Page:A history of Chile.djvu/309

 THE PERUVIAN WAR 281 maintain the blockade. He at once proceeded to Iquique with the "Huascar" and "Independencia, " where on the 21st of May, he began an attack upon the Chilean corvette and ironclad. The action began at 8 a. m., the "Huascar" being pitted against the wooden corvette "Esmeralda" and the "Independencia" against the "Covadonga" gunboat. The Chilean transport "Lamar," at that time in the port, was successful in getting out of the way. For an hour a brisk cannonading was kept up, when the "Covadonga" attempted to escape toward the south, but was closely followed by the "Independencia." A desultory firing was kept up between the racing ships. Captain Condell of the "Covadonga" led close in along shore in his efforts to escape the pursuing "Indepen- dencia, " passing shoals and often close upon the break- ers. The "Independencia" drew more water than the wooden vessel, and in attempting to follow it, in order that the little craft might be rammed out of the water, as the gunners of the ironclad could not hit it, the "Independencia" ran upon a rock at Punta Gruesco and stuck fast, the helmsman being at the time shot by a "Covadonga" rifleman. Getting astern of her un- fortunate antagonist, the "Covadonga" opened a delib- erate fire, and kept it up until the appearance of the "Huascar. " The "Independencia" became a total wreck and the loss to the Peruvian cause was incalculable, for it left them only one effective ironclad with which to cope with the superior Chilean navy. Meanwhile the "Huascar" and "Esmeralda," were en- gaged in a desperate battle. For two hours a cannon- ading was kept up, when the "Huascar' attempted to ram her adversary, but was unable to do so effectively, as the "Esmeralda" had crept into shallow water near the shore and Captain Grau was afraid to approach for