Action

Action of the Union Corvette in Magallanes

"Intense was the alarm that our presence produced in the town of Punta Arenas, whose inhabitants impressed by the impostures of some Chilean newspapers, fled in terror to the nearby mountains, figuring that we were going to set fire to the population. I had the satisfaction of reassuring them by letting them know that the weapons of Peru are never used against defenseless populations. "

(Official part of Captain, General Commander of the Second Naval Division, Aurelio García y García, after his expedition to the Strait of Magellan, quoted in Ahumada: 1982, 477).

During the War with Chile, despite the blockade of the port of Iquique established by the Chilean fleet from the beginning of the war until August 1879, our ships continued to sail even on the Chilean coast, transporting troops, supplies and ammunition to Peruvian ports located in the south of the country, including Arica and Pisagua.

They also carried out operations to boycott communications among Chileans through the cutting of telegraph cables from their ports, such as the one in Antofagasta that took place on May 29, 1879, and the transfer of troops, food and ammunition with the captures of its transport ships such as the boat "Anita" and the transport "Rímac" that took place on July 23 of that year.

The capture of this last vessel morally and politically shocked Chile to the point of provoking changes in the naval military high command and fearing a presumed coup d'état. The social protests in the streets of Santiago led to the replacement of Admiral Williams Rebolledo by Captain Galvarino Riveros, the General Intenitors of the Army and Navy, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy resigning their positions.

The "Rímac", when captured, transported a complete regiment of cavalry, tons of coal and, above all, official correspondence, the same one that allowed the Peruvian squad to know that Chile was waiting for the Strait of Magellan for two shipments of weapons from of Europe. There was only one thing left: to frustrate that supply.

Then, Captain Nicolás del Portal, commander of the "Union" corvette, was commissioned to sail to that Strait to prevent by all means the Chilean reception of that cargo.

Thus, the "Union" sailed from the port of Arica on July 31, on board was the General Commander of the Second Naval Division, also Captain Aurelio Garcia y Garcia. He arrived in Magallanes on August 13, and continued his trip to Punta Arenas, arriving three days later. On this island he received the news that in the first days of August the English steamship "Glengley", escorted by the Chilean transport "Loa", had set sail for Valparaiso with the aim of delivering its cargo of armaments.

The corvette "Union" had no choice but to start his return trip to Peruvian coasts. He sailed from that island on the 18th of the same month, and arrived in Arica on September 14.

It should be noted that this journey was carried out without hesitation or hesitation, from its planning that, by the way, was taken quickly, until its arrival in Punta Arenas, for which they crossed the Strait of Magellan in the middle of winter, becoming much more arduous than usual navigation. Since in spite of not having fulfilled the mission entrusted nor having enough food and coal, an attitude of respect to the properties and lives of the neutrals and the defenseless inhabitants of that island that had a garrison was maintained at all times. it did not exceed fifty men. 

France

Affirmed the Ferré and Palacios submersibles flag

Ceremony of Affirmed the Ferré and Palacios submersibles flag in the roadstead of the port of Tolón (France), where the Schneider house has a station for submarines and tests of torpedoes.

Appointment of the Director of the Peruvian Naval Museum

Appointment of the Director of the Peruvian Naval Museum

By Supreme Resolution No. 306, the Captain of the Naval Museum (r) Julio Elías Murguía was appointed Director of the Naval Museum.

Former Bellatix of the US Navy

B.A.P. Independencia dock to Callao

The BAP Independencia dock to Callao, former Bellatix, ship loaned by the U.S. Navy, under the terms of the military assistance program.

to the southern area of the maritime domain.

B.A.P. Tambo, set sail on patrol mission

In a ceremony held at the antedique dock of the Callao Naval Base, the B.A.P. Tambo, coastguard unit that sailed on patrol mission to the southern area of the maritime domain.

Naval Battle

Battle of Malpelo

General La Mar, Peruvian President in 1828, was a native of the city of Cuenca, now Ecuador. It was his wish that it be annexed to Peru, which motivated the displeasure of Simón Bolívar. For this reason, the war was declared to Peru, which sent the corvette "Libertad" under the commander Carlos García del Postigo.

