The "Tacna" Case: An Episode in Anglo-Chilean Relations, 1874-75

Abstract

due primarily to excessive and careless loading of the cargo. This event, although of no great intrinsic political importance, became the subject of extensive diplomatic conversations between Great Britain and Chile and occasioned very considerable friction between the two governments. The entire issue is an example of a strong antiforeign attitude such as is not infrequently to be remarked in the public mind and in official policy in Hispanic America in the nineteenth century. Reports of the sinking produced much excitement in Valparaiso; the master of the ship, John Hyde, a British subject, was vigorously criticized by the press and was held responsible for the loss of life. He and certain other survivors were immediately examined by a naval court of inquiry held at the British consulate at Valparaiso.' Both the master and the agents of the company implicated were found highly censurable for careless and improper loading of the vessel; nevertheless, the court did not fail to point out the absence of adequate supervision of the clearing of ships from Chilean harbors. Sir Horace Rumbold, the British Minister, communicated the results of the investigation to the Chilean government with the suggestion that increased precautions be taken to prevent vessels from departing from Chilean ports in an unsafe condition. Meantime a Chilean court of inquiry was instituted. Although the ship had sunk on the high seas and thus entirely outside Chilean jurisdiction, the British consul placed at the court's disposal the evidence given before the naval court and the principal witnesses, including Hyde.! After this inquiry, the British consul at Valparaiso informed the Chilean maritime governor that Hyde was to be sent to England to answer for his conduct before the Board of Trade and he asked whether the Chilean