The morning call., 1893-10-01

terry consisted of two 40 Founders and some
rapid-fire guns in her military tops.
"A comparison viii show that each of the
Chilean sister ships was larger than the
Huascar bv 1900 tons. They were only ten
feet longer but had considerable more
beam. Their armor was thicker and the
horsepower almost double that of the
Peruvian. The Huascar's guns were half
ton heavier than those OF the Chilean
vessels. but the latter had six each while
the smaller boat had only two.
Admiral Grau of the Peruvian navy
and Admiral Rivero Of the Chilean had
received instructions in the mode of mod
ern warfare abroad, and we're equally well
versed. The former had attended the
celebrated French naval school for num-
her of years. On hoard all the ships were
English, American and French gunners
who had fisked their life for the large
wages paid at that time.
OF the other vessels of the fleets but little
need be said. They were wooden ships
and did not figure to any extent in the
events 20 be related.
By the 1st of September the Huascar
and Union were ready, and early one
morning they sailed ont of the bay of
Callao, the guns of Santa Rosa Fort firing
Il salute as they dipped their colors. and
soon they were lost TO view. For amonth
the boats played havoc on the coast, burn
ing Chilean coalshins, throwing shells into
towns and terrorlZlng the people. They
did not go near Valparaiso, but confined
their operations to the ports north of
that city. The Chilean ironclads were sent
after them, but Grau was wary. He only
ran in close during the daytime when he
lad n clear view seaward so as to get due
warning OF the approach OF the hostile
feet and prevent being hemmed in. He
could at any time take to the open, where
he knew he could show his heels TO the
4 fofn r1s,x<ff n
out at night was the order, standing far
from shore only to come up to tile coast
when day broke again. 1t was during one
of these short attacks on Antofagasta that
the Huascar let 60 an electrical torpedo
which turned in the water and narrowly
missed colliding with the vessel from
which it was sent.
1t was exciting work at first for those on
board, but after fortnight it commenced
10 be tame. Sinking coalsbips that could
offer no resistance and throwing shells into
towns that had no guns with which to re-
ply became mon ot0nOus and seemed to
those on board mere child's play. To be
sure it harassed the enemy, but it re-
suited in nothing definite. So all on board
the Huascar were rejoiced when OH the I'd
of Octobe Admiral Grau gave the word 10
turn toward the north and proceed home.
Three reasons had caused Grau to reach
this decisinn, and they were brought to his
notice the night before. The en-
gineer had reported shortage of
coal ana also stated that his
engines were working poorly, several of
the parts being liable to break when
going at full speed. Indeed, he said ex-
tensive rep airs were needed below decks.
Tue executive officer had reported that the
hull was foalng rapidly. thus impeding
progress, and the steward complained of
shortage of provisions. for it had been
i'm m a IN a 81 q m SQpnyp
fresh supplies, for fer # being caught
with boats ashore by / enemy coming in
from sea. So the huascar's head was
turned northward and she glided along at
half-sDeed, thus saving coal aud wear and
tear OH tile machinery at the same time.
Every man alive to-day who was on the
Huascar the night of October Z. 1879, will
remember the hours. In the forecas.le,
gathered under the shadow OF the en- or
nous ram, was group Of sailors, and
the men listened to the music made
by an Enelisbman and an American, who
played the songs of the day on the har-
monica and file. JUST before the bugle
Dlast for taps rang out the melody