The New York herald., 1879-08-06
THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR.
FIGHT IN IQUIQUE BAY--A CHILEAN TRANSPORT
HoEs DE coMBAT-oTHERs BADLY HANDLED
THE HUAscAR FIGHTS THE WHOLE BLocKADING
FLEET AND ESCAPES UNINJURED


HoIs DE coMBAT-oTHERs BADLY HANDLED
THE HUAscAR FIGHTS THE WHOLE BLocKADING
FLEET AND ESCAPES UNINJURED.
LIMA July Is, 1879.
very laconic cablegram received on the 12th
inst. from the Sub Prefect at Mollendo announcing
that two nights previous the Huascar ran into the
bay of Iquique seriously damaged the Chilean armed
transports Matias Consfo and Abtao. and then had
fight with the blockading squadron lasting two
hours, after which she quietly steamed back to Arca
whore on the afternoon of the 18th she was
lying under the guns of the batteries OF the forts
News just received from the South confirms in the
main the reports given above regarding the last
ploit OF the Huascar. She ran into Iquique on the
night OF the 9h and finding the bay deserted by the
eremy's ships sent shore for information. The
authorities told Captain Grau that the Chileans
were in the habit of cruising off the mouth of the
harbor during the night and were generally to be
found to the southwark. Taking advantage of the
darkness. and having good pilots board the
Huascar steamed rapidly away in that direc-
ton, and in few moments the lights
of steamer were visible at short distance.
This vessel, proving to be the Chilean transport
Matias Consifo. was quickly overhauled and after
few rounds of musketry from the Huascar. surren-
dered. Grau ordered all of the prizes to her
boats. as his intention was to sink her.
A WITH AgTAo.
While the people were getting her boats out another
vessel was seen advancing toward tho Huascar and
Grau had only time fire two solid shots through the
Matias Consl6o leaving her in apparently sinking
condition and then giving his attention to the
conner, the Chilean steam corvette Abtao. carrying
small battery of heavy 150-pound guns. Firing at
her from one of his turret guns. Grau endeavored
to ram the Abtao. but she managed to escape the
e,,1 Af k1,A
grazing shock the counter. which evidently did
some damage, but not as serious the Peruvians
desired. At this moment, about three o'clock A. NJ,
appeared the Chilean iron-clad Admiral Cochrane
and the steam corvette Aagalanes the scene, and
matters ut became not only exceedingly inter-
esting but somewhat confused. The Huascar
in the centre Of her enemies. and as it proved this
the best position she could have occupied
since in the darkness they afraid to tne,r
heavy pieces from the danger Of inhicting injury
Oh each other. Meanwhile the was con-
tinually blazing away right and left, with her
two heavy 300pounders in the turret. her TO
Founders on deck and her marines and sailors with
rifles in the tops. AT the same time Captain Grau
had given the order to steam ahead at full speed
get out of such uncomfortable neighborhood,
although, as mentioned, keeping UP heavy fire.
The confusion board the Chilean vessels is stated
having been extraordinary. Taken they We're,
completely by surprise, without any plan of action.
and at the same time having to assist the Cousiho.
own way. After about an hours caEnonading,
during which the HUascar sent two solid 300-pound
shot into the Abtao she gradually got ahead and
steamed off for the north i'll the direction of africa.
followed at very safe distance by the iron-clad
Cochrane and the Magallanes. This surveillance,
for chase it cannot be called. was given up of
Psagua, short forty miles from Iquque, and the
Huascar at four o'clock on the afternoon Of the
10th reached africa.
RESULT OF THE FIGHT.
During the combat two OF her crew were wounded
slightly, killed. Her deck and smokestack
frequently struck by muSket and mirailleuse
balls one heavy sho. hit her on the deck line
forward but without causing any particular damage
We have not heard the Chilean report OF the affair,
but know that the Alatias Consino was towed into
Iquique, her engines having been destroyed by the
Huascars ire, and that many casualties occurred
board the enemy's squadron The captain of the
Consho hailed Grau in English after the first
ht and 'bs tha
the fire should cease, many of his crew having been
killed. Grau is confident that the Aftao is badly
damaged, and possibly the Magallanes. The object
of course was to sink the two Chilean vessels sup
posed to have been left in the harbor, but it
turned out that all tho bockading squadron to-
gether, and too closely together to permit the full
accomplishment of such a plan. Nevertheless con-
siderable injury was inflicted, and the Huascar is
ready for another brush. Being the only seagoing
ro-clad the Peruvians possess at the moment, it is
out OF the question to risk her existence in
pitched battle with the bulk OF the opposing fleet,
more especially as the Chilean armored ships
considered to be individually stronger than the
Huascar. These dashes and species of Stonewall
Jackson warfare the water will eventually tell
and Captain Gran seems determined to make the
most or his opportunities. NOW, with the Union
and Pilcomayo to help him, he may attempt greater
enterprises.
GOING FOR LAUNCHES.
The voyage Of the Pilcomayo to the southern
coast is referred to above. The particulars
mainly the have been given. An officer
was sent shore at Tocopilla and informed the
Chilean commandant that the Pcomayo about
to destroy all the lighters and launches in the port
but that no fire would be opened on the town. The
Chilean replied that he could only make resistance
on land and would permit Decentralization
of troops The launches and Chilean merchant ship,
the Mathilde, were then sunk, and as the Plcomayo
steaming OF she discovered the iron-clad Blanco
Encalada with corvette, in the distance, rapidly
approaching The Chileans gave chase and pursued
the Pilcomayo for twenty hours, when the superior
speed of the gunboat was acknowledged and her op-
ponents gave up the attempt. The Blanco has
Gently been stationed at Antofagasta where Admiral
Williams Rebolledo is repairing his health. The
rumor concerning his resignation removal has
not been confirmed.
PERUVIAN HAUL--wERE THE CAPTURED
CHILEANs ''HoRsE MAEINEs?'
The following despatch was received by the Peru
Wan vesferlav from tha Consu GanoraI of