{{Short description|Peruvian Navy officer and politician}} {{Other people|Miguel Grau}} {{Family name hatnote|Grau|Seminario|lang=Spanish}} {{Expand Spanish|topic=bio|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox military person | name = Miguel Grau Seminario | image = M Grau(2).jpg | caption = Seminario photographed by Eugenio Courret at the time of the War of the Pacific, {{circa}} 1879 | birth_name = Miguel María Grau Seminario | birth_date = {{birth date|1834|7|27|df=y}} | birth_place = Paita, Department of Piura, Peru | death_date = {{death date and age|1879|10|8|1834|7|27|df=y}} | death_place = Mejillones, Litoral Department, Bolivia (modern-day Antofagasta Province, Chile) <!--Military service--> | burial_place = Escuela Naval del Perú, Callao | nickname = {{Lang|es|El Caballero de los Mares}} (The Gentleman of the Seas) | allegiance = {{flagu|Peru|1825}} | branch = {{Naval|Peru}} | service_years = 1853-1862<br/> 1864-1879 | rank = Rear admiral<br/> Grand admiral (posthumously) | unit = | commands = Huáscar | battles = {{tree list}} *Peruvian Civil War of 1856–1858 *Chincha Islands War **Battle of Abtao *War of the Pacific **Battle of Iquique **Capture of ''Rímac'' **Battle of Angamos{{KIA}} {{tree list/end}} | awards = | signature = Miguel Grau signature.svg }}
'''Miguel María Grau Seminario''' (27 July 1834 – 8 October 1879) was a Peruvian Navy officer and politician renowned for his role in the War of the Pacific. He earned the nickname "Gentleman of the Seas" for his kind and chivalrous treatment of defeated enemies and remains highly respected by both Peruvians and Chileans. Grau is an iconic figure for the Peruvian navy, and one of the most famous naval officers from the Americas.{{sfn|Seminario|2000|pages=194–196}} He commanded the Peruvian ironclad Huascar during the War of the Pacific. Known for his skillful naval tactics, Grau repeatedly evaded Chilean pursuers and harassed the Chilean coast.{{sfn|Schenoni|2024|p=103}}
==Early life== Miguel Grau was born in Paita on 27 July 1834 in the house of Dr. Alexander Diamont Newel with the assistance of the midwife Tadea Castillo, also known as "The Morito," both prominent figures in Paita. His father was Juan Manuel Grau y Berrío, a Colombian who came to Peru with Bolivar in the fight for independence from Spain. Later, Juan bought property in Paita and worked at the Customs Office. The relationship between his parents was extramarital as his mother, María Luisa Seminario y del Castillo, was also married to Colombian captain Pío Díaz and they would have three legitimate children together: Roberto, Emilio and Balbina.{{sfn|de la Puente|2003|p=16}} María Luisa would motivate Grau to love the sea from his youth. He entered the Paita Nautical School. He first went to sea when he was nine years old, going to Colombia, aboard a merchant schooner. The schooner sank in front of Gorgona Island and he later returned to Paita. However, he did not get discouraged and embarked again the following year. Grau later went on various merchant ships to ports in Oceania, Asia, America and Europe. These voyages gave Grau the seagoing experience that was the foundation for his brilliant career as a nautical officer and the beginning of a love story with Carla Ortiz (unidentified French women).{{sfn|Arosemena|1979|p=2}}{{sfn|de la Puente|2003|p=16}}
==Early career== [[File:Los cuatro ases de la Marina.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Four Aces of the Peruvian Navy''. Standing, from left to right, Miguel Grau, Lizardo Montero Flores and Aurelio García y García. Seated: Manuel Ferreyros.]] In 1853, at the age of 19, he left the merchant marine and became an officer candidate of the Peruvian Navy, where he developed an outstanding professional reputation. In 1854, he was an officer on board the steamer ''Rimac''. His career was rapid and brilliant. In 1862, he left the Navy and went into private business in a series of forced labor recruiting expeditions in Polynesia.<ref>[https://www.marina.mil.pe/en/cultura/efemerides/7/?acont=natalicio-del-almirante-miguel-grau Marina.Mil.Pe:Culture:Efemerides:Admiral Miguel Grau]</ref> In 1863, he was notified that if he reenlisted he would be promoted as of a year later. On returning in 1864, he was sent to Europe to oversee the construction of ships for the Peruvian fleet. He would be put in prison a year later, with a group of fellow officers for rejecting the idea of hiring a foreigner as supreme commander of the Peruvian navy, but was later released after a trial in which they were declared not guilty as their cause was proven worthy. Among these ships was the ironclad ''''Huáscar'''', launched in 1865 by Laird at Birkenhead. Upon his return, Chile and Peru joined in a bi-national fleet against Spanish attempts to reclaim their American colonies. In 1868, he was recalled to the Navy and was named commander of the ''''Huáscar'''' with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was later promoted to commander.
