Outstanding actions in our Naval History

Once Chile had been proclaimed a Republic in 1818, Bernardo O'Higgins, known as the "Liberator" of Chile, gave momentum to the creation of the First National Fleet thus setting in motion the first naval actions that would contribute to the unification of the nation.

Capture of the brigantine "Aguila
(26 February 1817) The capture took place in the bay of Valparaiso and provided the Chilean Navy with its first ship. Once captured, the brigantine was immediately assigned the task of rescuing a group of Chilean patriots from the Juan Fernandez Islands. The group included Manuel Blanco Encalada, who subsequently led the Navy and, in later years, became the first President of Chile.

Capture of the frigate "Reina Maria Isabel
(28 October 1818) This was the first victory for the newly formed Naval Squadron and took place in the port of Talcahuano against Royalist forces that fought to defend Spanish supremacy in Southern Chile. This event served to proved that Chile had the naval capacity to safeguard its independence.

The Capture of Valdivia
(3 – 4 February 1820) The capture of the Spanish coastal fortresses located at the mouth of the Valdivia River and of the town of the same name, was carried out by the Fleet under the command of Lord Thomas Alexander Cochrane. It marked the consolidation of Republican power throughout Chilean continental territory.

Capture of the frigate "Esmeralda"
(5-6 November 1820). The daring of this singular night-time action carried out by the Liberator Squadron of Peru on the arrival at the fortified port of El Callao, demonstrated Chile's capacity to expand its struggle for independence and neutralize the Spanish forces that still controlled a number of American nations.

Naval Action off Casma
(12 January 1839) This victory put an end to the naval power of the Peru - Bolivia Confederation, that was at war with Chile. It also guaranteed the safety of maritime com-munication and sea supply routes for the land-based forces that led the country to victory in this conflict.

Naval Action off Papudo
(26 November 1865) The victory of the Chilean corvette "Esmeralda" against the Spanish schooner "Virgen de Covadonga" was a decisive display of strength at a time when Chile's seafaring powers were experiencing a period of great weakness. The ship's capture at this moment  of the conflict enabled Chile to increase its weakening fleet as a result of the conflict, to three vessels.

Naval Action off Punta Gruesa
(21 May 1879) With the defeat of the Peruvian  frigate "Independencia" by the gunship "Virgen de Covadonga" in the hands of the competent Chilean Commander Carlos Condell, Peru suffered a major loss of its naval power at a very crucial stage in the "War of the Pacific" conflict.

Naval Action off Angamos
(8 October 1879) The defeat of Rear Admiral Miguel Grau and the capture of his flagship "Huascar" put an end to Peru's naval supremacy and established Chile's total control over the sea, paving the way to her final victory over the Peru-Bolivian Confederation.