The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-04
Last NIGHTS Dispatches.
Plucky Perm.

PANAMA, Oct 25.-The Star and
Herald has the story of the naval battle
between the Peruvian iron clad Huascar
and a division Of the Cbilian feet.
Steamiog rapidly along the coast the
Huascar, at about half past three on the
8th of October, signalled 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, 10 hopes the Huascar might get far
enough ahead before daybreak to escape.
The Chiiian vessels were one iron clad aud
three wooden steamers. At O'Clock on
the morning of the 9Th the Chiians were
still iu pursuit about six IhOusand metres
from the Union and the Huascar ahead
but when the fog lifted there appeared
directly in front Of the remaining division
of the enemies fleet an iron armored
frigate aud corvette or transport. The
Peruvans wished to avoid a conflict with
the Chilian feet aud endeavored to escape
but 70 no purpose, The Huascar at 9:3O
a, u., found herself 10 front OF the Moro
OF Mejllopes and second iron clad
within cannon shot. whilst the first was
coming rapidly up Running in towards
the bay of Mejillones de BOLIVIA. the Huas
car awaited the advance of nearest
antagonist and let dri We ber two turret
guns, following up the disc harge by an
attempt at ramming, which proved unsuc-
cesstul, owing to the power possessed by
the Chllians to turn in their own length
with their twin screws. The fire was
instantly returned from mittraieuces into
the Huascar, and her enemies continued
the dreadful battle The Union TO save
herself from capture or destruction, con-
tinued her flight, and the Huascar.
unalded, continued to fight. She placed
herself between the enemy's vessels, but
the Chilians took every opportunity of
getting IN shots at the stern, her vulner.
able point, and the Huascar was taken
frequently at disadvantage to ram, but
unsucoesstully After two hours combat
the Huascar, with her hull riddled engines
damaged, and turret so jammed that it
would not revoive, with only four officers
unwounded, hauled down the Peruvian
flag and surrendered. The Chilian irou-
clad first into action fired her broadsides
very rapidly, as with her twin screws she
was able to present to her adversary 10 a
few minutes any battery she wished to
use, The Huascars guns were well
served, and 10 an hour discharged 25
shots. Her gunners were foreigners,
principally English and Scotch, among
whom the mortality must be considerable
Her engineers were ali foreigners; twenty =
five of the crew in all being Europeans
The damage done to the Chiian iron clads
is considerable. The Admiranti Cochrane,
which sustained the brunt of the battle,
was somewhat damaged, but the Blanco
Encalada escaped almost entirely. The
unequal character of the fight may be un
derstood when it is known that the Huas-
car had but two three-hundred FOUNDER 9
to oppose to twelve.
Subscriptions have been opened in Lima
| for the purchase of an iron clad to be
| called the Admirante Grau. and subscrip-
| tions in money, jewels, diamonds and even
| sleeve links are pouring in from all quar-
ters. One lady gave $4,000 worth Of
| Ijewelry. Already 100000 soils have been
collected. The Ministry will resign but
their resignation will not be accepted,
despite the loss of Admiral Grau and his
ship, there is no thought of submission.
A committee has gone to Europe to en-
| deavor to purchase another ironciad. Ii
| is hinted that Spain may help them.
The battle is called the Trafalgar of the
Pacific. Commander Grave. of the Huas-
car, and both of his lieutenants were
killed 10 the engagement with the Chiiiar
feet. At the close of the action the
Huascar nearly suck, and it was though
doubtful whether she could reach port
The Chilian army. numbering 5000 men
is reported marching upon Iquique, PERI