He remained stationed in Callao, while the admiral proceeded to Chile, and when the dissatisfaction about the treaty resulted in the deposition of President Pezet, 7 July, and the consequent riots, many of the Spanish residents in Peru, fearing the enmity of the new government, took refuge on board the "Numancia." After the declaration of war against Chile, 17 September, 1865, Nuñez was called to enforce the blockade of Chilean ports, and after the suicide of Pareja, on 28 November, he assumed the command of the fleet.

When the Chilean government ordered that vessels communicating with the Spanish fleet should not be allowed to enter Chilean ports, Nuñez threatened to bombard Valparaiso. The American minister, General H. J. Kilpatrick, and Commander Rodgers made, on 23 March, an attempt at arbitration, which failed, as the chief condition of Admiral Nuñez was the return of the captured gun-boat "Covadonga," and consequently Nuñez, notwithstanding the protest of the diplomatic corps, gave notice on the 27th to neutrals to evacuate the city, and on the gist the fleet bombarded the port for three hours without the fire being returned, as Valparaiso was defenseless. The loss in public and private property was estimated at $1,000,000, and in merchandise at $9,000,000.

On 14 April Nuñez sailed with the fleet, consisting of five wooden frigates and one gun-boat, besides the flag-ship, and on the 25th arrived before Callao. That port had meanwhile been strongly fortified, and was defended by nine batteries and two iron-clad monitors. The bombardment took place on 2 May and continued till 5 P. M., when the Spanish fleet retired, Nuñez being severely wounded. He was promoted vice-admiral for this action.

After the conclusion of active hostilities he sailed with the "Numancia" for Manila, and returned via the Cape of Good Hope to Spain, thus being the first to make a voyage round the world in a heavy iron-clad vessel. During the revolution in Spain in 1868, and afterward, Nuñez refused to take part in political movements, and later retired from the service to his home, where he died.

NUNEZ, Casto Mendez (noon'-yayth), Spanish naval officer, born in Galicia about 1830; died about 1880. He was graduated at the Royal nautical college, entered the navy, and was a commodore when, in 1864, he joined the Spanish fleet in the Pacific in the iron-clad ram "Numancia." In January, 1865, he went with the squadron from the Chincha islands to Callao, where the treaty of peace between Admiral Pareja (q. v.) and the Peruvian government was concluded. He remained stationed in Callao, while the admiral proceeded to Chili, and when the dissatisfaction about the treaty resulted in the deposition of President Pezet, 7 July, and the consequent riots, many of the Spanish residents in Peru, fearing the enmity of the new government, took refuge on board the "Numancia." After the declaration of war against Chili, 17 September, 1865, Nuriez was called to enforce the blockade of Chilian ports, and after the suicide of Pareja, on 28 November, he assumed the command of the fleet. When the Chilian government ordered that vessels communicating with the Spanish fleet should not be allowed to enter Chilian ports, Nufiez threatened to bombard Valparaiso. The American minister, General H. J. Kilpatrick, and Commander Rodgers made, on 23 March, an attempt at arbitration, which failed, as the chief condition of Admiral Nufiez was the return of the captured gun-boat "Covadonga," mid consequently Nufiez, notwithstanding the protest of the diplomatic corps, gave notice on the 27th to neutrals to evacuate the city, and on the gist the fleet bombarded the port for three hours without the fire being returned, as Valparaiso was defenceless. The loss in public and private property was estimated at $1,000,000, and in merchandise at $9,000,000. On 14 April Nufiez sailed with the fleet, consisting of five wooden frigates and one gun-boat, besides the flag-ship, and on the 25th arrived before Callao. That port had meanwhile been strongly fortified, and was defended by nine batteries and two iron-clad monitors. The bombardment took place on 2 Nay and coil-tinned till 5 P. M., when the Spanish fleet retired, Nunez being severely wounded. He was promoted vice-admiral for this action. After the conclusion of active hostilities he sailed with the "Numancia" for Manila, and returned via the Calm of Good Hope to Spain, thus being the first to make a voyage round the world in a heavy iron-clad vessel. During the revolution in Spain in 1868, and afterward, Nufiez refused to take part in political movements, and later retired from the service to his home, where he died.