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 THE PERUVIAN WAR 287 the dead and wounded. Twice the "Cochrane" attempt- ed to ram, but failed. She, however, sent two more shells through the "Huascar's" plating, which did much damage. The "Blanco" now arrived and at once opened fire upon the Peruvian vessel, in which several commanders had been already killed. During the action Admiral Grau was succeeded in the command by Aguirre, Car- bajal, Rodriguez, Palacios and Garezan, one after an- other shedding his blood upon the "Huascar's" decks. The Chilean riflemen shot down three out of the four men working the gun in the "Huascar's" top; a broad- side from the "Blanco" killed all the men at the reliev- ing-tackles ; the engines were filled with soot from the shattered smokestack, the steam steering-gear had been disabled. Once the "Huascar's" colors were shot away and the Chilean vessels ceased firing, thinking their enemy had surrendered. But another flag was hoisted and the un- equal contest went on. The "Blanco" and "Cochrane" both followed the Peruvian vessel and poured into her an unceasing fire from their heavy guns, machine-guns, and small arms; the "Huascar" replied occasionally with her left turret gun. The "Covadonga" arrived upon the scene and fired one gun, but the "Huascar" was already silenced. At- tempts were made by her crew to sink her, the com- mander ordering the engineer to open her valves. But before this was done some of the men on deck waved handkerchiefs and towels as a sign of surrender, and hauled down the flag ; then the firing ceased. Lieu- tenant Simpson of the "Cochrane" and Lieutenant Castillo of the "Blanco" went aboard with other offi- cers and men and took possession of the hard won prize. Thirty-two officers and men lay dead and forty-eight