Year: 1879

THE LATE REAR ADMIRAL GhAu.


From the South Pacific Times.l


Miguel Grau belonged to a good family of Piura.
and born in that city in the year 1884, He
ceived an excellent education. and having early
evinced strong desire for nautical career his
parents entered him in the naval school in the
neighboring seaport town Of Payta. But the inces-
activity of mind and body which characterized
him in after years already commencing to de-
velop in him and did not allow of his being
tent with the sedentary life to which q more
school course condemned him. and when
only ten years old he induced his parents to
allow him to ship in q foreign merchant vessel
which about sail for Europe. In this vessel
he visited different points on the coast OF Europe.
acquiring thorough practical knowledge of his
profession. and not emitting to complete his own
education in the ordinary branches of learning.
He also picked up several languages during his voy-
ages On his return to his native country, in the
year 1851. he determined upon entering the navy.
and after some delay he was appointed midship-
in 1854 He served In various vessels and
received rapid promotion. At the beginning
of the year 1868. when corvette captain"
the command of the feet was intrusted to
admiral of foreign extraction. and Captain Grau
having protested against serving under him. was
separated from his command, and leaving the navy,
entered the service of the Pacific Steam Naviga-
ton Company and commanded one Of the steamers





several months. Toward the latter end of the same
year. however. he was again renstated in the Peru
the monitor Huascar. the vessel with which his
name is now identified. In 1873 the province Of
In the following year. after his legislative labors
over, he WAS named Commandant General Of
Marine and filled that post for somo time with gen.


On the outbreak of the war with Chile. in the COM
mencement Of the present year. Captain Grau
appointed to the command or the first naval
division consisting I'll HuaScar
iron-clad Independence and lighter vessels and
transports, retaining at the same time tho command
Of the Huascar. 1t was then that his high talents
into full play, About six weeks after the
declaration of war by Chile the Independence
struck rock to the south of Iquique, while chas
ing the Chilean gunboat Covadonga, and went to
pieces The Huascar was therefore left alone to
comparatively powerful feet OF Chile. How that
work was performed by him We all know
sal Of any speed '"g gemanne on to the parvians
and consequently the only check on the Chilean .
feet. her commander was prudently not allowed to
hazard an engagement with the Chilean iron-clads,
vessels OF much greater size and strength than
the Huascar but by prudent, daring and excellent
management Captain Grau still enabled to in
hict severe losses upon the enemy. 1t plain,
however. to all that the Huascar could not carry
her hazardous game much longer without having to
engage the iron-clads and this actually happened
when the monitor on her return from her third
fourth trip to the encmy's coast and on the 9Th
of the present month. sadly memorable day for all
Peruvisns. the Huascar hemmed in by the
Chilean ronclads of Mejillones de Bolivia and alters
most desperately sustained ana galant ngnC on the
part Of the Peruvian monitor the latter at length
taken, her commander being killed in the action.
Shortly before this the government. with the unani
nous sanction of Congress, had promoted Captain
Grau to the rank Of Rear Admiral There is no doubt
that Admiral (arau naval commander of great
ability and had he been in command of fleet equal
to or approaching strength that Of Chile the
time aspect of the war would most probably be now
very different to what it is, but unfortunately
was not tho His loss to his country is
most severe one. and he is deeply regretted
not only by his own countrymen, but, from a per-
sonal point Of view. by the foreign element In Peru
whose sympathies Admiral Grau. by reason OF his
straightforward, manly bearing and his many ex-
cellent personal qualities, failed to enlist at
all times. More, Admiral Grau was the object
Of admiration Of the enemy. His humanity equalled
his courage He died at the post of danger and duty
and his name will be honored by all who knew him.
Peru may get another Huascar fleet of Husscars.
but it will be very difficult to find another Grau.