The ship was armed with 22 guns and was manned by 140 men. At noon on August 31, 1828, anchored north of Punta Malpelo, the Colombian ships "Pichincha" and "Guayaquileña" that had left Guayaquil under the command of Commodore Wright could be seen on the island of Santa Clara. When approaching the Peruvian ship, this shot the schooner "Guayaquileña". The other Colombian ship was delayed due to a bad maneuver, so the fight took place only between the other two ships.

After an hour of cannonade, the "Guayaquileña" was very damaged, it had lost 61 crew members, so it went to Guayaquil, being pursued until beyond Punta Arenas. In the heat of the combat García del Postigo was wounded by two bullets, being replaced by the Executive Commander Juan José Panizo.

Panizo decided to hunt down the "Pichincha" who had already fled to Paita where he was captured. The Peruvian corvette had had 40 casualties.

Battle

Battle of Pantoja and Rocafuerte

In July 1941 hostilities between Peruvians and Ecuadorians began. This war would have to extend until 1942. In August 1941, Ecuadorian troops belonging to the Rocafuerte Garrison attacked the Peruvian troops, being quickly evicted by the Peruvians. In the Rocafuerte camp you could see the good logistics, it was equipped with a good amount of medium-range weapons.

The Peruvian troops stationed in the east, as well as those in the north, in Zarumilla, were able to defend their positions with honor. The Peruvian troops had to defend themselves from an islet and had large palm trees as a reference point of attack. The Peruvian attack was difficult due to the existence of large trees that prevented making the shots with the guns, for this it had to shoot down several trees.

In this action, the participation of Carmen Rosa Panduro, wife of soldier Juan Manuel Peñaherrera, who dressed in a soldier's uniform and fought valiantly at the side of the troops stands out.

Light Battalion of Combat BALICO N ° 2 faces the subversive group Sendero Luminoso in the sector of Aguaytía-Ucayali

Confrontation with Sendero Luminoso in Aguaytía - Ucayali

In the heroic action of arms thirteen members of the battalion lose their lives: The Lieutenants Junior Grade Raúl Riboty Villalpando and Juan Jordán de Vivero; Petty Officer Luis Valdivia Espinoza, Chief petty officer Walter Días Huamán and seamen Bernardo Cárdenas Vílchez, William Urbina Medina, Hernán Valdez Bustinza, Manuel Luza Risso, Edgar Ángeles Lobatón, Alex Ramírez Valdivia, Enrique Vargas Bernal, Marco Quispe Ccurahua and Mariano Tesen Huamán.

In homage and recognition to B.A.P. Pacocha

Day of heroism and fraternity of the Navy

Day of heroism and fraternity of the Navy, established to pay homage and recognition to the spirit of solidarity, bravery and courage of the sailors belonging to the submarine B.A.P. Pacocha of the Peruvian Navy, which was shipwrecked in front of Callao.

Designate to place Ships of the Peruvian Navy (B.A.P.) to all the units of the Navy

Designate to place Ships of the Peruvian Navy

It is resolved that the words "Ships of the Peruvian Navy" would be adopted as the only designation for all units of the Navy. They will be used in abbreviation "B.A.P." prefixed to the name of each unit afloat of the squadron.

Thousands of victims as a result of the earthquake hit the southern parts of the country, were supported by the Peruvian Navy.

Earthquake hit the southern parts of the country

With great human spirit and professionalism, the personnel of the peruvian Navy joined the efforts deployed to overcome the damage caused by the earthquake on August 15, 2007 that affected the areas of Pisco, Ica, Chincha, Cañete, Yauyos , Huaytará and Castrovirreyna.In those moments of great tension, the institution provided valuable collaboration with its units (B.A.P. Callao, B.A.P. Eten, B.A.P. Pisco, B.A.P. Paita and B.A.P. Santillana), transporting tons of food, clothing, medicines, heavy machinery, among others. Naval units also intervened in the solidary voyage.

