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Sacbact  ([College  Lititars. 


UNITED  STATES  GOVERNMENT 


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y^-^'  ^M^tea^    f^-.^.  -I^jJa^,  rJj^  . 
Jkl£.      No.  89. 


THE 


WEST  COAST  OF  SOUTH  AMERICA, 


IirCLUDIHG 


MAGEllM  STKAIT,  TIERRA  DEL  FUEGO, 


THE    OTITLYIISTG    ISLANDS. 


SECOND    EDITION. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVBKKMBNT   PRINTING   OFFICE. 

1896. 


COLLt.: 


yiv^  ix»vioCw<i.  ^^ 


f-c*"—* 


CONTENTS. 


Paga 

Preface v 

Note VI 

Index 441 

Index  chart viii 

List  of  HydrograpUic  Office  ageots 493 

List  of  HydrograpMc  Office  publications 487 

CHAPTER  I. 
Tierra  del  Fnego ;  cai>e  Espiritn  Santo  to  cape  Pillar^  including  Staten  iBland.         1 

CHAPTER  II. 
Magellan  strait .;•••        40 

CHAPTER  III. 
Patagonian  channels  and  the  outer  coast — Magellan  strait  to  cape  Tres  Montes.      116 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Coast  of  Chile — Cape  Tres  Moutes  to  Chacao  narrows — Chonos  archipelago 

and  Chiloe  island 180 

CHAPTEi:  V. 
Coast  of  Chile — Chiloe  island  to  Coquiinbobay 232 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Coast  of  Chile — Coqnimbo  bay  to  Morro  de  Sama.    The  islands  of  Juan 

Fernandez,  Mas  Afuera,  St.  Ambrose,  and  St.  Felix 289 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Coast  of  Peru — Morro  de  Sama  to  gulf  of  Guayaquil 330 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Coast  of  Ecuador — Gulf  of  Guayaquil  to  port  Tumaco.    The  Galapagos,  Mal- 

pelo,  and  Cocos  Islands 384 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Coast  of   Colombia — Port  Tumaco  to  Mariato  point,  including   the  Pearl 

islands 411 

III 


^ 


PREFACE. 


This  publication  is  a  revision  of  the  first  edition,  from  the  latest 
information,  by  Mr.  E.  0.  Bay,  U.  S.  Navy,  in  the  Division  of  Sailing 
Directions,  Lieut.  D.  H.  Mahan,  U.  S.  Navy,  in  charge. 

The  meteorological  remarks  in  the  opening  chapter  were  prepared 
by  Mr.  James  Page,  in  the  Division  of  Marine  Meteorology,  Lieut. 
Chauncey  Thomas,  U.  S.  Navy,  in  charge. 

The  charts  and  plates  were  prepared  in  the  Division  of  Chart 
Construction,  Mr.  George  W.  Littlehales,  0.  E.,  in  charge. 

As  much  of  the  coast  described  is  imperfectly  surveyed,  mariners  are 
requested  to  transmit  to  the  TJ.  S.  Hydrographic  Office,  either  directly 
or  through  one  of  its  branch  offices,  such  errors  and  omissions  as  they 
may  discover.  With  a  view  to  making  the  next  edition  of  this  publica- 
tion more  useful  and  complete,  new  information  is  also  requested. 

0.  D.  SiasBEE, 
Commander^  U.  S.  Navy^  Hydrographer. 

TJ.  S.  Hydroobaphic  Office, 

Washington  J  D.  0.,  October  30  ^  1896. 


NOTE. 

The  bearings,  courses,  and  trend  of  the  land  are  true,  bnt,  for  con- 
venience, the  corresponding  magnetic  bearings  to  the  nearest  degree 
follow  in  parentheses  (variation  in  1S96).  The  directions  of  the  winds 
are  given  for  the  points  from  which  they  blow;  the  directions  of  the 
currents  for  the  points  toward  which  they  set.  Distances  are  expressed 
in  nautical  miles;  soundings,  unless  otherwise  stated,  are  reduced  to 
mean  low  water. 

VI 


'J 


ALLUC 


iiiiiilii  m 


2  COAST   OP   TIEBRA   DEL   PUEGO. 

occur  three  or  four  days  marked  by  their  appearance.    A  day  without 
rain  is  rare  at  any  season. 

It  may  be  said  that  throughout  the  summer,  especially  January,  the 
normal  condition  of  the  weather  of  this  region  is  stormy.  Galms  are 
rarer  than  at  any  other  period  of  the  year,  and  the  mariner  may  rely 
upon  encountering  at  least  one  heavy  squall  every  four  or  five  days. 

As  the  sun  declines  toward  the  northern  horizon  the  atmospheric 
disturbances  become  less  intense  and  less  frequent.  The  month  of 
March  is  generally  stormy,  but  thereafter  a  period  of  relative  calm 
succeeds;  the  west  winds  become  less  violent,  and  winds  from  E.  to 
NW.  are  sometimes  experienced;  by  the  middle  of  May  warm,  dry 
breezes  from  east  and  north  are  frequent,  with  now  and  then  a  day  of 
bright  sunshine.  This  continues  until  the  month  of  July,  when  the 
weather  becomes  more  and  more  precarious.  In  September  and  Octo- 
ber the  west  winds  regain  the  mastery,  and  heavy  squalls,  which  are 
comparatively  rare  during  the  winter  months,  become  more  frequent 
and  violent  until  January,  which  is  generally  the  most  tempestuous 
month  of  the  year. 

The  meteorological  conditions  governing  the  sequence  of  weather  in 
the  neighborhood  of  cape  Horn,  and  the  value  of  the  barometer,  as 
serving  to  indicate  approaching  changes,  have  been  made  the  subject 
of  much  discussion.  Eecent  investigations  have  shown  that  these 
conditions  are  simpler  than  was  supposed,  and  that  the  indica- 
tions of  the  barometer,  when  properly  construed,  are  reliable.  The 
areas  of  low  pressure,  some  of  them  of  remarkable  depth,  make  their 
appearance  to  the  south  and  west  of  Tierra  del  Fuego.  Their  direc- 
tion of  motion  is  toward  the  SE.  until  the  meridian  of  cape  Horn  is 
reached,  afber  which  there  is  a  tendency  to  merge  to  the  NE.,  an  effect 
probably  due  to  the  high  range  of  the  Andes.  The  trough  of  lowest 
pressure  is  probably  not  far  distant  from  the  parallel  of  60^.  Accord- 
ing to  the  law  of  storms,  around  the  center  of  these  depressions  the 
winds  circulate  in  the  same  direction  as  the  hands  of  a  clock,  northerly, 
northeasterly,  and  easterly  winds  prevailing  in  their  eastern  half,  south- 
westerly and  westerly  winds  in  the  western.  In  the  neighborhood  of 
cape  Horn,  however,  the  winds  of  the  front  or  eastern  half  of  the 
atmospheric  depressions  (winds  from  the  K.,  !N^E.,  E.,  etc.)  are  in  many 
cases  dissipated,  or  at  least  diverted  from  their  normal  direction,  as 
long  as  the  cyclonic  whirl  is  found  to  the  westward  of  the  high  moun- 
tain ranges  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  and  southern  Patagonia,  and  their 
place  taken  by  fine  weather,  with  calms  and  light,  baffling  airs  from  all 
points  of  the  compass.  These  are  the  almost  invariable  accompani- 
ment of  a  falling  barometer  in  the  neighborhood  of  cape  Horn,  although 
well-developed  easterly  gales  of  force  9  sometimes  occur,  especially 
during  the  winter  months.  The  western  or  rear  half  of  these  depres- 
sions exhibits  all  of  the  characteristics  of  the  ordinary  cyclonic  storm. 
Either  shortly  before  or  shortly  after  the  barometer  has  reached  its 


WINDS — BAROMETER — THERMOMETER.  3 

lowest  pointjthe  observer,  if  his  vessel  be  to  the  north  of  the  storm 
track,  will  experience  a  shift  of  the  wind  to  the  KW.,  followed  later  by 
shifts  to  the  W.  and  SW.  If  he  be  to  the  south  of  the  track,  he  will 
probably  feel  the  wind  come  out  directly  from  the  S  W.  with  great  force. 

Described  in  general  terms,  the  weather  conditions  accompanying 
the  greater  barometric  oscillations  are  as  follows : 

The  sky  fairly  free  of  clouds,  with  light,  variable  breezes  from  the 
eastern  quadrant  5  the  barometer,  probably  slightly  above  the  average 
(29.40  inches),  but  showing  a  tendency  to  fall,  quickens  its  descent  until 
a  rate  of  0.02  inch  per  hour  is  attained.  The  weather  continues  fine, 
sometimes  for  as  much  as  several  hours  after  the  fall  of  the  barometer 
has  become  plainly  apparent,  and  until  the  column  stands  from  one  to 
two  tenths  of  an  inch  below  the  mean.  About  this  time  the  sky  becomes 
covered  from  the  KW.  with  a  thick  bank  of  greyish  cirrus,  which,  at 
once  rising  from  the  horizon  and  descending  from  the  upper  atmos- 
phere, covers  the  sky  with  a  misty  veil,  through  which  the  sun  appears 
pale  and  dull.  The  mercury  falls  rapidly,  sometimes  attaining  a  rate 
of  0.05  inch  per  hour;  at  the  same  time  light  but  increasing  breezes 
from  the  N.  or  NW.  spring  up,  or  else  there  is  a  calm  lasting  sev- 
eral hours.  The  fall  of  the  barometer  continues  until  the  mercury 
reaches  a  point  below  29  inches,  when  it  ceases,  and  the  storm  bursts 
in  all  its  violence.  Almost  simultaneously  the  rising  of  the  barometer 
begins,  and  continues  until  the  end  of  the  squall,  which  almost  always 
finishes  from  the  SW.  The  fluctuations  of' the  barometer  during  the 
rise  are  sometimes  extremely  rapid,  and  are  attended  by  squalls  of  great 
violence.  Captain  Leyland,  of  the  British  bark  Talca,  states  that  on 
July  8, 1896,  between  4  and  5  p.  m.,  his  barometer  rose  and  fell  and  rose 
again  four-tenths  of  an  inch,  during  which  time  and  afterwards  the  S  W, 
wind  blew  continuously  with  force  12. 

Areas  of  high  pressure,  around  which  the  winds  circulate  in  a  left- 
handed  or  anticlockwise  direction,  make  their  appearance  during  the 
winter.  Sometimes  these  highs  are  merely  southeastern  extensions  of 
the  main  area  of  high  pressure  which  covers  the  South  Pacific  from 
the  Tropics  to  40^  S.;  at  others  they  are  local,  forming  rapidly  and 
rapidly  disappearing.  Within  such  areas  barometric  pressures  of  30.7 
inches  have  been  recorded.  Simultaneous  observations  show  that 
their  center  may  lie  as  far  south  as  60^.  They  ordinarily  last  from 
twenty-four  to  thirty-six  hours,  and  are  attended  by  light  winds  with 
clear  cloudy  weather. 

The  persistent  westerly  and  southwesterly  winds  which  prevail  along 
the  usual  track  of  vessels  rounding  the  Horn  are  thus  seen  to  be  due 
either  to  the  passage  of  areas  of  low  barometric  pressure  south  of  that 
track  or  to  the  approach  of  areas  of  high  pressure  from  the  north- 
ward* and  by  applying  the  law,  that  when  the  observer  stands  with 
his  back  to  the  wind  the  center  of  the  area  of  low  barometer  (in  the 
Southern  Hemisphere)  will  be  on  his  right  hand,  we  have  the  following 


4  COA&T  OF  TIEBRA  DEL  FUEGO. 

connection  between  the  rise  or  £all  of  the  barometer  and  the  direetion 
of  the  wind: 

With  East,  IN^E.^  and  North  winds  the  barometer  firils. 

With  NW.  winds  it  ceases  to  fall  and  begins  to  rise. 

With  West,  8W.,  and  South  winds,  it  rises. 

With  SE.  winds,  it  ceases  to  rise  and  begins  to  fall. 

The  barometer  off  cape  Horn  is  lowest  with  NW.  winds  and  highest 
with  SE.  If  it  falls  to  29  or  28.80  inches,  a  SW.  gale  may  be  expected, 
but  it  will  not  begin  until  the  mercury  has  ceased  to  fall. 

The  changes  of  the  thermometer  are  in  general  in  the  opi>osite  direc- 
tion to  those  of  the  barometer: 

With  East,  NE.,  and  North  winds  the  thermometer  rises. 

With  West,  SW.,  and  South  winds,  it  falls. 

WiUi  a  SE.  wind  it  ceases  to  Ml  and  begins  to  rise. 

These  rules  are  in  no  sense  absolute,  but  represent  average  condi- 
tions; thus,  the  rise  of  tlie  barometer  during  a  SW.  gale,  as  mentioned 
above,  is  liable  to  be  interrupted  by  fluctuations  of  one  or  two  tenths 
of  an  inch.  During  the  recovery  from  one  of  these  fluctuations  the 
wind  generally  backs.  It  may  be  said  that  the  distinguishing  feature 
of  the  barometer  in  this  region  is  that  it  iB  never  stationary,  but  con- 
tinually oscillating  up  and  down  witii  a  rapidity  unknown  in  any  other 
portion  of  the  sea. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  bad  weather  never  comes  on  sud- 
denly from  the  eastward,  neither  does  a  southwesterly  or  southerly 
gale  shift  suddenly  to  the  northward.  Southerly  and  southwesterly 
winds  rise  suddenly  and  violently,  and  must  be  well  considered  in 
choosing  anchorages  and  in  preparing  for  shifts  of  the  wind  at  sea. 
The  most  usual  weather  in  these  latitudes  is  a  fresh  wind  between 
NW.  and  SW.,  with  a  cloiidy,  overcast  sky.  A  beautiful  sunrise  and 
forenoon  are  generally  succeeded  about  midday  by  a  gray  and  somber 
sky,  the  high  scirrus  coming  down  from  the  NW.  Olear  nights, 
especially  during  the  evening  watch,  are  more  frequent  than  clear 
days. 

The  average  time  consumed  in  passing  around  cape  Horn  from  50^ 
south  latitude  in  the  Atlantic  to  50^  south  latitude  in  the  Pacific  is 
twenty  days,  individual  voyages  ranging  from  seven  to  forty  days,  the 
distance  sailed  being  about  1,300  miles.  This  wide  range  admits  of  two 
conclusions:  first,  that  the  weather  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  cape  is 
extremely  variable;  second,  that  it  is  possible  by  adapting  the  courses 
sailed  to  the  weather  encountered,  to  materially  shorten  the  time  of  the 
voyage.  Maury,  in  his  Sailing  Directions,  recommends  keeping  close 
under  the  Isuid,  in  the  face  of  the  SW.  gales  and  the  strong  east- 
erly current  which  sweeps  around  the  cape.  The  advisability  of 
this  was  doubted  at  the  time,  Captain  Bailey,  of  the  U.  S.  S.  8t  Mary^ 
remarking  in  a  letter  to  Maury:  "So  fully  convinced  am  I  of  the  truth 
of  my  experience,  that  I  would  advise  ships,  after  passing  the  straits  of 


Vnm>B — FOGS— CSAPE  HORN  CDBSENT.  5 

Lie  Maire,  hftving  a  northerly  wind  and  a  falling  barometer,  to  stand 
on  a  wind  to  the  southward,  confident  of  the  wind's  direction,  so  long 
as  the  mercury  tends  to  fall.  If  it  reaches  a  minimom  somewhat  below 
29  inches,  and  a  calm  ensnes,  equally  to  be  eetrtaia  of  a  ^southwester, 
and  to  be  in  a  position  if  possible  to  profit  by  it/'  Later  investigations 
have  justified  this  recommendation,  and  have  furthermore  shown  the 
probability  of  encountering  favorable  easterly  winds  in  the  region  of 
60^  B,  Westerly  winds  alone  are  unfavorable  for  a  westward- bound 
ship;  with  other  winds  she  is  enabled  to  make  fair  progress.  The 
navigator  should  therefore  see  that,  when  his  barometer  indicates  the 
approach  of  an  area  of  low  pressure,  he  avoid  the  northern  half  of  it, 
sailing  around  the  depression  by  the  south ;  and  in  general,  whenever 
headed  off  by  W.  or  ]^W.  winds,  to  seek  higher  latitudes  rather  than 
lower.  As  a  whole  the  weather  may  be  said  to  be  rather  in  a  constant 
state  of  change  than  constantly  stormy,  the  westerly  gales  themselves 
seldom  blowing  steadily  from  one  point,  but  rather  constantly  hauling 
to  the  northward  or  southward.  To  make  progress  through  such 
weather  requires  watchfulness  on  the  part  of  the  navigator,  to  be  on 
hand  to  take  advantage  of  every  favoring  change. 

Fogs  are  rare  on  the  coast  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
cape  Horn,  but  thick,  rainy  weather  prevails,  with  strong  winds. 
The  sky,  even  in  moderate  weather,  is  generally  overcast  and  cloudy, 
a  clear  day  being  a  rare  occurrence.  The  fogs  are  not  nniform,  being 
dense  only  in  patches.  Th^  are  more  frequent  west  of  the  cape  than 
east  of  it. 

Idghtning  and  thunder  raredy  occur  except  in  very  bad  weather^ 
when  violent  squalls  come  from  the  S.  and  SW.,  giving  warning  of 
their  approach  by  masses  of  clouds.  These  storms  are  accompanied 
by  snow  and  hail  of  large  size. 

Cape  Horn  current. — ^There  is  a  continual  current  setting  toward 
and  along  the  SW.  coast  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  as  far  as  Diego  Eamirez 
islands.  Thence  the  current  takes  a  more  easterly  direction,  setting 
around  cape  Horn  toward  Staten  island.  At  a  distance  of  10  or  12 
miles  south  of  cape  Horn  its  direction  is  to  the  E^N'E.,  with  a  velocity 
of  about  ane  knot  per  hour.  iN^ear  the  land,  particularly  projecting 
capes  and  detached  islands,  the  current  is  strongest,  reaching  its  great- 
est strength  with  westerly  winds  and  becoming  almost  insensible  with 
easterly  winds.    It  sets  rather /row  the  land. 

In  the  waters  between  cape  Horn  and  South  Shetland  the  easterly 
motion  of  the  sea  is  produced  by  th«  prevalence  of  the  westerly  winds ; 
and  although  the  direction  of  this  current  is  sometimes  much  to  the 
north  as  well  as  to  the  south  of  «ast,  the  deviation  in  all  probability 
arises  from  the  prevalence  or  greater  strength  of  the  FW.  or  SW. 
winds^  as  it  has  been  generally  remarked  that  the  deviation  of  the  cur- 
rent from  the  east  toward  the  north  or  south  was  in  accordance  with 
the  prevalence  of  one  of  these  winds  over  the  other. 


6  COAST  OF  TIERBA  DEL  PUEGO. 

A  str6ng  cnrrent  sets  at  times  along  the  outer  coast  of  the  Hennite 
islands  and  through  St.  Francis  bay,  which  divides  Horn  island  from 
the  rest  of  the  group,  varying  from  J  to  2  knots,  according  to  the 
wind  and  tide;  and  in  the  bay  changes  its  direction  with  the  change 
of  tide. 

In  the  channel  between  False  Cape  Horn  and  the  Hermite  islands  a 
icurrent  is  found  setting  into  iN'assau  bay,  and  rather  toward  the  Her- 
mite islands,  at  the  rate  of  2  knots,  with  the  flood  tide,  and  about  i 
knot  with  the  ebb.  As  this  current  sets  rather  toward  West  cape,  a 
good  berth  must  be  given  to  it  in  passing. 

The  currents  between  cape  Horn  and  cape  Pillar  are  by  no  means 
regular;  sometimes  with  a  strong  wind  and  flowing  tide  they  run  2 
knots  or  more,  at  others  they  are  hardly  worth  notice.  During  the 
survey  the  current  was  never  found  to  set  to  the  westward  at  any  time 
of  tide  or  with  any  wind. 

Icebergs. — Ice  in  the  form  of  bergs  and  floes  is  to  be  found  through- 
out the  year  in  the  southern  part  of  the  South  Atlantic  ocean,  although 
it  is  impossible  to  give  a  general  description  which  will  hold  good  for 
any  one  year,  as  both  the  quantity  of  ice,  and  the  region  in  which  ves- 
sels are  liable  to  encounter  it,  vary  between  wide  limits.  It  frequently 
happens  that  one  or  more  years  may  elapse  during  which  the  sailing 
route  around  cape  Horn  will  be  apparently  free  from  ice.  Such  was 
the  case  throughout  the  period  covered  by  the  years  1870-1878,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  bergs  seen  far  to  the  east  of  the  Falkland  islands 
during  the  winter  of  1875.  On  the  other  hand,  at  long  and  irregular 
intervals,  the  number  and  size  of  the  bergs  become  so  enormous  that 
vessels  !N"E.  of  the  Falklands  are  compelled  to  forsake  the  ordinary 
homeward-bound  path  for  a  more  westerly  route.  This  was  the  case 
during  the  year  1832,  again  in  1854,  and  notably  so  during  the  years 
1892-93. 

As  given  by  the  most  reliable  authorities,  the  mean  ice  limit  for  this 
region-  runs  northeastward  from  cape  Horn  through  latitude  50°  S., 
longitude  52°  W.,  as  far  as  latitude  42o  S.,  longitude  35^  W.,  the 
occurrence  of  ice  north  of  the  fortieth  parallel  being  rare.  The  accom- 
panying chart  shows  this  average  limit,  as  well  as  the  limits  according 
to  the  reports  received  by  the  U.  S.  Hydrographic  Office,  of  the  numer- 
ous ice  fields  encountered  by  mariners  in  those  waters  during  the 
exceptionally  severe  years  of  1892  and  1893.  All  of  these  reports 
agree  in  describing  the  icebergs  seen  during  these  years  as  colossal  in 
height  and  extent,  and  herded  so  closely  together  that  any  attempt  to 
force  a  passage  through  the  main  body  of  the  drift  was  attended  by 
grave  danger,  many  vessels  being  more  or  less  damaged  by  collision 
and  at  least  two  lost. 

During  the  month  of  April,  1892,  the  bark  Colby,  in  sailing  from 
540  S.,  430  W.,  to  440  S.,  330  W.,  encountered  almost  continuous  ice. 
Throughout  June,  July,  and  August  following,  ice  in  an  almost  com- 

'^t  mass  covered  the  area  included  by  the  parallels  40°  and  45°  S.  and 


irf 

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2 


1 
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P 

«- 


ICE  LIMITS.  7 

the  meridiana  30^  and  40°  W.;  beyond  46°  W.  the  ocean  was  prac- 
tically free  from  ice,  a  single  vessel,  the  ship  Brumcraig^  reporting  ice 
west  of  this  meridian  December  29, 1892.  The  statement  of  the  captain 
of  the  Drumcraig  is  as  follows: 

^'December  29,  in  latitude  49o  34'  S.,  longitude  45o  63'  W.,  a  large 
ice  island  appeared  ahead,  about  12  miles  distant.  Hauled  ship  to  the 
wind  and  stood  south,  being  unable  to  weather  the  north  end  of  it.  At 
noon  found  more  ice  and  several  large  detached  bergs  ahead.  Wore 
ship,  and  stood  Wl^W.,  the  wind  having  shifted  to  SW.  The  large 
island  was  fully  300  feet  high  and  25  or  30  miles  long,  extending  as  far 
as  we  could  see.  At  6  p.  m.  sighted  two  more  large  bergs  bearing  N^E. 
The  deck  thermometer  stood  at  41°  throughout.  At  daylight  the  next 
day  kept  away  to  the  north,  and  at  10  a.  m.  got  close  in  among  more 
ice,  in  all  nine  large  bergs,  the  northernmost  berg  being  like  an  island, 
the  north  end  of  which  we  were  unable  to  see.  At  4  p.  m.  hauled  out 
to  the  westward  for  the  night,  and  the  next  day,  in  latitude  47^  25'  S., 
longitude  46^  15'  W.,  kept  to  the  westward  and  saw  no  more  ice.'' 

At  the  close  of  February,  1893,  the  area  of  extensive  ice  fields  had 
taken  a  roughly  elliptical  shape,  extending  from  45^  S.,  33°  W.,  to  52^ 
S.,  520  W.,  and  about  300  miles  in  width  from  north  to  south.  The 
reports  show  that  the  individual  bergs  had  spread  to  the  westward  far 
beyond  the  ordinary  limits.  Thus  the  Afon  Law^  May  6,  1895,  saw 
three  bergs  in  latitude  46^  50'  S.,  longitude  59^  W.,  and  the  ship  Deck- 
montj  on  the  same  date,  one  large  berg  in  latitude  45^  50'  S.,  longitude 
580W. 

In  December,  1893,  reports  of  ice  again  became  frequent  over  a  belt 
200  miles  in  width  and  extending  from  51^  S.,  47°  W.,  to  42o  S.,  41o  W., 
thus  considerably  to  the  north  and  east  of  the  position  of  the  main 
body  during  February,  March,  and  April.  These  reports  generally 
record  the  appearance  of  two  or  more  bergs.  The  final  chapter  in  the 
history  of  this  extraordinary  field  of  ice  is  given  in  the  report  of  the 
master  of  the  brig  Bochra :  "  On  April  30,  1894,  latitude  26^  30'  S., 
longitude  25^  40'  W.,  observed  a  piece  of  ice  12  feet  long,  4  feet  wide, 
and  4  feet  high.  It  was  very  white  and  seemed  to  be  perforated.  We 
passed  quite  near  it.    The  sea  was  smooth  and  several  people  saw  it.'' 