Grau commanded the Peruvian ironclad Huascar during the early stages of the War of the Pacific. After the loss of the Independencia, Grau skillfully used the Huascar's speed to evade Chilean pursuers and continue harassing the Chilean coast, maintaining pressure on enemy forces and protecting Peruvian interests at sea.{{sfn|Schenoni|2024|pages=204–206}}
By 1 June 1874, he became the commanding officer of the Peruvian Navy's fleet as captain, and later became a member of the Congress of the Republic of Peru as an elected congressman in 1876 representing Paita. To this day his seat is preserved in congress and his name is called at the beginning of each session, being responded "present" to by all congressmen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docs.peru.justia.com/federales/resoluciones-legislativas/23680-oct-14-1983.pdf|title=Resolución legislativa 23680|accessdate=29 February 2016}}</ref>
==War of the Pacific== When the War of the Pacific between Chile against Bolivia and Peru began on 5 April 1879, Miguel Grau was aboard the ''''Huáscar'''', as its captain and the Commander of the Navy. In an impressive display of naval mastery, ''Capitán'' Grau played an important role by interdicting Chilean lines of communication and supply, damaging, capturing or destroying several enemy vessels, and bombarding port installations. Grau's ''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 as a result he was promoted to rear admiral by the government in Lima - the first Peruvian to be promoted to flag officer rank in many years.
===The ''Gentleman of the Seas''=== thumb|left|Battle of Iquique
During the naval engagement at Iquique, Grau attempted to ram the Chilean corvette Esmeralda, demonstrating bold tactical maneuvers. Although the Independencia was later lost, Grau’s leadership prevented the Chilean navy from safely blockading or transporting troops, allowing Peru to maintain a degree of operational control along its coast. His actions highlighted his naval skill and courage under fire.{{sfn|Schenoni|2024|pages=204–206}}
At the Battle of Iquique, after ''Huáscar'' sank the Chilean corvette ''Esmeralda'' by ramming her, Grau ordered the rescue of the surviving crew from the waters. Grau also wrote condolences to the widow of his opponent, ''Esmeralda'' Captain Arturo Prat – who was killed while leading a daring attempt to board the ''Huáscar'' –<nowiki/>returning his sword and personal effects.
Letter to Carmela Carvajal de Prat (Prat's widow) <blockquote> 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.
(Signed) Cpt. Miguel Grau<ref>{{cite web|url=https://es.wikisource.org/wiki/Carta_de_condolencias_de_Miguel_Grau_Seminario_a_Carmela_Carvajal_vda._de_Prat|title=Carta de Miguel Grau a Carmela Carvajal Vda. de Prat|accessdate=29 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parthenon.pe/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/carta.jpg|title=Facsimile of the letter|accessdate=29 February 2016}}</ref> </blockquote> [[File:Carta de Grau a viuda de Prat en monumento chileno.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The letter that Grau sent to the widow of Captain Prat is inscribed on a monument in a park in Santiago de Chile.]]
