water than the adversary, suddenly ran on the rocks and became a total wreck, this fatal accident proving a deathblow to Peru, as the strength of the Chilean fleet was now overwhelming. The brilliant exploits of Admiral Grau kept the enemy at bay for four months, during which he protected the Peruvian coast by a series of rapid and skilful manœuvres. The discontent in Chile over the inactivity of the fleet became so great that a new War Minister was appointed, whose first act was to order the two ironclads back to Valparaiso to be overhauled, as they were no match in speed for the _Huascar_. The Chilean navy was practically reorganized, merchant ships were engaged to transport troops, and a few were purchased to be used as men-of-war. The naval fight was really a single-handed encounter between the _Huascar_ and the two Chilean ironclads. Admiral Grau’s heroism was sublime. The English historian, Clements R. Markham, who has written a detailed description of this war, says that “the Chilean squadron consisting of two ironclads and several other vessels, all carefully and thoroughly refitted, was despatched from Valparaiso for the purpose of forcing the _Huascar_ to fight single-handed against hopeless odds.” Meantime gallant Grau was along the coast, doing his utmost to hinder the preparations of the Chileans for a military invasion of Peru. On the morning of the 8th of October, 1879, as the _Huascar_, followed by the gunboat _Union_, was slowly steaming northward from Antofagasta, the three Chilean warships, the _Blanco Encalada_, _Covadonga_, and _Matias Cousiño_ appeared in sight to the northeast near Point Angamos; the _Huascar_ turned to the northwest and put on all speed to escape the enemy, when suddenly the _Almirante Cochrane_, _O’Higgins_, and _Loa_ came into view, heading from the very direction in which the _Huascar_ was steering. Undismayed by the critical situation, Admiral Grau ordered Captain Garcia y Garcia, the commander of the _Union_ to put on full speed and get out of danger, as in case of the loss of the _Huascar_ the _Union_ would be the only serviceable vessel left to Peru. In the fight which followed, a shell from the _Cochrane_ struck the pilot tower of the _Huascar_, in which were Admiral Grau and one of his lieutenants, destroying the tower and killing its occupants, who were blown to pieces. The brave hero and his ship met their doom by the same blow, as, up to that moment, the _Huascar_ had held its own. A few minutes later, the _Blanco Encalada_ fired on the doomed _Huascar_, its shell killing Captain Elias Aguirre, who had taken the admiral’s place. No sooner had he fallen than his successor, Captain Manuel Carbajal, met the same fate, to be followed by Lieutenant Rodriguez, whose place was immediately taken by Lieutenant Enrique Palacios, until a fragment of shell struck him down and the command devolved on Lieutenant Garezon. When the terrible combat ended,