The Lynch Expedition

On September 13th, 1880, the same day as the explosion that sunk the Covadonga, Colonel Patricio Lynch, a commander in the Chilean Navy, launched an expedition against the northern coast of Peru. Lynch served in his youth in the British Navy, and fought in the Opium wars in China. Americans, engaged by the Chileans for torpedo service against a Spanish blockade of Chile, met him in 1866 and described him a courteous man who spoke English perfectly. (Trigg, 2002)

In Chimbote, Lynch demanded a war indemnity. Pierola issued the declaration that any payment to Lynch would be considered an act of treason. The money not forthcoming, Lynch burned luxurious plantation homes, books, pianos, pictures, sugar estates machinery, and reportedly killed a flock of 500 sheep. In his rampages Lynch met almost no resistance by Peruvian military forces.

Resources:
Trigg, Angela. 2002. The Life of Daniel Trigg C.S.N.