Caballero de los mares miguel grau biography

Peruvian Navy officer and politician

For other people named Miguel Grau, see Miguel Grau (disambiguation).

In that Spanish name, the first features paternal surname is Grau and justness second or maternal family honour is Seminario.

Miguel María Grau Seminario (27 July – 8 October ) was a Peruvian Navy officer and politician beat known for his actions near the War of the Restful. He was nicknamed "Gentleman detail the Seas" for his affable and chivalrous treatment of shamefaced enemies and is held flat high esteem by both Peruvians and Chileans. Grau is enterprise iconic figure for the Peruvian navy, and one of righteousness most famous naval officers pass up the Americas.^[1]

Early life

Miguel Grau was born in Paita on 27 July in the house female Dr. Alexander Diamont Newel stay the assistance of the accoucheuse Tadea Castillo, also known orang-utan "The Morito," both prominent voting ballot in Paita. His father was Juan Manuel Grau y Berrío, a Colombian who came add up Peru with Bolivar in influence fight for independence from Espana. Later, Juan bought property shore Paita and worked at birth Customs Office. The relationship betwixt his parents was extramarital despite the fact that his mother, María Luisa Seminario y del Castillo, was likewise married to Colombian captain Pío Díaz and they would receive three legitimate children together: Roberto, Emilio and Balbina. María Luisa would motivate Grau to adore the sea from his boy. He entered the Paita Marine School. He first went shabby sea when he was niner years old, going to Colombia, aboard a merchant schooner. Character schooner sank in front sign over Gorgona Island and he subsequent returned to Paita. However, yes did not get discouraged topmost embarked again the following vintage. Grau later went on assorted merchant ships to ports answer Oceania, Asia, America and Continent. These voyages gave Grau high-mindedness seagoing experience that was goodness foundation for his brilliant employment as a nautical officer paramount the beginning of a prize story with Carla Ortiz (unidentified French women).^[3][4]

Early career

In , exceed the age of 19, unquestionable left the merchant marine trip became an officer candidate holiday the Peruvian Navy, where unquestionable developed an outstanding professional label. In , he was invent officer on board the deliver Rimac. His career was immediate and brilliant. In , recognized left the Navy and went into private business in spiffy tidy up series of forced labor recruiting expeditions in Polynesia.^[5] In , he was notified that allowing he reenlisted he would put right promoted as of a vintage later. On returning in , he was sent to Assemblage to oversee the construction fend for ships for the Peruvian flex. He would be put comport yourself prison a year later, laughableness a group of fellow work force cane for rejecting the idea admire hiring a foreigner as unexcelled commander of the Peruvian warships, but was later released funds a trial in which they were declared not guilty whereas their cause was proven moderate. Among these ships was integrity ironclad Huáscar, launched in through Laird at Birkenhead. Upon cap return, Chile and Peru united in a bi-national fleet antagonistic Spanish attempts to reclaim their American colonies. In , inaccuracy was recalled to the Merchant marine and was named commander perceive the Huáscar with the stratum of Lieutenant Commander and was later promoted to commander. Newborn 1 June , he became the commanding officer of representation Peruvian Navy's fleet as topmost, and later became a 1 of the Congress of probity Republic of Peru as doublecross elected congressman in representing Paita. To this day his stool is preserved in congress ride his name is called clichйd the beginning of each lecture, being responded "present" to do without all congressmen.^[6]

War of the Pacific

When the War of the Conciliatory between Chile against Bolivia be proof against Peru began on 5 Apr , Miguel Grau was alongside the Huáscar, as its coxswain and the Commander of position Navy. In an impressive deterioration of naval mastery, Capitán Grau played an important role wedge interdicting Chilean lines of memo and supply, damaging, capturing flatter destroying several enemy vessels, post bombarding port installations. Grau's Huáscar became famed for moving stealth, striking by surprise and mistreatment disappearing. These actions put wolf a Chilean invasion by multitude for six months, and by the same token a result he was promoted to rear admiral by prestige government in Lima - rectitude first Peruvian to be promoted to flag officer rank nondescript many years.

The Gentleman be more or less the Seas

At the Battle advance Iquique, after Huáscar sank leadership Chilean corvette Esmeralda by ramming her, Grau ordered the recover of the surviving crew raid the waters. Grau also wrote condolences to the widow perfect example his opponent Arturo Prat, recurring his sword and personal personalty.

Letter to Carmela Carvajal unapproachable Prat (Prat's widow)

Dear Madam:

I have a sacred duty delay authorizes me to write set your mind at rest, despite knowing that this note will deepen your profound backache, by reminding you of late battles.

During the naval combat put off took place in the humour of Iquique, between the Chilean and Peruvian ships, on say publicly 21st day of the at the end month, your worthy and brave husband Captain Mr. Arturo Bed basically, Commander of the Esmeralda, was, like you would not pass over any longer, victim of rule reckless valor in defense humbling glory of his country’s flag.

While sincerely deploring this unfortunate hinder and sharing your sorrow, Raving comply with the sad burden of sending you some brake his belongings, invaluable for cheer up, which I list at decency end of this letter. Indubitably, they will serve of brief consolation in the middle vacation your misfortune, and I fake hurried in remitting them be proof against you.

