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Mutiny in Punta Arenas, Nov 1877
[El Motín de los Artilleros]

Shortly after the foundation of Punta Arenas in 1848, the Chilean government began to use this southernmost outpost as a penal colony. The prisoners were under the custody of military personnel, many of whom had also been transferred to this location because of disciplinary problems. Despite a fiery revolt in 1851, led by lieutenant Cambiazo, the town continued to develop, but its status as a penal colony (and the attendant problems) remained unchanged.
 
Disgruntled with arbitrary extension of their periods of service, and delay in the payment of salaries, the artillerymen staged a violent revolt on 11-12 November 1877: all public buildings (except the chapel) and numerous private homes and businesses were destroyed; and there was considerable loss of life (52 dead, both civilian and military). Some of the ringleaders were brought to justice, others escaped into Argentina. After this, the Chilean government abandoned its policy of relegating criminals to the colony. It also appointed a new governor, Sargeant-Major Carlos Wood, replacing Diego Dublé Almeida, who had resigned early the following year.

Summary of Claims for Compensation

Nationality
 Claimants Claimed (CH$) Awarded (CH$)
Chilean
 40 71,573.38 17,465
French
 20 36,613.34 5,666
British
 9 25,484.35 6,512.85
Argentine
 1 1,774 800
Swiss
 11 2,014.75 nil
Russian
 2 5,361.29 1,290.50
Austrian
 2 1,799.59 600
German
 6 68,087.38 31,707
Spanish
 2 877 174
Totals
 93 213,588.08 64,215.35

 British Claimants

Name
 Claimed (CH$) Awarded (CH$)
Menéndez, José  /*/
 12,356 1,460
4,910 2,000
Hurtado, Juan
 832.50 250
Cox, F.
 1,426 800
Reynard, H. L.
 787 500
Armett, James
 2,795 nil
1,328 450
McPherson, I.
 332.85 332.85
Dunsmure, I. H.
 720 720
Totals
 25,484.35 6,512.85

(*) José Menéndez, later to become one of the wealthiest local businessmen, was an immigrant from Asturias, Spain. I do not know why he appears in this document as British.

Sources:
(1)  Public Record Office, Kew
(2)  "Punta Arenas en su Primer Medio Siglo", Mateo Martinic B., Punta Arenas, 1988
Thanks: Arnold Morrison
Last update: 15-XI-2003