Policarpo Toro Hurtado (born in
Melipilla, Chile on February 6, 1856 – died 1921 in
Santiago, Chile
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
) was a Chilean naval officer.
He enlisted in the
Chilean Navy in 1871 and visited
Easter Island in 1875. From 1877 to 1879, he joined the English Navy as a second lieutenant. In 1879, as the
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific (), also known by War of the Pacific#Etymology, multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Treaty of Defensive Alliance (Bolivia–Peru), Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought over Atacama Desert ...
started, he asked to return to Chile and participated in several actions. In 1883, he visited Easter Island a second time and elaborated in a document the economic advantages to Chile in acquiring the island.
With government approval, he visited the island in 1887. After a year of negotiations with the islanders under
Atamu Tekena, on September 9, 1888, he took possession of the island on behalf of Chile. In 1891, he refused to participate in naval actions against
José Manuel Balmaceda's government in the
1891 Chilean Civil War and was separated from the navy. In 1893, in the general amnesty enacted by the new government, he was pensioned. He died in
Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
in 1921.
Early life
Policarpo Toro was born on February 6, 1856, in the city of
Melipilla, Chile. He was the son of farm owners. At a young age, he developed an interest in the sea and naval affairs. His passion for the navy led him to join the State Naval School, now known as the Arturo Prat Naval School, on February 17, 1871, where he began his
naval career as a cadet.
Naval Career
In 1873, Toro participated in an expedition to the
Strait of Magellan to raise the plan of the city of
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas (, historically known as Sandy Point in English) is the capital List of cities in Chile, city of Chile's southernmost Regions of Chile, region, Magallanes Region, Magallanes and Antarctica Chilena. Although officially renamed as ...
. Two years later, he traveled aboard the O'Higgins corvette to
Easter Island, where he participated in a scientific expedition to carry out reconnaissance and cartography of the island. Toro was deeply affected by the terrible living conditions of the islanders, who were suffering from the mistreatment of other expeditions searching for slaves and wealth.
Upon returning to the continent, Toro sought the support of prominent personalities to annex the insular territory to Chile. In 1876, he traveled to
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
aboard the armored frigate Cochrane, where he participated in various activities of the British Royal Navy. After returning to Chile, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and awarded the position of Second Commander of the Magallanes Gunship due to his important work during the War of the Pacific.
Toro was appointed professor at the Naval School in 1883, promoted to Lieutenant Commander, and held administrative positions in the
Chilean Navy three years later. In 1886, he returned to Easter Island on board the corvette Abtao, where he observed that the living conditions of the islanders had worsened. This prompted him to address a memoir to
President José Manuel Balmaceda in order to convince him of the usefulness of taking possession of the island.
After receiving approval and authorization from President Balmaceda, Toro initiated negotiations with the French, Tahiti, and the inhabitants of Easter Island to ensure that no other nation claimed the island. In 1888, Toro took official possession of the island on behalf of the State of Chile, culminating in a negotiation with the
King of Atamu Tekena Island by signing an act of cession in Spanish and another in
Rapanui mixed with Tahitian.
Toro was appointed Director of the
Escuela de Grumentes, where he applied all the knowledge he had acquired during his time in Great Britain. However, during the Chilean civil war in 1891, Toro remained loyal to President Balmaceda, leading to his arrest and subsequent release from the army. He was assigned a retirement worthy of his rank and past efforts by President Jorge Montt in 1893.
Policarpo Toro died in 1921, at the age of 65, in Santiago. He is remembered as the man who integrated Easter Island into the State of Chile, a significant achievement that helped to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the island.
Sources
*https://web.archive.org/web/20080211103355/http://www.armada.cl/site/tradicion_historia/historia/biografias/235ptoro.htm
*http://www.icarito.cl//medio/articulo/0,0,38035857_172985981_182488343_1,00.html
*https://web.archive.org/web/20080228212905/http://www.ligamar.cl/revis5/69.htm
{{DEFAULTSORT:Toro, Policarpo
1856 births
1921 deaths
Chilean Navy officers
Chilean Navy personnel of the War of the Pacific