[1] Vital de Oliveira's first survey was of the coast of Brazil between Pitimbu and São Bento in the sloop of war Parahybano.

[5] Vital de Oliveira's survey work thus anticipated by nearly two decades the formation of an official Hydrographic Service by the Brazilian Navy.

Crossing the Atlantic, he met with tempestuous weather, but brought the ship safely into Rio de Janeiro.

The ship was renamed the Silvado, and joined the war under the command of Vital de Oliveira, who had been promoted to Post-Captain on 21 January 1867.

The Paraguayans returned fire, and Vital de Oliveira was killed while directing the bombardment from the bridge of his ship.