Both for Arturo Prat and the others, the Naval Combat of Papudo represented a promotion, and thus on 29 November 1965 he was commissioned as Lt. Junior Grade. Besides his promotion, and in accordance with the regulations, he received the corresponding prize value as reward. This reward amounted to $ 1,700 (pesos), most of which he sent to his mother.

The "Covadonga" sailed from Abtao to Magellan on 24 December, with the purpose of capturing the Spanish steamship "San Quintín", that supposedly would relief the "Marqués de laVictoria" or otherwise bring war supplies to the Spanish fleet. The schooner bunked at Ancud and took the most frequently visited route through the channels to reach the Straits. On her way she met several foreign ships and called on the port of Punta Arenas on 7 January 1866, recalling information from the Governor, who said that no Spanish ship had crossed the Straits after the "Marqués de la Victoria".

A Russian gunboat anchored in Punta Arenas told Manuel Thomson that when passing off Montevideo they had not seen any Spanish ship at port nor heard of any news concerning the arrival of one.

On 9 May the "Covadonga" sighted a vessel coming from the Atlantic and went on patrol to find out her identity. It turned to be another Russian gunboat of the Czar, in transit to the Amur River, in Manchuria. The gunboat provided news on a small spanish vessel at Montevideo, and on an unidentified schooner. Without further possibility of obtaining more news, the "Covadonga" returned north, anchoring at Parda Beach, finding that the Russian gunboat that had previously sailed from Punta Arenas had ran aground. The "Covadonga" lifted the gunboat and towed her, remaining there for two days. Lt. Junior Grade Arturo Prat distinguished himself in this maneuver showing initiative and skill.

After facing bad weather conditions, the "Covadonga" reached Abtao on 3 February, after an unsuccessful search. Fortunately, her arrival took place four days before the frigates "Blanca" and "Villa de Madrid" showed off the coast.

Prat, consequently, participated in the so-called Naval Combat of Abtao, that turned to be nothing more than an unsuccessful cannonade, but resulting in the withdrawal of the "Blanca" and "Villa de Madrid", after some hours of exchanging fire with the allied Peruvian-Chilean Fleet, where the only ship that had a real active role was the "Covadonga", because after a warping line broke loose she had to stay behind Abtao Island , from where she continuously fired against the "Blanca."

After this, the "Covadonga" left for the Huito Naval Station, that had been very consciously fortified, to the extreme that when the ironclad frigates "Numancia" and "Blanca" arrived, they decided not to attack and returned north, as they had practically no chance of having any success at all.

To avoid conflict due to seniority between Peruvian and Chilean ships, the Fleet had been placedunder the command of Admiral Manuel Blanco, and before its arrival to Valparaiso and when the Spanish Fleet had already left the Pacific's waters, on 30 September, a mutiny took place among the Peruvian ships, on board the corvette "Unión". The mutiny was led by Captain Varea, nephew to General Balta, who in turn led the revolutionary movement that took place in Peru. Admiral Blanco directed Thomson, Commanding Officer of the "Covadonga", to control the mutiny. Boats from the "Esmeralda" and the "Covadonga", under the command of Lieutenants Juan José Latorre and Arturo Prat, respectively, were sent on mission. Once the boats arrived to the ship's side, their presence was enough to make the leader run into hiding. He later ran ashore. The accomplices were seized, putting an end to the ridiculous situation aimed at trying to make a Peruvian ship rise in rebellion, while being part of a Fleet under the command of a chilean, and in a chilean port.

While the Fleet was in Valparaiso, and even though the Spanish Fleet had disappeared from the South Pacific, a strict surveillance was kept over the straggled spanish transports that might reach our coasts. This enabled the capture of the English barque "Thalaba", that carried supplies and equipment for the spanish ships. Arturo Prat was one of the crewmen of the boat that seized her. The barque was declared good prize by the Court and was turned into an arsenal pontoon of the Navy. Prat remained there a short time and later returned to the "Covadonga".

Embarked on the "Covadonga", Prat sailed on 6 December 1866 in a rescue mission of the british ship "Uruguay", that had been affected by a huge storm, while sailing from Valparaiso to Le Havre carrying a wheat cargo. Intense search was carried by the "Covadonga" but no remains were found, and she had to return to port. Soon later the wreck was confirmed.

By March in early 1867, after an overhaul and replacement of her old armament by a new 70-pound equipment, the "Covadonga" performad a hydrographic survey on the northern coast up to Carrizal Bajo, continuing in exercises up to the Juan Fernández Archipelago, a trip to be repeated by the end of the year.

On July 1868, Arturo Prat was embarked on the corvette "O'Higgins", a brand new ship under the command of Commander Ramón Cabieses. While on board, they heard the sad news of the earthquake and tidal wave occurred along the southern coast of Peru on 13 August 1868. The city of Arica was practically destroyed, causing great damage in the nearby locations, including the city of Arequipa. Chile immediately sent the steamship "Maipú", under the command of Lieutenant Commander Julio Lynch, hastening to run in support of the suffering people at the places affected. Prat was one of the officers on board charged with this humanitarian mission. Once it was completed he returned to the "O'Higgins", where once again the ship sailed to Peru on 9 December, in the company of the corvettes "Esmeralda" and "Chacabuco", in order to repatriate the remains of the Meritorious Founding Father, Bernardo O'Higgins, buried in Lima. The Fleet was under the command of old Admiral Manual Blanco, with the "O'Higgins" as his flagship.

On 26 January 1869, Prat still on the same ship, made a trip to the Juan Fernández Archipelago taking cadets on a cruise of instruction. Upon his return he was transferred to the steamship "Ancud", as Assistant Executive Officer. His Commanding Officer was Julio A. Lynch. This transport was in charge of delivering supplies to Magellan.

By mid-year, Prat returned to the "Thalaba" pontoon for a short time, and then again to the "Ancud", continuing with his trips to Arauco, Valdivia, and the Straits of Magellan.

Ultima Modificación: Lunes 30 de Abril de 2001