The leader of the mutiny, José Miguel Cambiazo, had arrived to Punta Arenas as part of the company "La Fija de Magallanes".[1] In October 1851, 29 convicts arrived to Punta Arenas, among them 7 liberal rebels who had been defeated in April 1851. After an incident involving another officer Cambiazo was incarcerated. In November 1851 Cambiazo made a failed attempt to capture the barqueTres Amigos. The military commander of Punta Arenas, Benjamín Muñoz Gamero, pardoned Cambiazo for this attempt.[1]
In November 21, Cambiazo and other mutineers took control of the colony with the aid of other liberal soldiers.[1] Muñoz was made prisoner.[1] The Chilean government requested intervention by Britain to suppress the mutiny.[2] The Chilean ships Indefatigable and Meteoro plus the Royal Navy ship HMS Virago participated in the recapture of Punta Arenas.[3]
^Brown, Charles H., Insurrection at Magellan. Narrative of the Imprisonment and Escape of Capt. Chas. H. Brown, from the Chilian Convicts, published by Geo. C. Rand, Boston, Second Edition, 1854.