This is a summary of the naval combat of Iquique and Punta Gruesa, which took place on May 21, 1879, during the Pacific War between Chile and Peru. The summary is:
The Peruvian ships Huáscar and Independencia attacked the Chilean corvette Esmeralda and the gunboat Covadonga, which were blockading the port of Iquique. The Huáscar engaged the Esmeralda in a fierce cannonade, while the Independencia chased the Covadonga along the coast. The Esmeralda resisted bravely, but was eventually sunk by the Huáscar's spur. Captain Arturo Prat and some of his men tried to board the Huáscar, but were killed by its crew. The Covadonga, meanwhile, managed to evade the Independencia and lure it into a shallow reef, where it ran aground and sank. Captain Carlos Condell then fired on the stranded frigate until the Huáscar returned to help its ally. The Covadonga withdrew, leaving the Huáscar to rescue the survivors and set fire to the Independencia. The battle ended with a tactical victory for Peru, but a strategic triumph for Chile, as it lost only an old corvette, while Peru lost its best armored frigate. The courage and sacrifice of Prat and his men became a symbol of Chilean heroism, while Grau showed chivalry and respect by sending Prat's belongings to his widow.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The naval combat of Iquique took place on May 21, 1879 between Chile and Peru during the Pacific War.
2. The Chilean corvette Esmeralda and the gunboat Covadonga faced the Peruvian ironclad Huáscar and the armored frigate Independencia.
3. The Huáscar sank the Esmeralda after three rammings and a boarding attempt by Captain Arturo Prat and some of his crew, who died in the process.
4. The Covadonga escaped from the Independencia by sailing close to the coast and causing the Peruvian frigate to run aground on a submerged rock and sink.
5. The naval actions resulted in a tactical victory for Peru but a strategic triumph for Chile, as Peru lost its best ship and Chile maintained its naval superiority.