At the port of Antofagasta, after sneaking up on an enemy ship the ''Matias Cousiño'', he courteously asked the crew to abandon ship before opening fire. As her captain Castleton was abandoning the ship, the Chileans' capital ships ''Blanco Encalada'' and ''Almirante Cochrane'' showed up, forcing Grau to abandon his prey and, after seriously disabling the ''Matias Cousiño'', to escape by passing in between the Chilean ironclads rendering them in an unfavourable position to pursue. These and other gestures earned him the nickname of ''El Caballero de los Mares'' ("Gentleman of the Seas") from his Chilean opponents, acknowledging an extraordinary sense of chivalry and his gentlemanly behaviour, combined with his highly efficient and brave combat career.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}
Grau was also a determining factor in capturing the steamer ''Rimac''. ''Rimac'' was being chased by the wooden corvette ''Union'' under command of Garcia y Garcia. When ''Huascar'' appeared and fired her twin cannons, ''Rimac'' quickly lowered her flag. The cavalry regiment Carabineros de Yungay, including its commander, was captured with the ship. This was a major blow for the Chilean Government, and the Commander of the Chilean Navy resigned his position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armada.cl/armada/tradicion-e-historia/biografias/w/juan-williams-rebolledo/2014-01-16/131850.html|title=Juan Williams Rebolledo biography, Chilean Navy website|accessdate=29 February 2016}}</ref>
===Death at Battle of Angamos=== Grau was finally intercepted by the Chilean ironclads ''Cochrane'' and ''Blanco Encalada'' on 8 October 1879. Initially attempting to escape, he turned to face the Cochrane when it came within firing range. The ''Huáscar'' fired first, but a shot from the Cochrane destroyed its turret, killing Grau and forcing the crew to surrender the ship. Huáscar was captured by the Chileans after suffering severe casualties in the close-range artillery duel. Although most of Grau's body was not recovered, his remains, which were buried with military honours in Chile, were returned to Peru in 1958. Grau's death and the loss of the Huáscar were a profound blow to Peru; he was celebrated as the nation's pride, and the Huáscar as its glory. For many years after his death, his name was called in a ceremonial roll-call of the Peruvian Navy, and the Peruvian congress continues to do so.{{sfn|Schenoni|2024|pages=204–206}}
His final resting place lies at the Escuela Militar Naval del Peru, in El Callao in an underground mausoleum. He posthumously received the rank of ''Gran Almirante del Perú'' (Grand Admiral of Peru) in 1967 by order of the Peruvian Congress. A portrait of ''Almirante'' Grau is on display in the museum ship ''Huáscar''.
==Legacy== [[File:Almirante Grau Seminario Lake Forest Park 01.jpg|thumb|150px|Bust of Almirante Grau Seminario in Lake Forest Park, Washington, USA]]
In the year 2000, Miguel Grau was recognized as the "Peruvian of the Millennium" by popular vote.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}
In December 2019, a bust of Grau was donated by the Peruvian Navy to the United Kingdom in Wirral, in tribute to the historic naval links between Peru and Birkenhead.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manning |first1=Craig |title=Peruvian naval hero's Birkenhead links honoured with bust |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/18079006.peruvian-naval-hero-admiral-miguel-graus-birkenhead-links-honoured/ |accessdate=4 December 2019 |work=Wirral Globe |language=en}}</ref> Birkenhead is home to the Cammell Laird shipyard that built the ''Huáscar'' and the bust is displayed in Birkenhead Town Hall.
A memorial to Grau was unveiled in Wirral in February 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGrath |first1=Rebecca |title=New memorial unveiled in Birkenhead to the 'Gentleman of the Seas' |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/24155471.memorial-dedicated-peruvian-national-hero-unveiled-wirral/ |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=Wirral Globe |date=1 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Situated on the promenard in Birkenhead, the memorial is short distance from the dry dock at Cammell Lairds where the ''Huascar'' was built. The section of promenard where the memorial was built was also renamed ''Grand Admiral Miguel Grau Walk'' in commemoration.
In the Peruvian Congress, a replica of his congressional seat is placed in a position of honor. Grau, being a parliamentarian, requested leave to serve Peru in the War of the Pacific and, as he died in this war during the Battle of Angamos, never rejoined the parliament. As a sign of respect and homage, Miguel Grau's name is the first to be called during the roll call of congressmen. Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral by the Peruvian Congress in 1946.
Furthermore, several places are named after him, such as the Ovalo Grau in Piura, Plaza Grau and metro station in Lima. An example includes the modern-style monument in Piura, remodeled in 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eltiempo.pe/piura-diseno-ovalo-grau-rinde-tributo-vida-valores-heroe/|title=Piura: New design of the Grau oval pays tribute to the life and values of the hero|access-date=2022-01-28|date=2018-08-27|website=El Tiempo|language=es}}</ref> featuring symbolic elements of strength and valor, and the bronze statue in Callao inaugurated by President Nicolás de Piérola in 1897. The hyper-realistic statue unveiled at the Naval Museum of Callao in 2021, using artificial intelligence to achieve detailed likeness, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.
thumb|The place where he died on the Huáscar has a tribute plaque from the Chilean Navy. Miguel Grau is celebrated not only in Peru but also in Chile and Bolivia. His name is honored in various ways, such as streets named after him in Santiago de Chile and numerous monuments and statues in different cities, including Buenos Aires in Argentina, and La Paz in Bolivia. Notably, the Monitor Huáscar is preserved in Talcahuano, Chile, with Grau's figure displayed in his cabin and officer's room. Grau is commemorated as "The Gentleman of the Seas" for his noble conduct and humanity during wartime.
The {{Lang|es|Orden Gran Almirante Grau}} (Grand Admiral Grau Order), established in 1969, is a decoration awarded by the Peruvian Navy to honor distinguished service. Furthermore, Grau has been depicted in several films and TV series, illustrating his role in the War of the Pacific.
