Battles of the War of the Pacific
1879–1884 · 3 battles covered, in date order. Click a battle on the map for its summary.
Battle (size: ships engaged)
Chilean movement
Peruvian movement
Routes are approximate.
21 May 1879 · Iquique roads
Battle of IquiquePeruvian victory
The main Chilean fleet had gone north to attack Callao, leaving two old wooden ships to blockade Iquique. Huáscar and Independencia came down the coast and found them. For four hours Esmeralda held off Huáscar, whose gunners struggled to hit her; Captain Arturo Prat was killed leading a boarding party onto the ironclad's deck. Huáscar finally rammed and sank Esmeralda. Prat's death made him Chile's greatest naval hero.
1 (1 lost)
vs
1
21 May 1879 · Punta Gruesa, south of Iquique
Battle of Punta GruesaChilean victory
While Huáscar fought Esmeralda, Independencia chased the little schooner Covadonga down the coast. Captain Carlos Condell hugged the shore, and the deep-draught ironclad, trying to ram, ran onto a rock. Covadonga turned and shelled the stranded ship, and Grau later ordered her burned. Peru had lost half its armoured fleet in a day.
1
vs
1 (1 lost)
8 October 1879 · Off Punta Angamos, near Mejillones
Battle of AngamosDecisive Chilean victory
After months of raids by Huáscar, the Chilean fleet set a trap with two divisions. Huáscar ran from the first straight into the second, led by Almirante Cochrane. A shell hit her conning tower and killed Admiral Grau; her crew tried to scuttle her, but Chilean boarders took her at about 11:00. Unión outran the Chileans and escaped. With Huáscar gone, Chile controlled the sea and could invade Peru.
6
vs
2 (1 lost)