Battle of Punta Gruesa

21 May 1879, Punta Gruesa, south of Iquique

Chilean 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.