Miguel Grau Seminario

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Miguel Grau Seminario
Peruvian Admiral during the War of the Pacific
Born	July 27, 1834 Piura, Piura, Peru
Died	October 8, 1879 Near Punta Angamos, Litoral, Bolivia

Grand Admiral Miguel María Grau Seminario (b. Piura, Peru, July 27, 1834 - d. Punta Angamos, Bolivia, October 8, 1879) was a renowned Peruvian naval officer and hero of the Naval Battle of Angamos during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).

Miguel Grau was born in the city of Piura on July 21, 1834 to a Gran-Colombian (later nationalised Peruvian) Juan Manuel Grau y Berrío, who arrived in Peru with Simón Bolívar's army, and Maria Luisa Seminario y del Castillo who had been born in Piura. In 1856, he supported an armed uprising against the Government of President Ramón Castilla. The revolution was a complete failure, and Grau Seminario was forced to resign from the Peruvian Navy. He then returned to the merchant service. He also served a term in the Peruvian Parliament.

A strong supporter of the government of Manuel Pardo, Miguel Grau was elected Deputy for Paita in 1876. He also became director of Peru's Naval Academy.

When the war against Chile began on April 5, 1879, Miguel Grau held the rank of Captain in the Peruvian Navy and was in command of the ironclad Huáscar. Captain Grau played an important role in the sea campaign by interdicting Chilean lines of communication and supply, damaging, capturing or destroying several enemy vessels, and bombarding port installations. Commanded by Captain Grau, Huáscar became famed for moving stealthily, striking by surprise and then disappearing. These actions put off a Chilean invasion by sea for six months and resulted in his promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral.

The manner in which he conducted these actions won him different honors. At the Battle of Iquique, Captain Grau rescued the crew of a ship just sunk by Huáscar and then wrote condolences to the widow of his opponent Arturo Prat, returning his sword and personal effects.

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

Dear Madam:

I have a sacred duty that authorizes me to write you, despite knowing that this letter will deepen your profound pain, by reminding you of recent battles.

During the naval combat that took place in the waters of Iquique, between the Chilean and Peruvian ships, on the 21st day of the last month, your worthy and valiant husband Captain Mr. Arturo Prat, Commander of the Esmeralda, was, like you would not ignore any longer, victim of his reckless valor in defense and glory of his country’s flag.

While sincerely deploring this unfortunate event and sharing your sorrow, I comply with the sad duty of sending you some of his belongings, invaluable for you, which I list at the end of this letter. Undoubtedly, they will serve of small consolation in the middle of your misfortune, and I have hurried in remitting them to you.

Reiterating my feelings of condolence, I take the opportunity of offering you my services, considerations and respects and I render myself at your disposal.

At the port of Antofagasta, after sneaking upon an enemy ship, he courteously asked the crew to abandon ship before opening fire. These and other gestures earned him the nickname of "el Caballero de los Mares" (Spanish for "Knight of the Seas" or "Gentleman of the Seas") from his Chilean opponents, acknowledging an extraordinary sense of chivalry and his gentlemanly behaviour.

Admiral Grau was killed by an armour-piercing shell fired upon Huáscar during the Naval Battle of Angamos on October 8, 1879. Although most of his body was not recovered, his remains were buried with honours in Chile and in 1958 brought back to Peru. A portrait of Admiral Grau is on display at the museum ship Huáscar in Chile, along with portraits of two Chilean commanders who were killed on her deck.

During the year 2000, Miguel Grau was recognized as the "Peruvian of the Millennium" by popular vote.