In  each  case  of  their  occurrence  it  has  been  noted  that  these  vast 
fields  of  ice  both  appear  and  disappear  with  great  suddenness.  The 
absence  of  reports  in  the  neighborhood  south  of  cape  Horn  shows  that 
if  these  bergs  did  come  from  a  point  to  the  westward,  they  must  have 
followed  a  path  south  of  the  ordinary  course  taken  by  vessels.  It  is, 
however,  probable  that  their  origin  could  be  traced  to  some  point  to 
the  southward,  probably  Graham  Land. 

Ice  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  cape  Horn  itself  is  rare,  although 
isolated  bergs  are  sometimes  seen  in  the  region  south  of  the  fifty-fifth 
parallel  and  west  of  the  seventieth  meridian.  The  year  1868  was  an 
exception  to  this.  In  that  year,  east  and  west  of  cape  Horn  from 
longitude  60^  W.  to  87°  W.  vessels  encountered  many  ice  islands  and 


^  COAST  OF  TXEBBA  DEL  TUEGO. 

bergs^  som(B  of  them  of  great  keiglit.  It  is  noted  tbat  dnrii]^  tiiat 
year  (1868)  no  ioe  was  seen  'S^E,  o£  tbe  FaUdands. 

The  chart  of  ice  limits  also  gi^es  I6r  the  month  of  March,  April,  and 
May  the  isotherms  or  lines  of  equal  temperature  of  the  mxr§ae%  water. 
These,  however,  are  of  doubtftd  vahie  to  the  navigator  in  announcing 
the  proximity  of  ice,  as  practical  experience  has  shown  that  the 
temperature  of  the  surface  is  little  affected  thereby.  The  report  of 
Captain  McMillan,  of  the  ship  Dudhopcj  is  especially  interesting  in 
this  connection : 

^^Garefdl  thermometric  observations  of  air  and  water  were  regularly 
taken,  but  our  approach  to  ice,  always  from  windward,  was  not  onee 
indicated  by  any  appreciable  change  of  temperaiture,  in  either  air  or 
water.  On  passing  to  leeward  of  the  bergs,  a  fall  of  a  few  degrees 
was  generally  observed  in  the  air.  On  one  occasion  we  passed  within 
200  yards  of  a  berg,  and  found  the  temperature  to  be  the  same  there 
as  at  several  miles  distant*  This  would  go  to  show  that  in  thick 
weather,  or  in  any  other,  even  temperature  and  thermometer  at  normal 
height  should  not  be  accepted  as  immunity  from  ice.  Care  and  a  most 
vigilant  lookout  are  the  only  reliable  safeguards.  To  depend  on  the 
thermometer  would  mean  disaster,  as  I  am  convinced  that  a  ship  would 
be  too  close  to  the  ice  to  extricate  herself  by  the  time  the  thermometer 
would  indicate  its  presence.'' 

Soundings.-^Soundings  extend  to  30  miles  from  the  coast.  The 
depth  of  water  varies  from  60  to  200  fathoms,  with  a  bottom  of  fine 
white  or  speckled  sand,  between  10  and  20  miles  from  the  land. .  From 
5  to  10  miles  distant  the  average  depth  is  50  fathoms,  though  varying 
from  30  to  100  fathoms,  and  in  some  places  no  bottom  at  200  fathoms. 
Inside  of  5  miles  from  the  coast  the  soundings  are  very  irregular,  gen- 
erally less  than  40  fathoms,  but  in  some  places  deepening  suddenly  to 
100  fathoms  or  more,  while  in  others  a  solitary  rock  rises  nearly  to  the 
surface  of  the  water.  In  the  large  sounds  inside  the  seaward  islands 
the  water  is  much  deeper  than  on  the  outside. 

An  outer  bank  of  soundings  extends  along  the  whole  coast  and  which 
appears  to  have  been  formed  by  the  continued  action  of  the  sea  upon 
the  shore,  wearing  it  away  and  forming  banks  with  its  sand.  There  is 
much  less  risk  in  approaching  this  coast  than  is  generally  supposed. 
East  of  cape  Horn  the  water  is  not  so  deep  as  to  the  westward,  neither 
is  the  land  so  high. 

Anchorages. — Opposite  to  the  eastern  valleys,  where  the  land  is 
covered  with  wood,  and  water  is  seen  falling  down  the  ravines,  good 
anchorage  is  generally  found.  These  valleys  are  exposed  to  heavy 
squalls,  which  come  from  the  heights.  The  best  of  aU  anchorages  on 
this  coast  is  where  good  holding  ground  is  found  on  the  western  side  of 
high  land,  and  protected  from  the  seas  by  low  islands  or  other  barrier. 
It  never  blows  so  hard  against  high  land  as /row  it. 

Where  the  land  is  composed  of  sandstone  or  slate,  anchorages 
abound;  but  where  it  is  of  granite  it  is  difficult  to  find  soundings.    The 


ANCHOlUaBS — NATITES— MISSION  STATIONS.  9 


^ 


diffeiresioe  between  tiie  two  ean  be  told  by  the  latter  being  very  barreBt 
and  ragged  and  of  a  gray  or  white  aqafiearanee,  while  the  former  are 
dark  colored  and  have  smoother  outlines  and  are  generally  cohered  with 
vegetation. 

Between  the  islands,  where  there  is  no  snrf  or  swell  worthy  of  notice, 
the  water  is  deep  and  the  bottom  irregular.  A  small  vessel  may  run 
among  the  islands  in  many  places  and  find  good  anchorages,  but  she 
runs  into  a  labyrinth  from  which  escape  may  be  difficult,  and,  in  thick 
weather,  dangerous. 

Off  the  KE.  coast  the  soundings  are  regular,  and  good  anchori^ 
may  be  found  near  the  land  on  any  part  of  the  coast  during  westerly 
winds. 

ZfatiTe8.-^The  natives  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  are  known  as  Onas. 
They  appear  to  be  an  intermediate  race  between  the  large*sized  Patago- 
nians  and  the  stunted  Fuegians.  They  have  no  canoes  and  live  largely 
on  the  produce  of  hunting.  They  have  always  shown  great  hostility  to 
Europeans,  but  the  explorations  of  late  years  have  probably  modified 
their  animosity. 

In  the  southern  part  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  the  presence  of  mission^ 
aries,  combined  with  an  Argentine  port  at  Success  bay,  have  made  it 
quite  safe  for  shipwrecked  crews  to  land. 

Mission  stations. — ^The  South  American  Missionary  Society  have 
now  (1894)  two  mission  stations  in  the  region  about  cape  Horn.  The 
headquarters  station  is  at  Tekenika,  near  Packsaddle  bay,  in  latitude 
650  23'  S.,  longitude  680  ig/  w.  (approximate),  and  the  other  at  Ushu- 
waia,  on  Tierra  del  Fuego,  in  the  Beagle  channel;  in  addition,  the  Bev, 
Thomas  Bridges  is  permanently  established  at  Harberton,  on  the  same 
coast.  The  mission  station  on  Wollaston  was  abandoned  in  1891  as 
being  an  unsuitable  locality  for  a  permanent  residence.  These  stations 
may  be  used  as  places  of  refuge  and  relief  to  mariners  shipwrecked 
hereabouts. 

Since  these  mission  stations  have  been  established  a  great  change 
has  been  effected  in  the  character  of  the  natives  generally,  and  the 
Yahgan  natives  from  cape  San  Diego  to  cape  Horn,  and  thence  round 
to  Brecknock  peninsula,  can  be  trusted. 
j^  The  natives  of  'New  Tear  sound  also  are  in  friendly  communication 

with  the  mission  station  at  Tekenika,  and  all  the  natives  around 
Nassau  bay,  and  in  the  Beagle  channel,  would  in  all  probability  assist 
\  shipwrecked  mariners  to  the  mission  stations. 

Shoald  a  vessel  be  abandoned  to  the  westward  of  cape  Horn,  the 
boats  should  endeavor  to  reach  Tekenika.  If  circumstances  x^revent 
their  passing  between  Hardy  peninsula  and  Hermite  islands  and  they 
are  driven  to  leeward,  the  best  course  will  be  east  of  Navarin  island  for 
the  Beagle  channel.  Should  it  be  advisable,  boats  may  proceed  to  the 
head  of  the  Bomanche  channel,  where  there  is  a  pass  over  the  moun- 
it  tains  to  Tekenika. 

Passages. — After  passing  the  entrance  of  the  Bio  de  la  Plata, 


10  COAST  OP   TIEBRA   DEL   FUEGO. 

keep  within  100  miles  of  the  coast,  on  accoant  of  meeting  with  strong 
westerly  winds  and  smooth  water.  An  easterly  gale  never  comes  on 
without  ample  warning. 

If  intending  to  call  at  the  Falkland  islands,  endeavor  to  get  sound- 
ings  off  cape  Corrientes,  or  as  soon  as  possible  after  passing  the  parallel 
of  390  S.,  and  keep  on  the  edge  of  the  bank.  If  a  direct  course  be 
attempted,  there  is  danger  of  being  driven  to  leeward  of  the  islands  by 
the  frequent  southwesterly  winds. 

If  bound  to  Magellan  strait,  or  around  cape  Horn,  make  the  land  to 
the  southward  of  cape  Blanco,  and  keep  it  just  on  the  horizon  until 
cape  Virgins  is  sighted  or  passed.  At  present  the  large  majority  of 
vessels  round  cape  St.  John,  and  authorities  differ  as  to  the  advisability 
of  passing  through  Le  Maire  strait,  although  by  so  doing  it  is  possible 
to  save  the  time  employed  in  beating  60  miles,  generally  dead  to  wind- 
ward. The  difficulties  attending  this  passage  are  the  tidal  currents, 
the  danger  of  becoming  becalmed  under  the  high  coasts,  and  the  willi- 
waws,  or  sudden  squalls,  which  sweep  down  the  canons  on  the  western 
side.  Careful  consideration  of  a  large  number  of  logs  tends  to  show 
that  these  dangers  have  hitherto  been  exaggerated,  and  that  during 
clear  weather  the  strait  offers  a  fairly  safe  route  when  proper  precau- 
tious are  taken.  The  navigator  should  plan  to  be  at  cape  San  Diego 
at  the  beginning  of  the  ebb  tide,  which  sets  toward  the  south  through 
the  strait,  and  easterly  along  the  north  coast  of  Staten  island  and 
Tierra  del  Fuego.  The  entrance  to  the  strait  is  generally  approached 
with  a  northerly  or  westerly  wind,  which,  during  the  flood  tide,  tends  to 
produce  a  heavy  cross  sea.  The  ebb  tide  begins  at  the  time  of  new 
and  full  moon,  in  the  neighborhood  of  7  o'clock,  or  about  three  hours 
after  high  water  ashore. 

It  is  unwise  to  approach  cape  San  Diego  too  closely,  and  the  course 
should  be  held  if  possible  through  the  middle  of  the  strait.  Captain 
Fitzroy,  E.  !N".,  who  surveyed  this  strait,  seems  to  think  there  is  neither 
risk  nor  difficulty  in  passing  through  it;  the  chief  danger  is  the  failure 
of  the  wind.  Captain  Berry,  of  the  American  bark  Mohican^  has  made, 
since  1858,  23  voyages  to  the  westward  around  cape  Horn,  22  of  them 
through  Le  Maire  strait.  In  1882  he  beat  his  vessel  through  under 
reefed  topsails.  The  passage  of  the  strait  should,  however,  not  be 
attempted  when  there  is  any  liability  of  encountering  a  SW.  gale  upon 
emerging,  as  under  these  circumstances  it  will  generally  be  necessary 
to  put  back  and  round  cape  St.  John.  For  this  reason  the  barometer 
should  be  carefully  watched  in  approaching. 

A  recent  comparison  of  32  passages  to  the  westward  around  the 
Horn  made  by  certain  vessels  following  the  outside  route,  and  by  others 
simultaneously  passing  through  the  strait  of  Le  Maire,  showed  the 
latter  to  have  an  average  advantage  of  two  days  seventeen  hours  from 
500  S.  in  the  Atlantic  to  50°  S.  in  the  Pacific. 

In  passing  to  the  eastward  of  Staten  island  the  only  danger  to  be 
avoided  is  the  heavy  tide  race  off  cape  St.  John. 


P  PASSAGES.  11 

Although  the  days  are  short  and  the  weather  cold,  June  and  July  are 
perhaps  the  best  months  for  making  a  passage  to  the  westward,  as  the 
wind  is  then  in  the  eastern  quarter.  April,  May,  and  Jun0  are  prefer- 
able, fair  passages  having  been  made  in  these  months  by  keeping 
nearer  the  land  and  sighting  Diego  Eamirez  islands.  August  and 
September  are  bad  months;  good  passages  are  said  to  have  been  made 
at  this  season  of  the  year  by  going  as  far  south  as  the  parallel  of  60^. 
December  and  January  are  the  best  months  for  making  the  passage 
to  the  eastward,  sighting  cape  Horn  and  the  Falkland  islands  in 
'  order  to  keep  clear  of  ice. 

Standing  to  the  westward  after  passing  Staten  island,  the  vessel 
should  be  kept  on  the  starboard  tack,  if  the  westerly  wind  holds,  until 
latitude  60^  S.  is  reached  before  attempting  to  run  down  the  longitade; 
after  crossing  the  meridian  of  82°  W.,  stand  to  the  northward. 

On  the  parallel  of  60^  S.  some  authorities  believe  that  the  wind  from 
the  eastward  prevails  more  than  from  any  other  quarter. 

Caution. — Off  cape  St.  John,  the  eastern  point  of  Staten  island,  a 
heavy  tide  rip  extends  for  a  distance  of  5  or  6  miles  or  even  more 
to  seaward  during  the  flood  tide.  When  the  wind  is  strong  and 
opposed  to  the  tidal  stream,  the  overfalls  are  overwhelming  and  very 
dangerous,  even  to  a  large  and  well-found  vessel.  Seamen  must  use 
every  ])recaution  to  avoid  this  perilous  area. 

Cape  Horn,  northward. — Sailing  vessels,  after  rounding  cape  Horn 
and  bound  to  ports  on  the  west  coast  of  South  America,  should,  when 
westward  of  the  meridian  of  cape  Pillar,  or  75^  W.,  take  every  oppor- 
tunity of  making  westing  until  the  meridian  of  82°  or  84°  W.  be 
reached,  thence  steer  direct,  or  as  nearly  so  as  is  consistent  with  mak- 
ing use  of  the  steady  winds  which  prevail  in  the  offing,  for  the  intended 
port,  being  careful  not  to  get  to  leeward  of  it  on  approaching  the  land. 

If  bound  to  the  gulf  of  Panama  keep  about  60  miles  from  the  coast 
north  of  Guayaquil,  and  after  crossing  the  equator,  steer  for  Galera 
island,  at  the  same  time  taking  care,  especially  in  the  dry  season,  to 
stand  in-shore  with  the  first  northerly  winds.  By  so  doing  vessels  will 
most  probably  have  the  current  in  their  favor  along  the  coast;  whereas 
by  keeping  in  the  center  or  on  the  western  side  of  the  gulf,  a  strong 
^  southerly  set  will  be  experienced. 

After  making  Galera  and  clearing  the  San  Jos^  bank,  the  navigation 
between  the  Pearl  islands  and  the  main  is  clear  and  easy,  with  the 
advantage  of  being  able  to  anchor  should  the  wind  fail  and  the  tide 
be  against  the  vessel.  As  a  rule  this  passage  should  be  taken,  but 
with  a  strong  southerly  wind  the  navigator  is  tempted  to  run  up  the 
bay,  in  which  case  he  should  still  keep  on  the  western  shore  of  the 
Pearl  islands,  where  anchorage  and  less  current  will  be  found  should 
the  wind  fail,  an  event  always  to  be  expected  in  these  regions. 

Tierra  del  Fuego,  the  largest  island  of  the  archipelago  which  clus- 

J^  ters  round  the  southern  and  western  shores  of  Patagonia,  is  about  150 

miles  from  north  to  south,  and  250  miles  at  its  broadest  part  from  east  to 


12  TIERRA  DEL   FUEOO— «KMtTHEA8T  COAST. 

west.  In  its  southern  part  Monnt  Sarmiento  and  the  Darwin  range 
rise  to  heights  of  6^000  feet  above  the  sea  level  and  are  olothed  in  per- 
petual snow;  the  remainder  of  the  island  is  more  of  a  generally  undu- 
lating character,  with  large  plains  and  ranges  of  hills;  the  interior  is 
unmapped,  but  has  recently  been  partly  explored  by  gold  prospeeftors, 
who  have  had  moderate  success. 

Northeast  coast — ^From  cape  Espiritu  Santo  whitish  cliffs  extend^ 
with  but  few  breaks,  about  23  miles  to  Nombre  head.  The  land  is  sev- 
eral bundred  feet  high  and  quite  destitute  of  wood,  and,  except  being 
more  green  in  appearance,  resembles  the  coast  of  Patagonia.  Between 
Nombre  liead  and  a  range  of  higher  and  more  hilly  land  which  ends 
south  of  cape  San  Sebastian  the  land  is  so  low  that  it  can  not  be  seen 
from  a  vessel's  deck  until  within  the  horizon. 

In  March,  1889,  H.  M.  S.  Ohampion  visited  this  coast.  Between  San 
Sebastian  and  Good  Success  bays  natives  were  seen  at  most  parts  of 
the  coast.  Some  Europeans  engaged  in  gold  mining  were  seen  at 
Nombre  head,  about  10  miles  northward  of  San  Sebastian  bay,  where 
there  were  several  buildings  and  a  flagstaff  flying  the  Argentine  flag* 
Also  near  cape  Medio  some  Europeans  were  found  searching  for  gold. 

The  coast  is  visited  every  three  months  by  an  Argentine  Government 
vessel. 

The  Yangan  ludians  of  these  parts  may  be  trusted  to  guide  those  in 
distress  to  the  refuge  stations. 

San  SebaBtian  bay. — ^A  long  ridge  of  shingle  extends  9  miles  soath- 
ward  from  I^ombre  head,  ending  in  a  sharp  point.  Arenas,  which  may 
be  closely  approached.  The  bight  inclosed  between  this  point  aud  cape 
San  Sebastian  is  the  large  bay  of  the  same  name,  affording  good  anchor- 
age from  all  but  easterly  winds,  which  seldom  blow  with  any  strength. 
Within  the  point,  which  is  steep-to,  the  bottom  is  uniform,  with  depths 
decreasing  gradually.  There  is  no  hidden  danger  on  the  north  side  of 
the  bay.  On  the  south  side,  off  cape  San  Sebastian,  it  is  otherwise;  a 
rocky  ledge  extends  under  water  to  the  northeastward,  and  the  cape 
requires  a  berth  of  4  miles  in  rounding.  There  is  no  kelp  upon  the 
ledge,  which  upon  the  west  side  shoals  suddenly  from  12  to  4  fathoms; 
the  ebb  tide  sets  over  it  about  2  knots  an  hour.  The  bay  is  easy  of 
access,  and  with  good  holding  ground;  there  is  no  wood,  but  water 
may  be  procured  from  an  indifferent  watering  place. 

Cape  San  Sebastian  is  a  bald,  cliffy  headland  of  a  dark  color. 
Inshore  of  it  the  land  rises  to  nearly  1,000  feet  above  the  sea.  At  5 
miles  southeastward  of  the  cax)e  is  another  small  cliff,  about  one  mile 
seaward  of  which  is  a  rock  above  water;  between  the  latter  cliff  and 
the  cape  the  land  is  low.  Hence  to  cape  Sunday  the  shore  is  rather 
low,  irregular,  hilly,  and  fronted  by  a  shingle  beach,  but  hilly  at  the 
back. 

Cape  Sunday,  17  miles  from  cape  San  Sebastian,  is  a  prominent 
headland,  of  a  reddish  color,  rising  250  feet  above  the  sea;  the  coast 
in  its  vicinity  is  free  from  danger.    The  Eio  Grande,  11  miles  south  of 


CAPE  PBNAtt — CAPS  SAK  DIEGO.  *    13 

oape  Sunday,  divides  the  Pampaa  region  from  the  wooded  region  ia 
the  south.  The  river  is  not  navigable,  and  has  numerous  rocks,  some 
of  which  dry  at  low  water,  neac  its  mouth. 

Cape  Penas,  at  17  miles  SE.  of  cape  Sunday,  is  about  100  feet  high^ 
with  dangerous  rocks,  on  which  the  sea  nearly  always  breaks,  extend- 
ing 2  miles  seaward  from  it;  these  rocks  should  be  carefully  avoided^ 
especially  at  night.  The  bay  formed  to  the  southward  of  the  cape 
appears  to  afford  anchorage;  but  the  appearance  is  deceitful,  a£»  it  iii 
shallow  and  strewed  with  rocks.  The  hills  hereabout  are  high  smd 
psfftially  wooded,  and  the  view  of  the  country  is  pleasing. 

Cape  Santa  Inez,  at  12  miles  SE.  of  cape  Penas,  cape  Medio,  at 
11  miles  SE.  of  Santa  Inez,  and  San  Pablo,  8  miles  fe>rther  east,  are 
high,  bold,  and  fronted  by  steep  clif^,  200  or  300  feet  in  height.  Henoe 
to  cape  San  Diego  the  water  is  not  so  deep  as  to  prevent  a  vessel 
anchoring  during  westerly  or  southerly  winds. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  at  cape  Penas  atOh.  42m.; 
spring  rise  12  feet. 

Clumipion  rock  is  about  one  mile  from  the  nearest  shore  and  1^ 
miles  from  cape  Medio,  which  bears  S.  58^  E.  (S.  77^  B,  mag.).  There 
is  a  depth  of  about  8  feet  on  the  rock  at  low  water,  with  6  fathoms 
close  to  seaward. 

Orosko  table,  4  miles  inland,  is  a  remarkable  table-topped  moun- 
tain 1,000  feet  high.  To  the  eastward  of  it  are  three  mountains,  the 
Three  Brothers,  the  western  one  being  similar  in  appearance  to  Orosko. 
They  form  an  excellent  landfall  for  vessels  bound  through  the  strait 
of  Le  Maire  or  around  Staten  island. 

Policarpb  6ove,  situated  43  miles  SE.  of  cape  San  Pablo,  is  a 
deceiving  place;  it  looks  like  a  harbor,  but  is  fit  only  for  a  boat.  False 
cove,  at  6  miles  farther  east,  will  hardly  give  a  boat  shelter.  Oape 
San  Yincente^  8  miles  east  of  False  cove,  is  a  dark,  low,  bluff  point, 
backed  by  wooded  hills,  200  or  300  feet  in  height.  Some  rocks  and 
foul  ground  extend  i  mile  from  the  cape. 

Thetis  bay  is  an  anchorage  which  may  be  taken  by  a  vessel  intend^ 
ing  to  go  through  Le  Maire  strait,  but  detained  by  wind  or  tide.  The 
tidal  currents  set  strongly  across  the  bay  in  line  with  the  heads.  There 
is  much  kelp  in  the  bay,  but  so  far  as  known  no  dangers  have  been  dis- 
covered among  it»  With  the  wind  and  tidal  currents  opposite  each 
other,  a  great  sea  rolls  into  the  bay.  In  leaving  it  to  round  cape  San 
Diego  a  good  offing  must  be  obtained  in  order  to  clear  the  heavy  tide 
races  off  that  cape* 

R^tige  station. — ^The  Argentine  Government  has  a  refuge  station 
in  tills  bay,  with  suf^cient  staff  and  material  to  assist  vessels  in  dis- 
tress, or  to  afford  succor  to  shipwrecked  persons. 

Cape  San  Diego  is  low,  ending  in  a  small  bluff.  The  rocky  ledge  off 
the  eastern  point  of  this  cape  is  more  dangerous  than  has  been  sup* 
posed.  The  tide  races  are  so  violent  here  that  soundings  can  not  be 
taken  so  frequently  and  accurately  as  desirable.    In  the  middle  of  the 


14  GOOD   SUCCESS  BAY — STATEN  ISLAND. 

race  depths  have  been  found  to  vary  from  60  to  70  fathoms  to  9  and  5 
fathoms;  it  will,  therefore,  be  prudent  to  give  the  cape  a  berth  of  at 
least  5  miles.  A  vessel  was  seen  to  founder  in  this  race,  but  whether 
from  striking  on  a  rock  or  from  being  swamped  was  not  known.  The 
bark  Hermine,  in  passing  through  the  strait^  struck  three  or  four  times, 
with  the  NB.  extreme  of  the  cape  bearing  N.  38°  W.  (N.  57^  W.  mag.), 
distant,  by  estimation,  If  miles,  or  nearly  in  the  position  marked  5 
fathoms  on  the  chart.  The  vessel  was  drawing  16  feet,  which  will  be 
accepted  for  the  present  as  the  depth  of  the  shoal. 

The  shoal  is  steep-to,  no  soundings  at  10  fathoms  being  obtained 
directly  before  and  after  the  vessel  struck. 

When  subsequently  in  the  race,  at  IJ  hours'  flood,  spring  tides,  the 
vessel  sustained  severe  damage  from  the  heavy  seas  that  came  on  board. 

