Carmela Carvajal

Carmela Carvajal Briones (Quillota, July 16, 1851 - Santiago, August 16, 1931) was the wife of the Chilean navy captain Arturo Prat, hero of the Battle of Iquique.

On this journey, Prat brought gifts for Carmela: a sewing kit, a fan, a silver cross, and an ivory cardholder.

To overcome this situation, he decided to pursue an education and began studying law as an independent student at the National Institute in 1871.

A little later, the only publicly known love letter from Prat to his girlfriend was discovered: "My Carmela, my life, my treasure, I write to ease your concerns about my health.

The wedding took place at Espíritu Santo parish, where they were blessed by clergyman José Francisco Salas at 10:30 a.m. Prat treated his wife as an equal, entrusted her with the family budget, and took care of some household matters.

However, the treatment did not prove successful, and the girl's health deteriorated, causing anguish for her powerless mother and desperate father.

Carmelita suffered from a hernia resulting from the removal of her umbilical cord, which was worsened by various ailments such as diarrhea and fever.

At the end of his annual station, Prat, in despair, had to travel to the central part of the country on the Abtao, which was delayed.

Finally, on Sunday, December 13, the steamship arrived, and Prat informed his wife that he would soon visit, hoping to find their daughter completely healthy.

His hopes were shattered during the journey when he received a letter of condolences at an intermediate port, signed by Juan José Latorre.

Carmela urged him to leave the Chilean Navy and pursue a career in law, considering their financial difficulties and her pleas.

On March 5, 1879, at the start of the War of the Pacific, Prat left for northern Chile as an aide to future minister Rafael Sotomayor Baeza, leaving Carmela alone with their two children.

Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario, captain of the Huáscar, sent Prat's personal belongings, including a diary, uniform, and sword, to his widow.

She praised his chivalrous demeanor and noble words, highlighting the grand display of magnanimous sentiments and heroic struggles witnessed during the war.