Built in 1927 at Guayaquil, most probably for the Ecuadorian Government.
Launched under the name "ATAHUALPA", named after the last Inca King Atahualpa.
Tonnage 100 tons. Dim. 74 x 17 x 5ft.
Powered by a diesel engine 140 bhp, one shaft, speed 8 knots. Used as a lighthouse tender and patrol vessel of the Coast Guard.
Armament not known.
Decommissioned around 1962. Jane's 1950 has a nice photo of her.
During the Battle of Jambeli, was she under command of Lieutenant Victor Naranjo Fiallo. At 08.30 on 23 July 1941, four Peruvian aircraft appeared over Puerto Bolivar in the Jambeli Channel in El Oro Province and attacked the gunboat "ATAHUALPA" in the harbour with machine gun fire. During the seven minute action, the ship was not damaged and one aircraft was shot down. On the following day, Peruvian aircraft attacked the "ATAHUALPA" three times with bombs and machine guns., but there was no damage on either side.
Ecuador 1992 500s sg2132, scott1279
Source Warship International no 4 1995 page 429-430. MARHST-L archives. Mr. Andreas von Mach.
auke palmhof