he Congress of the Republic He approved the initiative to declare National interest the Recovery and restoration From the remains The schooner Virgen de la Covadongasank off the coast of the area Chancai (Huaral Province, Lima Region) during Pacific War. The proposal was advanced in the first vote by 71 votes to three, with thirteen abstentions.
The opinion that agrees with Draft Law 10049/2024-CRstates that a ship recovery operation will be carried out “As long as its state of conservation permits it” and underscores Covadonga’s value as part of the country’s historically significant underwater cultural heritage. The project has been previously supported Congressman Susil ParedesChairman of the Committee on Culture and Cultural Heritage, who highlighted the importance of protecting and appreciating the remains of this ship for the sake of Peru’s historical memory and identity.
According to the approved standard, the Ministry of Culture will be the body responsible for coordinating the procedures necessary to implement this project. Covadonga recoveryIn cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Regional Government of Lima and the Municipality of the Chancay District. These institutions must work within the framework of their powers.
The approved text indicates that this measure seeks to value a historical symbol of great importance to the country, given that the sinking of the ship… Covadonga It represents an important link within Conflict between Peru and Chile. The schooner, of Spanish origin, belonged to the Spanish Navy before being captured by Chile in 1865, after the Naval Battle of Papudo, and then participated in the War of the Pacific until she was sunk on September 13, 1880.
The remains of Schooner Covadonga They remain under the sea, presenting a complex scenario for any recovery attempt. According to Inspections carried out by the Peruvian Navy between 1997 and 1998The hull of the historic ship has practically disintegrated. Reports have shown that only the beam and some deteriorating timbers survive to this day.
The journalist and writer explained that “the ribs of the skeleton of this wooden ship no longer have anchoring points, that is, the wood has rotted due to the natural fluctuations of the sea.” Gastón Gaviola del Río.
According to Gaviola, the Covadonga, a ship of Spanish origin captured by Chile in 1865, was finally sunk by a decoy ship loaded with explosives, leaving a hole of more than four meters in its hull. Regarding recovery expectations, he stressed: “Talking about restoring Covadonga is neither viable nor realistic. When it sank, the ship was about twenty-five years old. He is very damaged.“
in tune, Admiral Juan Carlos Llosa He warned that any attempt to raise the ship after nearly one hundred and fifty years under water could lead to its complete breakage. He commented in an interview with: “It is a huge and expensive effort.” panorama. Yuza considered it better to focus efforts on rescuing individual pieces that can still be found in the area and transferring them to a museum for preservation and display.
During project support, Congressman Susil Paredes He noted that this proposal revives a “long-standing concern” expressed by various actors, including residents of Chancay, members of Congress, the military and Peruvian national associations. According to the legislator, Chilean ship recovered He is a Historical demand Which seeks to preserve national memory and enhance the country’s cultural identity.
Paredes also pointed out that Shancay was subjected to reprisals after the boat’s disappearance, as the invading army looted and destroyed part of its infrastructure. During his speech before the plenary session, he stressed that “the Peruvian move struck the morale of the invading army.”
the Virgin of Covadonga It is considered one of the most symbolic ships in the world Pacific War. Her sinking off the coast of Peru was a key episode in the conflict and left a deep mark on the country’s maritime history.
In approving this initiative, Congress seeks that salvaging and preserving the ship’s remains not only allows for the recovery of part of underwater cultural heritage, but also pays tribute to Peruvians who participated in one of the most important chapters in national history.
the sailboat Virgin of Covadonga He played a decisive role in the early actions of the Pacific War. Since the beginning of the conflict, he has participated in… Blockade of strategic ports such as Arica and CallaoWith the aim of cutting off the supplies of Peruvian forces and cutting off the main communication routes for the Allied resistance. Its presence at sea was essential to the Chilean offensive, as it impeded the movement of resources and logistical support towards the Peruvian front.
During confrontations Covadonga They performed not only offensive functions, but also served as escort and protection for Chilean forces during landings and ground operations. However, September 13, 1880 marked her final destination. Off the coast of Chancay, about 500 meters offshore, the ship – under the command of Lieutenant Commander Pablo de Ferrari – flew a bombardment mission against a railway bridge that they considered essential for transporting Peruvian supplies.
What the crew didn’t know was that Peruvian Navy He has prepared a trap in the area. An apparently harmless boat was mined by the torpedo brigade commanded by Lieutenant Desio Oyag Nira. The explosive device, cleverly camouflaged, exploded when the Chileans tried to move it closer, causing an explosion that sank the ship instantly. Covadonga. Thus, the ingenuity of the Peruvian sailors sealed the fate of the ship, the remains of which have remained in the depths of the Chancay Sea ever since.
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