Battles & Campaigns · 1865
Battle of Papudo
Off Papudo, Valparaíso, Chile
What happened
The Chilean corvette Esmeralda under Juan Williams Rebolledo fought the Spanish schooner Virgen de Covadonga under Luis Fery. During the war between Spain and Chile, the Esmeralda flew a British flag to get close to the Covadonga. When it opened fire, the Chilean gunners proved more accurate, and after about half an hour the Spanish commander surrendered.
Why it matters
The Chileans captured the Spanish admiral's letters. It was a humiliating defeat for Spain's navy.
What came next
The captured Covadonga joined the Chilean Navy and later fought at the Battle of Iquique.
Did you know?
Arturo Prat, later Chile's great naval hero, was one of the Esmeralda's crew.
Timeline
- 26 Nov 1865Battle of Papudo.
- 7 Feb 1866Battle of Abtao.
- 1879Covadonga fights at Iquique.