Good  Success  bay  is  a  small  inlet  where  there  is  a  good  anchorage 
for  vessels.  The  best  berth  is  in  10  fathoms.  Do  not  anchor  too  far  in 
toward  the  sandy  beach  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  for  during  SB.  gales 
dangerous  rollers  set  right  into  the  bight.  North  and  South  heads  are 
heights  of  about  1,200  feetj  with  strong  winds  it  is  subject  to  squalls, 
which,  during  westerly  gales,  are  very  violent.  This  is  an  excellent  place 
for  vessels  of  any  draft  to  put  into  for  fresh  water  or  wood.  In  the  win- 
ter season,  when  easterly  winds  are  common,  anchor  nearer  the  mouth 
of  the  bay  than  during  the  summer  season. 

About  6  miles  S.  34^  W.  (S.  15°  W.  mag.)  from  South  head  of  Good 
Success  bay  are  some  rocks  appearing  like  a  ship  under  sail. 

Statein  island. — This  island  lies  off  the  southeasterly  extremity  of 
Tierra  del  Fuego,  and,  like  all  the  islands  in  this  part  of  the  world,  is 
so  deeply  indented  with  bays  as  to  form  nearly  four  distinct  islands. 
It  is  38  miles  long  and  separated  by  Le  Maire  strait  from  the  mainland. 
The  island  is  mountainous,  the  peaked  summits  of  which,  rising  to  a 
height  of  3,000  feet,  are  covered  with  snow  throughout  most  of  the 
year.  It  offers  a.  good  landfall  for  vessels  bound  to  and  from  the  Pacific. 
The  harbors  are  the  continuation  of  the  valleys,  and  are  surrounded 
by  high  land,  with  the  water  in  them  deepening  toward  the  center. 
The  coast  consists  everywhere  of  rocky  cliffs,  varying  in  height  from 
200  to  500  feet. 

The  best  harbors  are  on  the  north  side  of  the  island.  All  the  anchor- 
ages, though  well  protected  when  once  gained,  are  difficult  of  access 
from  the  force  of  the  tidal  currents  setting  across  the  mouths  of  the 
inlets,  the  great  depth  of  water,  and  variableness  of  the  wind,  which 
finds  its  way  down  the  ravines  of  the  mountains  in  various  directions. 

New  Year  islands  afford  protection  from  westerly  winds.  The  anchor- 
age is  under  the  lee  of  the  north  island  in  17  fathoms,  but  on  account 
of  the  rapidity  of  the  tidal  currents,  the  uncertainty  of  the  eddies,  and 
rocky  bottom  it  is  so  difficult  to  keep  a  vessel  clear  of  her  anchors  that 
navigators  are  advised  not  to  use  this  berth  except  in  cases  of  necessity. 

With  a  boisterous  and  humid  climate,  and  a  low,  but  very  uniform, 


STATEN  ISLAND.  15 

temperature,  vegetation  flourishes  with  such  surprising  beauty  and  lux- 
uriance that  the  rugged  aspect  which  the  island  seems  to  wear  at  a  dis- 
tance is  changed  into  perpetual  and  unbroken  verdure.  The  antarctic 
beech  is  the  common  tree. 

Tides.— It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  port  Vancouver,  at  4h. 
30m.,  and  is  very  nearly  the  same  in  all  parts  of  the  island^  springs 
rise  8  feet. 

The  tidal  streams  are  rapid,  and  as  they  meet  with  obstacles  from  the 
manner  in  which  the  headlands  jut  out  at  right  angles  to  their  direc- 
tion, the  natural  consequence  is,  especially  when  the  wind  is  strong  and 
contrary,  a  rough  cross-breaking  sea  which  is  impassible  by  boats, 
and  even  dangerous  to  a  vessel  of  considerable  size. 

There  is  also  reason  to  believe  that  the  meeting  of  the  current 
coming  round  cape  Horn  with  that  through  the  various  channels  of 
Tierra  del  Fuego  contributes  to  the  unusual  agitation  of  the  sea  in 
the  vicinity  of  Staten  island.  The  flood  stream  flows  to  the  westward 
along  both  shores  of  Staten  .island.  On  the  south  shore  there  is  a 
remarkable  undertow,  which  renders  it  dangerous  for  boats  to  stretch 
across  the  mouth  of  the  deep  bays,  as  it  is  difficult  to  close  again  with 
the  land,  and  for  this  reason  the  sealers  invariably  follow  the  circuitous 
route  of  the  shore. 

The  west-going  stream  at  Staten  island,  meeting  the  current  east- 
ward round  cape  Horn,  is  quite  sufficient  to  account  for  the  agitation 
exhibited  by  the  sea  in  the  neighborhood  of  Staten  island,  even  in 
moderate  weather,  without  taking  into  account  the  prevalence  of  the 
violent  westerly  gales. 

When  bound  eastward  of  Staten  island,  the  state  of  the  tide  must 
be  considered,  as  the  flood  stream  sets  strongly  from  the  southeastward 
toward  the  island. 

Caution. — ^With  the  east-going  stream  there  are  dangerous  overfalls 
off  the  east  point  of  Staten  island,  especially  with  easterly  winds; 
vessels  should  keep  at  least  10  miles  east  of  the  island  when  easterly 
winds  prevail. 

St.  John  harbor,  the  easternmost  in  the  island,  extends  3  miles  in  a 
southwesterly  direction,  with  an  average  width  of  f  mile,  and  may  be 
easily  recognized  from  a  distance  by  mount  Eichardson,  at  the  base  of 
which  it  is  situated.  On  nearing  the  entrance  a  remarkable  cliff,  like 
a  painter's  muUer,  appears  on  the  eastern  shore,  which  is  high  and 
steep,  the  ridge  over  it  being  850  feet  above  the  sea.  Allowance  must 
be  made  in  steering  toward  the  harbor  for  the  set  of  the  stream,  which 
at  all  times  runs  rapidly  across  the  mouth;  it  is,  however,  less  sensible 
when  within  the  line  joining  cape  Furneaux  and  cape  St.  John,  inside 
which,  in  case  of  necessity,  or  to  await  the  turn  of  the  tide,  an  anchor 
may  be  dropped  in  20  to  30  fathoms.  The  mouth  of  the  harbor  is 
about  J  mile,  having  25  fathoms  in  the  center.  The  west  point  must 
be  given  a  good  berth,  as  there  is  a  rock  standing  oft'  it  at  some 


16  PORT  COOK— POST  BA^L  HALL. 

distanoe.  The  shores  with  t^ts  exo^tion  are  bold,  and  immediately 
within  the  west  point  is  a  sm^l  bay  where  anchorage  may  be  obtained 
in  lO'&thoms. 

The  most  sheltered  place  is  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  where  a  berth 
may  be  taken  ap  in  20  fathoms,  sandy  bottom ,  and  moor  with  an  open 
hawse  to  the  SW.,  from  which  direction  the  gnsts  of  wind  are  violent. 
There  is  a  beach  of  sand  at  the  head  of  the  bay  where  a  vessel  might 
be  hove  down  for  repairs. 

The  shores  of  the  bay  are  lined  with  kelp,  its  edge  bdng  almost  inva- 
riably in  8  fathoms  and  generally  near  the  shore,  which  is  an  excellent 
indication  of  tiie  unsafe  parts. 

Snpplies. — ^Wood  and  water  are  plentiful  and  easily  procured;  cel- 
ery imd  wild  fowl  may  be  obtained,  and  in  the  propw  season  (October) 
a  good  supply  of  penguins'  eggs  may  be  had. 

Refiige  station. -^A  station  has  been  established  by  the  Argentine 
Gtovemment  in  this  harbor,  provided  with  a  lifeboat  for  the  assistance 
of  shipwrecked  mariners. 

Light. — On  Laserre  point,  the  western  entrance  point  of  St.  John 
harbor,  is  a  lighthouse  from  which,  at  200  feet  above  the  sea  level,  is 
shown  a  fixed  white  light  visible  14  miles,  between  the  bearings  S.  3¥^ 
E.  (S.  630  E.  mag.)  and  S.  59o  W.  (S.  40°  W.  mag.)  over  an  arc  of  93o. 

Port  Cook  is  8^  miles  west  of  St.  John  harbor.  It  extends  in  a 
southerly  direction  2J  miles,  with  an  average  width  of  nearly  i  mile, 
and  from  the  good  anchorage  at  its  entrance,  the  greater  steadiness  of 
the  prevailing  winds,  and  the  facility  of  communication  with  the  south 
side  of  the  island  by  means  of  the  low  isthmus  separating  it  from  port 
Vancouver,  is  the  most  eligible  harbor  in  Staten  island  for  a  vessel  in 
want  of  shelter.  The  mouth,  however,  is  not  more  than  400  yards 
across,  with  a  depth  of  6  fathoms,  abreast  a  small  island  close  to  Wales 
point,  the  eastern  entrance  point  of  the  port,  thence  within  the  depths 
increase  to  16  and  20  fathoms;  the  best  anchorage  is  in  12  to  15  fathoms 
at  the  head  of  the  harbor.  Oare  is  necessary  when  approaching  to 
avoid  a  rock  awash  lying  IJ  miles  N.  18^  B.  (north)  from  Wales  point. 

Port  Basil  Hall,  5J  miles  west  of  port  Cook,  can  not  be  recom- 
mended for  a  large  vessel,  but  it  is  considered'  a  good  port  for  small 
craft.  The  head  of  Port  Basil  Hall  is  separated  by  a  narrow  neck  of 
elevated  land  from  the  head  of  Few  Tear  harbor,  though  the  mouth  is 
2^  miles  west  of  the  entrance  to  I^ew  Year  harbor.  The  former  is  a 
convenient  anchorage,  and  well  sheltered  from  all  winds,  though  the 
depth  of  water  and  contraction  of  its  mouth  by  two  detached  rocks 
rendw  it  difficult  of  entrance  without  a  commanding  breeze  and  favor- 
able tide.  There  are  three  rocky  patches  nearly  in  the  middle  of  the 
entrance,  but  all  the  danger  is  pointed  out  by  the  kelp  and  by  the 
tops  of  the  rocks  which  show  at  half  tide;  they  must  be  passed  on  their 
eastern  side,  where  it  is  sufficiently  wide  to  admit  of  working  in  mod- 
erate weather. 


PORT   PARRY.  17 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  7  to  10  fathoms,  between  a  small  green 
island  on  the  western  shore  and  a  fine  sandy  beach  north  of  it;  this 
island  may  be  passed  on  either  side,  taking  care  to  avoid  a  rocky  ledge 
that  extends  from  its  SB.  extremity.  Although  the  williwaws  common 
to  all  the  harbors  of  Staten  island  also  exist  here,  yet  the  comparative 
lowness  of  the  southwestern  shore  renders  them  less  violent  than  in 
many  of  the  others;  and  the  Kew  Year  islands,  though  at  a  distance, 
afford  some  protection  to  the  harbor  from  the  sea. 

There  is  anchorage  also  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  bay,  just  within 
the  entrance,  but  it  can  not  be  compared  with  the  other,  being  exposed 
to  the  swell  that  rolls  in  from  seaward,  and  open  to  the  influence  of  the 
prevailing  westerly  winds. 

The  best  directions  for  entering  this  harbor,  after  passing  the  rocks, 
are  to  steer  for  a  remarkable  peaked  hill,  the  eastern  one  of  two  hills 
near  the  head  of  the  bay,  until  another  peak  on  the  western  shore  ( which 
stands  by  itself)  comes  into  view,  after  which  the  course  may  be  shaped 
so  as  to  pass  the  island  on  its  northern  side,  where  the  best  anchorage 
is  found. 

Supplies. — Wood  and  water  are  abundant;  fish  of  a  large  size  are 
found  among  the  kelp. 

Fort  Parry  is  the  first  opening  to  the  westward  after  passing  the 
Isew  Year  islands.  Mount  Buckland,  on  the  eastern  side,  has  a  quoin- 
shaped  appearance,  which  renders  it  a  prominent  object.  There  are 
several  small  rocky  islands  off  both  points  of  entrance,  but  they  are 
bold  and  steep  and  there  is  no  danger  in  approaching  them. 

The  inner  harbor  has  an  entrance  but  150  feet  in  breadth,  with  an 
average  depth  of  8  fathoms  water.  After  clearing  this  narrow  gorge 
bring  the  eastern  point  of  the  outer  entrance  in  line  with  the  eastern 
point  of  the  gorge,  in  order  to  clear  two  rocky  patches  that  lie  on  either 
side  within  the  gorge. 

Directions. — If  intending  to  anchor  in  the  outer  harbor  the  western 
shore  must  be  kept  aboard,  but  if  standing  in  for  the  inner  one  hug  the 
eastern  shore  until  abreast  of  the  white  ravine.  Do  not  attempt  sail- 
ing through  the  gorge  unless  favored  with  a  leading  wind ;  with  baffling 
winds  the  better  way  would  be  to  furl  all  sail  and  tow  or  warp  through. 
There  is  good  anchorage  in  9  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  southward  of  a 
small  grassy  island  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  inner  harbor,  after 
which  the  water  deepens  to  the  head  of  the  bay.  Here  a  vessel  may 
moor  with  an  open  hawse  to  the  SSW.  opposite  a  sandy  beach. 

There  is  a  rocky  patch  with  4  fathoms  on  it  nearly  in  the  center  of 
the  outer  port.  The  depth  of  water  in  the  western  arm  is  an  objection 
to  it  as  a  place  of  long  continuance  for  a  vessel,  but  the  bottom  is  good, 
and  both  wood  and  water  may  be  procured,  though  the  swell  that  rolls 
in  on  the  rocks  would  be  very  destructive  to  the  boats  on  landing; 
there  ia,  however,  a  convenient  place  for  the  employment  of  a  hose 

1943— No.  89 2 


18  POET  HOPPNEB. 

when  watering.    The  hawse  should  be  open  to  the  westward,  in  the 
event  of  mooring. 

This  is  a  favorite  resort  for  the  sealing  vessels  when  in  want  of  repairs 
or  as  a  place  of  shelter  while  their  boats  are  absent. 

Supplies. — Wood  and  water  may  be  got  on  board  with  facUity 
opposite  the  anchorage  at  the  head  of  the  inner  harbor,  and  good  clams 
are  found  in  the  sand  at  low  water. 

Fort  Hoppner  is  the  last  harbor  to  the  westward.  Like  the  preced- 
ing, it  is  divided  into  two  harbors ;  in  the  mouth  of  the  outer  one  there 
is  a  high  rocky  island  which  is  a  protection  against  the  NW.  winds. 
Qn  the  lee  side  of  this  island  anchorage  may  be  had  for  the  space  of  i 
mile  in  from  20  to  8  fathoms.  To  the  SE.  of  the  island,  however,  there 
is  a  continuation  of  rocky  patches,  two  pinnacled  rocks  of  which  show 
above  water  and  are  surrounded  by  kelp. 

I^ear  the  head  of  the  outer  harbor  there  is  also  anchorage  close  to 
the  shore,  which  on  the  western  side  is  high  and  precipitous.  The 
gorge  is  not  more  than  25  to  30  yards  wide,  with  depths  of  2  to  4 
fathoms  in  it,  yet  the  sealers  sometimes  haul  their  small  schooners 
through,  into  the  inner  basin,  where  they  are  moored  by  hawsers  to 
the  rocks,  secure  from  all  winds  and  in  depths  of  20  to  G  fathoms.  The 
tidal  stream  rushes  through  the  narrow  opening  with  great  velocity;  it 
would  be  prudent,  therefore,  not  to  commence  warping  in  until  the  last 
quarter  flood. 

A  stream  flows  into  the  head  of  the  inner  basin  from  the  mountains 
by  which  the  whole  harbor  is  surrounded.  In  the  outer  harbor  there 
are  no  soundings  in  the  middle  at  40  fathoms,  and  it  is  by  no  means  so 
convenient  or  secure  as  either  of  those  previously  mentioned.  Wood 
and  water  are  tolerably  plentiful. 

Flinders,  Crossley,  and  Franklin  bays. — The  west  coast  of  Staten 
island  forms  the  eastern  side  of  Le  Maire  strait;  it  is  high,  rugged,  and 
deeply  indented  by  Flinders,  Crossley,  and  Franklin  bays.  Flinders 
bay,  between  cape  St.  Anthony,  the  NW.  extreme  of  Staten  island,  and 
cape  Beaulieu,  at  5  miles  southward  of  it,  is  about  3  miles  deep.  Anchor- 
age may  be  found  in  the  small  coves  on  the  eastern  side  of  this  bay, 
and  also  in  Crossley  bay,  which  lies  about  midway  between  cape  Beau- 
lieu  and  Middle  cape  at  2J  miles  SW.  of  it;  these  bays  are,  however, 
open  to  the  prevailing  winds,  unprotected  from  the  sea,  and  can  by 
no  means  be  recommended.  There  is  a  good  landing  place  in  a  small 
cove  about  midway  between  Middle  cape  and  cape  South  at  3  miles 
south  of  it. 

Caution. — Heavy  tide  rips  are  found  off  capes  St.  Anthony,  Middle, 
South,  and  St.  Bartholomew,  which  form  the  high  projecting  horns  of 
the  above-named  bays;  they  extend  5  or  6  miles  to  seaward,  and  the 
north-going  stream  has  a  velocity  of  from  5  to  7  knots.  A  reef  is  said 
to  exist  in  the  rip  just  north  of  cape  South,  distant  3  miles  from  the 
coast. 


^  LE  MAIRE   STRAIT.  19 

Black  Mary  harbor. — ^From  cape  St.  Bartholomew,  the  SW.  ex- 
treme of  Staten  island,  the  southern  shore  trends  in  an  EKE.  direction 
about  15  miles  to  York  bay,  in  the  KW.  corner  of  which  lies  Black 
Mary  harbor,  where  there  is  stated  to  be  depths  of  5  to  13  fathoms,  but 
little  is  known  about  it. 

Port  Vancouver. — From  cape  Webster,  the  eastern  entrance  point 
of  York  bay,  the  shore  trends  in  a  northeasterly  direction  7  miles  to 
Port  Vancouver,  which  is  the  only  well-sheltered  harbor  on  the  south 
^  side  of  Staten  island.    In  the  western  arm  of  this  bay  is  a  secure 

[  anchorage  in  11  to  16  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  close  to  a  small  fresh- 

!  water  stream  and  near  a  convenient  wooding  place.    All  dangers  (a 

rocky  islet  on  the  east  side  of  the  entrance  and  a  small  reef  off  the 
^  south  point)  may  be  avoided  by  not  hauling  in  for  the  anchorage  until 

j  a  reinarkable  white  ravine  on  the  south  shore  becomes  visible.    A  ves- 

sel must  moor  with  open  hawse  to  the  westward.  The  port  may  be 
easily  recognized  from  seaward  by  the  Dampier  islands,  on  the  east 
side  of  cape  Webster. 

Back  harbor,  7  miles  east  of  port  Vancouver,  has  a  good  holding 
ground  and  affords  a  secure  shelter  from  NW.  winds,  but  as  it  is  open  to 
the  heavy  rolling  seas  due  to  the  SW.  winds,  the  scarcity  of  wood,  and 
difficulty  of  getting  water  (in  consequence  of  the  surf)  this  harbor  is 
not  recommended. 

Le  Maire  strait— The  soundings  in  this  strait  are  reported  to  be 
regular  near  the  southern  entrance,  70  to  30  fathoms  sand;  toward 
the  north  the  depths  decrease,  and  two  miles  from  cape  San  Diego  the 
bottom  is  very  irregular,  as  previously  mentioned.  The  eastern  side 
of  the  strait  is  bounded  by  the  irregular  bays  and  rugged  capes  of 
Staten  island.  As  the  strait  is  wide  and  free  from  obstacles,  with  the 
exception  of  the  rocky  patches  extending  from  cape  San  Diego  and  the 
irregular  soundings  there,  which  produce  the  race  already  described 
vessels  may  pass  through  with  caution.  The  tidal  currents  are  regu- 
lar and  will  assist  a  vessel  materially  in  her  passage  if  taken  at  the 
right  time. 

It  is  recommended  that  vessels  from  the  northward  should  not 
attempt  the  passage  of  the  strait  until  one  hour  after  high  water.  Mr. 
Gray,  master  of  the  British  bark  Shun  Lee^  states  that  it  is  his  practice 
on  arriving  near  the  strait  to  wait  5  or  6  miles  to  the  northward  until 
a  little  after  high  water.  Also,  that  in  March,  1881,  he  entered  the 
strait  at  that  time  of  tide,  and  although  it  was  blowing  a  gale  from  the 
SW.,  the  ship  drove  through  rapidly. 

After  rounding  cape  San  Diego,  giving  it  a  berth  of  at  least  5  miles, 
keep  over  toward  the  Tierra  del  Fuego  shore,  for  in  case  the  wind  or 
tide  should  change  or  fail,  Good  Success,  Valentyn,  and  Aguirre  bays 
are  near  at  hand,  where  anchorages  may  be  had.  The  two  latter,  being 
much  exposed  to  the  south,  are  not  fit  for  more  than  temporary  berths 
during  northerly  or  westerly  winds. 


20  NEW  AND  LENNOX  ISLANDS. 

Avoid  closing  iu  on  the  Staton  island  side  of  the  strait  on  account  of 
the  heavy  tide  races  and  the  almost  absolute  impossibility  of  finding 
anchorages  there;  also^  the  reef^  said  to  exist,  3  miles  off  the  eoast  in 
the  rip  just  north  of  cape  South. 

Tides  and  tidal  streams. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in 
Good  Success  bay  at  4h«  Sm*;  springs  rise  6  to  8  feet.  It  is  slack 
water  in  Le  Maire  strait  at  or  near  the  time  of  high  and  low  water  in 
Good  Success  bay.  In  Le  Maire  strait  the  flood  stream  makes  to  the 
northward  about  one  hour  after  low  water,  and  the  ebb  to  the  south- 
ward about  the  same  time  after  high  water,  and  the  strength  of  the 
stream  is  from  2  to  4  knots  near  cape  San  Diego  and  from  1  to  3  knots 
in  mid-channel,  more  or  less,  according  to  the  wind.  The  streams  in 
the  strait  are  regular,  and  assist  a  vessel  materially  in  her  passage 
if  taken  at  the  right  time. 

South  and  "^est  coasts. — The  coast  from  Good  Success  bay  trends 
in  a  southerly  direction  8  miles  to  cape  Good  Success,  thence  in  a 
westerly  direction  34  miles  to  cape  San  Pio.  Gape  Good  Success  is 
high  and  bluif,  with  rocks  above  water  close  to,  while  at  2  miles  NE. 
of  the  cape  and  close  to  the  shore  there  is  a  rocky  islet  which  appears 
as  a  ship  under  sail. 

On  the  west  side  of  cape  Gk)od  Success  there  is  an  opening  nsuned 
Valentyn  bay,  and  at  10  miles  farther  west  lies  Aguirre  bay,  the  west- 
ern arm  of  which  is  named  Spaniard  harbor. 

Slogget  bay,  20  miles  west  of  Aguirre  bay,  has  in  the  middle  an 
islet,  at  one  mile  S.  3^  E.  (S.  22^  E.  mag.)  of  which  there  is  a  rock 
marked  by  kelp.    During  SE.  gales  the  sea  breaks  on  this  rock. 

Neither  of  these  bays  nor  Spaniard  harbor  is  fit  for  more  than  tem- 
porary anchorage  during  northerly  or  westerly  winds. 

Bell  mountain,  2,600  feet  high,  between  Yalentyn  and  Aguirre 
bays,  resembles  a  large  bell,  and  may  be  seen  in  clear  weather  from  a 
long  distance  seaward.  It  is  very  useful  as  a  sea  mark  and  is  often 
the  last  remarkable  object  visible  before  the  weather  thickens  up  for 
a  storm. 

New  and  Lennox  islands. — "Sew  island,  10  miles  south  of  Sloggett 
bay,  is  8  miles  long,  north  and  south,  and  5  miles  across.  Lennox 
island  is  7  miles  west  of  New  island.  These  islands  may  be  approached 
with  confidence,  keeping  a  good  lookout  for  kelp  and  using  the  lead. 
There  are  no  known  shoals  and  the  water  is  not  so  deep  as  to  the 
westward  of  cape  Horn,*  neither  is  the  land  so  high.  On  the  east  side 
of  Lennox  island  there  is  a  cove  of  the  same  name,  where  small  vessels 
may  find  good  shelter,  but  large  vessels  will  have  to  anchor  in  Rich- 
mond road,  where  there  is  protection  from  all  but  SE,  winds.  Sound- 
ings in  the  vicinity  of  jS^ew  islands  are  quite  regular  and  the  shore 
steep-to.  Gt)od  temporary  anchorage  will  be  found  under  the  lee  of 
this  isiland  during  westerly  winds. 

Goree  road,  between  Lennox  island  and  Navarin  island,  3  miles 
west  of  it,  is  an  excellent  anchorage  place  for  all  vessels.    There  is  no 


^  BEAGLE  CHANNEL.  21 

difficulty  in  either  entering  or  leaving  it,  and  good  water  and  wood 
may  be  obtained  with  as  little  trouble  as  in  any  harbor  on  the  coast. 
As  far  as  known,  the  kelp  in  this  harbor,  as  well  as  that  found  off 
Guanaco  point,  does  not  grow  upon  rock,  but  upon  loose,  detached 
stones. 

Islet— In  Goree  road,  one  mile  S.  68°  W.  (S.  49^  W.  mag.)  of  Middle 
point,  Lennox  island,  is  a  small,  rocky  islet. 

Puerto  Toro  is  a  Ohilean  settlement  on  the  east  coast  of  Navarin 
k.  island,  just  north  of  cape  Bees,  in  latitude  55^  5'  S.,  longitude  67^  6'  W. 

The  entrance  is  about  J  mile  wide  and  the  t)ort  is  protected  from  winds. 

