Diego Ferré
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Diego Ferré Sosa | |
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| Born | 13 November 1844 |
| Died | 8 October 1879 (aged 34) |
| Other names | Diego Ferré |
| Occupation | First Lieutenant AP |
| Years active | 1866 to 1879 |
| Awards | Steel Cross of the Legion of Merit - National Hero of Peru |
Diego Ferré Sosa (Reque, Lambayeque, 13 November 1844 – Punta Angamos, 8 October 1879) was a Peruvian sailor. A hero of the War of the Pacific, he died in the Battle of Angamos on 8 October 1879, alongside Miguel Grau.
Biography
[edit]He was the son of Eusebio Ferré Rodríguez and María Mercedes Sosa, who resided in Monsefú. His birth occurred during a visit by his parents to their relatives in Reque.
He spent his childhood in Monsefú, where his father served as mayor of the city on three occasions. He lived on "Estación" street, now "28 de Julio" street. His house, now owned by the Boggio Guevara family, is still located there.
He completed his primary studies at National College "San José" in Chiclayo, then moved to Lima where he pursued secondary education from 1859 to 1864 at National College "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe".
In 1865, he enrolled at the Naval Military College, where he self-funded his studies. His final examination was presided over by the Minister of War and Navy José Gálvez Egúsquiza, who, upon learning of his excellent performance, offered him the rank of midshipman at the end of his presentation. Minister Gálvez, future war hero of the Battle of Callao on 2 May 1866, kept his word and on 14 January 1866, issued his dispatches and assigned him to the corvette América.
These were the days when the Spanish Pacific Squadron was defiantly in these seas, attempting to reassert its sovereignty. The América, along with other Peruvian warships, headed for the coast of Chile, in accordance with the agreement signed with that republic in the Treaty of Alliance against Spain. On 7 February 1866, the memorable Battle of Abtao took place, in which, with much inferior forces, the allied Peruvian and Chilean ships defeated the Spanish Pacific Squadron. For his actions aboard the América, Ferré earned his promotion to Ensign. He continued serving on said corvette until its shipwreck on 13 August 1868, during the Arica tsunami of 1868.
In November 1868, he traveled to the United States, commissioned along with other Peruvian officers to tow the monitors Atahualpa and Manco Cápac. Aboard the Manco Cápac and then the Atahualpa, he made the journey from New Orleans to Callao, via the Strait of Magellan, a voyage considered a naval feat. Once in Peru, he received his promotion to Second Lieutenant, on 19 May 1870.
He successively served on the steamer Tumbes (1871) and the monitor Huáscar (1872), but a few days after being assigned to the latter, he was sent as aide to the Governorship of the Guañape and Macabí islands. In 1873, he returned to the Huáscar, due to his good conduct. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 20 April 1875. He was then assigned to the Manco Cápac in July 1877, but was disembarked the following month.
In January 1878, he returned once again to the Huáscar, where he was when the War of the Pacific broke out. From the moment Admiral Miguel Grau took command of this legendary ship, Ferré became his aide.
He participated in the Battle of Iquique on 21 May 1879, in the First (26 May) and Second Battle of Antofagasta (28 August), and in the Battle of Angamos on 8 October. In the latter, he remained until the last moment by Grau's side, and in fulfillment of an order from him, despite the heavy enemy fire, he raised the Peruvian battle flag, which had momentarily fallen due to Chilean bullets. He died along with Grau (the Gentleman of the Seas), due to a Chilean shell that landed on the command bridge, though unlike Grau's body, his remained intact.
He was married to Deidamia Gonzales and had two daughters: Eva Elvira and María Adriana. His remains rest in the Heroes' Crypt of the Presbítero Maestro Cemetery. A school in Jesús María is named after him in homage.
References
[edit]- Basadre Grohmann, Jorge: Historia de la República del Perú (1822 - 1933), Tomo 8. Edited by Empresa Editora El Comercio S. A. Lima, 2005. ISBN 9972-205-70-3 (V.8)
- Castañeda Martos, Alicia (Edition and compilation): Viaje de los Monitores Manco Cápac y Atahualpa desde el Atlántico al Pacífico 1868 - 1870. Fondo de Publicaciones Dirección General de Intereses Marítimos. Lima, 1991. Printed at Talleres Gráficos de CESY GRAF S.A.
- Ortiz Sotelo, Jorge - Castañeda Martos, Alicia: Diccionario Biográfico Marítimo Peruano. Asociación de Historia Marítima y Naval Iberoamericana, Lima, 2007. Printed by Jhire Grafel S.R.L. ISBN 978-9972-877-06-3
- Tauro del Pino, Alberto: Enciclopedia Ilustrada del Perú. Third Edition. Volume 7. FER-GUZ. Lima, PEISA, 2001. ISBN 9972-40-156-1