Medal commemorating the action off Iquique, 1879

Medal commemorating the action off Iquique, 1879. Obverse: Starboard broadside view of the 'Huascar' under sail and steam, rays above, the ship's name on a tablet below: 'HUSCAR.' Legend: 'TRIUNFO SOBRE LA ESMERALDA . IQUIQUE EL 21 DE MAYO DE 1879.' (Triumph over the Esmeralda. Iquique, 21 May 1879). Reverse: Inscription, a foul anchor below. Inscription (within a rope border): 'LAS SEÑORAS DE LIMA AL VALIENTE Y ESFORZADO CAPITAN DE NAVIO DE LA ARMADA PERUANA. DN. MIGUEL GRAU.' (The ladies of Lima to the valiant and courageous Captain Miguel Grau of the Peruvian Navy.) A foul anchor above the name. The principals in the action were the 'Huascar', ironclad of Peru, and the 'Esmeralda', corvette of Chile. The latter (Captain Prat) finally sank after being rammed.

Object Details

ID: MEC2538
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Britten, Robert Henry
Events: War of the Pacific: Battle of Iquique, 1879
Vessels: Esmeralda fl.1879 (Chilean); Huascar fl.1879 (Peruvian)
Date made: 1879
People: Grau, Miguelfl; Grau, Miguelfl Prat, Captd
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 35 mm