El Combate De Angamos

The Battle of Angamos: A Triumph for the Chilean Navy

The Prelude to Battle

On October 8, 1879, the Chilean and Peruvian navies clashed in the Battle of Angamos, a pivotal moment in the War of the Pacific.

By 1879, tensions between Chile and Peru had reached a boiling point over control of rich nitrate deposits in the Atacama Desert. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war, with both navies playing a crucial role.

The Chilean navy, led by Admiral Juan Williams Rebolledo, had a slight edge over the Peruvian navy in terms of ship tonnage and firepower. The Peruvian navy, under the command of Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario, had a smaller but more experienced fleet.

The Battle

The Battle of Angamos took place off the coast of Angamos Point, near the southern Peruvian city of Iquique. The Chilean fleet, consisting of the ironclads Cochrane, Blanco Encalada, and Almirante Cochrane, intercepted the Peruvian ironclad Huáscar and the wooden corvette Unión.

The battle began at 9:45 AM. The Chilean ships opened fire on the Huáscar, which responded with its own guns. The battle raged for nearly two hours, as both sides exchanged heavy fire.

During the battle, the Cochrane rammed the Huáscar, causing significant damage. The Huáscar then rammed the Cochrane, but failed to inflict serious damage.

The Aftermath

The Battle of Angamos ended with a decisive Chilean victory. The Huáscar was sunk, and Admiral Grau was killed in action. The Unión was also captured by the Chileans.

The battle was a major turning point in the War of the Pacific. The Chilean navy had gained control of the sea, and the Peruvian navy was effectively destroyed.

The victory at Angamos allowed the Chilean army to land on the Peruvian coast and march inland, eventually leading to the Chilean conquest of Lima and the end of the war.

Legacy of the Battle

The Battle of Angamos is still remembered today as a major victory for the Chilean navy. The battle is commemorated in Chile with a national holiday, and the Cochrane is still in service with the Chilean navy.

The battle is also remembered for the heroism of Admiral Grau, who died fighting for his country. Grau is considered a national hero in Peru, and his statue stands in the Plaza de Armas in Lima.

Conclusion

The Battle of Angamos was a pivotal moment in the War of the Pacific. The Chilean navy's victory allowed Chile to gain control of the sea and ultimately win the war.

The battle is still remembered today as a major victory for the Chilean navy, and as a reminder of the heroism of Admiral Grau.