Ironclad Huascar - Guide 057 - Special

Summary

The 'Huáscar', an ironclad warship of the Peruvian and Chilean navies, had an eventful history. Originally an experimental turret ship, it was armed with powerful guns and a ram bow. Despite initial setbacks, it saw action in the Peruvian Civil War and the War of the Pacific, where its armor was its strength. The ship changed hands multiple times, was involved in the first combat torpedo launch, and was eventually captured and repaired by Chile. It served until a boiler explosion in 1897, was later restored, and can now be visited as a heritage ship in Chile.

Takeaways

• ⚓ The Huascar was an ironclad turret warship serving both Peruvian and Chilean navies.
• 🛠️ Built in the 1860s, the Huascar had a 4.5-inch thick belt of armor and a 7.5-inch thick armored turret.
• 🔫 The ship's armament included twin 10-inch guns, smaller 40-pound guns, a 12-pound cannon, and a Gatling gun.
• 🚢 Equipped with a ram bow, the Huascar could reach speeds of 12 knots.
• ⚔️ The Huascar saw action in various conflicts, including the Peruvian civil war and the War of the Pacific.
• 🛡️ Despite its armor, the ship faced significant challenges and damages during battles, especially against newer Chilean ironclads.
• 👨‍✈️ Captain Grau was the Huascar's most renowned commander, serving during significant naval engagements.
• 🌊 The Huascar was captured by Chilean forces and served in the Chilean navy after the Battle of Angamos.
• 🔄 The ship was involved in multiple civil wars and changed hands between government and rebel forces.
• 🏛️ The Huascar is now a heritage ship and can be visited in Talcahuano, Chile.

Q & A

What was the HMS Warrior's significance in the context of the Musca's design?

The HMS Warrior was the first true ironclad warship, and its design influenced the Musca, which was an early ironclad turret ship, one of the many experimental warship types in the 1860s.

What were the Musca's primary weapons?

The Musca was armed with a single twin turret carrying a pair of 10-inch guns, also known as 300-pound guns, a pair of smaller 40-pound guns, a 12-pound cannon, and a Gatling gun.

Why was the ram bow considered a vital weapon on the Musca?

The ram bow was considered vital because, at the time, the thickest armor appeared almost invulnerable to gunfire, and the ram could be used to inflict damage on enemy ships.

What was the Musca's speed and how did it compare to other ships of the time?

The Musca had a speed of 12 knots, which was not the fastest but was considered respectable for a ship of its type during that era.

Why did the Peruvian Navy name the ship Huascar?

The Peruvian Navy named the ship Huascar after the penultimate ruler of the Inca Empire, following a tradition of naming ships after significant historical figures.

What was the first action Captain Grau saw on the Huascar?

Captain Grau's first action on the Huascar was during the Peruvian civil war when the ship was seized by rebels and operated against government shipping.

How did the Huascar's armor perform during its engagement with the British Navy?

The Huascar's armor performed well, keeping out all incoming fire from the faster but unarmored British ships, despite being hit repeatedly.

What was significant about the attempted sinking of the Huascar by HMS Shah using a torpedo?

The attempted sinking marked the first combat torpedo launch in the world, although it missed its target.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Angamos for the Huascar?

In the Battle of Angamos, the Huascar's armor was finally penetrated by the latest British guns and armor-piercing shot from the Chilean ships, leading to Captain Grau's death and the ship's capture.

How did the Huascar's involvement in the War of the Pacific impact the conflict?

The Huascar's raids on shipping and ports delayed the Chilean campaign by about half a year, as they couldn't guarantee supply or support for their troops with the Huascar operating unchecked.

What was the final fate of the Huascar?

After a boiler explosion in 1897, the Huascar was decommissioned and later brought back into service as a submarine tender and then a heritage ship. It can now be visited in the port of Talcahuano, Chile.