Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/335

 despatched the 'Almirante Cochrane' and 'Blanco Encalada' in pursuit These were small ironclads, of 3500 tons, then armed with muzzle-loading rifled guns, in a central battery protected by 8 in. of iron, while the armour belt was 9 in. thick. As the 'Huascar' had only 5-in. armour, and was 1400 tons smaller, she would have been overmatched by either of her opponents. Early one day in October 1879 the two Chilian vessels sighted the 'Huascar,' and giving chase, the 'Cochrane,' about 9.30 A.M. arrived within 3000 yards of the enemy, her consort being some 3 or 4 miles astern. The 'Huascar' was the first to open fire, but without result. The ships continued to close, as the 'Cochrane' was slightly the faster of the two, and at 1500 yards poured in a hot fire upon the 'Huascar.' Several shell penetrated the thin armour of the Peruvian vessel. One burst inside the conning tower and killed the captain. Another exploded inside the turret and did considerable execution, while others disabled the steering gear and apparatus for working the turret. The 'Huascar’s' return fire had little effect. One of her shots struck the 'Cochrane’s' armour and glanced off, another entered the ship, but did little damage.

In less than three-quarters of an hour it was evident the 'Huascar' could not avoid capture. She had fought pluckily, but escape was impossible, because she had not the speed, and the 'Encalada' had now come up. The latter at once joined the fray, tried to ram the 'Huascar,' but failed, and nearly collided with her consort A shell which about this time passed through