Angamos: trapping Huáscar between Chilean divisions

Galvarino Riveros divided the Chilean fleet because blockading both Arica and Callao required the destruction or capture of Huáscar and her exceptional commander, Miguel Grau. When smoke columns appeared, Blanco Encalada's division deliberately reduced speed, tempting the Peruvian ships to turn north before accelerating to close the southern escape route. Juan José Latorre's division, led by Cochrane, then appeared ahead; the faster Unión escaped, but Huáscar had to remain and fight. The trap depended on both Chilean ironclads being able to match Huáscar's twelve knots and on two separated divisions coordinating over several hours. The sequence makes the operational design visible before the gunnery phase begins.