Chincha Islands War
The Chincha guano islands of Peru (1863).
Date 1864 to 1866 Location Chincha Islands; coasts of Peru and Chile Result
Combatants
Kingdom of Spain	Chile; Peru

The Chincha Islands War (Spanish: Guerra Hispano-Peruana, Guerra Hispano-Chilena, Spanish-Peruvian War or Spanish-Chilean War, the name changing depending on the nationality of the author) was a series of coastal and naval battles between Spain and its former colonies of Peru and Chile from 1864 to 1866, that began with Spain's seizure of the guano-rich Chincha Islands, part of a series of attempts by Isabel II of Spain to reassert her country's lost influence in its former South American empire. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Chincha guano islands in Peru. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Chincha Islands (Sp. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixel Image in higher resolution (864 × 576 pixel, file size: 9 KB, MIME type: image/gif) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): New Spain First... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru_(1825_-_1950). ... The Battle of Papudo was a naval engagement fought between Spain and a combined Peruvian-Chilean fleet on November 26, 1865. ... Combatants Spain Peru and Chile Commanders Claudio Alvar González Juan Topete Manuel Villar Strength 2 ships in actual combat 4 ships defending Casualties unknown unknown The Naval Battle of Abtao took place on February 7, 1866, between a Spanish naval squadron and a combined Peruvian-Chilean fleet, at the... Combatants Spain Peru and allies Commanders Casto Méndez Núñez Mariano Ignacio Prado; various commanders Strength 14 ships several ships, infantry, cavalry, townspeople Casualties around 50 dead, 83 wounded around 200 The Battle of Callao (in Spanish, sometimes called el Combate del Dos de Mayo) occurred on May 2... The Chincha guano islands in Peru. ... The Chincha Islands (Sp. ... Isabella II (October 10, 1830 – 1904), Isabel II in Spanish, was queen of Spain. ...

Background

Military expenditure had greatly increased during Isabel's reign, with Spain becoming as a consequence the world's fourth naval power. Isabel's reign saw Spain engaged in colonial adventures in the 1850s and 1860s in regions as disparate as Morocco, Indochina, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic (which it briefly reoccupied.) Isabella II (October 10, 1830 – 1904), Isabel II in Spanish, was queen of Spain. ... Indochina 1886 Indochina, or the Indochinese Peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. ...

At the end of 1862, Isabel sent a "scientific expedition" to South American waters, with a second, hidden purpose of backing the financial and legal claims of Spanish citizens living in the Americas. The expedition was under the command of Admiral Luis Hernández Pinzón – a direct descendant of the Pinzón brothers who accompanied Christopher Columbus in the discovery of America. His squadron was composed of 3 warships: the twin steam frigates Triunfo and Resolución and the schooner Virgen de Covadonga. The Pinzon brothers were Spanish sailors/explorers/fishermen. ... Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator and maritime explorer credited as the discoverer of the Americas. ... You might find what you are looking for in any of the following pages Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact. ...

The Spaniards arrived at the port of Valparaiso, Chile, on April 18, 1863. Spain had recognized Chilean independence since the 1840s, and both countries had diplomatic relations, thus the expedition was very cordially received and the Admiral exchanged visits with the local authorities. They left Chile in July in the best of terms and moved on to Perú. Even though Spain had never recognized Peruvian independence (achieved in 1821), the squadron received a very friendly welcome at the port of Callao. They stayed in port for a few weeks and then moved on towards San Francisco, California. This was the moment when the problems started. Valparaiso is the name of at least three cities and a village: Valparaíso, Chile Valparaiso, Florida Valparaiso, Indiana Valparaiso, Nebraska This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... April 18 is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Anthem Somos libres, seámoslo siempre(Spanish) We are free, may we always be so Capital (and largest city) Lima Official languages Spanish1 Government Constitutional republic  -  President Alan García Pérez  -  Prime Minister Jorge Del Castillo Independence from the Spanish Empire   -  Declared 28 July 1821  Area  -  Total 1,285... The city of El Callao is the port of Lima, Peru. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

Talambó incident

On August 4, 1863 a confusing incident took place at the Talambó hacienda, in Lambayeque, Peru. For reasons not at all clarified, a fight broke out between two Spaniards living there and 40 local people. As a result, one Spaniard died and four were injured. is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Lambayeque, Peru Lambayeque is a city in the Lambayeque region in northern Peru. ...