Primer trasplante renal en el Perú y en Latinoamérica

First kidney transplant in Peru and in Latin America

The first kidney transplant in Peru and Latin America was successfully carried out at the Naval Medical Center "Cirujano Mayor Santiago Távara". The surgeon was Dr. Raúl Romero Torres.

Active service "Not quartered"

First promotion of female cabin boys

On August 17, 1985, it marked a historic milestone for the Peruvian Navy, since this day the first promotion of female cabin boys from the "Non-quartered" Active Service was incorporated into our institution.

The HNLMS Amsterdam, receives the denomination of B.A.P. "Tacna", the logistic support vessel of the Peruvian Navy

HNLMS Amsterdam, receives the denomination of B.A.P. "Tacna"

The HNLMS Amsterdam, receives the denomination of B.A.P. "Tacna", an imposing unit that has the mission to fulfill humanitarian aid functions in the Peruvian coast. Their capacities and potentials achieve an effective and timely logistic replenishment at sea transporting food, medical equipment and fuel, necessary actions in the event of a natural disaster.

In addition, it is equipped to carry out operations of maritime interdiction, aeromedical evacuation, support and assistance to coastal areas affected by events or natural phenomena (earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, landslides and others), such as those that have occurred in several areas of the country.

First crane ship of the Peruvian Navy

Launch of Dos de Mayo

The launching ceremony of Dos de Mayo, the first crane of the Navy, entirely built in our Naval Arsenal.

Juan Manuel Grau and Berríos

Miguel Grau father, requests the incorporation of his two youngest children into the Navy

Juan Manuel Grau y Berríos, Miguel Grau's father, submits an application requesting the incorporation into the Peruvian Navy of his two minor children, Miguel and Enrique.  

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National Defense Day

Cada 27 de agosto, se conmemora el “Día de la Defensa Nacional”, esta fecha se configura como una jornada de carácter cívico, instituida el 20 de enero de 1989 por Ley Nº 25005, en homenaje a la reincorporación de Tacna al territorio nacional, en esta jornada los peruanos recuerdan la valía de nuestras Fuerzas Armadas y de la ciudadanía, cuando la soberanía de la Nación y la paz se ven comprometidas.

El recuerdo de los heroicos ciudadanos tacneños quienes con fe y patriotismo se mantuvieron firmes en su determinación de vivir a la sombra de nuestra bandera, ha permitido brindarles justo homenaje, instituyendo el día de la Defensa Nacional, en aras de fortalecer la identidad nacional, elemento básico de cohesión para contar con Sistema de Defensa Nacional que involucre a toda la sociedad.

El Sistema de Defensa Nacional es uno de los pilares fundamentales en el que se basa la organización del país; el cual, es integral y permanente, alcanzando los ámbitos internos y externos de la Nación, donde se incluye la participación de toda persona natural o jurídica de acuerdo con ley.

El Sistema de Defensa Nacional, se sustenta en el artículo 163º de la Constitución Política del Perú que establece que, “el Estado garantiza la Seguridad Nacional mediante el Sistema de Defensa Nacional”. Es también, el conjunto interrelacionado de elementos del Estado, cuyas funciones están orientadas a garantizar la Seguridad Nacional mediante la concepción, planeamiento, dirección, preparación, ejecución y supervisión de la Defensa Nacional.

La Seguridad Nacional, se interpreta como la situación en la que el Estado provee las condiciones necesarias para asegurar su existencia, su integridad territorial, su patrimonio, sus intereses, su desarrollo y la paz social, para actuar con plena autoridad y libre de toda subordinación, frente a todo tipo de amenazas, tanto en el frente interno como en el externo, siendo la Defensa Nacional el conjunto de previsiones, decisiones y acciones que el Estado, a través del Gobierno, genera y ejecuta permanentemente para hacer Frente a las Amenazas, Conflictos y Desastres que pongan en riesgo a la Nación.

La Defensa Nacional es el principal escudo que garantiza nuestra independencia, soberanía, integridad territorial. Participar en ella es, a su vez, una demostración de respeto por nuestros héroes, los de ayer y los de hoy, quienes han dado su vida por legarnos un país libre, seguro, fuerte y soberano.

