The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-11-27
A Desperate Naval Battle Between
IrOn-eladss

PANAMA, October 25.-The Star and
Herald has a story of a naval battle be-
tween the Peruvian iron-clad Huascar
and a division of the Gillian fleet.
Steaming rapidly along the coast, the
Huascar, at about half-past on the Sth
of October, signaled to her consort, the
Union, that the enemy was in sight, and
Immediately proceeded at full speed to
the northward, hoping to elude their
vigilance in the darkness, and trusting
to the superior rapidity of the Union to
mislead the opposing squadron. The
Union rather invited the enemy's atten-
ton in hopes the Huascar might get far
enough ahead before daybreak to es-
cape. The Gillian vessels were one
iron-clad and three wooden steamers.
At Z a. m, on the Sth, the Chilians were
still in pursuit, about 5000 metres from
the Union, and the Huascar ahead, but
when the fog lifted there appeared di-
rectly in front the remaining division of
the enemy's feet, an iron-armOred
frigate and three corvettes or transports.
The Peruvians wished to avoid a con-
fiict with the CHILEAN fleet, but to no
purpose. The Huascar at $3.50
a. m. found herself in front
of the MORO of MejillOnes,
and a second iron-clad within
cannon shot, whilst the first was coming
rapidly up, running in towards shore in
the Bay of Mejillones de Bolivia. The
Huascar awaited the advance of her
nearest antagonist, and let drive her
two tuTret guns, following up the dis
charge by an attempt at ramming,
which proved unsuccessful, owing to the
power possessed by the Chilians to turn
in their own length with their twin
screws. The fire was instantly return
ed, and the mitrailleuses in the tops of
the Huascar and the enemy's vessels
commenced their dreadful rattle. The
Union, to save herself from capture OF
destruction, continued her fight, and
the Huascar, unaided, continued the
fight. She placed herself between the
enemy's vessels, but the Chillians took
every opportunity of getting in shots al
the stern of the ram, her vulnerable
point, and the Huascar was taken fire.
quently at a disadvantage. She seYera
times repeated her attempts to ram but
unsuccessfully. After two hours com
bat the Huascar, with hull riddled, en-
gines damaged, turret so damned i
would not revOlve, with only four Off
| GERS unwounded, hauled down
the Peruvian flag and sur
rendered. The CHILEAN iron-clad frs
| into action fired her broadsides very
rapidly, as with her twin screws she wa!
/ able to present to her adversary in a few
minutes any battery she wished to use
| The Huascar's guns were well served
and in an hour had discharged % shots
| Her gunners were foreigners, principal
/ ly English and Scotch, among whom thu
mortality must have been considerable
Her engineers were all foreigners, 25 0
the crew in all being Europeans. TIL
damage done the CHILEAN iron-clads i
considerable. The Almirante COch
rane, which sustained the brunt of tn
battle, was somewhat damaged, but tn
BlancO Encalada escaped almost entire
! ly. The unequal character of the fgh
may be understood when it is know
that the Huascar had but two 300-pOund
ers to oppose u, and her armOr wa
| IL inches against 8 inches. Com
mander Grau, of the Huascar, and bot
of his Lieutenants were killed in the en-
gagement with the CHILEAN fleet. Man
of the crew were killed and wounded
At the close of the action the Huasca
nearly sank. 1t was thought doubtful
whether she could reach port. TIL
Chiiian army, numbering $4,000, is re
ported marching upon Iquique, Peru
Mrs. Grau is reported as dying 500
after being informed of her husband
| death