The “Huascar,” a Peruvian man-of-war, was of the old type of English turret ships, and had been employed continuously, at sea, for many months, so that her bottom was very foul, while her boilers were not in condition to make steam properly. These two causes had very much reduced her speed. Her commander, Admiral Grau, had wished to overhaul her, but his representations were overruled, from considerations of policy, and she was despatched to the south, upon what proved to be her last cruise under the Peruvian flag.
When in order, she was known to be much faster than the Chilian vessels which she was to encounter, and her loss may fairly be put down to this disregard of professional advice and warning.
The Chilian ironclad, “Almirante Cochrane,” her principal opponent, as well as the “Blanco Encalada,” which participated in the latter part of the action, were nearly new casemated vessels; and their constructor, Mr. Reed, had said that they ought to sink the “Huascar” in five minutes.
This latter vessel had done good service in the war between Peru and Chili, in interfering with the only transportation possible for the Chilians, who were the aggressors, and who carried the war into the Peruvian boundaries. Her commander, Rear-Admiral Grau, was an excellent officer, and rendered himself quite famous by his sudden dashes into Chilian ports, capturing transports and lighters, and interfering with the submarine cable, so necessary for the success of the Chilian operations.
The “Huascar” had made four successful cruises, or rather “raids,” to the southward, in one of which she had captured the “Rimac,” a fine steamer, having on board a fully-equipped battalion of cavalry and a large amount of military stores. Among other curious things which came under the latter head was a complete outfit of water-skins, which were being sent to the Chilian Army at Antofagasta, to enable it to carry water, in crossing the desert of Atacama, to operate upon the province of Tarapaca.
This desert had been discovered to contain an immense deposit of nitrate of soda, and the struggle which had been impending for some years between the two nations was precipitated by the desire of Chili to possess this source of wealth.
Soon after this success the “Huascar” appeared off the harbor of Antofagasta, at night, and with a “Lay” torpedo attacked a Chilian wooden corvette lying there. Instead of striking the enemy’s vessel, the torpedo made a half circle, and came back upon the “Huascar.” A lieutenant of the latter vessel, seeing the imminent danger, jumped overboard, and swam to meet the torpedo, which was moving slowly, and diverted it from its course, saving the “Huascar.” The name of this lieutenant was Firmin Diaz Canséco.
The next day after this unsuccessful attempt she had an engagement with the shore batteries and two corvettes, in which she did much damage, and received some herself. She, at this time had exchanged a native crew for one composed mostly of foreigners, and men trained as gunners, who could give a better account of the 300-pound shells thrown by her guns.
In September, 1879, there had been a very considerable change in the officers of the Chilian squadron, and a change of policy, as well. The “Almirante Cochrane,” and “Blanco Encalada” (the latter the flag-ship of Commodore Riveros), proceeded north, accompanied by the wooden corvettes “O’Higgins” and “Covadonga,” and the armed transports “Loa” and “Mathias Cousiño.” They expected to find the “Huascar” in Arica, but arrived there only to find that she had sailed for the south; and they at once returned to Mexillones Bay, where they coaled, and awaited instructions and events.
On the morning of October 5th the “Huascar” appeared in the harbor of Coquimbo, in company with the corvette “Union.” There were a number of foreign men-of-war lying there, and their officers were much struck by the handling of the Peruvian vessels; so quiet, able, and seamanlike, opposed to the usual noisy manner of carrying on duty to be observed in South American men-of-war. They did not even blow off steam when slowing down.