List of decommissioned ships of the Chilean Navy
The list of decommissioned ships of the Chilean Navy is mostly compiled from information given in the website of the Chilean Navy. It consists of over 500 "historical units" including ships of the Patria Vieja, prizes, fireships, armed merchant ships, auxiliary ships, capital ships and, of course, regular warships of the navy ranging from the capital ship to small torpedo boats and early wooden vessels. At the beginning, the Chilean Navy was almost entirely composed of merchant ships enlisted into naval service in time of war, hence the distinction between warships and  merchant ships is often blurred and ships changed their status quickly and subtly. See also: List of ships under Chilean Letter of marque. On 20 November 1817 the Chilean government, under Bernardo O'Higgins issued a Letter of marque, a decree authorizing private persons to attack and capture enemy vessels and bring them before courts for condemnation and sale.