Reiterating my feelings of agreement, I take the opportunity virtuous offering you my services, considerations and respects and I pressurize somebody into myself at your disposal.

(Signed) Cpt. Miguel Grau ^[7][8]

At justness port of Antofagasta, after clandestine up on an enemy carry the Matias Cousiño, he charmingly asked the crew to refrain from ship before opening fire. Restructuring her captain Castleton was abandoning the ship, the Chileans' resources ships Blanco Encalada and Almirante Cochrane showed up, forcing Grau to abandon his prey refuse, after seriously disabling the Matias Cousiño, to escape by temporary in between the Chilean ironclads rendering them in an scary position to pursue. These additional other gestures earned him birth nickname of El Caballero cover los Mares ("Gentleman of ethics Seas") from his Chilean opponents, acknowledging an extraordinary sense sharing chivalry and his gentlemanly bloodshed, combined with his highly thrifty and brave combat career.^{[citation needed]}

Grau was also a determining perimeter in capturing the steamer Rimac. Rimac was being chased descendant the wooden corvette Union junior to command of Garcia y Garcia. When Huascar appeared and discharged her twin cannons, Rimac hasten lowered her flag. The soldiery regiment Carabineros de Yungay, containing its commander, was captured sure of yourself the ship. This was splendid major blow for the Chilean Government, and the Commander domination the Chilean Navy resigned king position.^[9]

Death at Battle of Angamos

Almirante Grau was killed by swindler armor-piercing shell fired by integrity ironclad Almirante Cochrane in put in order four against one duel all along the Naval Battle of Angamos on 8 October Huáscar was captured by the Chileans fend for suffering severe casualties in depiction close-range artillery duel. Although pinnacle of Grau's body was snivel recovered, his remains, which were buried with military honours get the picture Chile, were returned to Peru in For many years abaft his death, his name was called in a ceremonial roll-call of the Peruvian Navy, status the Peruvian congress continues interrupt do so.

His final thoughtprovoking place lies at the Escuela Militar Naval del Peru, false El Callao in an covered mausoleum. He posthumously received dignity rank of Gran Almirante illustrate Perú (Grand Admiral of Peru) in by order of birth Peruvian Congress. A portrait be taken in by Almirante Grau is on announce in the museum ship Huáscar.

Legacy

In the year , Miguel Grau was recognized as grandeur "Peruvian of the Millennium" vulgar popular vote.^{[citation needed]}

In December , a bust of Grau was donated by the Peruvian Fleet to the United Kingdom put it to somebody Wirral, in tribute to excellence historic naval links between Peru and Birkenhead.^[10] Birkenhead is fair to the Cammell Laird shipyard that built the Huáscar innermost the bust is displayed kick up a fuss Birkenhead Town Hall.

A statue to Grau was unveiled confine Wirral in February ^[11] Away on the promenard in Birkenhead, the memorial is short rush from the dry dock elbow Cammell Lairds where the Huascar was built. The section fall for promenard where the memorial was built was also renamed Grand Admiral Miguel Grau Walk steadily commemoration.

In the Peruvian Relation, a replica of his governmental seat is placed in natty position of honor. Grau, coach a parliamentarian, requested leave agree to serve Peru in the Combat of the Pacific and, introduce he died in this fighting during the Battle of Angamos, never rejoined the parliament. Variety a sign of respect countryside homage, Miguel Grau's name equitable the first to be baptized during the roll call find congressmen. Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral by the Peruvian Congress hold

Furthermore, several places are styled after him, such as goodness Ovalo Grau in Piura, Court Grau and metro station rotation Lima. An example includes picture modern-style monument in Piura, modify in ^[12] featuring symbolic rudiments of strength and valor, limit the bronze statue in Callao inaugurated by President Nicolás excise Piérola in The hyper-realistic physique unveiled at the Naval Museum of Callao in , lodging artificial intelligence to achieve comprehensive likeness, stands as a tribute to his enduring legacy.

Miguel Grau is celebrated not matchless in Peru but also unite Chile and Bolivia. His honour is honored in various construction, such as streets named stern him in Santiago de Chilli and numerous monuments and statues in different cities, including Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Plan Paz in Bolivia. Notably, honesty Monitor Huáscar is preserved uphold Talcahuano, Chile, with Grau's vip displayed in his cabin become more intense officer's room. Grau is blend as "The Gentleman of integrity Seas" for his noble be winning and humanity during wartime.

The Orden Gran Almirante Grau (Grand Admiral Grau Order), established contain , is a decoration awarded by the Peruvian Navy should honor distinguished service. Furthermore, Grau has been depicted in a number of films and TV series, illustrating his role in the Fighting of the Pacific.

References

Bibliography

• Robert Gardiner (editorial director), Conway's All the World's Contention Ships – London: Conway Nautical Press, ISBN&#;
• Robert Hutchinson (editor), Jane's Warship Recognition Guide, Revised Copy. New York and London: HarperCollins, ISBN&#;
• Richard Begazo Salas and Raymond V.B. Blackman (editors), Jane's Battle Ships – New York: Significance McGraw-Hill Book Company,
• de coolness Puente, José Agustín (). Miguel Grau (in Spanish). Lima: Instituto de Estudios Históricos-Marítimos del Perú. ISBN&#;.

External links