October is one of the most important months for most Peruvians, despite religious celebrations, the Battle of the Angamos is also commemorated every October 8. A date that honors par excellence the hero Miguel Grau, also known as the ‘Knight of the Seas’, who faced the Chilean navy with courage, honor and humanity, but which ended with Grau’s death. For that reason, every year is honored and proud as it symbolizes sacrifice and bravery for the nation. In the following note, we will tell you all the details.
WHY IS ANGAMOS BODY REMEMBERED EVERY OCTOBER 8?
145 years ago, the Corvette Unión and the Monitor Huáscar met the Chilean fleet consisting of the corvette O’Higgins, the schooner Covadonga, the Vapor Loa and the coal supplier Matías Cousiño. They were led by the strong English armored frigates: Cochrane and Blanco Encalada. At that time, the Silesians were the majority, so certain death was meant against them. In addition, they had the latest technology from the UK.
One of the Cochrane’s shots hit one of the corners of the Huáscar’s command tower. He pierced his fragile armor and then exploded near Rear Admiral Miguel Grau, killing him instantly. According to the stories of the time, only one bloody leg of the Knight of the Seas remained, and it currently sits in the Pantheon Heroes of the Presbítero Maestro Cemetery in Lima.
Miguel Grau Seminario represents sacrifice and bravery for the nation.
Likewise, First Lieutenant Diego Ferré died as a result of the blast wave. Members of the Chilean navy also mourned Grau’s death. The commander of the armored frigate Blanco Encalada, José Galvarino Riveros Cárdenas, states in a statement sent to the general commander of the Chilean squadron:
“The death of the Rear Admiral of Peru, Don Miguel Grau Seminario, is greatly attributed to the General Commander in this Squadron, whose leaders and officers have done justice to the patriotism and courage of that distinguished sailor.“.
DETAILS REGARDING MIGUEL GRAU’S SEMINAR, “RIMHE NA MARA”
- He was named ‘The Knight of the Seas’ for his respect and solidarity against the enemy during the war with Chile.
- 1866: Facing a Spanish division in the Battle of Abtao.
- 1868: He is appointed commander of the Huáscar monitor.
- 1873: Grau made a cruise through southern Peru and the coast of Bolivia, when there was a threat of armed conflict between Chile and Bolivia, due to territorial issues.
- 1877: Accepts a position as Commander-in-Chief of the Peruvian Navy.
- 1878: On January 2, he submitted a report to the National Congress on the poor condition of the warships and the shortcomings of the Navy. It was a warning a year before the war with Chile.
- 1879: On October 8, Don Miguel Grau Seminario died, after the Chilean ship ‘Cochrane’ set off a grenade at Huáscar. His sailors and officers continued to fight until they fell dead or were put out of action.
- The Battle of Angamos took place in Punta Angamos, which belonged to Bolivia at that time.
- His remains were originally buried in Santiago de Chile, but were returned in 1890 and moved to the Heroes’ Zone in 1908. In October 1946 he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Admiral.
- Inside the convent of Los Descalzos, in Rímac, there is a chapel dedicated to Miguel Grau, where our hero prayed and confessed for the last time before the Battle of Angamos. The church is under the care of the Peruvian Navy.
