On 6 March 1866, during the Chincha Islands War, the Spanish steam frigate Blanca captured the Chilean sidewheel steamer Paquete de Maule in the Gulf of Arauco.

On March 6, 1866, while en route from Lota to Montevideo (and being accompanied by Independencia) with a crew of 7 men, and officer and 126 sailors destined to complete the crews of the Peruvian ironclads Huascar and Independencia,[2] it was captured by the Spanish frigate Blanca, commanded by Juan Bautista Topete.

The Spanish ship didn't detect the Chilean Independencia pailebot and it was able to escape taking refuge in the shallow areas.

[2] Spanish civilians imprisoned in Lima were offered in exchange for Lynch and his crew, but Méndez Núñez refused.

[5] The Paquete de Maule, added to the Spanish fleet as an auxiliary ship, armed with two cannons,[2] took part in the Battle of Callao.