Bombardment of Callao

This article is for the Bombardment of Callao during the War of the Pacific, for the conflict during the Chincha Islands War see Battle of Callao.

The blockade
Commencing on April 10, 1880 the Chilean Navy fleet began a light blockade of the Peruvian port of Callao. The Chilean fleet would slowly grow as additional ships became available from other regions of the campaign. Likewise, the Peruvian Navy would arm local vessels as equipment allowed.

Several times over the year that the blockade was effected, the Chilean fleet would sortie and bombard the city. This was frequently in response to a Peruvian provocation, such as the repeated successful deployment of disguised floating bombs. After the successful attacks on the Lima suburbs of San Juan and Miraflores it became apparent that the city was going to fall to the advancing Chilean army. The last Peruvian ironclad, the monitor Atahualpa, as well as Peru's first submarine, the Toro Submarino were scuttled to prevent capture on January 16, 1881 and Callao surrendered two days later.