Carlos Ferreyros facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlos Ferreyros
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| Senator of the Department of Huánuco | |
| In office July 28, 1907 – February 6, 1910 |
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| President | Augusto Leguía |
| Vice President | Eugenio Larrabure y Unanue |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 12, 1843 Lima, Lima Province, Peru |
| Died | February 5, 1910 (aged 66) Lima, Lima Province, Peru |
| Alma mater | Peruvian Naval School |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Peru |
| Branch |  Peruvian Navy |
| Years of service | 1860 – 1910 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | BAP Pilcomayo |
| Battles/wars | Chincha Islands War
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Carlos Ferreyros y Senra was a brave Peruvian naval captain and a politician. He was famous for leading the BAP Pilcomayo ship during the War of the Pacific. He commanded the ship until it was captured. Carlos Ferreyros also served as a Senator for the Huánuco region. He was a senator from July 28, 1907, until his death on February 6, 1910.
Carlos Ferreyros: A Life of Service
Carlos Ferreyros was born in Lima, Peru, on August 12, 1843. His father, Manuel Bartolomé Ferreyros, was a politician and diplomat. His mother was María Josefa Basilia de Senra y Echevarría. He was given the full name Carlos Francisco Hipólito when he was baptized.
When he was fifteen, Carlos joined the Peruvian Naval School. He became a midshipman, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Manuel Ferreyros. In October 1860, he graduated and began serving on the ship BAP Amazonas.
In November 1861, he traveled to the United Kingdom. His job was to help supervise the building of four river steamers. These ships were meant for the Amazon River. He returned to Peru aboard the Morona.
Rising Through the Ranks
Carlos was promoted to lieutenant in 1864. The next year, in 1865, he became a first lieutenant. During these years, he served on several ships, including the Tumbes, Loa, and General Lerzundi.
Fighting in the Chincha Islands War
Carlos Ferreyros fought in the Chincha Islands War. He was on the frigate BAP América during the Battle of Abtao. In this battle, the Peruvian and Chilean fleets worked together. They successfully pushed back the Spanish squadron.
His older brother, Manuel Ferreyros, was the commander of the América. The Spanish leader even said that the América fired the most accurate and powerful shots. Carlos briefly left the navy with other sailors. This was a protest against an American officer, John R. Tucker, being chosen to lead the squadron.
However, Carlos rejoined the navy in 1868. He became the second commander of the América. He stayed on this ship until it was destroyed in a tsunami in Arica on August 13, 1868.
Bringing New Ships Home
In November 1868, Carlos traveled to the United States. He was part of the crew bringing two new monitor ships to Peru: BAP Manco Cápac and BAP Atahualpa. He became the second commander of the Atahualpa. Later, he worked as an assistant to the general commander on the corvette BAP Unión.
He continued to be promoted. In 1869, he became a lieutenant commander. In 1870, he was promoted to frigate captain. He then took command of the schooner BAP Tumbes.
Standing Against a Coup
In July 1872, Carlos Ferreyros and other navy leaders, like Miguel Grau Seminario, opposed a military coup. This coup was led by the Gutiérrez colonels. They supported the navy's public statement against the coup. The coup failed, and Manuel Pardo became the president of Peru.
In August 1872, Carlos became the commander of the BAP Chalaco. By July 1877, he was promoted to ship captain.
The War of the Pacific
When the War of the Pacific began, Carlos Ferreyros played a key role. He served on the small 600-ton gunboat Pilcomayo.
The Pilcomayo, along with the corvette Unión, fought in the Battle of Chipana. This was against the Chilean corvette Magallanes. It was the first naval battle of the war, on April 12, 1879. It was a firefight without many casualties.
A Daring Mission
On July 4, 1879, Captain Ferreyros, commanding the Pilcomayo, left Arica. He was guarding the Oroya transport ship. He then entered Chilean waters. On July 6, he performed a brilliant naval action near Tocopilla. He set fire to 13 boats and sank the Chilean brigantine Matilde Ramos. Before doing this, he made sure the crew of the Matilde Ramos could get off safely.
He also landed troops at the port to get coal. He announced that he would not attack the town if they did not provoke him. After finishing his task, as the Pilcomayo was leaving Tocopilla, it was spotted by the Chilean ironclad Blanco Encalada. However, the Pilcomayo was faster. It managed to escape after a 20-hour chase, reaching Arica without any damage.
Ferreyros's actions surprised Chile. Chile had a much stronger navy and expected a quick victory. But the brave actions of Peruvian sailors, led by Grau, made the war last longer. A historian named Jacinto López said that the Pilcomayo's feat showed that Peru could challenge Chile's control of the sea.
The Capture of the Pilcomayo
On November 17, 1879, the Pilcomayo, Unión, and Chalaco were ordered to return to Callao. However, on November 18, they were ambushed by the Chilean fleet. The Pilcomayo was chased and captured. The other two ships managed to escape.
Ferreyros tried to burn and sink the gunboat to prevent its capture. But Chilean sailors from the ironclad Almirante Cochrane boarded the ship and stopped it in time. Ferreyros and his crew were taken to Chile as prisoners of war. The Pilcomayo then became part of the Chilean Navy. News of the Pilcomayo's capture was celebrated in Chile.
In December 1879, Ferreyros returned to Peru as part of a prisoner exchange. He faced a trial for the loss of the gunboat but was found innocent on July 31, 1880. He then helped defend the capital, Lima. He fought in the battles of San Juan and Miraflores in January 1881.
After his military career, Carlos Ferreyros continued to serve his country. In 1888, he became a member of the Lima Public Welfare Society. He was its president between 1894 and 1896. He also served as the Prefect (a high-ranking official) in the regions of Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Callao. In 1901, he became the Director General of Posts and Telegraphs.
He was part of the Civil Party's reorganization meeting on May 10, 1896. He was elected to its new committee, which helped Manuel Candamo Iriarte become President of Peru in 1903. In 1907, Carlos Ferreyros was elected as a Senator for the Department of Huánuco. He died in office on February 6, 1910, while serving as the Second Vice President of his Chamber.
Personal Life
Carlos Ferreyros was married to Rosa Ayulo Mendivil. They had several children, including Manuel, Alfredo, Carlos, Alberto, Luis, and Enrique Ferreyros Ayulo. Enrique later founded the important Peruvian company Ferreyros in 1922. They also had two daughters, Rosa Ferreyros and María Isabel F. de Swayne.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Ferreyros y Senra para niños