When news of the incident reached Admiral Pinzón, he returned with his fleet to Perú on November 13 and demanded a government apology and reparations to the affected Spanish citizens. The Peruvians responded that it was an internal police matter, better handled by the justice system, and no apology was due. At this juncture, the Spanish government in Madrid decided to demand also the payment of former Peruvian debts stemming from the War of Independence, and it sent deputy Eusebio de Salazar y Mazaredo to settle the issue directly with the Peruvian authorities. is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Salazar arrived in March of 1864, with the title of Royal Commissary. This was a deliberate insult to the government of Perú, because a Commissary is a colonial functionary and not an ambassador, the proper title for a diplomatic functionary sent to negotiate with an independent state. From there on, the negotiations between him and the Peruvian minister of Foreign Affairs, Juan A. Ribeyro, were doomed to fail. A commissary is someone delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office. ...

Chincha islands occupation

The Chincha islands of Peru, being occupied by Spanish sailors on April 14, 1864

On April 14, 1864, the Spanish fleet seized the lightly defended Chincha Islands, the principal source of Peruvian guano, as a retaliation for the indemnization that Peru was refusing to pay. There, the Spaniards placed Governor Ramón Valle Riestra under arrest aboard the Resolución, occupied the islands with 400 Spanish marines, and raised the Spanish flag. Spain considered these islands an important bargaining tool, because they were a major source of resources for Peru and produced almost 60% of all governmental revenue. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Chincha Islands (Sp. ... The Chincha guano islands in Peru. ... The flag of Spain in its current form was adopted on December 19, 1981[1], when it replaced the interim version which, in turn, replaced the official flag of Francoist Spain. ...

The Spanish squadron also blockaded the principal Peruvian ports, disrupting commerce and creating a high level of dislike in all of Latin America. They expected little resistance from Peru, believing its military prowess to be negligible. Even a proposal to exchange the islands with the British for Gibraltar was considered for a time. During this blockade the Spanish lost the Triunfo after an accidental fire destroyed it.

During this first phase of the war, the recently assumed Spanish Prime Minister, Ramón María Narváez, at first did not approve of the unilateral position of Admiral Pinzón, and replaced him with Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja, ex-Minister of the Navy, who had been born in Perú and hated the “rebels” because his father had died in Chile on 1813, fighting during the Chilean War of Independence. Very soon though, Narváez opinion changed again, and he sent another four warships to strengthen the Pacific fleet. The President of the Government of Spain (Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno), sometimes known in English as the Prime Minister of Spain, is the Spanish head of government. ... Ramón María Narváez, Duke of Valencia Don Ramón María Narváez y Campos, Duke of Valencia (es: Don Ramón María Narváez y Campos, duque de Valencia) (1800-1868), Spanish soldier and statesman, was born at Loja, Granada, on August 5, 1800. ... Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja (b. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Admiral Pareja arrived in Perú in December of 1864, and immediately opened diplomatic negotiations with General Manuel Ignacio de Vivanco, the special representative of Peruvian Presidente Juan Antonio Pezet. The Vivanco-Pareja Treaty was signed on January 27, 1865, on board the frigate Villa de Madrid. Nonetheless national opinion considered it derogatory to Peruvian national honor. When the Peruvian Congress refused to ratify it, a general uprising followed and the government of General Pezet fell on November 7, 1865. Manuel Ignacio de Vivanco was a Peruvian politician and military leader, holding the presidency from 1843 to 1844. ... Juan Antonio Pezet Juan Antonio Pezet (Lima 1810 - Lima 1879) was a Peruvian politician and was elected to the positions of Prime Minister, Vice president and President of Peru during his life. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

War with Chile

In the meantime, anti-Spanish sentiments in several South American countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador were increasing. It was obvious that the Spaniards had no intentions of conquering their former colonies, and they had neither strength nor resources even if they changed their intentions. However, Peru and its neighbors were suspicious about the possibility of the re-establishment of the Spanish Empire. For this reason it was not surprising that when the Spanish gunboat Vencedora stopped at a Chilean port for coal, President José Joaquín Pérez declared that coal was a war supply that could not be sold to a belligerent nation. José Joaquín Pérez, president of Chile 1861-1871 José Joaquín Pérez Mascayano (May 6, 1801 - July 1, 1889) was a Chilean political figure. ...

