Chile’s blockade of Iquique produced a costly reversal for both sides. Huáscar broke the immediate blockade by ramming Esmeralda, which made the Peruvian turret ship Chile’s most urgent maritime target. The accompanying chase ended badly for Peru when the heavier Independencia followed Covadonga toward the coast and struck a rock. A local tactical success therefore left Peru’s wider position worse because it lost a scarce ironclad in difficult coastal water.
Chapter · 51:10-52:13
Iquique: Esmeralda lost and Independencia wrecked
At Iquique, Huáscar rammed and sank the Chilean corvette Esmeralda, but Peru lost the armored frigate Independencia after she pursued Covadonga into shallow coastal water and ran aground.