The Spanish cannot attack the land forces…

The Spanish cannot attack the land forces and they had been frustrated in engaging the allied squadron at sea.

The Spanish ships are isolated, short of supplies, and without any hope of victory.

When the Chilean government orders that all vessels communicating with the Spanish fleet should not be allowed to enter Chilean ports, Admiral Mendez Núñez decides to take punitive action against South American ports.

On March 31, the Spanish fleet shells and burns the town and port of Valparaiso, and destroys the Chilean merchant fleet.

All told, thirty-three vessels are burned or sunk, causing the total ruin of the Chilean merchant marine.

Twelve years later, the total tonnage under the Chilean flag will still be less than half of what it had been in 1865.