The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-04

the lookout advised three vessels to the north
and proved to be the other Chilean ironclad,
with two corvettes. From this moment our posi-
northeast we were shut of by the coast. To the
north northwest to west by the squadron which had
just appeared and to the south by the vessels still
follow was to steam north at full speed. But unfor-
tunately the ships approaching from the northwest
were very close, and the iroDcad the CochraEe pre-
sumably was shortening the space dividing us.
The Huascar. handled with extraordinary ability
and promptitude. made AZ much advantage toward
the north as was possible from her proximity to the
shore but the enemy decreased the distance until
they Sasnsst nine A. M the Hasc.r sseins
that further attempts at escape frutless.
turned rapidly in toward the coast. having directly
Union. OF greater speed. managed to continue on her
way northwardly.
AT QUARTERS
When the Huascar was quite to the shore tho
CHILEAN iron-clad, at short range, opened fire and
was replied to by the monitor. With a noble cour-
are which will always be one Of Admiral Grau's
chief laurels, the Huascar turned upon her adver-
sary and attempted to ram. but the Chilean avail
ing herself of her twin screws, avoided the shock.
BY this time the second iron-clad had joined her
companion and entered into the attack OH the
sells followed the Union three being especially con-
spicuous in the pursuit, apparently the O'Higgins
and Loa, with another ship which, to increase her
speed, hoisted all of her canvas. This pursuit
naturally caused us to leave the Huascar. and only
for about an hour could we distinguish the vigor
and celebrity of our monitor. which. although
hemmed in by forces UNNECESSARILY
superior nevertheless continued her attacks against
the enemy. The ships following continued in
pursuit during the entire day, sometimes approach
ing within 1900 metres. Owing to the grave nature
of the situation called council of war, composed
of the captain of the Union. Don Nicolas Portal the
second ana third officers, Salaverry and Benavdes
the chief of staff Don Gregorio Perez and the COM
mander Of tho troops board. Don Leopoldo Flores
Guerra. 1t unanimously determined that should
one OF the enemy's vessels approach within cannon
shot that should 90 into action although III such
case naturally would have to engage with all OF
the squadron in pursuit. but if such circumstance
having already extricated the corvette from the
midst of the enemy. 1t so resulted that no Upper,
tunity presented itself for fighting. aud reached
this port without further adventure.
AURELIO GARCIA GARCIA.
WAITING FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
So far proceeds the report of Captain Garcia.
Persons on board the Union give some details re-
garding the combat of the Huascar with her power
full anita onists during the time that the Union
in sight-that is, from halfpast nine to twenty-five
minutes to eleven A. M. The Huascar commenced
her operations by the attempt to ram. discharging
her two turret guns when almost touching the
Chilean. but the enormous advantage possessed by
the Cochrane and Blanco Encalada in their twin
screws enabled them easily to turn side and
let the monitor sweep by The fire Of the great guns
and from the mitraieuses in the tops Of the three
iron-clads incessant. The Huascar. during the
sxty-eight minutes Of the fight witnessed by the
Union, fred her guns twenty-five times; the Coch-
rane discharged hers thirty, and the Blanco which
arrived shortly after the action began fired hers six
times. 1t must be recolected that tho Huascar only
carries two guns-300- pound Armstrong rfes-in
her turret and the Chileans have each six guns Of
the same calibre In classmates. The armor
of the Huascar is four and half inches thick
amidshps. tapering to two and half inches at the
bow and stern. The Blanco and Cochrane cased
in nine inches of iron. The Huascar about
2OO tons register the Chileans 2032 tons each and.
nevertheless the combat lasted for two long mortal
hours at one time, before the Union left, at 800
metres distance. If the kilograms given above
not exaggerated with respect to the injuries sus-
tanned by the enemy the victory will not be
altogether satisfactory, and it may be that in sub
sequent despatch may shortly have some stirring
news. We still anxiously awaiting further intel
ligence of the fight from the mail steamer lilo.
due in Iquique and which must have touched in
Mejillones one or two days after the combat. The
Huascar had. between ofit ard crew. 2lo men on
board. We have not yet received list of the
casualtiee.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE DATTLE-TwELvE
THREE-HUNDRED FOUNDERS AGAINST TWO
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEW IRoN-CLAD-
MEN BRINGING THEIR MONEY, WOMEN THEIR
JEWELS.
PANAMA. Oct. 70, 1879.
Very meagre are the details which have como to
hand Of the combat at Mejilones de Bolivia. in
which the Peruvian iron-clad Huascar was cap
tured. The information Of the cruise Of the Huas-
car and Union south and of their meeting with the
two divisions Of the Chilean navy is learned from
tho official report of Captain Aurelio Garcia
Garcia, the commandant OF the Union.
On September 80 the Union and Huascar
sailed from AFRICA for the west Of Chile to endeavor
to capture some OF tho large fleet of transports
which at that time believed to be engaged the
work of transporting the central division Of the
Chilean army from Valparaiso to Antofagasta. The
two vessels called at Iquque and then stood SOUTH
arriving of Sano. Chilean port, the 4th inst,
where they captured Chilean schooner. the Co.
ouimbo. That night they visited Coauimbo Harbor
and recnnroitred the bay. finding enemy's vessels
there On the morning OF the 5th they entered the
harbor OF Tongoy. few miles south Of Coquimbo
which they found deserted. Here they learned of
an attempt to be made to land q strong Chilean
force ut Iquque. some other point the coast
of Peru when Admiral Grau determined to return
to africa. Proceeding north. they visited Anto-
faasta the night of the It'll. where transports
or war vessels found, the whole Chilean fleet
having visited africa on tho 9th. and ut that
moment bound south. in two divisions, making o
most diligent search for the two Peruvian vessels.
The search was successful and the meeting was not
long to be delayed. The two Peruvian steamers on
their voyage north, and at halfpast four A. NJ. on
the sth sighted the frst division Of the Chilean
feet. The Huascar and Union ut put about
and made of fast as possible to the southwest.
and ran for about three hours on this course
THE HUAscARs DESPERATE STRAITS.
They had drawn out away from the land. the Chill
can feet following directly after them. A stiff
breeze was blowing from the south. which de-
creased the Huascar's speed perceptbly, when Grau
resolved to steer nortn and endeavor to run be-
tween the Chilean feet aud the shore. In this ma
npuvre he succeeded. and swept by the enemy's
first division without firing gun. The superior
speed OF tho Peruvian ships was manifest they
rapidly steamed away from their enemies-the
Blanco Encalada and the three wooden steamers
and they thought their escape
tain. when suddenly they sighted the second Chi
lean division. composed OF the Almirante Cochrano
.oJ savor.I an, ALTAR vessels couninv .lowu Mos,