However, from the Spanish point of view, such an embargo could not be taken as proof of Chilean neutrality, since two Peruvian steamers had left the port of Valparaiso with weapons and Chilean volunteers to fight for Peru. In consequence, Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja took a hard line and demanded sanctions against Chile, even heavier than those imposed upon Peru. He then took part of his squadron composed of four wooden ships to Chile, while the Numancia and the Covadonga remained to guard Callao. Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja (b. ... Numancia is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. ... Schooner Virgen de Covadonga (1859). ... The city of El Callao is the port of Lima, Peru. ...

On September 17, 1865, Admiral Pareja arrived to Valparaiso on his flagship, the Villa de Madrid, and demanded that the Spanish flag be given a 21-gun salute. He purposefully chose the day before the anniversary of Chilean independence (September 18) to present his demand. Under the circumstances, the Chileans refused and war was declared a week later, on September 24. September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Valparaiso is the name of at least three cities and a village: Valparaíso, Chile Valparaiso, Florida Valparaiso, Indiana Valparaiso, Nebraska This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The just named Spanish Prime Minister Leopoldo O'Donnell, who replaced Narvaéz, ordered Admiral Pareja to withdraw, but the Spanish admiral chose to ignore and disobey his direct orders. Since he had no troops with which to attempt a landing, he decided instead to impose a blockade of the main Chilean ports. Even so, his plan was ridiculous, for in order to blockade Chile's 1,800 miles of coastline, Pareja would have needed a fleet several times larger than what he had at his disposal. The blockade of the port of Valparaiso, however, caused such great economic damage to Chilean and foreign interests, that the neutral naval warships of the United States and the United Kingdom lodged a formal protest. The President of the Government of Spain (Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno), sometimes known in English as the Prime Minister of Spain, is the Spanish head of government. ... Leopoldo ODonnell Joris, (1809-1867), Spanish general and stateman. ... Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja (b. ... Valparaiso is the name of at least three cities and a village: Valparaíso, Chile Valparaiso, Florida Valparaiso, Indiana Valparaiso, Nebraska This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Naval Battle of Papudo

Before Chile and Peru were even formally aligned, Spain suffered a humiliating naval defeat at the Naval Battle of Papudo on November 26, 1865. There, the Chilean corvette Esmeralda captured the Spanish schooner Covadonga, taking the crew prisoner and capturing the Admiral's war correspondence. This loss was too much for Admiral Pareja's pride, and two days later he committed suicide on his flagship. After the Spanish Admiral's death, the general command of the Spanish fleet in the Pacific was assumed by Commodore Casto Méndez Núñez, who was soon promoted to rear admiral. The Battle of Papudo was a naval engagement fought between Spain and a combined Peruvian-Chilean fleet on November 26, 1865. ... is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Look up emerald in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Schooner Virgen de Covadonga (1859). ... Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja Vice Admiral Juan Manuel Pareja (b. ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... Casto Méndez Núñez (July 1, 1824 — August 21, 1869), Spanish military naval officer. ...