Picton  island  lies  in  the  mouth  of  Beagle  channel  and  north  of 
Lennox  island.  A  very  thick  patch  of  kelp  extends  for  3  miles  off  cape 
Maria,  the  SE.  point  of  this  island.  Dei)ths  of  from  7  to  12  fathoms 
have  been  obtained  about  2  miles  off  shore  in  this  kelp.  Garden  island, 
a  small  island,  is  on  the  north  shore  of  Picton,  and  just  SE.  of  it  is  Ban- 
ner cove,  snug  and  well  sheltered,  where  good  anchorage  will  be  found 
in  about  13  fathoms. 

Beagle  channel  is  a  narrow  passage  running  west  between  ranges 
of  snow-capped  mountains.  It  averages  IJ  miles  in  width,  and  in 
general  has  deep  water,  but  there  are  many  small  islands,  with  rocks 
off  them,  scattered  through'out  the  entire  length.  Although  easy  of 
access  it  is  quite  useless  for  a  vessel  to  attempt  its  passage,  but  boats 
may  profit  by  its  straight  course  and  smooth  water.  The  first  open- 
ing, Murray  narrows,  leads  to  the  southward  into  Ponsonby  sound. 
Twenty-seven  miles  beyond  this  opening  the  channel  divides,  the 
southern  arm  falling  into  Cook  bay,  and  the  other  into  Darwin  sound 
and  thence  through  Whaleboat  sound  and  Desolate  bay  to  the  Pacific. 

The  tidal  currents  average  about  one  knot  an  hour  throughout  the 
whole  length  of  the  channel,  the  flood  to  the  eastward  and  ebb  to  the 
westward. 

Haberton  harbor,  11  miles  west  of  Picton  island  on  the  north  shore 
of  Beagle  channel,  runs  KW.  about  J  mile,  and  has  anchorage  in  8 
fathoms,  mud,  near  the  middle  of  the  harbor,  300  yards  within  the 
entrance. 

Mr.  Bridges,  late  of  the  South  American  Mission  Society,  has  been 
granted  land  in  this  harbor  and  has  established  a  settlement. 

Qable  island,  3  miles  west  of  Haberton  harbor,  has  a  shoal  with  15 
feet,  bottom  black  mud,  extending  700  yards  from  its  SW.  side. 

Anchorages. — ^The  eastern  part  of  Beagle  channel,  as  far  as  Gable 
island,  has  moderate  depths,  with  good  holding  ground,  and  vessels 
may  anchor  in  case  of  need.  Chasseurs  bay,  between  Euclume  and 
Marteau  islands,  has  anchorage  in  about  13  fathoms,  mud,  midway 
between  the  islands.  The  eastern  end  of  Marteau  island  is  a  white 
cliff.  This  anchorage  appears  to  be  a  good  one,  and  has  not  the  incon- 
venience of  the  strong  current  which  is  met  with  at  Packewaia  bay, 
south  of  Gable  island. 

Ushuwaia  (Ooshooia)  Mission  station,  on  the  north  shore  of 


22  LAPATAU   BAT — ^NASSAU  BAT. 

Beagle  channel^  in  Ushuwaia  bay,  34  miles  west  of  Haberton  barbor, 
and  KNE.  from  Morray  narrows  or  northern  entrance  to  Ponsonby 
sound,  may  be  used  as  a  place  of  refdge  and  relief  to  mariners  ship- 
wrecked in  the  vicinity  of  cape  Horn, 

There  is  an  Argentine  military  post  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  har- 
bor to  the  mission  station. 

Anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  6  to  8  fathoms,  sand  and  mad,  at  the 
head  of  the  bay. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Ushuwaia  bay  at  3h. 
58m. ;  springs  rise  a>bout  7  feet. 

Lapataia  bay,  7|  miles  west  of  Ushuwaia,  is  2  miles  long  and  ^  mile 
wide.  Bound  islet,  370  feet  high,  stands  in  the  entrance,  and  has  a 
small  pyramid  on  the  summit.  The  anchorage  is  in  15  fathoms,  sand 
and  mud,  about  one  mile  westward  of  the  south  entrance  point  of  the 
bay. 

cove,  on  the  south  shore  of  Beagle  channel,  at  10  miles 


west  of  Lapataia  bay,  and  4^  miles  SE.  by  £.  from  Divide  i>oint,  the 
east  extreme  of  Gordon  island,  is  ^  mile  in  extent,  and  affords  anchor- 
age in  11  fathoms,  mud,  in  the  center  of  the  cove. 

Flenriais  bay,  on  the  north  shore  of  the  SW.  arm  of  Beagle  channel, 
13  miles  west  of  Divide  point,  affords  anchorage  in  12  fathoms,  stctne, 
with'  the  east  extreme  of  Senecal  islets  bearing  SW.,  distant  1,100 
yards. 

Rafales  bay. — ^Anchorage  was  also  found  in  this  bay  just  NE.  of 
cape  Keklao,  the  west  extreme  of  Glou^  peninsula  (Hoste  island),  but 
it  is  not  recommended. 

Romanche  bay,  on  the  north  shore  of  Gordon  island,  in  ISW,  arm, 
at  17  miles  west  of  Divide  point,  runs  in  a  southerly  direction  for  2| 
miles,  thence  westerly  one  mile,  with  generally  deep  water.  At  2^ 
miles  from  the  entrance  there  is  anchorage  in  15  fathoms,  sand  and 
mud,  with  a  peaked  hill  2,950  feet  high,  bearing  N.  60o  W.  (N.  79°  W. 
mag.),  nearly  one  mile  distant.  Immediately  within  the  west  entrance 
point  of  Bomanche  bay  is  Morning  cove,  having  anchorage  in  11 
fathoms. 

Voilier  cove,  at  3^  miles  westward  of  Bomanche  bay,  is  about  i  mile 
in  extent,  with  depths  of  7  to  11  fathoms.  Anchorage  maybe  obtained 
in  10  fathoms,  sand  and  mud,  with  the  entrance  points  of  the  cove  bear- 
ing, respectively,  'N.  51o  W.  (N.  70^  W.  mag.)  and  :N^.  68°  E.  (N.  39o  E. 
mag.).  At  400  yards  northward  of  the  entrance  to  the  lagoon,  at  the 
head  of  the<x)ve,i8  a  kelp  patch,  about  equal  distances  from  the  shore 
around  and  500  yards  SSE.  of  the  above  mentioned  anchoring  ground. 

Baleines  bay,  on  the  north  side  of  O'Brien  island  and  32  miles 
west  of  Yoilier  cove,  has  anchorage  in  its  SW.  corner,  in  7^  fathoms, 
broken  shell. 

Nassau  bay  is  between  Nav-arin  island  on  the  north  and  WoUaston 
islands  on  the  south.  It  extends  to  the  NW.  through  Ponsonby  sound 
and  the  Murray  narrows  to  Beagle  channel,  has  many  anchorages  on 


w 


HERMITE  ISLANDS,  23 

each  coast,  and  the  only  known  dangers  are  some  small  islands  and 
rocks  which  are  easily  avoided  by  daylight.  The  northern  shore  is 
low,  particularly  near  Gaanaco  point,  whence  the  coast  changes  its 
level  land  and  low  earthy  cliffs  for  rocky  heights.  In  Ponsonby  sound 
there  is  anchorage  with  good  holding  ground  on  the  east  side  of  But- 
ton island,  northward  of  a  chain  of  flat  wooded  islets  extending  from 
the  SE.  point  of  the  island. 

Anchorage  can  also  be  obtained  in  Douglas  bay,  but  close  to  the 
shore.  The  holding  ground  is  good,  but  is  exposed  to  westerly  winds 
and  sea. 

Terhalten  and  Sesambre  are  two  small  but  high  islands  about  6 
miles  south  of  Lennox  island.  They  are  one  mile  apart  in  a  NW.  and 
SE.  direction.  Off  the  SE.  side  of  Sesambre,  the  southern  island,  there 
is  a  reef  marked  by  kelp. 

The  Evout  islands  lie  in  the  fair  way  to  Fassau  bay,  at  10  miles 
SE.  of  Sesambre. 

The  Bamevelt  islands  lie  15  miles  south  of  Evout  islands.  The 
chart  and  sketches  are  a  sufficient  description  for  the  appearance  of 
the  coast  from  cape  Good  Success  to  cape  Horn. 

Caution. — In.Kassau  bay  the  compasses  are  much  affected;  they 
become  very  sluggish,  and  might  cause  serious  errors  if  not  carefully 
attended  to. 

Remarks. — ^When  standing  to  the  westward  it  might  be  preferable 
to  work  through  Nassau  bay  and  out  by  False  Oape  Horn,  instead  of 
by  the  open  sea  around  cape  Horn,  as  is  the  usual  course.  The  charts 
of  that  vicinity  are  tolerably  reliable,  the  water  much  smoother,  and 
good  anchorages  near  at  hand.  When  blowing  too  hard  to  make  any 
way  to  the  westward  it  is  some  satisfaction,  when  at  anchor,  to  know 
that  one's  position  is  being  maintained  instead  of  drifting  to  leeward 
and  perhaps  suffering  damage  from  the  heavy  seas.  Moreover,  there 
is  less  current  through  the  bay  than  in  the  open  sea  near  cape  Horn. 

Hermite,  or  Cape  Horn,  islands  are  composed  of  greenstx)ne,  in 
which  hornblende  and  feldspar  are  more  or  less  prominent.  Their 
shores  are  bold  and  steep-to;  the  mountains  are  sharp  pointed,  with 
steep  ascents,  and,  being  thickly  overgrown  with  shrubs  and  evergreen 
^  trees  from  their  bases  to  within  about  300  feet  of  their  summits,  render 

them  diflScult  of  access. 

Hermite  island,  the  westernmost  of  the  group,  is  high  and  rugged 
at  the  east  side,  but  sloping  toward  cape  West,  which  is  quite  low. 
Wollaston  and  Herschel  islands  are  mountainous.  The  passages 
between  them  are  deep  and  free  from  dangers;  what  few  rocks  there 
are  show  themselves  above  water  or  are  well  marked  with  kelp.  Some 
rocks  extend  400  yards  southeastward  from  Chanticleer  island,  at  the 
entrance  to  St.  Martin  cove,  but  no  dangers  exist  to  the  southward; 
these  islands  may  be  approached  tolerably  close.  Mount  Hyde,  on  the 
^  largest  of  the  Wollaston  islands,  is  2,211  feet  above  the  sea  and  is  the 

highest  land  in  this  group. 


24  CAPE  HORN — PORT  MAXWELL. 

Deceit  isUmd  is  the  easternmost  of  the  Hermite  gronp^  and  from  tbe 
eastward  its  appearance  is  not  unlike  Diego  Bamirez.  Off  cape  Deceit, 
its  SE.  point,  are  several  rocks  above  water,  and  2  miles  8E.  of  the 
cape  there  is  a  cluster  of  pinnacle  rocks  30  to  40  feet  above  the  sea. 

South  Sea  pass,  between  Deceit  and  Herschel  islands  at  one  mile 
west  of  it,  is  obstructed  by  a  cluster  of  barren  islets.  The  best  channel 
through  has  been  found  nearest  to  Deceit  island. 

Cape  Horn  is  the  extreme  southern  point  of  Horn  island.  It  is 
1,391  feet  high,  and  presents  a  remarkable  appearance  when  seen  close- 
to,  showing  high  black  cliffs  toward  the  south.  Off  the  west  of  the 
cape  are  some  rocks  on  which  the.  sea  always  breaks.  Also  off  the  east 
point  of  Horn  island  there  are  small  rocks  above  water. 

St.  Martin  cove,  on  the  east  side  of  Hermite  island,  bears  from 
cape  Horn  K.  49°  W.  (N.  68o  W.  mag.),  distant  12  miles,  and  is  further 
marked  by  Chanticleer  island,  lying  about  1 J  mile  S.  85^  B.  (N.  76^  B. 
mag.)  from  South  head.  In  this  direction  there  are  no  dangers  that 
are  not  visible,  and  the  cove  is  easy  of  access  with  KB.,  B.,  or  SB. 
winds,  but  with  the  westerly  ones  that  prevail  here  it  is  quite  the 
reverse,  and  vessels  must  then  anchor  off  the  entrance  in  22  fathoms 
and  warp  into  the  cove  to  a  convenient  berth  in  18. fathoms,  sandy 
bottom,  J  mile  from  the  head  of  the  cove  and  about  midway  fipom  either 
side.  This  berth  is  quite  secure,  although  the  williwaws  rush  down 
with  great  violence.  These  gusts  strike  the  spars  aloft  without  bring- 
ing much  strain  on  the  ground  tackle. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  St.  Martin  cove  at 
3h.  40m.,  rise  8  feet,  bat  the  observations  for  tide  were  uncertain  on 
account  of  the  swell. 

Supplies. — Wood  and  water  are  in  abundance  in  every  part  of  St. 
Martin  cove,  but  can  not  always  be  procured,  from  the  steepness  of 
the  shores  and  the  heavy  swell  that  sometimes  sets  in.  The  water  is 
highly  colored  by  the  vegetable  matter  through  which  it  percolates, 
but  no  inconvenience  was  found  in  its  use  except  a  somewhat  unpleas- 
ant taste.  The  wood  was  very  much  twisted  and  stunted  in  growth, 
and  did  not  appear  fit  for  any  other  purpose  than  ftiel. 

The  shores  are  skirted  with  kelp,  among  which  a  good  supply  of  fish 
may  be  caught  with  hook  and  line. 

At  the  head  of  the  cove,  and  a  few  feet  beyond  the  reach  of  high- 
water  spring  tides,  abundance  of  celery  is  to  be  found,  as  also  in  many 
other  places  in  the  cove. 

Port  Maxwell,  about  2  miles  north  of  St.  Martin  cove,  is  a  secure 
anchorage,  rather  out  of  the  way,  but  untroubled  by  mountain  squalls 
or  williwaws.  Though  it  has  four  openings,  only  two  are  fit  for  ves- 
sels— ^those  to  the  north  and  east.  The  best  berth  is  in  16  fathoms, 
sand.  This  harbor  is  decidedly  good,  though  it  requires  a  little  more 
time  and  trouble  to  make. 

The  north  channel  is  the  better  for  sailing  vessels,  but  care  must  be 
taken  of  the  rock  with  3  feet  over  it,  750  yards  KNE.  of  Maxwell 


^ 


} 


FRANKLIN  SOUND — PACKSADDLE   BAY.  25 

island,  also  of  other  rocks  lying  in  mid'Channel,  one  of  whicli  dries  at 
half  tide. 

Franklin  sound,  between  Wollaston  and  the  Hermite  islands,  is 
clear  of  obstruction,  and  apparently  has  no  other  danger  than  those 
shown  on  the  chart. 

Vessels  can  anchor  in  the  two  bays  on  the  east  side  of  Herschel 
island;  the  northern  of  the  two  has  a  white  sand  beach. 

Scourfield  and  Hately  bays  are  on  the  ]!^B.  side  of  Wollaston 
island,  but  the  water  is  deep  for  anchorage. 
r  Middle  cove,  4  miles  northward  from  Hately  bay,  though  small,  is 

secure;  but  when  it  blows  the  squalls  from  the  high  land  are  violent. 

Gretton  bay  is  an  extensive  body  of  water  open  to  the  NB.,  with 
convenient  depths  for  anchoring.  There  is  a  narrow  but  deep  channel, 
named  Washington,  connecting  the  head  of  this  bay  with  Franklin 
sound.  The  flood  current  sets  to  the  northward  through  this  passage. 
Victoria  channel  joins  Gretton  bay  with  Beaufort  bay;  it  is  narrow 
and  full  of  rocks. 

Daedalus  rock,  3  feet  under  water,  IIT.  46^  E.  (N.  26^  B.  mag.)  of 
Daedalus  island,  distant  ^  mile,  and  Hazeltine  rock,  16  feet  under 
water,  N.  68°  B.  (N.  49°  B.  mag.)  of  the  same  island,  and  distant  about 
2  miles,  are  dangers  to  be  avoided  in  entering  this  road  from  the  north- 
ward.  Other  rocks  are  reported  to  the  south  and  west  of  Hazeltine  rock. 

Banner  shoal,  1,400  yards  S.  60o  B.  (S.  79°  B.  mag.)  from  Dillon 
point,  the  NW.  extreme  of  Gretton  bay,  is  marked  by  kelp;  it  has  2f 
fathoms  over  it,  with  7  fathoms  midway  between  it  and  the  shore. 

North  road,  in  the  northern  part  of  Gretton  bay,  is  easy  of  access, 
comparatively  well  sheltered,  and  a  very  good  stopping  place  for  a  ves- 
sel working  through  IN^assau  bay. 

Otter  anchorage,  between  Otter  and  Diane  islands,  is  easy  of  acceiss 
and  fairly  well  sheltered. 

Seagull  anchorage,  small  but  well  sheltered,  is  formed  by  the  islands 
fronting  Victoria  channel.  It  is  only  fit  for  small  vessels  of  light  draft. 
The  best  berth  is  in  4  fathoms  west  of  Gun  point. 

Romanche  anchorage  is  between  Otaries  and  Bayly  islands,  and 
forms  the  approach  to  Seagull  anchorage, 
lb  Hardy  peninsula. — Navarin  and  Hoste,  the  two  large  islands  form- 

ing the  south  shore  of  Beagle  channel,  are  separated  by  Ponsonby 
sound,  which  opens  into  Nassau  bay.  Harda  peninsula,  a  projection 
of  Hoste  island,  affords  several  anchorages  on  its  eastern  side.  Its 
southern  extremity,  False  Cape  Horn,  is  a  very  remarkable  headland, 
and  from  the  east  or  west  resembles  a  large  horn. 

Facksaddle  bay,  on  the  N"E.  side  of  Hardy  peninsula,  is  sheltered 
from  NW.  winds  by  an  island  resembling  a  packsaddle.  It  is  safe  and 
roomy,  but  not  so  convenient  as  Orange  bay,  5  miles  to  the  southward. 

Mission  station. — !N^ear  Packsaddle  bay  a  mission  station  has  been 
^  established  at  Tekenika,  where  shipwrecked  seamen  will  receive  assist- 

ance from  the  South  American  Missionary  Society.    The  attention  of 


26  OBANQE  BAY — ^DIEGO  RAMIREZ   ISLANDS. 

mariners  is  called  to  the  advantage  of  this  mission  station  as  a  place  of 
refuge  to  the  crews  of  vessels  wrecked  or  abandoned  in  the  vicinity  of 
cape  Horn,  and  to  the  fact  that  the  natives  of  Kew  Year  sound,  soath 
side  of  Hoste  island,  are  in  friendly  communication,  overland,  with 
Tekenika  station. 

Orange  bay  is  considered  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the  coast; 
although  it  is  open  to  the  eastward,  Wollaston  islands  are  a  protection 
against  the  heavy  sea  from  that  quarter. 

Off  the  bay  anchorage  depths  extend  to  2  miles  from  the  land.  The 
opening  of  the  bay  is  4  miles  wide,  and  in  that  part  are  18  or  20  fath- 
oms, fine  speckled  sand.  Two  islands,  the  larger  having  a  down-like 
appearance,  lie  in  the  middle;  behind  them  is  the  harbor,  a  square  mile 
of  excellent  anchorage,  without  a  rock  or  shoal,  well  adapted  for  a  large 
fleet,  and  where  they  could  be  supplied  with  any  quantity  of  wood  or 
water.  The  best  watering  place  is  in  Water  cove,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  bay.  In  the  two  creeks  at  the  south  side  there  is  good  anchorage 
for  small  vessels,  in  20  to  5  fathoms,  fine  speckled  sand.  The  land  in 
the  vicinity  is  low,  comparatively  speaking,  and  the  williwaws  are  con- 
sequently not  violent.  A  vessel  may  close  the  shore  to  a  moderate 
distance  in  every  part;  therefore,  no  directions  are  necessary  to  point 
out  the  way  to  the  best  berth,  which  is  marked  in  the  plan.  Off  the 
north  point  of  the  bay  there  are  several  small  islets  which  must  not  be 
approached  too  closely.' 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Orange  bay  at  3h.  36m.; 
springs  rise  about  9  feet. 

Schapenam  bay,  the  nextinlet  south  of  Orange  bay,  is  1^  miles  wide, 
having  near  the  middle  a  small  black  rock  above  water.  A  quantity 
of  kelp,  lying  over  a  rocky  bottom,  is  seen  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  and 
a  large  waterfall  marks  the  place  distinctly.  There  is  an  anchorage  in 
10  to  15  fathoms  near  its  south  point,  but  it  is  not  recommended.  The 
land  behind  is  high  and  rugged;  two  singular  peaks  which  resemble 
sentry  boxes  show  themselves.  !N^ear  the  shore  the  land  is  low  com- 
pared with  other  parts  of  the  coast,  and  has  not  the  iron-bound,  forbid- 
ding appearance  of  the  more  westerly  shores.  From  the  heights  sudden, 
very  strong  squalls  blow  during  westerly  winds.  Being  generally  a 
weather  shore  and  regular  soundings  extending  along  it,  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  approaching  or  choosing  an  anchorage. 

Rice  bay,  2  miles  south  of  Schapenham,  is  inside  a  small  island,  and, 
although  smalljs  landlocked  and  a  safe  anchorage.  Depths  of  6 
fathoms  were  found  in  this  anchorage. 

Lort  bay,  5  miles  south  of  Schapenham,  is  about  2  miles  wide,  with 
a  fair  anchorage  in  8  or  9  fathoms,  sandy  bottom.  Bocks  above  water 
lie  off  the  northern  shore. 

Diego  Ramirez  islands  cover  a  space  of  nearly  5  miles  in  a  north 
and  south  direction.  North  rock  is  about  56  miles  S.  59°  W.  (S.  39°  W. 
mag.)  of  cape  Horn.    The  height  of  the  principal  island  is  687  feet. 


r 


ILDEFONSO   ISLANDS — ^TALBOT  PASSAGE.  27 

A  vessel  may  pass  between  the  northern  group  and  that  to  the  south- 
ward. Detached  rocks  lie  off  the  southern  island;  all  the  outer  ones 
are  above  water.  The  southern  or  Boat  island  has  a  cove  at  its  north- 
ern corner  where  boats  can  land,  and  where  water  may  be  procured  on 
the  point  close  to  the  eastward  of  the  landing  place. 

Ildefonso  islands  extend  in  a  KW.  and  SE.  direction  for  5  miles  and 
rise  above  the  sea  level  about  100  feet.  The  SB.  point  of  the  islands  is 
about  42  miles  distant  and  bears  S.  78o  W.  (S.  58°  W.  mag.)  of  False 
Cape  Horn.  They  appear  to  be  the  remains  of  a  mountain  ridge  broken 
through  in  many  place's  by  the  sea.  Vessels  may  pass  close  to  them, 
for  there  is  no  danger. 

Coralie  cove. — South  of  Hardy  peninsula  in  Bomanche  channel  is 
Coralie  cove,  where  a  vessel  might  obtain  temporary  shelter,  but  the 
space  is  confined. 

JXevr  Tear  sound,  on  the  west  side  of  Hardy  peninsula,  is  a  large 
tract  of  water  studded  with  islands  and  extending  about  20  miles  in  a 
NW.  direction,  terminating  in  four  arms ;  these  arms  are  very  deep,  but 
mostly  end  in  coves,  where  a  vessel  could  moor.  An  arm  extending  to 
the  NB.  is  separated  from  Ponsonby  sound  by  an  isthmus  about  J  mile 
across,  over  which  the  natives  haul  their  canoes.  Between  False  Cape 
Horn  and  Kew  Year  sound  there  is  a  tract  of  broken  land  fronted  by 
islands;  between  these  islands  and  Hardy  peninsula  there  is  a  channel 
i  mile  wide,  affording  two  anchorages,  sheltered  from  SW.  winds. 

Indian  bay,  within  the  entrance  of  the  sound,  on  the  western  shore, 
is  not  recommended ;  the  bottom  is  rocky,  with  deep  water. 

The  French  Government  vessel  Bomanche  discovered  two  anchorages 
on  the  east  side  of  Morton  island  at  36  miles  W.  by  N.  of  False  Cape 
Horn,  but  the  water  is  very  deep  and  they  are  not  recommended. 
Mount  Beaufoy,  1,739  feet  high,  on  Henderson  island,  at  the  entrance 
of  New  Year  sound,  is  a  sharp- pointed  hill,  visible  at  a  great  distance; 
from  its  summit  the  Diego  Ramirez  islands  were  seen,  though  upwards 
of  50  miles  distant.  A  dangerous  reef  lies  2  miles  S.  6°  B.  (S.  25o  E. 
mag.)  from  Brisbane  head,  the  south  point  of  Henderson  island. 

Clearbottom  bay,  at  the  north  end  of  Morton  island,  is  small  and 
affords  indifferent  shelter  in  strong  westerly  winds.  Wyatt  cove,  in 
the  SE.  part  of  Hind  island,  is  a  better  place,  but  is  not  sheltered  from 
southerly  winds. 

Leading  hill,  on  Hind  island,  is  a  remarkable  double-peaked  height, 
which  is  visible  from  a  distance  of  18  or  20  miles  5  it  points  out  the 
entrance  to  Duff*  bay. 

