European pioneers on the Pacific Coast of South America
© WTA Publishing
The Bombardment of Paradise
2016 - 150th anniversary year
A little-known scandal, brought to life
2016 marked the 150th anniversary of one of the most controversial, brutish and final acts of a faded empire. On March 31, 1866, the Spanish Pacific fleet, bombarded and destroyed large parts of the old port city of Valparaiso. There were few casualties but, in today’s money, as much as $220 million in foreign-owned merchandise as well as many public buildings, hotels, stores and private houses went up in smoke. Much of it was the property of British, French, German and American citizens and companies. Yet out in the bay, warships of Britain and the United States merely looked on. Why?The result was international scandal, national shame and individual dishonour for several heroes of past conflicts. The Bombardment of Paradise tells the story, in full, for the first time.
European pioneers on the Pacific Coast of South America
© WTA Publishing
The Bombardment of Paradise
2016 - 150th anniversary year
A little-known scandal, brought to life
2016 marked the 150th anniversary of one of the most controversial, brutish and final acts of a faded empire. On March 31, 1866, the Spanish Pacific fleet, bombarded and destroyed large parts of the old port city of Valparaiso. There were few casualties but, in today’s money, as much as $220 million in foreign-owned merchandise as well as many public buildings, hotels, stores and private houses went up in smoke. Much of it was the property of British, French, German and American citizens and companies. Yet out in the bay, warships of Britain and the United States merely looked on. Why?The result was international scandal, national shame and individual dishonour for several heroes of past conflicts. The Bombardment of Paradise tells the story, in full, for the first time.
