{{Campaignbox War of the Pacific
The Blockade of Iquique was a military operation that occurred during the
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific ( es, link=no, Guerra del Pacífico), also known as the Saltpeter War ( es, link=no, Guerra del salitre) and by multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought ...
. Once war was declared by Chile upon Peru on Saturday, April 5, 1879, the first Chilean naval action for the War of the Pacific was set in motion. The plan was to block the Peruvian port of
Iquique
Iquique () is a port city and commune in northern Chile, capital of both the Iquique Province and Tarapacá Region. It lies on the Pacific coast, west of the Pampa del Tamarugal, which is part of the Atacama Desert. It has a population of 191, ...
the same day the declaration of war was made. The first phase of the blockade ended on May 21, 1879, after the clashes between the Peruvian ships
''Huascar'' and
''Independencia'' versus the Chilean ships
''Esmeralda'' and
''Covadonga''.
The second phase of the blockade was resumed on June 1, and lasted until August 2, 1879, at which time
John Williams Rebolledo had to resign for failing to succeed in its actions because of the excursions of the ''Huascar'' of Peruvian Admiral
Miguel Grau against Chilean vessels.
War of the Pacific