The “Huascar” then turned to starboard, and headed for the “Blanco,” with the intention of ramming her, at the same time firing some ineffectual shots at her. The “Blanco” sheered to starboard also, and passing close under her stern, poured a broadside into that vulnerable part, which killed or wounded all the men at the relieving tackles, as well as many of the wounded, and the others who had taken refuge in the officers’ quarters. The wounded were now removed to the coal-bunkers and store-rooms; and the “Huascar” stood to the westward.
On account of a number of shot having passed through her smoke-stack, driving down soot, débris of all kinds, and smoke into the fire-room, it was impossible to see the gauges. In consequence, the water got too low in one of the boilers, and the tubes were burned through, which caused a great escape of steam; so that the Chilians thought they had struck one of the boilers.
There had been four men stationed at a Gatling gun, in the “Huascar’s” top, but three were killed, and the other driven below, by the fire from the Chilian tops, although the “Huascar’s” top had a screen of boiler-iron.
About half-past ten the flag-staff, with the “Huascar’s” colors, was shot away, and for some moments all firing ceased, as it was supposed she had surrendered; but a Frenchman, who was a loader at one of the guns, went aft, and hoisted another flag at her gaff. Just then another shot penetrated the turret of the “Huascar,” killing or mortally wounding every man in it, including Commander Aguirre. This shot had such terrible effect that when this officer’s body was found and identified, all the upper part of the head was gone, the lower jaw only remaining. In addition his body was most fearfully mutilated. Another officer was terribly wounded by this shot.
The command of the “Huascar” had now devolved upon the fourth officer, Lieutenant Pedro Garezon. The vessel was almost unmanageable, and on fire in several places, but the engines were kept going, and an occasional gun fired.
The “Cochrane” now returned, and again tried to ram, and was only prevented from doing so by a chance movement of the “Huascar.”
Both Chilian ships then followed up the Peruvian, using great guns, musketry and machine guns. They were both in good condition, although the “Cochrane” had been struck on her unarmored stern, and had some ten men killed and wounded.
The “Covadonga” now came up, and joined the other Chilian vessels, and Lieutenant Garezon, after a council with the surviving officers, determined to sink the “Huascar,” by opening her valves, and thus deprive his enemies of the satisfaction of taking possession of her.
Chief Engineer McMahon succeeded in partially accomplishing this, by opening the circulating valve of the condensers, but to do this he had to stop the engines. They were at work on the main injection valve when Lieutenant Simpson, of the “Cochrane,” who had boarded her, interfered with the operation, revolver in hand.
While this was going on, some of the “Huascar’s” men waved towels and handkerchiefs, and the Chilians, on seeing this, ceased firing, and the “Huascar’s” flag was then hauled down.