3-011-797 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

General view of the Chincha Islands, lately seized by the Spaniards, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by Oswald Younghusband. 'The Chincha Islands, which contain the richest deposits of guano on these coasts, are situated about 120 miles south of Lima. It has been stated that they bring in a revenue of about 16,000,000 dollars to the State...a strong Spanish squadron, which had come to Callao some time previously and been hospitably received by the population, set sail for the Chincha Islands, where Admiral Pinzon ordered the Peruvian Governor to haul down his national flag and hoist the Spanish, threatening to open fire if not obeyed. The Governor submitted, under protest; the islands were occupied, the Peruvian vessel Iquique was seized, and all the Government officials on the island were made prisoners, to be detained as hostages. The Peruvians resented this outrage, and the two States are now at war'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.