During the War of the Pacific of 1879–83, Independencia ran aground while pursuing the Chilean schooner Covadonga during the Battle of Punta Gruesa on 21 May 1879.

[2] On 21 May 1879, she was in pursuit of Covadonga after the Battle of Iquique and attempted to ram the Chilean ship as Independencia had only hit her opponent once thus far.

The smaller Covadonga was hugging the coastline and one of her sharpshooters shot Independencia's helmsman just as the ship began to turn.

Covadonga turned around and came up aft of Independencia's stern and raked her, forcing her surrender, until Huáscar drove off the Chilean ship.

[5] Huáscar loaded Independencia's crew aboard and blew up the wreck and set it on fire to prevent her capture.