War with Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia

On November 7, 1865, because of his unwillingness to declare war against Spain and his discredit for having signed the Vivanco-Pareja Treaty, Peruvian President Juan Antonio Pezet was forced out of office and replaced by his vice president, General Pedro Diez Canseco. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Combatants Spain Peru and allies Commanders Casto Méndez Núñez Mariano Ignacio Prado; various commanders Strength 14 ships several ships, infantry, cavalry, townspeople Casualties around 50 dead, 83 wounded around 200 The Battle of Callao (in Spanish, sometimes called el Combate del Dos de Mayo) occurred on May 2... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Juan Antonio Pezet Juan Antonio Pezet (Lima 1810 - Lima 1879) was a Peruvian politician and was elected to the positions of Prime Minister, Vice president and President of Peru during his life. ... Pedro Diez Canseco Corbacho (*Arequipa, Peru, January 31, 1815 - † Chorrillos, April 3, 1893) was a Peruvian soldier and politician, becoming interim President of Peru on three occasions: 1863, 1865 and in 1868. ...

General Diez Canseco also tried to avoid war with Spain, and that in turn also caused his downfall. Only 20 days later, on November 26 General Mariano Ignacio Prado, leader of the nationalist movement, deposed him. The new government inmediately declared its solidarity with Chile and its intention to declare war against Spain to clear its national honor. is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mariano Ignacio Prado was twice president of Peru Mariano Ignacio Prado (1826-1901) was twice the President of Peru, from (1865-68, 1876-79). ...

On December 5, 1865, Chile and Peru formally signed an alliance against Spain. The Peruvian Congress ratified this alliance on January 12, and two days later, on January 14, 1866, Peru finally declared war on Spain. Immediately after, a Peruvian squadron under the command of Captain Lizardo Montero, composed of the steamers Amazonas and Apurimac, set out to join the Chilean fleet. December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Lizardo Montero Flores (*Piura, Peru, 1832 - † 1905) was Vicepresident and President of Peru from 1881 to 1883, during the War of the Pacific. ...

Ecuador joined the alliance on January 30, 1866 by declaring war on Spain that same day. Bolivia, under the command of General Mariano Melgarejo, did the same on March 22, 1866. In this way, all the ports of the Pacific coast of South America became closed and hostile to the Spanish fleet. On the other hand, Argentina and Brazil refused to join the alliance, involved as they were in the War of the Triple Alliance. January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Manuel Mariano Melgarejo Valencia (1818–1871) was the President of Bolivia from 28 December 1864 to 15 January 1871. ... March 22 is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Combatants Paraguay Uruguay, Argentina, Empire of Brazil Commanders Francisco Solano López José E. Díaz Pedro II of Brazil Duke of Caxias Bartolomé Mitre Venancio Flores Strength at the beginning of the war ca. ...

The combined fleet was placed under the command of Rear Admiral Manuel Blanco Encalada at Abtao, where a battle ensued. The encounter was an inconclusive affair because the Spanish Commander decided not to risk his ships by sending them into uncharted shallow waters. He contented himself by rather ineffectively bombarding the enemy fleet. Manuel Blanco Encalada Manuel Blanco Encalada (April 21, 1790, Buenos Aires – September 5, 1876 Santiago de Chile) was a Chilean political figure, an Admiral and Chiles first President (1826). ...

Valparaiso bombardment

The Spanish fleet bombarded and burned the town and port of Valparaiso, and destroyed the Chilean merchant fleet on January 31, 1866. Admiral Mendez Núñez, unhappy with having bombarded a practically defenceless target as Valparaiso, decided to attack a heavily defended port. Spanish fleet shelling the port of Valparaiso The Valparaiso bombardment was an episode of the Chincha Islands War, in which the Spanish fleet shelled, burned and destroyed the port of Valparaiso, Chile. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

The result of this change was the indecisive Battle of Callao, in which the Peruvian defenders of the port of El Callao claimed to have forced the Spaniards to withdraw their ships, and their antagonists claimed to have silenced most of the Peruvian guns. The Peruvian President, Mariano Ignacio Prado, spoke to rally his country against the Spaniards. Combatants Spain Peru and allies Commanders Casto Méndez Núñez Mariano Ignacio Prado; various commanders Strength 14 ships several ships, infantry, cavalry, townspeople Casualties around 50 dead, 83 wounded around 200 The Battle of Callao (in Spanish, sometimes called el Combate del Dos de Mayo) occurred on May 2... The city of El Callao is the port of Lima, Peru. ... Mariano Ignacio Prado was twice president of Peru Mariano Ignacio Prado (1826-1901) was twice the President of Peru, from (1865-68, 1876-79). ...

