OLIVEIRA, Manoel Antonio Vital de, Brazilian naval officer, born in Retire, 28 September, 1829; died in Paraguay, 2 February, 1867. He entered the naval school at the age of fourteen, soon afterward became midshipman, and as sub-lieutenant on board the "Don Affonso" took part in the fight of 2 February, 1849, at Recife, which had been attacked by insurgents. In 1854 he was promoted lieutenant, and drew a chart of the coast of Brazil between Petimbu and Sao Bento, accompanying it with a report. He also made a plan of the Shallows das Rosas, near the island of Fernando de Noronha, and of the two lakes in the province of Alagoas, which he surveyed to establish steam navigation. He published in 1862 five hydrographic charts from Mossoro river, in the province of Rio Grande do Notre, to Sao Francisco river, and he also examined many other points on the south coast. After this he began to prepare a general chart of the coast of Brazil, and for upward of two years he continued this work, which, unfortunately, he did not finish. In 1866 he was sent to France to bring out the iron-clad "Nemesis," which he accomplished raider very difficult circumstances. He joined the Brazilian fleet, which, on 2 February, 1867, attacked the fortress of Curupaity and penetrated into Lake Piris. Oliveira led one division in the "Silvado," and while standing on the bridge was killed by a cannon-ball.