BAP América, Gunboat museum at Naval Base in Iquitos, Peru.

The BAP América is a river gunboat 41 m long and 6 m wide, moored at the Clavero Naval Station in Punchana, Iquitos. Its white upper deck carries two tall black smokestacks with yellow bases and two yellow ventilators, while a white awning covers the rear deck. Two Armstrong 37 mm guns are mounted on board.

Built in 1904 in Liverpool for the Prefectura de Loreto, the gunboat reached Iquitos on 11 May 1905 and was commissioned on 12 August 1905. In July 1911, under Lieutenant Manuel Clavero Muga, it fought Colombian troops at the Caquetá River in the La Pedrera conflict, taking two days of fire and four failed landings before flanking them. It became a museum ship in 1984.

The ship is named after the corvette América, lost at Arica in 1868. Since 1984 it has served as a museum ship at the Clavero Naval Station, where visitors can see two Armstrong 37 mm cannons and the vessel's original fittings.

The ship is moored at the Clavero naval station in the Punchana district of Iquitos, reachable by boat across the bay. Access is through the naval base, so bring identification and ask there about visiting hours. The decks and internal stairs are narrow; wear closed shoes and watch your step on the steel plating.

The BAP América is the oldest river gunboat still afloat in the world, according to the Peruvian Navy. It was named after the corvette América, lost at Arica in 1868. Its two Armstrong 37 mm cannons are part of the original armament listed for the 41 m vessel.