Neither  Rous  sound  nor  Trefusis  bay  to  the  westward  afford  anchor- 
age places.  There  are  no  known  sheltered  coves  fit  for  anchorage  in 
the  Wood  islands;  passages  and  broken  land  lie  behind  them  to  the 
northward, 

Talbot  passage,  separating  the  Wood  islands  on  the  west  side  of 
Trefusis  bay  from  Hoste  island,  is  only  4  mile  wide  in  the  narrows; 


28  CHRISTMAS  SOUND — ^LONDONDERRY  ISLANDS. 

several  rocks  and  islets  obstruct  the  SE.  entrance,  and  this  passage 
should  not  be  attempted  by  a  sailinf]^  vessel.  There  is  an  anchorage  in 
An  got  cove,  at  the  entrance  of  Talbot  passage,  under  the  lee  of  Garo- 
Kne  island,  the  easternmost  of  the  Wood  islands,  but  it  can  not  be 
recommended. 

Christmas  sound  has  no  hidden  dangers.  Little  and  Great  Black 
rocks  being  in  plain  view  on  entering.  Adventure  cove  is  the  easiest 
of  access,  but  it  is  so  small  that  it  will  afiford  shelter  for  not  more  than 
one  vessel  at  a  time. 

Waterman  island  may  be  recognized  by  its  remarkable  heights, 
the  southern  one  being  named,  by  Captain  Cook,  York  Minster,  from 
its  fancied  resemblance  to  that  building.  He  describes  it  as  a  ^'wild 
looking  rock."  There  are  several  rocks  and  islets  close  to  the  eastward 
of  this  height.  One  lies  2  miles  S.  75o  B.  (N.  84°  E.  mag.)  of  the 
extremity  of  the  Minster,  on  which  the  sea  breaks  violently;  a  vessel 
may  pass  close  to  it.  Off  the  Great  Black  rock  are  several  breakers 
caused  by  rocks  under  water.  Among  these  islands  there  is  but  very 
little  current. 

Capstan  rocks,  8  miles  west  of  York  Minster  and  4  miles  south  of 
the  western  point  of  Waterman  island,  are  about  20  feet  out  of  waten 
with  breakers  extending  ^  mile  north  and  3  miles  westward  of  them. 
They  should  be  given  a  berth  of  6  miles  when  passing  westward  of 
them. 

March  harbor,  on  the  east  side  of  Waterman  island,  is  large,  with 
good  holding  ground,  but  there  are  many  rocky  places,  and  on  a  sunken 
rock  marked  by  very  thick  kelp  there  is  only  one  fathom. 

Port  Clarke,  about  one  mile  to  the  northward  of  March  harbor,  is 
secure  when  inside,  but,  from  its  situation,  is  exposed  to  very  violent 
squalls.  It  is  accessible  only  to  steamers.  The  passage  to  it  from 
the  northward  is  obstructed  by  rocks,  so  that  the  coast  of  Shag  island 
must  be  kept  close  aboard  until  abreast  the  entrance.  When  entering 
the  port  the  south  shore  should  be  neared ;  vessels  moor  in  the  inner 
part  of  the  harbor,  on  a  mud  bottom;  good  holding  ground. 

Webb  inlet,  on  the  SW.  side  of  Hoste  island,  has  two  arms;  one 
extends  18  miles  in  a  NE.  direction  and  terminates  at  a  low  isthmus; 
the  other  arm  extends  about  3  miles  in  an  easterly  direction. 

Cook  bay  is  the  large  space  between  Waterman  island  and  London- 
derry islands  at  12  miles  west  of  it,  but  broken  land,  islets,  and  break- 
ers surround  and  make  it  unfit  for  the  approach  of  vessels.  On  the 
east  side  of  this  bay  there  is  an  entrance  to  Beagle  channel,  and  to  the 
NW.  a  passage  to  Whaleboat  sound,  but  both  are  unfit  for  sailing  ves- 
sels, excepting  with  a  fair  wind. 

Londonderry  islands  consist  of  a  group  about  28  miles  in  extent. 
Treble  island,  the  southeasternmost  of  the  group,  is  remarkable,  having 
three  peaks,  and  is  visible  from  a  considerable  distance;  near  it  are 
some  straggling  rocks,  shown  in  the  chart.    Phillip  rocks,  lying  about 


STEWART  ISLANDS— OAMDEN  ISLANDS.  29 

6  miles  southwestward  from  cape  Alikhoolip,  the  sonth  cape  of  these 
islands,  are  dangeroas,  thoagh  above  water,  because  so  far  from  the 
shore  and  so  low.  Between  these  rocks  and  Treble  island  the  space 
isfouL 

Gilbert  and  Stewart  islands,  the  next  groap  westward  of  London- 
derry islands,  have  between  them  an  open  space,  named  Adventure 
passage,  with  deep  water. 

Doris  cove,  on  the  KE.  side  of  the  eastern  Gilbert,  is  a  safe  anchor- 
age for  small  vessels,  with  no  hidden  dangers  in  the  vicinity. 

SteiTirart  harbor  is  just  north  of  the  high  and  remarkable  western 
promontory  of  Stewart  island,  cape  Castlereagh.  Though  not  large, 
this  harbor  is  an  excellent  place  for  small  vessels,  having  three  open- 
ings and  being  easy  of  access  with  any  wind.  The  anchorage  is  in  6 
fathoms  of  water  under  the  lee  of  Shelter  island.  Two  rocks  just 
awash  at  high  water  lie  nearly  in  the  middle  of  the  harbor,  and  a  rock 
on  which  the  sea  breaks  lies  about  one  mile  west  of  the  middle  opening. 
There  is  no  other  danger.  Wood  and  water  are  plentiful  and  easily 
obtained. 

Desolate  bay,  between  Stewart  Island  and  Camden  islands,  has  pas- 
sages  leading  into  Oourtenay,  Thieves,  and  Whaleboat  sounds.  Eocks, 
breakers,  and  islets  abound,  making  these  waters  unsafe  tor  vessels. 
Cape  Desolation,  the  south  point  of  Basket  island,  is  a  prominent 
rugged  headland  with  many  peaks. 

Burnt  island  anchorage,  6  miles  north  of  Stewart  island,  is  shel- 
tered from  prevailing  winds,  and  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  11 
fathoms ;  good  holding  ground  off  the  !N^E.  x>oint  of  Burnt  island.  There 
is  a  patch  of  kelp  close  to  the  anchorage,  in  which  a  least  depth  of  5^ 
fathoms  was  found.  Kelp  extends  i  mile  in  an  easterly  direction  from 
the  SE.  point  of  Burnt  island. 

Camden  islands  lie  off  Brecknock  peninsula,  the  western  extreme 
of  the  main  island  of  Tierra  del  Fuego.  The  islands  have  several  pas- 
sages between  and  to  the  northward  of  them,  with  deep  water  and 
anchorages  opposite  most  of  the  valleys,  where  small  vessels  could  ffnd 
shelter.  Brecknock  pass  is  wide,  free  from  danger,  and  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred when  entering  or  leaving  Barbara  channel  so  as  to  avoid  passing 
Furies  rocks.  > 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  452a.) 

Townshend  harbor  is  a  safe  anchorage,  with  Horace  peak  pointing 
out  its  position.  After  passing  the  rocks,  on  which  the  sea  breaks  vio- 
lently, off  the  entrance  of  Pratt  passage,  the  navigator,  in  working 
into  this  harbor,  must  depend  upon  the  wind  lasting,  as  there  are  no 
soundings  in  less  than  50  fathoms  until  just  off  the  anchorage  place. 
The  holding  ground  is  excellent,  and,  though  tremendous  squalls  come 
off  the  high  land  to  the  westward,  there  is  no  fear  of  the  anchor  starting. 

The  Furies. — In  the  space  between  London  and  Fury  islands,  rocks 


30  MELVILLE   SOUND— COCKBURN  CHANNEL. 

show  themselves  in  every  direction,  the  East  and  West  Furies  being 
the  most  remarkable.  They  lie  on  a  northward  and  westward  bearing 
from  cape  Schomberg,  the  former  4  and  the  latter  9  miles  from  that 
promontory.  In  a  line  between  them,  and  3  miles  from  West  Furies, 
is  a  solitary  rock,  from  which  mount  Skyring  bears  N.  12^  B.  (N.  9^  W. 
mag.)  12J  miles.  The  Tussac  rocks  are  4J  miles  N.  72o  E.  (N.  51°  E. 
mag.)  of  the  West  Furies,  with  no  outlying  dangers.  Vessels  standing 
in  with  a. westerly  wind  should  i3ass  near  the  West  Furies  and  steer 
for  these  rocks.  After  passing  them  there  are  no  known  dangers  in 
the  entrance  to  Oockburn  channel. 

Melville  sound  is  completely  filled  with  rugged  and  desolate  islands. 
Among  the  Magill  islands,  on  the  SE.  side  of  Melville  sound,  there 
are  several  coves  and  anchorages.  Mount  Skyring,  on  Mount  Skyring 
island,  is  3,000  feet  high. 

Port  Tom,  on  the  SE.  side  of  Mount  Skyring  island,  is  good  and 
well  sheltered,  except  from  the  violent  squalls  off  the  high  laud.  It  is 
more  safe  and  secure  than  Fury  harbor. 

Fury  harbor,  on  the  SE.  side  of  Fury  island,  has  but  little  shelter  and 
bad  holding  ground.  From  its  nearness  to  the  Furies  and  Tussac  rocks, 
where  seals  are  found,  this  harbor  is  much  frequented  by  the  sealers. 

North  cove,  on  the  NE.  side  of  Fury  island,  is  a  snug  temporary 
anchorage  for  small  vessels. 

Bynoe  island,  3  miles  north  of  Skyring,  affords  anchorage  on  its 
NE.  side;  and  Hewett  bay,  on  the  west  shore  of  Barbara  channel,  is  a 
good  stopping  place  either  for  entering  or  leaving  the  channel. 

A  patch  of  kelp  about  2  miles  long,  NW.  and  SE.,  was  observed  by 
the  Chilean  corvette  Magallanes  in  1878  about  a  mile  south  of  the  west- 
ernmost Bynoe  islapd;  a  depth  of  13  fathoms  Iv^as  obtained  near  the 
north  and  11  fathoms  near  the  south  side  of  this  patch.  When  passing 
between  Mortimer  and  Kempe  islands,  on  the  north  side  of  Melville 
sound,  no  bottom  was  obtained  at  depth  of  30  fathoms  in  the  bights  of 
the  Mortimer  island  shore. 

The  Magallanes  anchored  in  14f  fathoms  between  some  patches  of 
kelp  extending  from  the  SE.  and  S W.  points  of  an  island  IJ  miles  west 
of  Mortimer  island.  A  short  distance  west  of  this  anchorage  there  is 
a  large  patch  of  kelp  with  several  sunken  rocks. 

Cockbum  channel,  having  the  same  entrance  into  the  Pacific  as 
Barbara  channel,  runs  in  an  easterly  direction  along  the  south  side 
of  Clarence  island  for  40  miles  and  into  Magdalen  sound  in  Magellan 
strait.  In  working  through  this  passage  the  south  shore  ought  to  be 
preferred,  as  it  is  usually  a  weather  shore,  and  it  seems  to  be  better 
provided  with  coves  and  inlets  in  which  a  vessel  may  find  it  convenient 
to  anchor.  King  and  Fitz-Eoy  islands,  as  well  as  Kirke  rocks,  are  bold 
and  steep-to. 

Prowse  islands,  on  the  south  shore  of  Cockburn  channel,  are  numer- 
ous, and  skirt  the  coast  for  several  miles.    There  are  anchorages  among 


1 


^  DYNELEY  SOUND — STORMY  BAY.  31 

these  islands;  behind  them  the  land  trends  in  and  forms  a  deep  sound. 
A  vessel  in  want  of  anchorage  should  send  a  boat,  and  wait  in  the  off- 
ing until  good  anchorage  be  found;  and  when  about  to  enter  one  of 
these  deep-water  bays,  a  boat  should  always  be  ready  to  carry  a  hawser 
ashore.  It  will  frequently  be  necessary  in  sailing  vessels  to  tow  up  to 
the  head  of  the  harbors,  for,  from  the  height  of  the  land,  the  wind 
generally  fails  or  becomes  baffling.  The  distance  across  the  channel 
between  Prowse  islands  and  Barrow  head  on  the  north  side  of  the 
L  channel  is  scarcely  IJ  miles. 

Dyneley  sound,  the  first  opening  on  the  north  shore  of  Cockbum 
channel,  extends  for  more  than  9  miles  in  a  northerly  direction,  and  is 
joined  to  San  Pedro  sound  on  the  south  shore  of  Magellan  strait  by  a 
channel  having  5  fathoms  in  the  narrows.  On  the  west  side  of  Dyneley 
sound  there  is  a  group  of  islands,  affording  several  anchorages. 

Eliza  bay,  just  within  the  entrance  to  Dyneley  sound  on  the  south- 
ern shore,  affords  shelter  from  northwesterly  and  southwesterly  winds. 
Ill  entering  steer  midway  between  Baynes  and  Dyneley  island  until  a 
large  patch  of  kelp  (having  several  rocks  awash  at  low  water)  is  seen; 
this  should  be  passed  at  a  distance  of  100  yards;  thence  steer  for  an 
island  on  the  west  side  of  the  bay  and  anchor  in  16  or  17  fathoms. 
There  are  several  patches  of  kelp  in  Eliza  bay  in  not  leas  than  6  fath- 
oms of  water.  Small  vessels  may  anchor  in  either  of  two  small  inner 
bays,  sheltered  from  all  winds.  Vessels  entering  the  bay  without  local 
knowledge  should  have  a  boat  ahead  sounding. 

Mercury  sound  is  separated  from  Dyneley  sound  by  an  island,  the 
southern  part  of  which  is  Barrow  head. 

Park  bay,  on  the  east  side  of  the  entrance  to  Mercury  sound, 
affords  a  good  anchorage  in  12  fathoms,  sand  and  mud.  It  and  Stormy 
bay  have  the  same  disadvantage,  as  they  are  on  the  lee  side  of  the 
channel  and  consequently  difficult  to  leave.  There  is,  however,  more 
room  to  work  out,  and  no  dangers  to  encounter  but  what  are  visible. 
At  the  head  of  the  bay  a  narrow  isthmus,  not  more  than  500  yards 
across,  separates  it  from  Mercury  sound,  which  has  not  been  examined; 
it  is  represented  on  the  chart  from  an  eye  sketch. 

Captain  Montt  remarks  that  the  best  anchorage  in  Park  bay  is  in  12 
l»  fathoms,  shell,  in  the  center  of  a  cove  west  of  the  innermost  island  of 

I  the  bay.    This  cove  is  about  400  yards  wide  and  300  yards  deep,  with 

'  6  to  17  fathoms  water.    Anchorage  may  also  be  obtained  in  17  fathoms 

between  the  island  and  a  small  point  farther  in  the  bay;  there  is,  how- 
ever, a  patch  of  kelp  in  the  vicinity  having  2  to  4  fathoms.  North- 
ward of  the  cove  there  is  a  small  cascade.  Wood  is  plentifdl  in  Park 
bay. 

Stormy  bay,  the  next  opening  west  of  Park  bay  and  7  miles  SE.  of 
it,  is  a  very  wild,  unsheltered  place,  unfit  for  any  vessel  to  enter.  At 
the  anchorage  the  water  is  deep,  17  to  20  fathoms,  and  the  bottom 
rocky.   In  the  bay  are  numerous  shoals,  but  though  they  are  all  marked 


32  BABIPABA   QUASNEh — ^BSDFOBD  BAT. 

by  kelp,  they  narrow  the  channel  so  much  as  to  render  the  entrance 
and  exit  both  intricate  and  difficult  for  any  but  a  small  and  handy 
yessel. 

Warp  bay,  the  next  opening,  and  just  west  of  cape  Turn,  though 
small  and  exposed  to  southerly  winds,  is  a  convenient  stopping  place. 

Adelaide  passage,  between  the  broken  land  of  Clarence  island  and 
the  Magill  group,  is  about  13  miles  long,  connecting  Gockburn  and 
Barbara  channels. 

Tides. — In  Barbara  channel  the  flood  stream  was  found  to  set  to 
seaward  or  to  the  southward,  as  was  also  the  casein  Gockburn  channel; 
but  the  whole  system  of  tides  in  this  great  archipelago  requires  a  care- 
ful investigation. 

Barbara  channel,  leading  into  Magellan  strait  at  English  reach,  has 
its  southern  entrance  so  encumbered  with  islands  and  rocks  that  no 
one  direct  channel  can  be  specially  recommended,  and  the  chart  must 
be  referred  to  as  the  best  guide  for  its  navigation.  For  small  vessels 
there  is  neither  danger  nor  difficulty;  and  there  are  numerous  anchor- 
ages that  they  may  reach  without  trouble.  The  rocks  off  the  entrance 
of  this  channel  should  only  be  passed  during  daylight  and  in  clear 
weather,  so  that  a  vessel  may  be  st^eered  more  by  a  good  eye  at  the 
masthead  than  by  any  chart.  Four  remarkable  mountains  point  out 
the  entrance  distinctly.  The  peaks  on  Kempe  island  are  high,  and 
show  three  points.  The  peaks  on  Fury  island  are  high  smd  divided. 
Mount  Skyring  is  high,  and  has  a  single  peak.  Mount  St.  Paul,  from 
near  Fury  island,  appears  like  the  dome  of  the  cathedral,  the  name  of 
which  it  bears. 

The  channel  separates  Clarence  island  from  Santa  Ines,  the  next 
large  island  west  of  it,  and  is  about  38  miles  long  from  Magill  islands 
in  the  Pacific  to  Charles  islands  in  Magellan  strait. 

Hewiftt  bay  is  the  first  anchorage  on  the  western  shore  of  the  south- 
ern entrance  of  Barbara  channel;  there  is  anchorage  in  9  fathoms  in 
its  north  part.  Between  Hewitt  and  Nort  bay  the  channel  is  so  strewed 
with  rocks  and  shoals,  some  only  showing  at  half  tide,  that  much  cau- 
tioii  is  necessary  in  its  navigation ;  all  patches  of  kelp  should  be  avoided. 
The  tidal  currents  are  much  stronger  to  the  northward  of  !Nort  bay 
than  to  the  southward. 

The  country  hereabouts  has  a  more  agreeable  appearance,  being  better 
wooded  with  beech  and  cypress  trees. 

"Brovm  bay,  two  miles  northward  of  Hewitt  bay,  is  more  extensive, 
and  affords  shelter  in  a  small  cove  at  the  north  entrance  in  8  fathoms, 
sand. 

Nort  bay,  four  miles  north  of  Brown  bay,  is  tolerably  secure  for 
small  vessels,  but  is  not  to  be  recommended. 

Bedford  bay,  on  the  western  side  of  the  narrow  part  of  Barbara 
channel,  at  about  9*  miles  north  of  Nort  bay,  has  good  holding 
ground,  with  depths  of  20  to  8  fathoms,  and  well  sheltered  from  the 


»  BABBARA  CHANNEL — ^SHAG  NAEBOWS.  3* 

prevailiDg  wiuds.  At  its  entrauce  are  several  patches  of  kelp,  the 
eastern  one  having  4  fathoms  of  water  on  it. 

Natlazid  bay,  5^  miles  northward  of  Bedford  bay,  has  from  8  to  15 
fathoms  over  a  sand  and  mud  bottom.  Its  position  may  be  known  by 
two  rocks,  named  Hills  islands^  which  lie  one  mile  northward  from  the 
anchorage.  Between  Bedford  and  Kutland  bays,  and,  indeed,  so  far  as 
Shag  narrows,  the  channel  is  open,  and  may  be  navigated  without 
apprehension.  There  are  many  bays  and  inlets  which,  though  not  here 
described,  might  be  conveniently  occupied  j  but  all  would  require  to  be 
previously  examined,  for  though  they  all  trend  far  enough  into  the 
land  to  afford  good  shelter,  yet  in  many  the  bottom  is  foul  and  rocky 
and  the  water  too  deep  for  anchorage.  The  western,  being  the  wind- 
ward shore,  should  of  course  be  preferred. 

Broderip  bay,  3^  miles  northward  of  Kutland  bay,  has  in  its  northern 
part  some  good  coves,  and  a  very  convenient  one  at  its  eastern  extremity. 
This  cove  extends  to  the  northward  for  about  ^  mile,  affording  good 
anchorage  in  10  fathoms,  sufficiently  well  sheltered  and  distant  from 
high  land  to  be  free  from  williwaws.  Bound  the  cape  north  of  this  cove 
is  Icy  sound,  a  deep  inlet  with  a  glacier  of  considerable  extent,  from 
which  large  masses  of  ice  are  constantly  falling  and  drifting  out  of  the 
inlet.  The  water  is  deep,  and  the  anchorage  should  not  be  chosen  when 
there  are  so  many  better  places. 

Dean  harbor,  the  next  opening  north  of  Icy  sound,  is  a  considerable 
inlet,  trending  in  under  the  same  glacier,  and  extending  to  the  head  of 
Smyth  harbor,  as  well  as  to  a  great  distance  into  the  interior.  If  of  a 
favorable  depth,  it  might  afford  good  anchorage,  but  it  has. not  yet  been 
examined. 

Field  bay,  nearly  2  miles  east  of  Icy  sound,  is  too  much  exposed 
to  southerly  winds  to  be  recommended  as  a  stopping  place,  unless  the 
wind  be  northerly.  Jutland  bay  is  a  more  convenient  place  to  start 
from  with  a  view  of  passing  the  Narrows. 

Shag  Narrows,  west  of  Cayetano  island,  is  the  only  navigable  pas- 
sage between  the  channel  and  Magellan  strait.    Although  the  breadth 
of  the  opening  is  at  least  one  mUe,  the  eastern  portion  is  so  filled  up 
!  with  rocky  islands  and  shoals  that  the  actual  navigable  passage  is  not 

W  more  than  120  yards  across  at  the  northern  part,  and  the  width  at  the 

southern  end  scarcely  J  mile.  The  whole  length  is  not  more  than  2 
miles.  It  is  formed  on  the  western  side  by  a  projecting  point  of  high 
land,  and  on  the  opposite  side  by  three  islands,  the  northern  one  of 
which  is  Wet  island,  and  the  southern  mount  Woodcock.  All  the 
space  to  the  eastward  of  the  last-mentioned  one  is  so  foul  that  the  pasr 
ssCge  is  as  difficult  as  it  is  dangerous. 

Tides. — In  these  narrows  at  full  and  change  the  stream  commences 
to  set  to  the  southward  at  12h.  Through  them  the  tidal  streams,  attalsb 
^velocity  as  great  as  7  knots,  but  the  sides  of  the  rocks  being  ste^p-tO) 

b  1943— IS^o.  89 3 


34  SHAG  NARROWS — SMTTH  HARBOR. 

no  danger  need  be  apprehended  in  passing  them,  notwithstanding  the 
want  of  room  for  working  ship.  At  Wet  island  the  stream  of  the  ebb 
divides,  one  part  setting  round  the  island  to  the  eastward,  while  the 
principal  volame  sets  through  the  Karrows.  In  the  same  manner  the 
southern  or  flood  stream,  after  passing  Wet  island,  sets  to  the  SE.  round 
the  eastern  side  of  mount  Woodcock. 

Directioiis. — ^To  avoid  the  danger  of  being  thrown  out  of  the  Nar- 
rows, it  is  only  necessary  to  keep  the  western  shore  aboard ;  where  there 
are  no  indentations  the  tide  will  carry  a  vessel  along  with  safety.  At 
the  northern  end  of  the  Narrows,  on  the  western  side,  there  is  a  shelv- 
ing ledge  with  only  5  fathoms  water;  and  there  is  an  eddy,  but  as  soon 
as  the  vessel  is  once  within  the  Narrows  (that  is,  inside  Wet  island),  the 
mid-channel  may  be  kept.  When  shooting  this  passage  in  a  sailing 
vessel,  it  would  be  better  to  furl  the  sails  and  tow  through,  for  if  the 
wind  be  strong,  the  varying  and  violent  squalls  would  be  very  incon- 
venient, sometimes  baffling,  and  sometimes  almost  laying  the  vessel 
upon  her  beam  ends,  though  every  sail  be  furled.  It  will  be  necessary 
to  have  a  couple  of  boats  out,  ready  to  tow  the  vessel's  head  round,  and 
also  to  prevent  her  being  thrown  by  the  tide  into  the  channel  to  the 
southward  of  Wet  island. 

For  a  sailing  vessel  requiring  to  pass  through  Barbara  channel,  from 
the  northward,  it  would  be  advisable  to  stay  at  Fortescue  bay,  on  the 
north  shore  of  Magellan  strait,  until  a  favorable  opportunity  should 
offer;  for  with  a  8W.  wind  it  would  not  be  safe,  even  if  practicable,  to 
pass  Shag  Narrows. 

If  anchorage  be  desirable  on  leaving  the  narrows,  there  is  none  to 
be  recommended  until  the  coves  between  Smyth  harbor  and  cape  Edge- 
worth  be  reached.  Of  these,  Dighton  bay  is  the  best;  the  anchorage 
is.  off  the  sandy  beach  in  20  fathoms.  Warrington  cove,  the  next  to 
the  northward,  also  offers  good  shelter  and  anchorage,  but  both  are 
exposed  to  easterly  winds. 

Edgeworth  shoal,  lying  ^  mile  SE.  of  cape  Edgeworth,  is  so  thickly 
covered  with  kelp  as  to  be  easily  seen  when  approaching  it;  there  is 
not  more  than  2  feet  of  water  over  its  shoalest  part. 