La paz sólo se consigue y preserva cuando un pueblo unido a sus Fuerzas Armadas dispone de los recursos morales y materiales necesarios para enfrentar las amenazas que perturben el desarrollo de la nación.

Que el legado de nuestros héroes que ofrendaron sus vidas para poder vivir en paz y libertad, sirvan de estímulo y experiencia, para que nunca más se repitan las dolorosas afectaciones de nuestro suelo patrio o nos conduzcan a luchar contra aquellos que equívocamente busquen sembrar el caos y la división entre peruanos.

Naval Campaign

Naval Battle of Antofagasta

During the course of the year 1879, during the naval campaign of the Pacific War, the enemy continued to be tenaciously confronted on the vast coastline, the scene of the conflict. The naval war was carried out without truce or rest, practically with a single ship, the glorious Huáscar, that had to face all the Chilean squadron and the fortifications and artillery of the enemy ports. In Iquique, Grau received the last instructions of the President and Director of the War and set sail towards the south at 01.45 hours on the 24th, accompanied by the Oroya transport, in search of the Chilean armored vehicle Cochrane, which according to information received was in Caldera.

The same day, in the night, he anchored in Iquique that was already free of Chilean ships. In the early morning of the 24th he left for Punta Jara, located in the outskirts of Antofagasta, in search of reports that had to be provided by the merchant commander Ilo, of the English Company of Vapors. At the agreed point, Huáscar and Ilo were spotted and Grau learned that the Chilean corvettes Magallanes and Abtao, as well as the Limari transport, were anchored in Antofagasta.

Grau then determined the advisability of attacking enemy ships in the port harbor and ordered the commander of the Oroya to keep his ship at the entrance to Antofagasta, covering the rear as a precaution in case the Chilean battleships appeared. Then the Huáscar advanced cautiously and in the early morning of the next day he appeared at the bay. On this occasion, once again the commander of Huascar and his crew performed another of his daring exploits. The monitor was interned between the Chilean warships and fourteen neutral merchants at anchor. He then launched a torpedo against one of the corvettes, but without success, and had to proceed with his search to prevent it from falling into enemy power. Picking up the torpedo, after three hours, the Huáscar left the port at dawn, in demand of the Oroya, which was joined at 0700 hours, continuing both in the direction of Taltal, where they arrived on the 26th in the morning.

In that port, Peruvian vessels, without any opposition from the port forces, captured nine vessels, two of them loaded with merchandise. Of these, six were in magnificent condition, so they were tied to the Oroya trailer, destroying the remaining three. Once this operation was successfully carried out, our ships began to return to the North, the Oroya bound for Arica and Huáscar in the direction of the ports of the coast for a new reconnaissance.

In Antofagasta the impressive Huáscar reappeared on August 28, after having sailed the ports of Blanco Encalada and Cobre yesterday, setting fire to the boats and boats that were anchored there. Grau's intention was this time to trace the submarine telegraph cable, an action that would have to be carried out with the eyes and patience of the population and the Chilean warships anchored in the harbor.

At 1:00 p.m., the Huascar advanced valiantly towards the mouth of the port and the Abtao, hidden behind a merchant, broke his fires.

Then Grau ordered the touch of combat and arranged for the pavilion donated by the city of Trujillo to be hoisted on the mast of Huáscar. At 3:15 p.m. Huáscar moved further into the center of the bay, while the Chilean corvettes Abtao and Magallanes hid themselves, covering themselves with merchants. The monitor had to face the enemy that besieged him from his ships as well as the fifteen large-caliber artillery pieces located on the ground. In spite of the enormous disadvantage, Grau trusted in the great capacity and professionalism of his brave subordinates. From that moment a sustained combat between the Huáscar and the enemy guns was locked. Then, he led his ship narrowing the gap, reaching as close as possible to the enemy, but between the Huáscar and the Chilean ships there was the inconvenience of the merchant ships that prevented firing. Although the Abtao was damaged in his machine, his immobility was not absolute, because he maneuvered constantly with his spies. Nevertheless, the Huáscar concentrated in him his accurate fires and the ravages were terrible, so much in the own ship as between his crew. The projectiles of the Chilean ships, all well directed, happened to short distance of the Peruvian ship. The glorious Huascar came out less than unharmed from this fight, despite having offered for hours as a target at close range in the bay to the artillery of Chilean ships.

