Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-28
A DEADLY CHRISTMAS GIFT.
A Terrible Episode Of the War Between
Chilli and Peru.
From the Pittsbnrx Post

From the Pittsburg Post
''As noticed every one looking % happy on
Tuesday my thoughts few back to q Christmas
day in the South Pacific" said an old man who
was leaning against a cigar Indian ON Smith
field street yesterday, land IL You like" he
continued. Il can spin you q little yarn.
Poor devils, y he continued as il to himself.
"'twas a horrible Christmas day for them.
But now TO the story. Seven years ago found
myself in Callao, Peru, second mate of a Yam
kee bark. We had put into this port to unload
lumber and were caught by the Gillian block
aiding squadron. for at that time the war be-
tween Peru and Chill was raging at its fercest.
There was nothing for 1t but to dismiss the
crew, and as a single watch was sufficient on
the vessel in those placid waters, / took up my
quarters on shore. There were lively times.
assure you. Every day two of the big CHILEAN
lronelads, the Blanco Eucalada and the Lord
Cochran, would steam 10 within three miles of
the coast. hre their long range guns and then
be driven off by the return shots from the
forts. How irritated those Peruvians did be-
come as day after day they saw the havoc
caused by the enemys shells, and were unable
to do any execution in return. In vain they
sent out torpedo boats and tried American in
yentions in the line of Yankee explosives. At
last the officers in command listened to the
words OF an old Yankee who made Callao his
ians into the future state at so much per Chill
ian, and bloodthirsty agreement was drawn
up.
How well remember that Christmas morn
ing, with its dull, heavy air and oppressive
calmness. On the beach, high and dry, Law
cargo launch or bumboat In 1t we placed a
hogshead of powder and arranged an iron
lever with Its heavy end resting over a per-
cussion cap. The lighter end was held down
by quarter of mutton, and then numerous
edibles and pieces of green stuff were strewn
around. More meat was put in, the tide was
on the ebb, and the launch was set afoat-a
market boat adrift. What a rich prize she
would be for the Chilians, who had not tasted
fresh meat for weeks.
shortly after daybreak the beach was lined
with people. In company with number of
foreigners / went to the Union club, where
were number of telescopes. How eagerly we
watched the little launch drifting slowly out to
sea. Surely the Chilians would soon notice it,
1t was not long before they did, for at o'clock
the Eucalada, with 500 men on board. steamed
little closer in shore and at last drew between
us and the prize. But nothing happened. and
the iron-clad steamed away. A signal at her
peak told the story; she had not the neces-
sary tackle. and so bade a transport come to
her aid In answer the Loa, a large steamer
used as blockader, came from the offing and
she was soon alongside the prize, the latter
being between US and her steep sides.
AT that hour the day was clearer and we
could see the sailors drop from the slides into
the launch. We could see the latter swing
around. the chain descend and then piece after
piece of beef hauled up the side. Suddenly a
fash as of lightning darted from the side of
the Loa. The gallant ship reeled to one side
lifted herself proudly. and then as she sank
the report of the explosion rolled in from over
the ocean and echoed and re-echoed through
the Andean chain. One hundred and fifty
CHILEAN sailors were either blown to pieces or
drowned on that Christmas morning."