Smsrth  harbor,  the  first  opening  north  of  the  narrows,  is  about  4 
miles  long  in  a  westerly  direction,  from  ^  mile  to  one  mile  wide,  and  sur- 
rounded by  high  land.  The  water  is  deep,  excepting  in  Earle  cove,  on 
the  north  side,  where  vessels  might  lie,  if  necessary;  but  it  would  prob- 
ably be  a  very  wild  place  in  bad  weather.  The  hills  at  the  head  of  the 
bay  are  capped  by  glaciers  that  communicate  with  those  at  the  head  of 
Icy  sound;  and  all  the  mountains  between  this  place  and  Whale  sound, 
in  the  strait,  appear  to  be  entirely  covered  with  a  coating  of  ice. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Smyth  harbor,  at  12h.; 
springs  rise  6  or  7  feet. 

Agnes  islands,  the  group  to  the  NW.  of  the  Magill  islands,  and 
those  in  their  neighborhood,  do  not  require  any  description.    They  are 


m  NQIS;  ISUOIDS— CAPE   QLOUCESTEB.  35 

SO  fortified  by  oatlyiag  rocks  as  to  be  mifit  places  for  the  approach  of 
any  vessel.  iN^orthward  of  them  is  Stokes  bay,  and  to  the  eastward  a 
number  of  islands,  between  which  lies  the  S W.  entraoee  to  the  Barbara 
channel.  A  vedsel  ought  not  to  get  entangled  in  these  labyrinths ;  if  so 
it  will  be  necessary  to  navigate  by  eye,  for  neither  chart,  directions, 
nor  soundings  would  be  of  much  assistance,  and  in  thick  weather  the 
situation  would  be  most  precarious. 

Noir  islandi  17  miles  in  SWi  direction  from  Kempe  island,  is  the  out- 
lying islet  of  this  labyrinth;  it  is  about  600  feet  above  the  sea,  with  a 
^  remarkable  neck  of  land  to  the  SW.,  having  on  its  extremity  a  rock 

resembling  a  steeple  or  tower.  One  mile  south  of  this  point  there  is  a 
sunken  rock,  over  which  the  sea  occasionally  breaks ;  two  other  breakers 
are  in  the  bight  close  to  the  point. 

Noir  road,  on  the  east  side  of  Noir  island,  is  an  excellent  roadstead, 
with  a  sandy  bottom,  where  vessels  may  lie  secure  from  all  westerly 
winds.  Wood  and  water  are  easily  obtained.  On  the  south  shore  of 
this  island  there  is  a  cove  which  would  be  safe  for  boats  in  any  weather. 
A  rock  lies  in  the  road,  and  another,  which  is  very  dangerous,  lies 
4  miles  to  the  eastward,  as  shown  on  the  chart. 

Tower  rocks. — ^The  Tower  rocks,  lying  7  miles  south  of  Koir  island, 
are  high  and  steep-to,  and  may  be  passed  tolerably  close  on  either  side. 

Caution. — Between  cape  Schomberg  on  London  isle  and  Koir  island 
lie  many  reefs,  and  a  great  number  of  detached  outlying  rocks,  which 
render  this  part  of  the  coast  extremely  dangerous  and  unfit  for  vessels. 
Ko  chart  could  guide  them;  they  must  trust  to  daylight  and  clear 
weather,  with  a  good  look-out,  if  necessary,  to  enter  or  leave  Baj*bara 
channel. 

Milky  Way  is  the  name  given  to  the  space  lying  between  Koir 
island  and  those  to  the  northward  and  eastward.  All  this  ground  is 
more  or  less  strewn  with  rocks  just  awash  or  a  few  feet  above  water, 
and  on  them  the  sea  breaks  continually.  It  is  advisable  to  avoid  all 
this  part  of  the  coast. 

Grafton  islands  are  high,  extending  KW.  and  BE.  about  20  miles, 
and  the  remarks  on  the  general  character  of  this  coast  are  applicable 
to  them.  Between  them  are  several  sheltered  inlets,  but  the  best  and 
W  easiest  of  access  is  Euston  bay.    Northward  of  these  islands  lies  Wake- 

field passage,  made  use  of  sometimes  by  sealing  vessels.  Hope  harbor 
is  sometimes  used  by  these  vessels. 

Isabel  island,  the  BE.  of  the  group,  has  an  anchorage,  but  is  only  fit 
for  small  craft.  There  are  several  rocks  off  the  south  point  of  this 
island.  The  Kennal  rocks  are  3  miles  to  the  southward  and  from  them 
3  miles  farther  K  56°  W.  (N.  78^  W.  mag.)  is  a  rock  just  awash. 

Cape  Gloucester,  the  western  extreme  of  Charles  island,  the  largest 

and  westernmost  of  the  group,  is  a  prominent  headland,  and  can  not 

easily  be  mistaken.    At  a  distance  it  appears  to  be  a  high  detached 

^  island,  but  on  approaching  it  a  low  connecting  isthmus  will  be  seen. 


36  TIEBRA  DEL  FUEGO — ^WE8T  COAST. 

A  rock  on  which  the  sea  breaks  lies  nearly  a  mile  to  the  northward  and 
westward^  there  is  no  other  danger,  and  the  cape  may  be  passed  dose  to, 
it  being  steep. 

Eiiston  bay  is  one  of  the  best  anchorages  on  this  coltet,  as  it  can  be 
approached  and  left  without  risk  with  any  wind.  When  coming  from 
the  westward  after  rounding  cape  Gloucester,  Ipswich  island  will  be 
seen  to  the  southward  and  eastward,  distant  7  miles.  In  rounding 
Ipswich  island,  give  it  a  good  berth  to  clear  some  rocks  under  water, 
upon  which  the  sea  does  not  always  break. 

After  clemng  these  rocks,  pass  close  to  Leading  island,  and  then 
steer  for  the  opening  of  Laura  harbor,  which  will  be  seen  under  a  high 
peaked  mountain.  There  is  water  in  the  bight  for  a  moderate-sized 
vessel,  but  it  is  bettei*  suited  for  a  small  vessel.  Large  vessels  should 
anchor  in  the  bay.  This  bay  is  large,  with  a  bottom  even  and  good, 
exposed  only  to  SE.  winds,  which  come  on  gradually  and  seldom  blow 
hard.  The  depth  varies  from  5  to  20  fathoms;  a  large  patch' of  kelp 
lies  across  the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  but  there  is  no  danger  beneath 
it  except  in  one  spot,  where  there  are  only  4  fathoms. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Euston  bay  at  Ih.; 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

(H.O.  Chart  No.  445.) 

Fincham  islands  lie  21  miles  NW.  of  cape  Gloucester,  the  space 
between  being  known  as  the  Breaker  coast,  a  long  stretch  of  wild  coast 
line  fiill  of  rocks  and  breakers  exposed  to  all  the  strength  of  the 
westerly  gales.    It  is  utterly  unfit  for  the  approach  of  a  vessel. 

Cape  Tate,  about  8  miles  N  W.  of  Fincham  islands,  is  rather  high 
and  rounded  at  the  summit.  There  are  numerous  clusters  of  rocks  off 
it  to  the  westward  and  northward,  only  visible  when  near  the  land. 
They  are  known  as  the  College  rocks.  This  part  of  the  coast  is  very 
dangerous  and  should  be  avoided. 

Landfall  islands,  10  miles  NW.  of  cape  Tate,  were  named  by  Captain 
Cook  from  seeing  them  first  when  he  visited  this  coast.  Cape  Schetky 
is  a  remarkable  double-peaked  height;  there  are  some  rocks  just  awash 
about  a  mile  off  it.  Off  cape  Inmau,  another  prominent  headland, 
there  are  several  detached  rocks  on  which  the  sea  breaks  violently. 
The  outer  one  is  not  more  than  2  miles  from  the  shore,  and  shows  itself 
plainly. 

Iiatitade  bay  is  a  good  anchorage,  although  exposed  to  a  swell 
thrown  in  by  heavy  NW.  winds.  Between  the  Landfall  islands  there 
is  a  snug  berth  in  security  with  smooth  water  for  a  vessel  drawing  not 
more  than  12  feet.  She  must  moor  in  not  less  than  10  fathoms  as  close 
to  the  western  shore  as  possible,  with  an  anchor  to  the  eastward  in  the 
event  of  the  wind  coming  from  that  quarter.  Wood  and  water  are 
plentifril. 

TideB.—lt  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Latitude  bay  at  2h. ; 

i^rings  rise  4  feet. 


P»  OTWAY   BAY — WEATHER  AND   LEE   ROCKS.  37 

Otway  bay  is  an  extensive  body  of  water  Bnrronnded  with  broken 
land,  islands,  and  rocks.  Passages  lead  from  thence  to  Magellan  strait 
through  Dynevor  sound  and  Sea  Shell  channel  to  Abra  of  Sarmiento. 
Sea  Shell  channel  is  a  navigable  passage,  and  may  be  usefal  to  a 
vessel  embayed  in  Otway  bay.    See  page  91. 

Week  islands,  nearly  6  miles  l^W.  of  Landfall  islands,  are  sepa- 
rated from  Desolation  island  by  Murray  passage.  At  their  south  side 
is  a  roadstead,  with  good  holding  ground  in  18  or  20  fathoms,  coarse 
.  gravel  and  sand  with  patches  of  rock,  but,  being  exposed  to  southerly 

'  winds  and  to  those  from  the  west,  can  not  be  recommended  as  an 

anchorage. 

Saturday  harbor. — ^Between  the  islands  a  small  vessel  may  find  a 
snug  berth  in  Saturday  harbor,  quite  secure  but  difficult  of  access,  in 
24  fathoms,  good  holding  ground.  As  before  said,  the  eye  must  be  the 
chief  guide  in  entering  most  of  these  places;  they  are  of  one  descrip- 
*  tion — iulets  between  high  ridges  of  land,  having,  generally,  deep  water, 
and  kelp  marking  the  rocky  places.  Flaws  of  wind  and  violent  gusts 
off  the  high  land  render  the  approach  difficult,  and  to  a  large  sailing 
vessel  impracticable. 

Cape  Sunday,  the  western  point  of  Graves  island,  the  largest  of  the 
Week  islands,  is  a  high  and^^rominent  headland  with  several  islets  and 
dangerous  rocks  off  it.  Barrister  bay  opens  out  just  after  passing  this 
cape.    It  is  too  much  exposed  to  be  of  any  use  as  an  anchorage  place. 

The  coast  from  abreast  Graves  island  trends  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  28  miles  to  cape  Deseado,  the  west  extreme  of  Desolation 
island,  thence  2  miles  northeasterly  to  cape  Pillar.  At  about  15  miles 
northwestward  of  Week  islands  is  the  highest  cape  hereabout,  and 
remarkable.  A  rocky  islet,  named  Black  islet,  lies  one  mile  off  the 
cape^  and  2  miles  to  the  southeastward  of  this  islet  there  is  an  opening 
between  a  group,  named  Cotesworth  islands  and  Desolation  island, 
which  has  not  yet  been  examined. 

Soundings. — ^The  50-fathoms  line  appears  to  extend  about  20  miles 
off  shore  along  this  southwestern  coast  of  Tierra  del  Fuego,  the  bottom 
being  coarse  sand. 

Dislocation  harbor,  at  5  miles  NW.  from  Cotesworth  islands,  is  a 
^  place  of  refuge  for  an  embayed  or  distressed  vessel,  but  unfit  for  any 

other  purpose.  The  position  of  the  harbor  is  pointed  out  by  the  heights, 
named  Law  and  Shoulder  peaks;  they  are  the  most  remarkable  on  that 
part  of  the  coast.  Its  entrance  is  rendered  difficult  to  the  eye  by  rocks, 
on  which  the  sea  breaks  violently,  and  by  two  rocks  under  water,  on 
which  the  sea  does  not  always  break.  Water  may  be  easily  obtained; 
the  boats  can  lie  in  a  stream  which  runs  from  the  mountains.  Wood  is 
plentiful. 

Weather  and  Lee  rocks  lie  off  Dislocation  harbor,  respectively 

If.  620  W.  (N.  840  W.  mag.),  distant  2f  miles,  and  S.  19°  W.  (S.  3o  E. 

to  luag.),  distance  3^  miles  from  the  entrance,  which  is  narrow,  exposed 


38  CAPE   PILLAB — ^TIDES. 

to  the  prevailing  wind  and  swell,  so  that  a  vessel  once  in  the  harbor 
may  be  kept  there  for  days. 

DirectLoiui. — To  find  the  entrance  of  Dislocation  harbor,  steer  for  the 
peaks,  look  oat  for  the  Weather  and  Lee  rocks,  both  several  feet  above 
water,  the  sea  breaking  violently  on  them,  and  when  within  4  miles  of 
the  shore  the  opening  will  be  seen  distinctly  from  the  masthead.  In 
going  in,  avoid  the  two  rocks  at  the  entrance,  and  anchor  in  the  inner- 
most part.  The  prevailing  winds  send  in  a  swell;  the  x>lace  is,  however, 
quite  secure,  but  only  a  small  ship  can  get  ont  again  without  a  fair 
wind.  Four  small  vessels  may  lie  in  security.  The  bottom  is  very 
even,  from  15  to  25  fathoms,  fine  white  sand. 

Judge  and  Apostles  rocks  are  from  5  to  50  feet  above  the  sea,  bat 
many  breakers  near  them  indicate  an  extensive  reef.  The  outer  rock 
is  4  miles  from  the  land. 

Cape   Pillar,  the  northwestern   extremity  of  Tierra  del  Fuego, 
forms  the  southwestern  point  of  entrance  to  Magellan  strait.    It  is  a  ' 
bold  cliff,  and  may  be  recognized  from  the  westward  by  four  peaks,  the 
most  soathem  being  the  highest.    The  shore  is  steep-to,  there  being  a 
depth  of  60  fathoms  at  one  mile  from  the  pitch  of  the  cape. 

Ohurruca's  description  of  it  is: 

<<Gape  Pillar,  though  conspicuous  for  its  height,  is  more  so  on  accoant 
of  the  two  peaks  which  rise  from  its  summit,  with  an  inclination  to  the 
NW.;  the  eastern  and  higher  one  belongs  to  a  moan  tain  from  which 
the  cape  springs,  but  the  western  one  is  a  kind  of  tower,  the  base  of 
which  we  saw  on  the  shore  west  of  the  cape,  and  is  of  a  form  to  which 
the  name  ^pillar'  might  reasonably  be  given.  The  extremity  common 
to  the  strait  and  to  the  Pacific  ocean  is  a  large  detached  rock,  310  feet 
high,  which  shows  the  disposition  of  the  strata,  of  which  it  and  the 
oape  are  formed.  That  part  of  the  cape  which  is  washed  by  the  waters 
of  the  strait  presents  a  round  hill,  not  very  high,  while  the  western 
part,  exposed  to  the  force  of  the  Pacific  ocean,  exhibits  large  excava- 
tions, made  by  the  sea  in  the  rooks." 

Tide& — ^At  cape  Horn  it  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  3h.  30m. ; 
at  York  Minster  at  3h. ;  and  at  cape  Pillar  at  Ih.  At  the  intermediate 
places  the  time  gradaally  changes  between  those  limits;  and  the  rise 
varies  from  4  to  8  feet. 

The  tides  on  the  coast  between  cape  Horn  and  cape  Pillar  are  regular 
as  regards  their  rise  and  fall  and  time  of  high  water;  but  not  so  with 
respect  to  the  velocity  and  direction  of  the  stream.  Properly  speak- 
ing, there  appears  to  be  no  tidal  stream  but  rather  a  constant  current 
setting  from  cape  Pillar  to  the  soatheastward  toward  cape  Horn.  With 
the  rising  tide  this  current  is  accelerated,  and  with  the  falling  tide 
retarded.    Bat  more  observations  are  required. 

Althoagh  off  cape  Horn  the  current  is  strong  between  it  and  cape 
Pillar,  it  is  by  no  means  regular;  sometimes,  with  a  strong  wind  and 
flowing  tide,  it  runs  2  knots  or  more,  at  others  it  is  hardly  worth  notice. 
Daring  the  survey  of  this  neighborhood  by  H.  M.  S.  Beaglcy  the  carrent 
was  never  found  to  set  to  the  westward  at  any  time  of  tide  or  with 


1 


CURRENTS.  39 

any  wind.  A  strong  current  sets,  at  times,  along  the  outer  coast  of  the 
Hermite  islands  and  through  St.  Francis  bay,  which  divides  Horn 
island  from  the  rest  of  the  group,  varying  from  J  knot  to  2  knots, 
according  to  the  wind  and  tide;  and  in  the  bay  changes  its  direction 
with  the  change  of  tide. 

In  the  channel  between  False  Cape  Horn  and  the  Hermite  islands  a 
current  is  found  setting  into  Nassau  bay,  and  rather  toward  the  Her- 
mite islands,  at  a  rate  of  2  knots,  with  the  flood  tide,  and  about  J 
knot  with  the  ebb.  As  this  current  sets  rather  toward  West  cape,  a 
good  berth  must  be  given  to  it  in  passing. 


CHAPTER  II. 


MAGELLAN  STRAIT. 

General  remarks. — ^The  distance  throagh  the  strait,  following  the 
vanous  channels,  from  cape  Virgins  to  cape  Pillar,  is  abont  310  miles. 

When  passing  through,  an  entire  change  in  the  aspect  of  the  coun- 
try, and  most  likely  in  the  weather,  will  be  experienced  in  its  varions 
parts.  From  cape  Virgins  to  cape  Negro  the  land  is  comparatively 
low,  covered  with  grass,  but  not  a  tree  visible.  The  depth  of  water 
throughout  this  portion  of  100  miles  rarely  exceeds  30  or  40  fathoms; 
there  are  many  shoals  and  banks;  the  tidal  currents  are  very  rapid, 
with  a  rise  of  water  in  the  eastern  part  of  44  feet,  and  in  that  of  the 
western  of  not  more  than  7  feet;  and  with  anchorages  in  almost  all 
parts  except  in  the  narrows. 

About  cape  Kegro  wood  commences  and  the  land  gradually  becomes 
higher.  The  forest  is  denser  and  the  mountains  more  lofty  as  cape 
Froward  is  approached,  and  these  characteristics  continue  as  far  as 
the  eastern  part  of  Long  reach.  From  this  point,  though  mountains 
still  border  the  strait,  trees  become  smaller  and  smaller,  until  toward 
the  western  end  of  the  strait  the  shores  are  absolutely  bare  and 
rocky,  the  ravines  only  showing  a  stunted  though  dense  and  humid 
vegetation. 

The  scenery  from  cape  Froward  westward  is  excessively  grand  and 
savage;  glaciers  descend  nearly  to  the  sea  in  some  places  and  frequently 
crown  the  precipices,  but  it  is  but  rarely  that  the  voyager  sees  the  land- 
scape to  advantage. 

South  of  Sandy  point  the  shores  are  for  the  most  part  steep-to  and 
little  tide  exists.  The  depth  of  the  water  is  considerable,  and  the 
principal  difficulties  in  navigation  are  all  but  continuous,  strong  west- 
erly winds  accompanied  by  thick  driving  rain  or  snow  and  the  scarcity 
of  suitable  anchorage  at  convenient  distances  for  large  steamers. 

In  clear  weather,  from  the  Second  Narrows,  the  high  mountains  on 
Dawson  island  and  mount  San  Felipe  will  be  seen  to  the  southward, 
forming  an  apparent  barrier,  blocking  up  the  passage,  and  over  the 
latter  the  summit  of  mount  Tarn  stands  out  in  bold  relief.  The  view 
presented  by  these  mountains  from  abreast  Sandy  point  is  magnificent, 
and  the  spectator  feels  as  if  he  were  entering  upon  a  totally  new 
description  of  country  from  that  passed  in  coming  from  cape  Virgins. 

Eastward  of  cape  Froward  the  country  is  not  only  habitable,  but 

40 


m  NATIVES — ^WINDS.  41 

comfortably  so,  whUe  the  comparatively  level  land  is  available  for  the 
pasturage  of  sheep  and  cattle,  and  for  the  cultivation  of  roots. 

Westward  of  cape  Froward  the  land  is  a  mass  of  abrapt  mountains, 
mostly  of  granite  or  slate,  bare  on  the  upper  parts,  but  covered  either 
with  thick  moss  or  dense  beech  forest  on  the  lower  slopes.  Peat  mosses 
saturated  with  moisture  fill  all  hollows,  and  it  may  be  truly  said  not 
a  square  yard  of  useful  land  is  to  be  found. 
Natives. — ^Fuegians  will  rarely  be  met  with   eastward   of  cape 

.  Froward,  and  generally  are  not  seen  east  of  English  reach. 

^  The  Patagonians  have  retired  to  the  north,  and  the  Onas  tribe  of 

Fneglans  who  inhabit  the  main  island  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  are  not  canoe 
Indians,  and  are,  moreover,  very  shy  of  showing  themselves  to  any 
strangers  who  may  land,  though  they  are  by  no  means  timid  in  the 
ordinary  sense  of  the  word. 

From  cape  Froward  westward,  and  throughout  the  western  channels 
to  the  gulf  of  Penas,  the  Indians  appear  to  be  of  tlie  same  families,  or 
at  any  rate  to  have  friendly  relations  with  each  other  on  both  sides  of 
the  strait.  Indeed,  the  same  faces  have  been  recognized  at  port  Gal- 
lant, Fortune  bay,  and  Messier  channel.  Usually  very  few  of  them 
will  be  seen  by  a  vessel  passing -through  the  strait,  but  it  is  extraordi- 
nary how  rapidly  a  hundred  or  more  will  get  together  if  they  see  an 
opportunity  for  attacking  boats,  small  vessels,  or  a  wrecked  party. 
How  the  rendezvous  is  known  is  a  mystery,  but  fires  are  seen  smoking 
all  along  the  coast  for  miles,  and  out  of  every  creek  a  canoe  will  be 
seen  shooting  toward  the  ^allying  point. 

There  is  none  of  the  graceful  gliding  of  the  North  American,  or  of 
the  New  Zealand,  canoe  in  these  miserable  boats.  Instead  of  being 
propelled  by  paddles,  they  are  rowed  by  oars,  rudely  made  of  some 
pieces  of  board  tied  on  to  the  end  of  a  pole.  The  canoes  also,  instead 
of  being  hollowed  out  from  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree  into  a  pretty  shape, 
or  made  of  bark,  like  those  of  Canada,  are  simply  planks  tied  together 
with  fiber,  without  the  slightest  regard  to  form.  On  the  bottom  in  the 
middle  is  a  small  fire,  and  on  each  side  there  will  be  found  six  or  eight 
men,  women,  and  children,  according  to  the  size  of  the  boat.  They  are 
generally  almost  naked,  the  women  appearing  to  care  less  about  cloth- 

^  ing  than  the  men,  and  either  will  sell  you  any  seal  skin  they  have  for 

a  little  biscuit  or  tobacco. 

J  There  is  one  striking  difference  between  these  people  and  the  Pata- 

^  gonians;  the  Patagonians  will  drink  as  much  rum  or  other  firewater  as 

they  can  get,  and  when  near  a  settlement  are  always  more  or  less  drunk. 
The  western  natives,  called  Fuegians,  can  not  be  induced  to  drink 
spirits,  wine,  or  beer. 

'  Winds. — Westerly  winds  are  most  prevalent  throughout  the  year, 

and  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  strait  there  is  generally  a  strong  breeze 
with  heavy  squalls  between  NW.  and  SW.    A  cloudy,  overcast  sky, 

1  and  probably  rain,  while  the  wind  is  northward  of  west,  but  when  the 

wind  draws  to  the  southward  of  west  the  weather  usually  becomes 


42  MAGELLAN  STRAIT. 

clear  and  bright.  The  general  course  of  the  wind  seems  to  commence 
at  KB.  or  K.,  with  misty  weather  or  rain,  shifting  quickly  to  NW.  and 
freshening  while  the  barometer  falls.  It  frequently  remains  two  or 
three  days  between  north  and  west,  the  weather  clearing  when  it 
inclines  to  west,  and  when  it  draws  to  the  northward  mist  and  rain 
increasing  and  the  barometer  falling;  with  this  wind  a  decided  rise  in 
the  barometer  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  shift  to  SW.,  which  shift  invariably 
takes  place  before  the  wind  lulls  for  any  time,  or  fine  weather  can  be 
expected. 

In  summer  the  wind  generally  dies  away  from  the  SW.,  but  after 
uncertain  durations  from  that  quarter,  and  before  the  N.  or  NW.  wind 
begins  again,  an  hour  or  so  of  light  easterly  or  northeasterly  wind  will 
probably  be  experienced,  showing  that  the  wind  has  gone  round  the 
right  way  through  the  SE,  quarter.  As  winter  advances  the  SB. 
wind  becomes  more  prevalent,  and  instead  of  dying  away  at  SW.  it 
will  frequently  vary  between  SSW.  and  SB.  for  two  or  three  days. 
Sometimes  it  continues  round  to  E.  or  NB.,  still  blowing  hard,  and 
with  wet,  gloomy  weather,  not  preceded  by  the  interval  of  fine  weather 
experienced  on  the  coast  before  a  gale  comes  on  from  the  SB. 

This  shifting  round  is,  however,  like  the  easterly  gales  on  the  coast, 
of  rare  occurrence.  As  a  rule  the  SW.  wind  is  the  stronger  and  the 
squalls  heavier  than  from  the  NW.,  and  no  certain  warning  is  given  of 
this  shift.  Sometimes  the  barometer  precedes  it,  but  more  generally 
accompanies  it.  Frequently  heavy  banks  of  white  cumulus  clouds, 
with  hard  edges,  and  appearing  very  rounded  and  solid,  will  be  seen 
rising  from  the  SW.  or  southward,  but  this  is  offcener  the  case  when  a 
SW.  wind  is  about  to  spring  up  from  a  calm  or  light  air  than  as  indica- 
tive of  a  gale  shifting  to  SW.  or  S. 

