior work, with armies of both sides expropriating or seizing ships during the numerous civil wars of 1860, 1876, 1885, and 1895.

The few ships that were bought were quickly sold after conflict had ended and contract steamers were operated for short periods sometimes by individual states.

[4] With the last of the cruisers sold in 1916[5] the navy reverted to a coastguard and river service until it saw a rapid expansion for the 1932-33 Peru-Colombia War.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.