This book, with stunning illustrations and original artwork, explores the battleship ships that participated in lesser-known battles of the South American Pacific War. In the late 19th century, a war broke out between Chile and Peru over control of the guano-rich Chincha Islands. With the geography of the two countries characterized by a narrow, arid land border and long exposed coasts, it was inevitable that the Pacific War would be mainly a naval war.

It was a unique era of military history, conducted by two emerging South American states using the latest technology – steam-powered battleships – and involved more naval battles than the American Civil War, including blockades, capture of key warships, and port bombardments. The Chilean fleet was larger and more modern, while Peru's 'trump card' was the small but powerful battleship Huáscar.

Naval expert Angus Konstam gives readers an essential guide to this lesser-known naval war, illustrated with detailed profiles of the key battleships, spectacular original artwork of the battles, and a cross-section of the Huáscar. It briefly covers the strategies of the warring forces, exploring all significant points of the naval campaign and the details of the warships involved, as a handful of battleships struggled for naval superiority in South America.

Year of Publication: 2024, Dimensions: 18.4x18.4cm