Page:A history of Chile.djvu/314

 286 A HISTORY OF CHILE chase. The Peruvian vessels might have effected their escape had not the"0'Higgins, " "Cochrane," and "Loa" appeared in the opposite direction steaming directly toward them. The Chilean squadron had separated at Mejillones the day before and put to sea in two divi- sions, in search of the two Peruvian vessels. Grau was caught between the two divisions. Captain Grau ordered the "Huascar's" head turned toward the east under a full head of steam, hoping to escape. The "Union"' passed the "Huascar" and the admiral ordered her to bear away toward Arica, which she did, though followed closely by the "O'Higgins" and "Loa. " She arrived there safely about dark. See- ing that the "Cochrane" would cross his bows, Grau prepared his ship for action, keeping close in toward the land. At 9:25 o'clock the action was begun off Point An- gamos by the "Huascar," at a distance of three thou- sand yards. The fourth shot struck the Chilean ves- sel, when she opened fire in return. One of her first shots passed through the "Huascar's" armor and killed and wounded twelve men ; at the same time a three hundred-pound shell from the "Huascar" nearly stove in one of the "Cochrane's" plates. The "Huascar"' now attempted to ram her antago- nist, but the latter steered in a parallel course and pre- vented it. Five minutes afterward a shell struck the pilot tower of the "Huascar," and exploding, killed Admiral Grau and a lieutenant. The brave admiral was blown literally to pieces, only one leg being after- ward found. Another well-directed shot pierced the armor of the "Huascar's" turret and killed several of the gunners. Inexperienced relief crews being sent to the guns the shots now flew wide of the mark and did little execution, while the cabin was soon filled with