Battle of Angamos
Off Punta Angamos, near Mejillones, Antofagasta Region, Chile
What happened
Chilean ironclads, the Cochrane under Juan José Latorre and the Blanco Encalada under Galvarino Riveros, fought the Peruvian monitor Huáscar under Rear Admiral Miguel Grau. In the War of the Pacific, the Peruvian warship Huáscar had been harassing Chilean ships and ports. Off Punta Angamos, two Chilean ironclads trapped it. Grau ordered his other ship to escape and fought on alone; he fell, and after nearly three hours the Huáscar could no longer fight and was boarded.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Chile gained full control of the sea, ending the naval campaign. That opened the way for its army to invade Peru.
What came next
The Huáscar was repaired and joined the Chilean Navy. Today it is a floating museum in Talcahuano, Chile.
Did you know?
Huáscar's flag was never lowered in surrender: it had been shot away during the battle.
Timeline
- 8 October 1879Chile captures the Huáscar at Angamos.
- After 1879The Huáscar serves in the Chilean Navy.
- TodayThe Huáscar is a museum ship at Talcahuano.