{{Gallery |title=Monuments honoring Miguel Grau |width=130 | height=150 |align=center |File:Curul de Miguel Grau 2.jpg |Permanent seat of Grau in the hemicycle of the Peruvian Congress |alt1=Permanent seat of Grau in the hemicycle of the Peruvian Congress |File:Estatua de Miguel Grau.jpg |Bronze statue in Callao in tribute to the ''Gentleman of the Seas''. |alt2=Bronze statue in Callao in tribute to the Gentleman of the Seas |File:Monumento a Grau en el Óvalo Grau.jpg |Monument in tribute to Miguel Grau in Piura |alt3=Monument in tribute to Miguel Grau in Piura |File:Entrega de las condecoraciones “Orden Militar Francisco Bolognesi” en grado de Gran Cruz y “Orden Gran Almirante Miguel Grau” en grado de Gran Cruz a cargo del Dr. Jakke Valakivi Álvarez, Ministro de Defensa.jpg |{{Lang|es|Orden Gran Almirante Grau}} (Grand Admiral Grau Order) |alt4=Grand Admiral Grau Order |File:Huascar2.jpg |Image of Grau in his personal cabin, at the Monitor Huáscar museum, Talcahuano, Chile. |alt5=Image of Grau in his personal cabin, at the Monitor Huáscar museum, Talcahuano, Chile }}
== Dates of rank == {| class="wikitable" ! Insignia !! Rank !! Annotations !! Date |- |25px|center | ''Alférez de fragata'' || || 4 March 1856 |- |25px|center | ''Teniente segundo'' || || 13 September 1863 |- |25px|center | ''Teniente primero'' || || 4 December 1863 |- |25px|center | ''Capitán de corbeta'' || || 31 March 1865 |- |25px|center | ''Capitán de fragata'' || || 22 July 1865 |- |25px|center | ''Capitán de navío'' || || 25 July 1868 |- |25px|center | ''Contraalmirante'' || declined || 26 August 1879 |- |25px|center | ''Almirante'' || posthumous || 26 October 1946 [https://docs.peru.justia.com/federales/leyes/10689-oct-26-1946.pdf] |- | | ''Gran almirante del Perú'' || posthumous || 24 November 1967 [https://docs.peru.justia.com/federales/leyes/16730-nov-24-1967.pdf] |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== * {{Cite book| last= Arosemena|first=Geraldo|title=El Almirante Miguel Grau|year=1979|publisher=Banco de Crédito del Perú|edition=7th|location=Lima, Peru}} * Robert Gardiner (editorial director), Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press, 1979. {{ISBN|0-85177-605-1}}. * Robert Hutchinson (editor), Jane's Warship Recognition Guide, Revised Edition. New York and London: HarperCollins, 2002. {{ISBN|0-00-713722-2}} * Richard Begazo Salas and Raymond V.B. Blackman (editors), Jane's Fighting Ships 1949–50. New York: The McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1949. * {{Cite book|last=de la Puente|first=José Agustín|author-link=José Agustín de la Puente Candamo|title=Miguel Grau|date=2003|publisher=Instituto de Estudios Históricos-Marítimos del Perú|location=Lima|language=es-PE|isbn=9972-633-02-0}} * {{cite encyclopedia |last= Seminario |first=Miguel |editor= |encyclopedia= Grandes Forjadores del Perú |title= GRAU SEMINARIO, Miguel |language=Spanish |edition= 1st|year= 2000 |publisher=LEXUS editores |location=Lima, Peru |isbn=9972-625-50-8}} * {{Cite book |last=Schenoni | first=Luis L. | url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/bringing-war-back-in/849FF87CA1DC04EDE8657C90F00D9504 | title=Bringing War Back In: Victory, Defeat, and the State in Nineteenth-Century Latin America | date=2024 | publisher=Cambridge University Press| isbn=9781009442145}}
==External links== {{Commons}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070321035112/http://www.paitavirtual.com/ Miguel Grau and the Battle of Angamos] {{in lang|es}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grau, Miguel}} Category:1834 births Category:1879 deaths Category:National heroes of Peru Category:People from the Department of Piura Category:Peruvian people of Catalan descent Category:Peruvian Navy admirals Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Peru Category:People of the Chincha Islands War Category:Peruvian Navy personnel of the War of the Pacific Category:Military personnel killed in the War of the Pacific Category:Peruvian people of Colombian descent Category:Peruvian military personnel killed in action Category:Anti-Chilean sentiment