The Gamarra brig in San Francisco

It was January 1848 when news began to spread throughout the world that seemed fanciful, but in reality it was not and far exceeded the most hyperbolic stories and calculations. Immense gold deposits had been discovered in California and were at the mercy of the audacious who decided to work on them. The human barrage that fell on those lands has no comparison in history. It is estimated that in two years San Francisco, a tiny fishing port with 300 inhabitants, grew to 200,000 people. Chileans and Peruvians mostly arrived from South America. The truth is that there were adventurers from all continents.

In San Francisco there was no authority of any kind and the law of the strongest prevailed. Ships arrived copiously with a varied load, but mostly they brought food, clothing and tools. They quickly sold all their merchandise and the ships were abandoned because their crew members deserted to dedicate themselves to the search for the golden metal. Business people from Lima and Callao invested large capitals in the purchase of ships and products that they sent to California, which suffered the aforementioned fate. They then decided to put in the hands of the President of the Republic, General Ramón Castilla, a petition signed by Juan de Dios Calderón on behalf of the victims. The response of the head of state was immediate and on December 21, 1848, he ordered the war brig Gamarra to be sent to San Francisco, under the command of the graduate frigate captain José María Silva Rodríguez (1813 – 1874), an experienced sailor with a strong character.

The Gamarra had 415 tons and was armed with 16 18-gauge cannons. It was a modern and seaworthy ship. She carried food for 136 people planned for nine months and water for the same number of places. The staff, in addition to Silva Rodríguez, was made up of Lieutenant Commander Tomás Ríos, Lieutenant Commanders Antonio de la Haza, José María Manrique and Manuel Palacios. Chief of the marine garrison was Captain Manuel Carvajal. There were also four young midshipmen: Federico Alzamora, Pedro Suárez, Francisco Tristán and Gregorio Casanova.

After the rigorous preparations, carrying an excess of crew to equip the ships that had to return from San Francisco, the brigantine Gamarra set sail from Callao on January 25, 1849. After a trip without major incidents, it arrived at the Californian port in the middle of March. There, the abandoned Peruvian ships were located, which were a total of nine: the barque Elisa, the brigantines Susana, Mazzepa, Elisa and Calderón, the barque San José, the brigantine Volante, the same class Andrea and the schooners Bella Angelita and Atalante. The boats that were to return to Peru were prepared and the pertinent steps were taken to sell others in that place. The presence of a Peruvian warship in San Francisco undoubtedly influenced the commercial transactions of our compatriots to be carried out normally. It is only a legend that refers to the Gamarra’s men putting order in the chaotic city.

As Frigate Captain Silva Rodríguez reported, morale and subordination among the ship’s crew remained unchanged. Nobody deserted. After successfully completing the mission, the Gamarra began to return and after making stops in Paita and Huacho, it dropped anchor in Callao on August 30, 1849. His men were tired and some were sick, but they were all proud of having given a beautiful example of the highest naval spirit. It is necessary to highlight the outstanding figure of General Ramón Castilla who always protected Peruvians and their interests, not only in the country but in any part of the world where his help was required.

In his message to Congress in March 1850, Ramón Castilla said: “To know the state of the navy today, lengthy investigations are not needed. It is enough to contemplate our flag fulfilling with honor in California duties that other respectable flags have not fulfilled.” How exciting to read in our history the pages that Ramón Castilla has left in it, an example of a patriotic ruler who honored the name of Peru inside and outside our borders. Example of excellence and honesty. That is why the poet, extolling his memory, said: “He was as patriotic as he could be, / And although he sprinkled gold on his plants, / The people blessed him: he died poor!”