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THE PERUVIAN WAR 283 inside the reef, protected by batteries. A shot from one of the latter did the "Huascar" considerable dam- age. She then turned north and on the way encount- ered the "Blanco Encalada" and "Magallanes, " both of which gave chase. The "Huascar" made her escape and reached Callao, where Captain Grau was feted and promoted to the rank of rear-admiral. Having taken aboard a better crew oi seamen, among them several experienced gunners, and having thor- oughly overhauled his ship, Grau sailed toward the south and spent the month of July in harassing the Chileans along the coast, being able to keep out of the way of the enemy's ironclads because of the "Huas- car's" superior speed. In July he arrived at Arica and there received orders to go south and harass the enemy, but on no account to risk his valuable charge in a bat- tle. Leaving Arica, Grau ran into the bay of Iquique, July gth, where he had been informed the ships of the blockading squadron were in the habit of standing out to sea at night, being afraid of torpedoes. Discovering the transport "Cousiiia" in the harbor, he enforced his demands for her surrender, and was about to take possession of his prize when the Chilean sloop "Magallanes" (Captain Latorre) hove in sight and steamed toward him. A lively firing began and was kept up for some time, the "Huascar" meanwhile making four unsuccessful attempts to ram. The firing brought the "Cochrane" to the assistance of the "Ma- gallanes," when Grau, following his instructions, or- dered the "Huascar" to withdraw, July loth. '• After this action the Chilean squadron remained in the harbor at night, but kept up a sharp lookout for torpedoes. One night a floating object was discovered near the "Cochrane," which was taken for a torpedo. This caused the Chilean commander to bombard the