Order of battle

Spain

Iron-protected frigates

• Numancia - Built in France 1863; Weight 7,500-tons; Speed 12 knots; weapons thirty-four 200-mm guns; Armor five and a half iron belt; Crew 620 men. At the time among the most powerful ships of the world.

Steam frigates

• Villa de Madrid - Built 1862; Weight 4,478-tons; Speed 15 knots; Weapons thirty 200-mm guns, fourteen 160 mm-guns, two 120-mm guns, plus two 150-mm howitzers and two 80-mm guns for landing.
• Resolucion - Built 1861; Weight 3,100-tons; Speed 11 knots; weapons twenty 200-mm guns, fourteen 160-mm guns, one revolving 220-mm gun and two 150 mm-howitzers, two 120-mm guns and two 80-mm guns for landing.
• Triunfo - Built 1861; Weight 3,100-tons; Speed 11 knots; weapons twenty 200-mm guns, fourteen 160-mm guns, one revolving 220-mm gun and two 150 mm-howitzers, two 120-mm guns and two 80-mm guns for landing. This ship was lost in a fire during the early stages of the war.
• Almansa - Built 1864; Weight 3,980-tons; Speed 12 knots; armament thirty 200-mm guns; fourteen 160-mm guns and two 120-mm guns. She also had two 150 mm-howitzers and two 80-mm guns for landing. This ship would arrive to the Pacific on April 1866, days before the Callao Combat.
• Reina Blanca - Weight 3,800-tons; armament 68 guns.
• Berenguela - Weight 3,800-tons; armament 36 guns.

Schooners

• Virgen de Covadonga, Built 1864; Weight 445-tons; Speed 8 knots; Weapons two revolving 200-mm guns at the sides and one revolving 160-mm guns at the prow. Spain however lost the ship to the Chileans.

Gunboats

• Vencedora, Built 1861; Weight 778-tons; Speed 8 knots; weapons two 200-mm revolving guns and two 160-mm guns.

Transports

• Marques de la Victoria - 3 guns
• Paquete del Maule - captured to Chile
• Consuelo
• Mataure

The war saw the use of ironclads, including the Spanish ship Numancia, the first ironclad to circumnavigate the world. Ironclad warships, frequently shortened to just ironclads, were ships sheathed with thick iron plates for protection. ... Numancia is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. ...

With Chilean power subsequently in the ascendancy, the South American powers subsequently turned against one another in the War of the Pacific. Combatants Republic of Peru Republic of Bolivia Republic of Chile Commanders Juan Buendía Andrés Cáceres Miguel Grau Manuel Baquedano Patricio Lynch Juan Williams Strength Peru-Bolivian Army 7,000 soldiers in 1878 Peruvian Navy 2 ironclad, 1 corvette, 1 gunboat Army of Chile 4,000 soldiers in...

Battles of the Chincha Islands War

• Battle of Papudo (February 26, 1865)
• Battle of Abtao (February 7, 1866)
• Battle of Callao (May 2, 1866)

The Battle of Papudo was a naval engagement fought between Spain and a combined Peruvian-Chilean fleet on November 26, 1865. ... Combatants Spain Peru and Chile Commanders Claudio Alvar González Juan Topete Manuel Villar Strength 2 ships in actual combat 4 ships defending Casualties unknown unknown The Naval Battle of Abtao took place on February 7, 1866, between a Spanish naval squadron and a combined Peruvian-Chilean fleet, at the... Combatants Spain Peru and allies Commanders Casto Méndez Núñez Mariano Ignacio Prado; various commanders Strength 14 ships several ships, infantry, cavalry, townspeople Casualties around 50 dead, 83 wounded around 200 The Battle of Callao (in Spanish, sometimes called el Combate del Dos de Mayo) occurred on May 2...

External links

• The War With Spain (extensive background)
• Good Information on the fleets (Spanish)
• Liberation of the Chinchas (Spanish)