He was promoted to Commander on 25 September 1877.

On 1878, alarming incidents took place between Chile and Argentina, and things got hot enough as to the extreme of having the countries prepare for war.

The Government of President Aníbal Pinto chose Prat, because of his absolute discretion and trustworthiness, to go as a special confidential agent to Uruguay, with instructions to go to Buenos Aires, in order to obtain information on the Argentinian military build-up. His work was outstanding and with his report the Chilean Government had a clear picture of Argentina's preparedness.

Once the problem with Argentina was overcome, the old issue with Bolivia arose again, and worsening to the extreme when it was known that there was a secret agreement involving the three bordering countries, but that had not been subscribed by Argentina.

At the outbreak of the War of the Pacific, Prat was appointed Assistant of the Navy's General Headquarters, a position Prat rejected. When Mr. Rafael Sotomayor had to go to Antofagasta directed by the Government, he asked for an assistant and Arturo Prat was appointed. Once both were embarked on board the ironclad "Blanco" he was appointed to notify the blockade of Iquique to its authorities, an act he performed without fear notwithstanding the hostile attitude of the population.

Prat was commissioned as Commanding Officer of the schooner "Covadonga", under repairs in Valparaiso, which he should take to Iquique. Profiting from this situation, Admiral Juan Williams and Mr. Rafael Sotomayor commissioned him to personally require from the Government the prompt procurement of the steamship "Amazonas".

Once his mission in Santiago was finished, he assumed command of the "Covadonga", that was ready by the early days of May. On 3 May, the corvette "Abtao" under the command of Lieutenant Commander Carlos Condell and the schooner "Covadonga" under the command of Arturo Prat sailed for Iquique, calling on that port on 10 May.

In accordance with the plan designed by Admiral Williams, in order to attack the Peruvian fleet at the port of El Callao, he appointed Manuel Thomson, who was then commanding the "Esmeralda", as Commanding Officer of the corvette "Abtao", replacing him with Arturo Prat who, consequently, would be in command of the "Esmeralda", and appointing Carlos Condell as Commanding Officer of the "Covadonga".

Ultima Modificación: Lunes 30 de Abril de 2001