The  shifting  of  the  wind  from  SW.  to  NW.  is  generally,  if  not  always, 
accompanied  by  a  falling  barometer  or  its  ceasing  to  rise,  as  it  does 
during  the  whole  time  it  blows  from  SW.  The  change  of  wind  usually 
accompanies  the  change  in  the  barometer,  and  the  mercury  merely 
ceasing  to  rise  may  indicate  the  subsidence  of  the  S  W.  wind.  If  the 
wind  shifts  from  N.  to  NE.,  the  same  bad  weather  may  be  expected 
that  is  mentioned  as  usual  when  it  draws  round  from  the  southward  to 
the  east,  and  generally,  when  the  wind  veers,  make  preparations  for 
bad  weather,  even  though  the  barometer  does  not  fall. 

Northerly  winds  are  often  preceded  by  low  flying  clouds,  with  a  thickly 
overcast  sky,  in  which  the  upper  clouds  appear  at  a  great  height. 
Sometimes,  but  very  rarely,  with  a  light  wind  between  NNE.  and  NNW., 
a  few  days  of  fine  weather  may  occur;  but  this  can  not  be  predicted, 
as  it  occurs  sometimes  with  a  very  high  barometer,  and  at  other  times 
with  a  very  low  one. 

Barometer. — As  regards  the  usefulness  of  the  barometrical  readings 
in  these  waters,  authorities  differ.  Captain  King,  E.  N.,  arrived  at  the 
conclusion,  after  remaining  nearly  one  year  at  port  Famine  and  some 


^  SEASONS.  43 

time  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  strait,  that  the  barometer  can  not  be 
considered  so  unfailing  a  guide  as  in  other  latitudes,  and  that  <^  although 
the  rise  and  fall  do  sometimes  precede  the  change,  yet  it  more  frequently 
accompanies  it."  He  also  states  <^that  after  a  fall  of  barometer  with 
NW.  or  northerly  winds,  a  SW.  gale  may  be  expected  when  it  ceases 
to  fall;  still  it  frequently  falls  without  this  change."  In  the  month  of 
JunCy  at  port  Famine,  his  barometer  fell  to  28.17  inches,  and  afterwards 
gradually  rose  to  30.60  inches,  which  was  followed  by  cold  weather,  in 
which  the  thermometer  stood  at  12^  F. 

Captain  Wharton  remarks  that  a  very  low  barometer  is  frequently 
followed  by  a  heary  fall  of  snow.  Lieutenant-Commander  Caldwell, 
U.  8.  S.  Pinta^  at  port  Grappler,  in  March,  1884,  says: 

^<We  had  fine  weather,  although  the  barometer  fell  to  29.29  inches. 
From  the  new  snow  on  the  mountains  in  the  morning  I  think  there  must 
have  been  a  westerly  gale  which  did  not  reach  us."  The  same  of&cer 
in  his  report  says:  "I  believe  the* barometer  is  of  little  or  no  use;  its 
changes  accompany  the  weather  as  a  rule,  and  a  change  of  a  few  miles 
in  position  seems  to  affect  its  height;  besides,  with  a  given  height  of 
barometer  one  may  have  either  good  or  bad  weather;  for  example,  at 
port  Gregory  we  had  calm,  fine  weather,  barometer  29.47;  and  again, 
not  far  away  (Sandy  point),  a  NW.  wind,  force  6  to  8,  barometer  29.58. 
March  14,  at  port  Bueno,  wind  NW.,  force  3  to  6,  barometer  29.33,  and 
next  day  at  Molyneux  sound,  wind  ifrom  the  NW.  with  a  force  of  7  to 
11,  barometer  was  29.45.  On  March  16,  same  place,  wind  W!N^  W.,  force 
1,  barometer  registered  29.32,  followed  by  southerly  winds  and  calmd. 
At  port  Grappler  on  March  17  it  was  calm,  with  the  barometer  at 
29.79,  and  the  next  day  at  English  Narrows  the  barometer  was  29.78 
and  wind  jfrom  WN  W.  with  a  force  of  5  to  6.  No  doubt  the  conforma- 
tions of  the  land  produce  local  areas  of  high  and  low  pressure.  The 
only  case  where  I  can  certainly  say  that  the  barometer  gave  warning 
of  a  shift  was  in  the  gulf  of  Penas." 

Seasons.' — The  summer  season  is  far  preferable  for  making  the  pas- 
sage thj^ough  the  strait  in  going  either  way.  The  strongest  winds  are 
experienced  during  the  equinoctial  months,  though  the  heaviest  gales 
do  not  occur  at  the  equinoxes.    Toward  the  middle  of  May  the  weather 

t»  becomes  colder,  and  the  snow,  which  has  been  covering  the  summits  of 

the  hills  perhaps  for  some  time,  will  be  seen  to  advance  down  the 
slopes;  it,  however,  varies  very  much.  The  coldest  weather  is  in  June, 
July,  and  August.  A  mean  of  six  years'  observations  gives  June  as 
the  coldest  month  four  times,  July  once,  and  August  once.  Even  in 
these  winter  months,  though  there  are  occasional  cold  days,  the  gen- 
eral temperature  at  Sandy  point  for  several  years  is  about  36^  F. 
December,  January,  and  February  are  the  warmest;  the  days  are  then 
long,  and  the  sun,  when  out,  has  some  power,  the  mean  temperature  for 
several  years  being  54^. 

^  Eastward  of  Sandy  point  the  weather  on  shore  is  very  fine,  though 


44  MAGELliAK  STRAIT. 

rather  windy,  daring  summer;  the  temperature  is  pleasant,  the  air 
bracing  and  healthy.  Between  Bandy  i)oint  and  caj^e  Froward  the 
prevailing  weather  is  clear  and  bright,  with  strong  winds  between  N  W. 
and  SW.,  heavy  rain  occurring  only  with  the  wind  north  of  N  W.,  or  the 
occasional  easterly  gale. 

Westward  of  cape  Froward  the  weather  is  undeniably  very  bad, 
and  it  is  probable  that  no  portion  of  the  globe  frequented  by  man 
experiences,  the  whole  year  round,  worse  weather,  Winter  and  sum- 
mer alike,  rain,  snow,  hail,  and  wind  are  absent  only  for  very  brief 
periods.  The  total  rainfall  is  doubtless  greater  in  some  other  places, 
but  it  is  confined  to  certain  seasons,  whereas  in  these  regions  it  is  impar- 
tially  distributed  throughout  the  year,  and  there  is  absolutely  no  fine 
season. 

The  change  in  the  weather  on  passing  cape  Froward  is  generally 
very  striking. 

The  remarks  about  the  weather  which  deal  with  the  outer  regions  of 
Tierra  del  Fuego  apply  very  closely  to  what  may  be  expected  in  the 
strait  west  of  cape  Froward,  but  the  narrowness  of  the  channel  and 
height  of  the  mountains  give  local  influence  great  force,  and  it  is 
impossible  to  follow  the  regular  changes  in  the  direction  of  the  wind, 
which  Captains  King  and  Fitz-Roy  sx>eak  of,  in  the  open  sea. 

Kelp. — Wherever  kelp  is  seen,  the  bottom  is  generally  sure  to  be 
more  than  usually  uneven  and  foul,  with  no  mud.  Keep  a  good  look- 
out for  "  fixed  kelp,''  the  weed  which  grows  on  every  rock  that  is  cov- 
ered by  the  sea,  and  not  very  far  below  its  surface.  Lying  ux>on  the 
water  the  upper  leaves  and  stalks  show  almost  as  well  as  a  buoy.  Long 
stems  with  leaves  lying  regularly  along  the  surface  are  usually 
attached  to  rocky  places  or  else  to  large  stones.  In  passing  to  wind- 
ward of  patches  or  beds  of  kelp  (that  side  from  which  the  weed  streams 
away  with  the  current),  give  the  place  a  wide  berth,  because  the  part 
which  shows  is  not  over  the  rocks,  but  to  one  side  of  them.  Where  the 
current  is  very  strong,  the  kelp  is  quite  run  under  and  kept  down  out  of 
sight,  and  can  no  longer  be  depended  on  as  a  warning.  When  a  clear 
8i)ot  is  seen  in  the  middle  of  a  thick  bed  of  kelp,  one  may  be  sure  to 
find  there  the  least  water.  ^'  Drift  kelp,''  or  that  which  is  floating,  may 
generally  be  known  by  its  irregular,  huddled  look.  Parallel  ridges  of 
kelp  have  usually  deep  water  between  them. 

Fogs  are  of  rare  occurrence  and  of  short  duration  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  strait,  though  sometimes  they  set  in  thick  for  a  few  hours 
without  any  warning  during  calm  weather.  There  are  instances  of 
dense  fogs  lasting  two  or  three  days  at  Sandy  point  in  the  winter  sea- 
son. Thick,  rainy  weather  is  the  ordinary  condition  of  the  weather  in 
the  western  part. 

Squalls  blow  with  great  force  and  suddenness  all  over  the  strait, 
making  it  unadvisable  to  set  light  sails,  even  when  the  weather  seems 
most  promising.    No  boat  should  be  sent  any  distance  from  the  vessel 


■»  TIDES  AND  TIDAL  STREAMS.  45 

in  any  part  of  the  strait  without  two  or  three  days'  provisions  on  board, 
and  if  in  the  eastern  pai't,  water  aud  firewood. 

Lightning  and  thunder  are  very  rare  except  in  very  bad  weather, 
when  violent  squalls  come  from  the  S.  and  SW.  These  storms  are  ren- 
dered more  formidable  by  snow  and  hail  of  a  large  size. 

Refuge  stations. — The  beacons  on  Dungeuess,  Direction  hill,  Baxa 
point,  and  Sandy  point  are  so  constructed  as  to  serve  as  refuges  for 
shipwrecked  persons;  they  afford  shelter;  closed  by  sliding  doors. 

^  Tides  and  tidal  streams. — The  direction  in  which  the  tidal  stream 

is  setting  is  of  the  greatest  importance  when  navigating  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Magellan  strait.  Before  entering  upon  the  direction  and 
strength  of  the  stream,  it  is  well  to  state  that,  with  very  slight  local  vari- 
ations in  harbors,  there  are  two  regular  tides  in  the  twenty-four  hours. 
The  charts  show  the  strength  of  the  stream  at  ordinary  springs  and 
its  direction  at  the  different  anchorages,  and  the  seaman  must  make 
the  same  allowance  for  it  as  he  would  in  any  other  tideway.  In  pass- 
ing through  the  strait  from  the  eastward,  it  should  always  be  borne  in 
mind  that  the  time  of  high  and  low  water  gets  later  as  the  undulation 
proceeds  westward,  until  Eoyal  road  is  reached;  and  the  consequence 
is  that  the  west-going  stream  changes  later,  a  circumstance  which  con- 
siderably facilitates  the  navigation  from  east  to  west,  and  makes  it 
easy  for  a  vessel  starting  from  Possession  bay,  or  even  Dungeness,  in 
time  to  catch  the  first  of  the  west-going  stream  in  the  First  narrows 
to  get  to  Boyal  road  or  Sandy  point  in  a  day,  unless  the  wind  is  strong 
against  her.    This  refers  to  nine  months  of  the  year. 

During  the  depth  of  winter  (June,  July,  and  August),  when  there  is 
little  more  than  eight  hours  daylight,  this  would  be  difficult  without 
weighing,  and  very  likely  coming  to,  in  the  dark.  The  seaman 
acquainted  with  the  navigation  need  not,  however,  hesitate  to  do  this. 
Another  very  important  point  is  that  the  west-going  and  east-going 
streams  continue  running  in  the  channel  for  three  hours  after  high  and 
low  water,  respectively,  by  the  shore,  that  is,  the  west-going  stream 
begins  three  hours  before  high  water  and  continues  running  until  three 
hours  after  high  water.  There  are  some  exceptions  to  this  rule,  as 
mentioned  in  Lomas  and  Gregory  bays,  close  round  St.  Catherine  point, 

S  and  at  Spiteful  anchorage.    The  wind  in  the  wide  part  outside  and 

between  the  Narrows  seems  also  to  have  some  influence,  especially  at 
neap  tides,  but  for  practical  purposes  three  hours  may  be  taken. 

To  the  northward  of  cape  Virgins  the  streams  set  WW.  and  SB. 
along  the  coast;  the  same  will  be  found  on  the  outer  edge  and  outside 
the  Sarmiento  bank.  This  current  sweeps  up  along  the  eastern  shore 
of  Tierra  del  Fuego  to  the  south  point  of  Sarmiento  bank,  where  it 
divides,  one  part  continuing  on  uj)  the  coast  and  the  other  entering  the 
strait.    In  the  same  way  the  stream  of  the  ebb  in  coming  out  of  the 

I  strait  is  met  and  turned  to  the  southward  by  the  tidal  stream  sweep- 

^  ing  down  the  coast  and  across  the  entrance  in  the  same  direction. 


46  ICAOELLAN  STRAIT. 

The  navigator  mast  not  be  deceived  by  this,  for  it  makes  the  stream  of 
the  flood  on  the  north  end  of  the  bank  api)ear  to  ran  out  of  the  stnut, 
while  toward  the  south  end  it  varies  with  the  time  of  the  tide. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  in  the  vicinity  of  cape  Virgins  and  Espirita 
Santo  it  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  between  8h.  30m.  andOh.  a.  m., 
while  the  west-going  stream  is  still  running  into  the  strait  and  to  the 
northward  past  cape  Virgins.  The  main  stream  continues  running 
westward  at  full  and  change  until  near  noon,  though  the  water  is  fiEdl- 
ing  everywhere.  About  noon  the  direction  of  the  stream  changes 
(there  being  no  appreciable  slack  water  in  the  channel),  and  until  near 
3h.  p.  m.  the  water  continues  falling,  while  the  stream  of  tide  is  run- 
ning to  the  eastward  until  after  6  o'clock. 

Thus  it  is  easy  to  deduce  the  best  time  for  entering  the  strait,  or 
quitting  Bungeness  or  Possession  bay,  the  object  being  to  get  well  up 
toward  the  ^N^arrows  on  the  last  of  the  east-going  stream,  so  as  to  get 
the  ftiU  force  of  the  west-going  stream  through  the  Narrows  as  soon  as 
it  makes;  for  there,  as  has  been  said,  the  wind,  if  from  the  westward, 
will  very  likely  freshen.  Care  must  be  taken,  however,  to  ascertain  the 
vessel's  position  constantly,  as  the  east-going  stream  sets  toward  the 
Orange  bank,  as  it  is  approached.  A  full-powered  vessel  will  have  no 
difficulty  in  stemming  the  stream  only,  either  east  or  west  of  the  Nar- 
rows, though  in  strong  westerly  winds  even  such  a  vessel  had  better 
await  the  turn  at  Dungeness,  as  far  as  which  the  east-going  stream 
through  the  strait  tide  will  be  the  fair  one  in  coming  from  the  northward. 
A  vessel  with  auxiliary  steam  power  must,  of  course,  be  guided  by  cir- 
cumstances. Through  both  Narrows  the  stream  runs  straight,  but  at 
each  entrance  the  volume  of  water  which  has  been  pent  up  between 
such  narrow  walls  naturally  seeks  to  spread  itself  out,  and  consequently 
causes  a  strong  set  toward  the  banks  on  either  side  of  the  end  toward 
which  the  stream  is  running,  and  a  corresponding  indraft  at  the 
other  end.  Thus,  a  vessel,  on  opening  either  Narrows,  will  find  herself 
set  in  to  the  northward  or  southward,  according  as  she  has  come  along 
the  north  or  south  side  of  the  Narrows.  If  two  vessels  go  westward, 
one  along  the  north  and  the  other  the  south  side  of  the  First  Narrows, 
as  they  come  to  Baxa  and  Barranca  points,  one  will  find  herself  set  on 
to  the  Satellite  patch,  and  the  other  on  to  the  shoal  of  Baxa  point. 

This  is,  of  course,  felt  much  more  in  the  First  Narrows,  where  the 
stream  runs  from  5  to  8  knots  during  springs,  with  no  slack  water, 
than  in  the  Second  Narrows,  where  the  stream  runs  from  3  to  6  knots 
during  springs,  and  very  little  set  will  be  found  from  Gracia  point  into 
Eoyal  road.  The  navigator  must  not  be  alarmed  by  the  strong  tide 
ripplings,  which  will  be  seen  in  many  places  where  no  danger  exists, 
especially  at  the  west  end  of  the  First  Narrows,  off  cape  St.  Vincent, 
in  Lee  bay,  between  Elizabeth  and  Magdalena  islands,  and  on  both 
sides  of  the  Walker  shoal.  Though  this  affects  the  surface  of  the 
water,  and  a  vessel  upon  it,  the  mass  of  water  seems  to  keep  the  main 


r 


GENERAL   DIRECTIONS.  47 

channel  well  scoured  out,  making  the  outer  edges  of  the  banks,  or 
those  on  the  sides  of  the  channel,  steep-to,  and  seeming  to  indicate  that, 
though  the  precise  depth  of  water  on  the  shoalest  parts  of  the  banks 
may  vary,  their  general  position  and  direction  will  not.  This  does  not 
refer  to  deep  harbors  or  bays  where  eddies  may  exist  or  spits  be  formed 
by  rivers. 

General  directions. — The  passage  is  safe  for  steamers,  but  vigilance 
and  caution  are  necessary. 

The  best  authorities  say  that  it  is  not  advisable  for  a  square-rigged 
vessel  of  any  size  to  attempt  the  passage  from  east  to  west  with  sail 
only,  even  should  she  be  so  fortunate  as  to  make  the  strait  and  pass 
through  both  Narrows  with  an  easterly  wind,  for  it  is  highly  improbable 
that  it  would  last  through  the  whole  strait,  and  she  would  certainly 
find  herself  beating  through  channels  varying  in  width  from  10  to  2 
miles,  in  thick,  wet  weather,  with  fhrious  williwaws,  so  variable  in  their 
direction  as  to  prevent  making  a  single  straight  course,  and  with  most 
of  the  harbors  very  difficult  both  of  ingress  and  egress. 

During  the  summer  months,  from  November  to  May,  a  sailing  vessel 
might  pass  through  from  west  to  east  with  almost  the  certainty  of  a  fair 
wind  all  the  way,  though  nothing  but  smooth  water  would  be  gained 
by  it. 

For  a  vessel  with  full  or  auxiliary  steam  power  the  difBculties  and 
dangers  in  navigating  the  strait  either  way  are  the  same  that  are  expe- 
rienced in  narrow  channels  and  close  harbors  of  the  same  latitude  else- 
where. Here  they  are  more  marked  by  the  prevalence  of  bad  weather 
and  the  generally  foul  and  rocky  nature  of  the  anchorages.  It  is  prob- 
able that  at  whatever  season  of  the  year  a  vessel  may  make  the  pas- 
sage at  least  one  gale  of  wind  will  be  encountered. 

During  the  summer  mouths  a  vessel  with  moderate  steam  x)ower 
should  not,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  be  more  than  five  days 
making  the  distance  between  cape  Yirgins  and  cape  Pillar,  even  if 
compelled  to  anchor  every  night. 

The  difference  in  the  duration  of  daylight  in  summer  and  winter  nat- 
urally forms  an  important  consideration  in  this  navigation.  The  time 
of  full  moon  is  the  best  for  making  the  strait,  as  the  tide  serves  at  that 
time  for  passing  the  Narrows. 

In  winter  a  vessel  should  leave  Sandy  point  some  hours  before  day- 
light to  insure  making  Fortescue  bay  the  same  evening.  It  will  be  well 
to  have  daylight  before  getting  as  far  as  Georgia  reef. 

Note. — ^The  following  directions  should  be  used  with  U.  S.  Hydro- 
graphic  Oflace  charts  Nos.  443,  444,  and  445  j 

Directions :  Eastern  entrance  to  cape  Froward. — Before  enter- 
ing the  strait,  the  tides  should  be  carefully  considered.  An  anchor 
might  be  dropped,  if  necessary,  to  wait  for  the  tide  on  Sarmiento  bank, 
but  it  is  quite  exposed,  and  the  holding  ground  indifferent.  It  would, 
if  possible,  be  much  better  to  get  under  Dungeness  spit.    The  best 


48  MAGELLAN  8TBAIT. 

route  to  the  strait  is  to  pass  over  Sarmiento  bank,  which  can  be  done 
with  safety  between  half*  flood  and  half  ebb. 

A  vessel  bound  westward  should  quit  either  of  the  above  anchorages 
as  soon  as  x>ossible  after  the  strength  of  the  SW.  wind  is  over,  and 
reach  Possession  bay,  Spiteful,  or  Plumper  anchorages.  This  may  be 
effected  by  a  steamer  of  ordinary  speed  against  the  tide,  for  westerly 
winds  will  generally  be  found  to  freshen  as  the  west-going  stream  com 
mences.  Westerly  winds  usually  fall  considerably  about  sunset,  and 
by  being  ready  to  take  advantage  of  this,  a  vessel  may  frequently  get 
through  the  First  Narrows  before  dark.  In  the  event  of  fog  or  thick, 
rainy  weather,  an  anchor  may  be  dropped  anywhere  between  Dunge- 
ness  and  Possession  bay,  or,  should  it  be  necessary,  to  wait  the  change 
of  the  stream  before  entering  the  First  Narrows, 

From  a  position  about  one  mile  south  of  Dungeness,  a  course  should 
be  shaped  about  N.  81o  W.  (S.  79°  W.  mag.)  for  30  miles,  making  due 
allowance  for  tidal  influences,  to  lead  nearly  2  miles  clear  of  a  detaohed 
2-fathom  patch,  the  northernmost  of  the  dangers  off  Great  Orange 
bank;  and  when  cape  Orange  bears  8.  31^  W.  (S.  ll^  W.  mag.),  or 
mount  Aymond  N.  36°  W.  (N.  56^  W.  mag.),  the  course  may  be  altered 
to  S.  540  W.  (S.  349  W.  mag.),  which  will  lead  about  midway  between 
that  part  of  Great  Orange  bank  off  Anegada  point  and  Direction  bank 
on  the  western  shore. 

In  the  above  route  from  off  Dungeness  a  bearing  of  Direction  hill 
will  ensure  keeping  clear  of  Great  Orange  bank,  and  Sutlej  hill  open 
south  of  Direction  hill,  S.  800  W.  (8.  65o  W.  mag.),  leads  a  little  over 
one  mile  south  of  Narrow  bank;  but  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  in  a 
region  of  proverbially  bad  weather,  such  intricate  navigation,  and  strong 
tidal  streams,  increased  caution  is  necessary,  and  determining  a  vessel's 
position  frequently  becomes  an  absolute  necessity. 

Delgada  point  and  Direction  hill  in  line  bearing  N.  I60  E.  (N.  5^  W. 
mag.),  also  mount  Aymond  and  Direction  hill  in  line  bearing  N.  30  B. 
(N.  170  W.  mag.),  will  be  good  marks  for  checking  the  position  in  run- 
ning through  the  First  Narrows.  Nuiiez  head  will  be  recognized  as  a 
triangular  cliff  95  feet  high. 

Both  shores  of  the  First  Narrows  are  steep-to,  but  it  is  better  to  keep 
on  the  north  side,  as  Anegada  point  dries  out  a  long  way.  From  a 
position  midway  between  Nuiiez  head  and  Meudes  x)oint,  a  8.  37^  W. 
(8. 170  W.  mag.)  course  should  be  steered  for  10  miles,  then  with  Dixon 
hill  astern  on  a  N.  7Go  E.  (N.  56°  E.mag.)  bearing  steer  8.  76o  W.  (8. 
560  W.  mag.),  which  will  lead  to  the  southward  of  both  Triton  and 
Tribune  banks  and  up  to  the  8econd  Narrows.  If  it  be  blowing  strong 
from  the  NTN^.,  or  if  intending  to  anchor  in  Gregory  bay,  8.  82^  W. 
(8. 620  W.  mag.)  will  be  the  better  course.  The  Cone  on  the  north  side 
of  the  8econd  Narrows  bearing  8.  880  W.  (8.  68^  W.  mag.),  and  well 
open  south  of  cape  Gregory,  leads  south  of  Tribune  bank. 

It  is  assumed  that  the  southern  passage  between  the  Narrows  is 


r 


L 


GENERAL  DIRECTIONS.  49 

\ 

taken*  The  northern  passage  should  never  be  used  unless  when  seek* 
ing  anchorage  before  reaching  Gregory  bay,  or  coming  from  the  west- 
ward and  desirous  of  anchoring  as  near  the  First  Narrows  as  possible. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  a  vessel  having  got  into  the  First  N'arrows 
on  the  last  of  a  fair  tide,  must  not  be  deceived  in  the  strength  of  the 
opposing  stream  by  being  able  to  make  good  way.  With  ordinary  power 
she  may  easily  steam  against  the  tide  by  keeping  close  in  shore  while 
actually  in  the  N'arrows,  and  it  is  not  till  she  gets  into  the  entrance  and 
almost  through  that  she  will  meet  with  the  full  force,  which  requires 
a  very  powerful  vessel  to  stem  at  springs,  unless  aided  by  a  fair  wind. 

