Hillyar turned Valparaiso into an intelligence-led blockade

Porter reached Valparaiso expecting help from the politically influential Carrera family, but they were imprisoned amid Chile's internal conflict and an expected Spanish counterattack. British merchants and agents supplied Hillyar with current information before and after he entered the port, including Essex's crew, armament, stores, and political circumstances ashore. Porter displayed his desire for a close boarding fight and failed to leave during the brief neutral-port opportunity. Hillyar used the eleven days in port to resupply, inspect his opponent, and keep Phoebe ready to move even while he was ashore. Once the British returned to sea, boats continued to carry provisions and intelligence out to a patient blockade positioned beyond the coastal guns.