The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-10
CAPTURE OF THE HUASCAR.
CHILEANs CAPTURE THE FAMOUS RAM-RUMOR
OF DISASTER TO THE WHOLE PERUVIAN
LONEs
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD

Dispatches were received here this morning
stating that an engagement had been fought
between the Chilean and Peruvian fleets, and
the Peruvian ram Huascnr had been captured.
The battle took place off the port Of MijilIones.
Much bravery was shown on either SIDE,
and the ram was only taken after an
obstinate resistance. Private kilograms add
that the whole Peruvian fleet has been captured
based on the first reports concerning the capture
of the Huascar. [Thc Secretary OF Legation ut
Washington tclcgraphs that he has every reason
for believing the news of the Huascar's capture,
and feels sure that with the aid Of this formid-
able vessel his country would be able to begin
an offensive warfare and speedily terminate the
struggle .........-...
MENT-HEn BATTLE WITH THE SHAH AT
PIsAGUA-HEB RECORD DURING THE WAR
WITH CHILE. -.
The Huascar was built by Messrs. Lloyd. on the
Clyde. III 1865. for Peru. She is 1870 feet long, S5
feet beam. LOO burden draws 16 feet of water
and her average rate Of speed 10 IL knots She has
quarters for 900 men. but ordinarily carries only
800 Hor bulwarks are OF three-c iron arranged
to be removed in action. leaving her deck
only four feet above water. She has two iron masts.
with wire rigging ana has two heavy iron braces ex
tending from the sides of the deck to the forctop
but those are intended to DO removed in engage
ment to be ont of the way of tho guns in the
turrct The hull has ten inches OF teak and seven
inches of iron plating. The turret consists of
eleven inches OF teak and eight and half
inches OF iron, and Is six feet high
above the deck, although the ioor in the interior Is
lower than that outside. aording plenty of room for
working the guns. There two 30opounder
Armstrong riAed guns in the turrct. and two
40pounder guns OF the manufacture in
open battery upon deck. The turret is worked
by hand. sixteen men being required for that pur-
pose. The two 300-pounders are divided 10y an iron
partition and require six each The only OBJ
jections present themselves the forecastle
and poop deck. which prevent firing forward or
complicated machinery used in working
the guns The latter is entirely different
from the American system, and is not only so COM
pick to bewilder any who undertakes to under
stand it, but is worry liable to disarrangement in the
excitement of action. There is complete labyrinth
Of chains. cogwhees. cranks shafts and ropes with
the use of which nothing but long prac-
tce can familiarize Her officers have
always spoken in high terms Of her seagoing quail
ites with the exception that she ships good deal
OF water She is in one or two respects inferior to
the best American iron-clads. She has large sur
face of hull exposed; her guns deprived of u
clean sweep in consequence OF her masts; her tur-
rets are not very easily handled. and her ried Arm
strongs have loss effect than American -bores
of the Same calbre.
FIRST IRox-cLAD FIGHT ON THE PACIFIC.
The Huascar first distinguished herself by cap
turing two Spanish vessels during Peru's war with
SPAN in 1885, and afterward took part In the defeat
of the fleet ut Calao. She concerned in most OF
the revolutionary movements of Peru that occurred
during tho past ten years In May. 1877 she was
seized by the followers OF Pieroa tho rsbcl and was
forthwith declared pirate by tho Peruvian govern
mont. The British men-of-war Shah and Amethyst
were mainly instrumental in reducing her to allie.
glance. Her encounter with these vessels was the
first that had taken place between ron-clads in the
Pacific. Before meeting the Shah the Husscar had
to encounter tho iron-clad frigate Independence.
corvette Union and gunboat Pilcomayo. The
fight continued for hour and half
ut rifle range; then. darkness coming on.
the Huascar thought II advisable to decamp.
At Ioio the evening of the 10Th firing was heard
far out at sea. and shortly aftorward tho huascar
seon steaming in toward shore. Night fell and
the ship disappeared. AL manner of conjectures were
formed but no reason could be given for the firing.
save that the rebel ship had come into collision
with the Shah and Amethyst, who were OH the look
out for her account Of depredations committed
by her upon the royal mail steamers and her
Of coal from British merchant ship ut Pisagua.
This proved to be correct. Next morning three
alnsu mt off I'm hon
for the Independence. saying that they mad
met the English ships the night before and had been
oned to surrender in tho namo of the Queen.
The Shah had then opened hre upon the Huascars
aud tho fire returned as we'll Us the limited
crew board could work tho guns. Directly she
ran In Shore and the English vessels did not pursue
hor into Peruvian water, This was the first naval
battle in Peruvian revolutionary history.
HER RECENT EXPLOITS
According to v Peruvian journal the following IL
summary Of tho Huascar's exploits from her FIRST
sally on the 10th of May. in the present year. from
Caliao:-
Escort of tho Peruvian transport Talisman con-
voying arms and equipments to africa for tho Boz
livian army at Tacna.
sinking of tho Esmcralda at Iquique and saving
her crew.
Raising of the blockade Of Iquique.
Protection Of tho landing OF cannon.
Sinking Of fourteen Chilean craft laden with coal
sinking of pontoon arsenal having hno con-
denser
sinking of fourteen launches at Mcjilones.
Taking of lighter and two launches with food.
and wire for tho telegraph between Mojiiones and
Antofagasta.
Burning of Mejilloncs Of thrco Chilean briggs.
Sending another TO africa aprze
Capture and sending 10 Callso OF o vessel laden
with copper.
Bombardment of Antofagasta, silencing tho bat
terles and causing o conHagration.
Cutting Of the cable between Antofagasta and
Caldera.
Fight with and damaging of the Chilean ironclad
Blanco Encalada on tho return to Callao.
I'm the Julv sa1lv