Before hopping onto the bus to Calama, I did some more sight seeing in Iquique. I went to the Museo Esmeralda that has only one piece on display: A full scale replica of the Esmeralda.
The Esmeralda was an outdated corvette commanded by Arturo Prat during the saltpetre war (Chile, Peru, Boliva) in 1879. It was sunk by the technically far superior ironcald Huscar in a battle near Iquique lasting for 4 hours. By that time, Prat had already died in the attempt to enter the Huscar. Even though Prat was not directly involved in the battle of Punta Gruesa which paved the way for victory for Chile, his sacrifice is seen as the turn point of the war. Consequently, he remains in collective memory of Chile, and many plazas, streets, school, and even an Antarctic research station are named after him.
The tour through the ship was remarkable for the choreography of the guide: Slowly walking reverse for most of the trip, and talking continuously, she made sure that the whole group did not stop a split second anywhere. Her timing was that of a military operation — we finished the tour exactly on time. With a kiss on the cheek each participant of the guided group said Good-Bye and Thank-you to her (Yes Beatrix, I had learned it by then: In Chile, it is just one kiss).
Then I went over to the Naval Museum hoping to see some original pieces salvaged from the wreck of the Esmeralda, but it was closed.
