Battle of Iquique

21 May 1879, Iquique roads

Peruvian 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.