Dubbed the "Botafogo," the São João Baptista was a leviathan on the seas. This 16th-century Portuguese galleon boasted an arsenal that would make even the most audacious pirate think twice - we’re talking between 80 to 200 guns, including a large chase gun. At the time, it was considered the biggest and most powerful warship in the world by Portuguese, Castillian, and Italian observers of the time. Its nickname, meaning "Spitfire," was a testament to its firepower, being one of the first to have lidded gun ports for showcasing its cannons in a show of strength.

Yet, for all its might, the Botafogo was not just a tool of war. It served as a floating ambassador, showcasing the peak of Portuguese naval engineering and the unyielding spirit of exploration that defined an era.