An item reported that the negotiations between the Chilean president Balmaceda and the leaders of the Congress party totally failed. Mediation by England or Germany was refused. At the meantime the battle between the American cruiser USS Charleston and the Chilean Esmeralda had yet nor found place. The USS Charleston arrived at Acapulco, Mexico without have found the Itata. Both vessels were lying peaceful next each other although the guns were prepared for action. Their captains met each other and discussed the situation. The captain of the Esmeralda stated that he would refuse to hand over the Itata as long as his ship floated while the American captain stated to do anything to get the Itata in hands although he had no problem with the Esmeralda. It was still unknown where the Itata was. The USS Charleston steamed with a speed of 16 knots from San Francisco, USA towards Acapulco while underway the crew undergone gun exercises. It was known that the Itata had not much coal on board and so she would be forced on short notice to visit a harbour. The Esmeralda herself was in the meantime also lacking coal. The Mexican cabinet was not able to deliver colas while she belonged to a country involved in a war. Her captain however succeeded in obtaining a small quantity of coal from passing ships. The USS Charleston was allowed to load coal at Acapulco, Mexico.
Notes
1. Pennant C-1. Protected cruiser laid down at the shipyard of Union Iron Works, San Francisco, USA on 20 January 1887, launched on 19 July 1888, commissioned on 26 December 1889, decommissioned on 27 July 1896, decommissioned on 5 May 1898 and wrecked on 2 November 1899. Her armament consisted of 2-20,3cm/8” guns and 6-15,2cm/6” guns.
2. Protected cruiser laid down at the shipyard of Armstrong Whitword, United Kingdom on 5 April 1881, launched on 6 June 1883, completed on 15 July 1884, commissioned on 16 October 1884, sold to Japan on 15 November 1894, renamed Izumi and finally broken up in 1912. Original armament 2-10” breech loading guns, 6-6” breech loading guns, 2-6pd quick firing Hotch kiss guns, 5-2pd quick firing guns and 1 Gardner machine gun.
