W.R. Grace Seeks Torpedo Experts

W.R. Grace contacted a Civil War veteran, Captain Griffin. The Captain agreed to sink the Almirante Cochrane or the Blanco Encalada for one million dollars. With Griffin not willing to lower his price, Grace said he would contact men of the Navy or on the Confederate side. He suggested that his brother in Peru, Michael Grace, contact American torpedo men there and also William H. Cilley. Cilley had been the superintendent of the Oroya railroad, and was still in Peru trying to salvage the Henry Meigg's fortunes. On June 21, 1879 William Alfred Scott of England and John Shertzer, both long time residents of Peru, were engaged to build floating torpedos in Iquique.