The Huáscar went further into the bay, looking for a clear direction, in order to direct his shots over the enemy ships, but these had already suspended their fires; however, at 16.15 p.m., being 2,300 yards away, they fired again only the batteries and locked them in combat again, until at 5.30 p.m. the enemy's fires completely ceased and the last shots were fired by Huascar, staying in the port until 9:00 p.m., when it sailed north.

In this combat the Peruvian monitor, without having used the spur, had caused serious breakdowns and appreciable number of casualties to Abtao, damaging the Magallanes as well. His shots were accurate, and so true was this that the correspondent of the Chilean newspaper "El Mercurio", from Santiago, making a review of that fight, wrote that the ravages produced in the Abtao by those Huáscar shots were terrible. The Commander of the Abtao himself reported it to the General in Chief of the Chilean Army, stationed in that port.

In total, the Huáscar shots caused the Abtao 9 dead, 7 seriously injured and 5 slightly injured. The monitor, at the end of the battle, had fired at the ships and the forts a total of 26 shots with the guns of 300 and two with those of 40, having no more shots because the sea was chopped and strong balance that hindered the aim, being necessary to wait for the most convenient opportunities to shoot.

On the other hand, we had to regret the death of a distinguished and courageous officer, Lieutenant Junior Grade Carlos de los Heros, who was the victim of the only shot that made the enemy gun of 300 lbs. located to the North of the population, unique in making target in the Huáscar during all the combat. The explosion of this bomb also wounded the courageous sailor Alcides Gutiérrez, a student of the Condestables School.

Concluded this episode, the Huáscar remained in Antofagasta until the early morning of the 29th, when it resumed its march towards the North, arriving at Mejillones where it picked up a steam boat that it took in tow, continuing then towards Cobija and Tocopilla, ports in which it destroyed four other boats On August 31, Huáscar returned to Arica, where the population received its commander and crew in the midst of a delirious ovation.

At that time our distinguished hero had been promoted to Rear Admiral, and in him and in the brave officers and crew of the monitor, Peru had all its hopes pinned.

The Huáscar waged the most excellent naval campaign, crossing the coast of the three countries in struggle without hindrance. The Peruvian monitor, challenging a powerful squadron, bombarded the fortified ports of the enemy, destroyed their boats, captured their transports, kept Callao's communications open with Peruvian ports, prevented the mobilization of enemy troops and kept the army inactive and paralyzed. Chilean who was in Antofagasta.

Members of the Peruvian Navy, today, as yesterday the brave sailors who gave everything for the sacred national interests, we continue from our posts and our roles working and preparing ourselves under the same ideals with a spirit of solidarity, winning mentality and unwavering will to fight, to help guarantee the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic. That is why we give the just homage deserved by the Huascar crew who are an example of self-sacrifice and heroism for our future generations.

Founder of the commission to write the Maritime History of Peru

Rear Admiral Federico Salmón de la Jara dies in Lima

Rear Admiral Federico Salmón de la Jara dies in Lima, manager and founder of the commission to write the Maritime History of Peru, and first president of the same, and the Institute of Historical Maritime Studies of Peru, from October 17 to 31 March 1992. 

National Navy

The Grand Marshal José de La Mar assumes the Presidency of the Republic

The Presidency of the Republic is assumed by the Grand Marshal José de La Mar. The activity in the National Navy is accentuated: the ships of the squadron are incessantly active, both in transport trips and in the work of repairs and staff  increase.

In Alto Huallaga

The Peruvian Naval Infantry Force organized "Piraña" detachment to fight terrorism

Since the beginning of 1980, Sendero Luminoso and drug trafficking have begun to operate in the Alto Huallaga. In this context, the Naval Infantry Force organize a detachment to be assigned to the department of Huánuco and to the province of Mariscal Cáceres in San Martin department. With the name of Piraña, the detachment is organized with the naval infantry from both Ancon and Iquitos.