eight o'clock in the morning
In a few minutes both vessels were as completely prepared for action as it was possible for them to be , and , calling aft his crew , many of whom were invalids , Prat made a short speech to them , which exhibited the lion courage of the man who has been called `` the hero of Chili . '' He said : `` Children , the odds are against us , but our flag has thus far never been lowered in the presence of the enemy , and I hope that it will not be to - day . As long as I live that flag shall fly in its place ; and if I die , my officers will know how to do their duty . '' The men were then dismissed to their quarters , and almost immediately afterwards -- at eight o'clock in the morning -- the _ Huascar _ fired the first shot , which fell right between the two Chilian ships , and then began one of the most memorable sea-fights that have ever been recorded in history . The Chilians at once replied with every available gun , and the action instantly became fierce , the _ Huascar _ singling out the _ Esmeralda _ as her antagonist , while the _ Covadonga _ was attacked by the _ Independencia _ . The Peruvian ironclads steamed slowly along toward their prey , the _ Huascar _ firing her two 10-inch turret-guns as she came , but she was somewhat handicapped by the circumstance that there was great risk of her shot striking the town , which was , of course , still in Peruvian hands . But each of these shells weighed as much as 300 pounds ; and whenever they hit the unfortunate sloop at which they were aimed , the effect was terrible .