Proceeding  through  the  Second  narrows  after  having  passed  Half- 
way shoal,  when  the  Cone  will  bear  N.  3°  W.  (N.  23^  W.  mag.),  a  vessel 
should  incline  to  the  north  shore  to  avoid  being  swept  into  Lee  bay  by 
the  west-going  stream,  or  to  get  out  of  the  strength  of  the  east-going 
stream,  both  of  which  make  with  great  strength  off  cape  St.  Yincent. 
A  vessel  navigating  the  south  side  with  a  fair  tide  should  steer  from 
San  Isidro  point  to  Gracia  point,  easing  away  gradually  for  Elizabeth 
island,  as  she  passes  Sweepstakes  foreland,  and  when  cape  St.  Vincent 
bears  S.  20°  W.  (S.  mag.),  a  course  may  be  steered  either  for  the  Queen 
channel,  the  passage  through  Royal  road,  or  the  New  channel,  east- 
ward of  Santa  Marta  and  Santa  Magdalena  islands. 

Large  vessels  should  use  either  Queen  or  New  channel.  Vessels 
drawing  over  18  feet  should  not  attempt  the  passage  through  Eoyal 
road. 

Although  New  channel  is  broader  and  deeper  than  Queen  channel,  it 
is  not  so  frequently  used  by  steamers,  and  except  for  a  sailing  vessel 

working  through,  or  when  blowing  so  hard  from  the  SW.  as  to  neces- 
sitate keeping  fore  and  afb  canvas  on  a  steamer.  Queen  channel  is 
decidedly  to  be  preferred. 

If  intending  to  pass  through  Queen  channel,  from  a  mid-channel 
position  in  the  western  part  of  the  Second  Narrows,  with  cape  St. 
Vincent  bearing  S.  20^  W.  (S.  mag.),  steer  for  the  NW.  extreme  of 
Elizabeth  island,  which  shows  as  a  bluff,  observing  that  Sylvester 
point  (a  low  shingle  point),  the  NE.  extreme  of  the  island,  in  line  with 
Alfred  point  bearing  S.  34^  W.  (S.  14^  W.  mag.),  leads  westward  of 
the  2.fathom  patch  lying  N.  37^  E.  (N.  17o  E.  mag.),  distant  2^  miles 
from  Santa  Marta  island,  and  when  the  east  extreme  of  Santa  Marta 
island  is  in  line  with  the  west  extreme  of  Santa  Magdalena  island^ 
bearing  S.  3^  W.  (S.  17o  E.  mag.),  steer  S.  25°  W.  (S.  6o  W.  mag.),  pass, 
ing  Sylvester  point  at  J  mUe  distant,  until  cape  St.  Vincent  is  just  open 
east  of  Santa  Marta  island,  bearing  N.  48^  E.  (N.  28^  E.  mag.),  keep  the 
latter  mark  ou  astern  until  the  south  extreme  of  Santa  Magdalena 
island  bears  S.  75°  E.  (N.  85°  B.  mag.),  when  alter  course  to  S.  25^  W. 
(S.  50  W.  mag.),  taking  care  to  keep  Sylvester  point  well  open  of  Alfred 
point,  until  cape  Porpesse  bears  N.  42°  W.  (N.  62o  W.  mag.),  when  all 
dangers  will  be  passed^  and  a  course  can  be  shaped  for  Sandy  point 

1943— No.  89 4 


50  MAGELLAN  STBATT. 

The  streams  set  up  and  down  this  channel,  and,  with  the  land  so  closei 
thick  weather  need  not  impede  the  progress  of  a  ship ;  the  only  possible 
danger  is  that  of  keeping  away  for  the  nortli  end  of  Elizab^h  island 
too  soon,  by  which  a  vessel  is  likely  to  be  set  on  the  shoal  extending 
northward  from  Santa  Marta  island. 

If  bound  through  New  channel,  from  a  x)osition  midway  between 
cape  St.  Vincent  and  Gracia  point,  a  S.  3^  E.  (S.  23^  E.  mag.)  course 
leads  straight  through  New  channel,  which  in  no  part  is  less  than 
3  miles  wide.  Bear  in  mind  that  cape  St.  Vincent  in  line  with  the 
Cone  bearing  N.  12°  (S.  8°  W.  mag.)  leads  to  the  westwsurd  of  New 
bank  and  east  of  the  shoal  ground  off  Santa  Magdalena  island.  The 
objections  to  this  passage  are  the  tides,  which  for  2  or  3  miles  south- 
ward of  cape  St.  Vincent  run  east  and  west  directly  across  the  course, 
rendering  a  vessel  liable  to  be  set  either  on  to  New  bank  or  the  shoal 
already  mentioned  as  extending  from  Santa  Marta  island*  The 
strength  of  the  stream  here  is  also  much  greater  than  would  be  expected 
from  the  expanse  of  water,  and  reaches  fully  6  knots  at  springs,  even 
when  not  aided  by  the  wind. 

As  a  vessel  proceeds,  the  west-going  stream  inclines  more  and  more 
southward  till  when  approaching  the  foul  ground,  which  is  marked 
by  kelp  off  Santa  Magdalena  island,  it  will  be  found  setting  SW., 
or  toward  the  danger.  Though  Santa  Marta  and  Santa  Magdalena 
islands  and  the  hills  on  Elizabeth  island  will  generally  be  visible,  yet  it 
may  be  difficult  to  determine  the  ship's  position  in  thick  weather.  The 
dangers  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  bank  off*  Santa  Marta  and  Santa 
Magdalena  islands  render  it  unadvisable  for  a  vessel  of  any  size  to 
pass  between  the  islands,  or  between  them  and  the  Walker  shoal. 

In  all  this  navigation  the  method  of  ascertainiug  the  vessel's  posi- 
tion by  sextant  angles,  with  a  station  pointer  or  piece  of  tracing  paper, 
is  recommended^  the  method  is  not  only  more  accurate  but  quicker 
when  a  person  becomes  accustomed  to  employ  it. 
^  In  the  channel  through  Eoyal  road  and  Pelican  passage  there  are 
several  shoals.  Its  only  use  is  for  a  vessel  intending  to  anchor  in 
Boyal  road  and  wishing  to  get  as  far  on  as  possible  before  anchoring, 
so  as  not  to  lose  ground  in  the  morning. 

After  passing  through  either  of  the  above  channels,  the  western 
Bhores  of  Broad  and  Famine  reaches  should  be  kept  aboard.  From 
abreast  Sandy  point  a  S.  3^  W.  (S.  17^  E.  mag.)  course  will  lead  down 
clear  of  Georgia  reef  until  cape  San  Isidro  is  seen,  east  of  St.  Anna 
pointy  when  a  vessel  may  steer  along  the  land  at  a  convenient  distance 
to  cape  Froward. 

As  a  rule,  between  Sandy  point  and  cape  San  Isidro  the  wind  will 
be  off  the  land,  more  or  less  abeam,  often  in  heavy  squalls  but  with  clear 
sky.  As  the  latter  is  approached  and  the  vessel  gets  under  the  high 
land  that  commences  at  mount  Tarn  a  zone  of  calm  will  often  be  passed 
through. 


GENERAL   DIBECTIONS.  61 

As  cape  Froward  is  approached,  sooner  or  later,  as  the  wind  is  far  to 
the  south  or  not,  strong  winds  will  be  met  which  nearly  always  blow 
down  Froward  reach,  and  from  thence  onward  head  winds  must  be 
expected  generally  right  down  the  line  of  reach,  sometimes  far  enough 
to  the  south  to  set  fore  and  aft  sails. 

At  cape  Froward  the  squalls  are  exceptionally  heavy;  the  seaman 
will  frequently  find  a  change  of  weather  to  heavy  rain  or  snow,  and 
may  expect  that  the  shores  will  often  be  invisible. 

It  is  seldom,  however,  that  there  are  not  occasional  clearings  which 
enable  the  navigator  to  fix  his  position. 

SAILING  VESSELS. 

Dungeness  to  Laredo  bay. — The  following  directions  are  only  for 
fore-and-aft  rigged  sailing  vessels  for  reaching  Sandy  point  from  the 
eastern  entrance  of  the  strait: 

Working  up  from  Dungeness,  beat  along  the  north  shore  with  west- 
erly or  northwesterly  winds.  By  keepiug  on  the  north  side  until  well 
to  the  westward  of  cape  Possession,  the  wind  will  be  a  leading  one  for 
the  First  iN'arrows;  and  if  it  should  shift  to  the  SW.,  Schooner  anchorage 
will  be  close  at  hand,  where  a  vessel  will  be  quite  safe  and  out  of  the 
strength  of  the  tide.  With  a  SW.  wind  stand  well  over  to  the  Lomas 
bank,  and  then  with  a  rising  tide  a  good  stretch  can  be  made  to  Plumper 
anchorage,  or,  if  to  windward  of  that  place,  another  tack  will  fetch 
Schooner  anchorage. 

The  first  slant  of  wind,  or  calm  with  the  tide,  should  be  taken  ad- 
vantage of  to  clear  the  Karrows,  after  which  the  passage  is  compara- 
tively easy*  Between  the  N^arrows,  Satellite  patch  and  Triton  bank  are 
the  only  dangers  which  would  bring  a  small  vessel  up,  and  for  this  it  is 
only  necessary  to  take  care  not  to  bring  Gregory  shoulder  to  bear 
southward  of  F.  81o  W.  (8.  79°  W.  mag.),  or  the  summit  of  cape  Greg- 
ory southward  of  S.  88o  W.  (8.  68°  W.  mag.),  when  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, or  White  Gap  peak,  if  visible,  bears  between  8. 26^  E.  (8.  45°  E. 
mag.)  and  8. 30  E.  (8. 50^  E.  mag.). 

In  the  Second  Narrows,  when  standing  to  the  northward,  do  not  pass 
inside  a  line  joining  cape  Gregory  and  Garcia  point,  and  with  a  SW. 
wind  and  flood  tide  cape  St.  Vincent  should  not  be  passed  within  2 
miles,  although  it  is  intended  to  pass  through  the  'New  channel. 

To  pass  through  the  Queen  channel,  a  good  stretch  must  be  made 
into  Eoyal  road  until  the  NE.  point  of  Elizabeth  island  bears  about  8. 
20O  W.  (S.  mag.),  when  stand  round  it. 

With  a  light  or  failing  wind,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  keep  over 
toward  the  north  shore  of  the  Second  Narrows  as  the  western  end  is 
neared,  and  rather  anchor  in  Eoyal  road,  or  even  in  the  edge  of  the 
bank  off  Gracia  point,  than  to  try  to  pass  Santa  Marta  island  without 
a  commanding  breeze. 

After  passing  the  north  end  of  Elizabeth  island,  Santa  Marta  should 


52  MAGELLAK  STRAIT. 

not  be  opened  to  the  northward  of  cape  St.  Vincent  until  past  Hawk 
clifif.  An  anchor  may  be  dropped  in  the  bight  between  Sylvester  point 
and  Hawk  clifif  to  hold  i)08ition.  If  bound  to  Laredo  bay,  cape  Negro 
should  be  rounded  as  close  as  prudence  admits. 

Sandy  point  eastward. — From  Sandy  point  a  vessel  should  keep 
well  out  before  hauling  along  the  coast  to  avoid  the  shoal  water  of  the 
spit,  and  if  intending  to  anchor  in  Laredo  bay,  a  good  berth  should 
be  given  its  southern  point.  Bear  iu  mind  that  the  change  in  the 
time  of  tide  and  turn  of  stream,  which  assists  the  west-bound  ship, 
acts  against  one  east  bound,  though  in  some  measure  compensated 
for  by  the  prevalence  of  westerly  winds.  It  will  sometimes  be  found 
advantageous  to  leave  Sandy  point  iu  the  afternoon  or  evening  and 
anchor  for  the  night  iu  Laredo  bay,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  take  advantage 
of  the  first  of  the  east-going  stream  in  the  morning.  This  will,  of 
course,  depend  on  the  age  of  the  moon.  At  Elizabeth  island  it  is  high 
water,  full  and  change,  soon  after  9h.  30m.  a.  m.,  and  consequently 
the  east-going  stream  would  not  commence  running  until  Oh.  30m. 
During  the  summer  mouths  it  is  daylight  between  2h.  and  3h.  a.  m., 
and  therefore  a  vessel  leaving  Laredo  bay  at  daylight  would  have 
plenty  of  time  to  get  to  Gregory  bay,  or  farther  with  a  fair  wind, 
before  the  turn  of  the  tide  at  Gh.  a.  m.,  as  there  is  little  difference  of 
time  between  Elizabeth  island  and  Gregory  bay.  She  can  then  anchor 
during  the  west-going  stream,  and,  weighing  with  the  commencement  of 
the  east-going  stream,  which  will  begin  to  run  at  noon  on  the  same 
day  in  the  First  ITarrows,  will  get  to  Dungeness  or  out  to  sea  that 
night.  Even  in  the  short  days,  much  may  be  done  by  a  judicious 
consideration  of  these  all-important  tides,  but  the  seaman  must  be 
guided  by  the  age  of  the  moon  when  on  the  spot.  With  a  strong,  fair 
wind,  a  vessel  may,  to  a  certain  extent,  defy  the  tides,  but  it  is  always 
better,  if  possible,  to  take  advantage  of  them.  After  leaving  Laredo 
bay  and  proceeding  by  Queen  channel,  give  cape  Porpesse  a  wide 
berth,  and  do  not  bring  cape  Thorax  to  bear  westward  of  N.  59°  W. 
(K  790  W.  mag.)  until  Alfred  point  bears  N.  28o  E.  (N.  80  E.  mag.), 
when  steer  for  the  point  on  that  bearing.  When  the  south  extreme  of 
Santa  Magdalena  island  bears  S.  73°  E.  (N.  87°  E.  mag.),  cape  St.  Vin- 
cent should  be  seen  just  open  east  of  Santa  Marta  island;  keep  these 
marks  on  until  the  south  extreme  of  Santa  Magdalena  island  bears 
S.  390  E.  (S.  590  E.  mag.),  when  alter  course  to  pass  800  yards  east  of 
Sylvester  point,  whence  steer  for  Gracia  point,  edging  away  for  the 
Narrows  as  Marta  bank  is  passed  and  cape  St.  Vincent  bears  N.  79^ 
E.  (N.  590  E.  mag.). 

Then  steer  for  the  Narrows;  a  course  about  N.  59^  E.  (N.  39°  E.  mag. 
leads  through.  When  abreast  of  cape  Gregory,  a  vessel  intend- 
ing to  anchor  in  Gregory  or  St.  Jago  bays  should  steer  northward,  and 
when  the  north  extremity  of  the  sandy  land  of  the  cape  is  in  line  with 
the  western  extremity  of  the  high  table  land  (Gregory  shoulder),  the 


GENERAL   DIRECTIONS.  53 

vessel  will  be  near  the  anchorage,  but  the  nummock  shoald  be  well  open 
to  the  northward  of  the  cape,  over  the  grassy  valley,  before  anchoring. 
Prom  this  position  Yalle  point  and  the  hillocks  near  it  will  be  dis- 
tinctly visible,  and  the  vessel  can  be  kept  for  the  anchorage  under  it 
or  edged  away  to  pass  northward  of  the  banks. 

A  vessel,  however,  bound  direct  for  the  First  Narrows,  from  1^  miles, 
south  of  cape  Gregory,  should  steer  N.  70°  E.  (N.  56°  E.  mag.),  which 
will  lead  southward  of  Tribune  and  Triton  banks.  Advancing  east- 
ward, Sutlej  and  Dixon  hills  will  be  the  first  land  seen,  and  in  clear 
weather  mount  Aymond  will  also  appear  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  the 
I  former.    The  land  forming  the  entrance  of  the  Narrows,  being  low,  will 

not  be  perceived  until  some  time  after  Dixon  hill  and  others  on  the 
Fuegian  side,  which  appear  as  islands;  but  as  it  is  closed,  the  summit 
of  Barranca  point  and  Nunez  head  on  the  north  side  and  Mendez  point 
on  the  south  will  be  seen. 

When  Sutlej  hill  bears  N.  3°  W.  (N.  23°  W.  mag.),  or  Barranca  cliflF 
N.  20O  E.  (N.  mag.),  and  Dixon  hill  East  (N.  70^  E.  mag.),  the  ship 
will  be  in  mid-channel  4^  miles  from  Barranca  point,  and  thence  a  N. 
46^  E.  (N.  250  E.  mag.)  course  will  lead  straight  through  the  First  Nar- 
rows. Gare  must  be  taken  to  keep  in  mid-channel  till  Barranca  point 
bears  N.  59o  W.  (N.  79^  W.  mag.),  as  theebb  stream  sets  rather  toward 
Satellite  patch,  if  a  vessel  gets  to  the  westward.  Nuiiez  head  shows  as 
a  triangular  cliff,  and  is  a  good  mark.  As  Nunez  head  is  approached 
Direction  hill  and  the  peak  of  cape  Orange  will  appear,  and  when 
abreast  of  them  cape  Possession  will  be  seen  as  an  island  on  the  star- 
board bow. 

When  Direction  hill  bears  N.  69°  W.  (N.  79°  W.  mag.),  and  cape 
Granges.  6^  E.  (S.  25^  E.  mag.),  mount  Aymond,  if  visible,  bearing  N. 
140  W.  (N.  340  W.  mag.),  steer  N.  69°  E.  (N.  49°  E.  mag.)  for  cape  Pos- 
session for  9 J  miles,  until  mount  Aymond  bears  N.  48°  W.  (N.  68^  W. 
mag.)  when  a  S.  8I0  E.  (N.  79^  E.  mag.)  course  clears  the  strait. 
Should  it  be  intended  to  anchor  in  Possession  bay,  a  N.  48^  E.  (N.  28^ 
E.  mag.)  course  maybe  steered  from  the  Narrows,  until  mount  Aymond 
bears  N.  48°  W.  (N.  68°  W.  mag.),  when  steer  into  the  bay,  observing 
!  to  keep  Daniel  point  open  of  cape  Possession  until  the  moment  of  doing 

W  so.    The  same  regard  must  be  had  to  the  tides  in  crossing  Sarmiento 

bank  as  when  entering  the  strait. 

Directions  continned — Cape  Froward  westward. — From  cape 
Froward  westward  through  the  strait  there  is  no  necessity  to  wait  for 
the  turn  of  the  tidal  stream,  although  there  are'  i)laces,  as  Crooked 
reach,  where  the  current  will  materially  affect  the  speed  of  a  vessel. 

All  the  coast  from  cape  San  Isidro  onward  on  the  mainland  side  as 
far  as  Crooked  reach  is  steep- to  and  should  be  kept  aboard  with  an 
easterly  tidal  current  by  low-powered  vessels,  as  there  is  an  eddy  cur- 
rent well  inshore  while  east  of  cape  Holland.  From  cape  Gallant  keep 
in  mid-stream  as  far  as  cape  Crosstide,  which  must  be  kept  aboard  to 


54  MAGELLAN   STRAIT. 

avoid  Anson  rock,  but  exercise  great  care  hereabonts  on  aooonnt  of  the 
strong  eddies.  It  is  in  this  part  of  the  channel  that  the  tidal  currents 
are  strong,  especially  the  ebb  stream,  which  reaches  a  yelocity  of  S} 
knots  an  honr. 

The  tides  meet  at  cape  Grosstide.  East  of  this  cape  the  currents 
obey  the  same  law  as  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  strait,  bnt  west  of  the 
cape  and  throughout  Long  reach  the  streams  tnrn  abont  the  time  of 
high  and  low  water.  Consequently,  an  hour  before  high  water  say,  the 
streams  are  meeting  one  another,  while  an  hour  after  high  water  the  tide 
is  running  up  through  York  road  into  Jerome  channel  on  the  east  side 
at  the  same  time  that  from  cape  Jerome  it  is  ebbing  away  to  the  west 
of  Borja  bay. 

For  three  hours  after  low  water  the  flood  coming  from  the  west  will 
add  its  force  to  the  ebb  stream  turning  out  of  Jerome  channel  and  down 
English  reach. 

Anson  rock  can  be  cleared  by  keeping  the  notch  on  G«pe  Quod  open 
south  of  Big  Borja  island,  and  Crooked  rock  by  keeping  over  toward 
El  Morion  until  Beware  island  opens  off  cape  Quod,  after  which  take 
mid-channel. 

Up  Long  reach  steer  a  mid-channel  course.  The  easterly  current 
seldom  runs  more  than  IJ  knots  up  to  the  vicinity  of  cape  Cooper  Key, 
where  it  is  stronger  on  the  flood.  There  is  generally  an  easterly  set  in 
this  part  of  the  strait,  due  to  the  wind. 

After  passing  Shelter  island  a  lee  may  often  be  had  as  far  as  cape 
Cooper  Key  by  keeping  on  the  north  shore,  where  it  is  quite  free  from 
dangers.  From  the  last-named  cape  up  to  cape  Monday  the  same  will 
be  found  by  keeping  on  the  south  shore,  there  being  no  dangers  on  that 
side  300  yards  from  the  outer  points  and  islets. 

If  clear,  Tamar  island  will  be  visible;  abreast  of  Arathoon  bay  it  will 
appear  as  an  island  with  two  peaks.  Steering  a  mid-channel  course, 
cape  Providence  will  open  when  passing  Shelter  island;  Conway  knob 
on  Cordova  and  cape  Upright  on  the  south  shore  will  appear  round 
cape  Monday  when  off*  Canoe  inlet. 

A  head  sea  will  often  be  met  about  cape  Monday,  and  there  it  ought 
to  be  decided  whether  there  is  time  to  reach  port  Tamar  in  case  it  gets 
worse,  as  there  is  no  way  of  getting  out  of  it,  except  by  turning  into  the 
Cripples  and  Sylvia  channels. 

A  small  vessel  will  often  find  this  the  best  plan,  though  if  she  can 
make  good  headway  in  the  main  strait,  it  will  be  better  of  course  to 
remain  in  it.  These  channels,  though  narrow  in  parts,  present  no  diffi- 
culty, as  a  mid-channel  course  is  easy  to  keep.  The  only  dangers  are 
the  rocky  patches  between  Providence  island  and  the  Tamar  peninsula, 
in  very  thick  weather. 

To  pass  through  the  Cripples  channel,  edge  round  the  west  end  of 
Santa  Anna  island  and  steer  N.  23°  W.  (K.  45o  W.  mag.). 

Kichardson  island  will  be  soon  made  out,  standing  out  from  the  land 


DIRECTIONS — ^ANCHORAGE.  65 

and  showing  under  the  north  end  of  Providence  island,  and  as  the  ship 
comes  np  to  it  the  shore  of  Munos  Oamera  peninsula  must  be  closed 
about  Thomas  bay  until  Webb  point  is  in  line  with  the  north  hill  of 
Eichardson  island,  which  leads  clear  of  the  kelp  patches  on  the  port 
hand.  When  abreast  of  the  first  islets  south  of  Richardson  island, 
keep  mid-channel.    (See  page  105.) 

As  Cummins  point  is  passed  haul  up  N.  12°  W.  (N.  34^  W.  mag.) 
for  the  channel  between  Vince  and  Pike  islands.  The  sharp  Passage 
island  will  be  seen  through  this  channel. 

The  west  point  of  Vince  island  passed,  steer  N.  ll^  B.  (K.  ll^  W. 
mag.),  to  leave  Entrance  island  on  the  port  hand. 

If  intending  to  keep  the  main  strait,  but  induced  to  give  it  up  on 
arrival  off  cape  Providence,  course  can  be  made  for  Sylvia  channel, 
north  of  the  Maze  islands. 

Brown  point,  in  line  with  York  hill,  will  lead  east  of  Providence  bank 
until  cape  Providence  bears  N.  68^  W.  (W.  mag.),  when  course  can 
be  altered  as  requisite  to  round  Brown  ,  point,  and  so  on  to  Sylvia 
channel. 

Sylvia  channel  requires  no  special  directions;  a  mid-channel  course 
is  easily  kept.    Directions  for  the  anchorage  will  be  found  on  page  108. 

Caution. — When  proceeding  to  the  Pacific,  vessels  should  not 
attempt  to  clear  the  strait  in  one  day  from  Fortescue  bay,  except  full- 
powered  steamers.  Endeavor  to  reach  Playa  Parda  or  port  Tamar 
before  dark,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  an  early  start  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, and  get  a  good  of^ng  during  the  day.  As  the  westerly  gales  come 
on  suddenly,  it  is  impossible  to  run  back  and  find  an  anchorage  during 
a  dark  night. 

Remarks  on  the  anchorage  in  the  strait  west  of  cape  Froward. — 
As  a  rule  the  anchorage  space  is  limited  and  the  bottom  is  either  v^y 
uneven,  composed  of  masses  of  rocks  with  mud  in  the  intervals  between, 
or  else  consist  of  small  stones  and  gravel.  The  former  type  prevails. 
The  heavy  williwaws  cause  the  vessel  to  shear  about  a  great  deal,  and 
the  consequent  grinding  and  jerking  of  the  cable  among  the  rocks  is 
in  some  cases  quite  startling. 

Over  such  uneven  bottom  it  is  very  difficult  to  pick  a  good  berth,  but 
whenever  possible  avoid  having  a  ridge  between  the  anchor  and  the 
vessel,  for  then  the  surging  will  be  at  a  maximum.  Still,  the  anchors 
should  always  be  placed  in  the  deepest  water,  as  there  mud  is  usually 
to  be  found. 

Many  anchors  are  broken  while  in  use  in  these  anchorages  either 
from  heavy  jerks  when  the  arm  has  caught  in  a  crevice,  or  when  let  go 
by  striking  crown  down  on  the  hard  rocks.  The  latter  risk  may  be 
avoided  by  easing  the  anchor  down  to  the  bottom. 

When  williwaws  begin,  pay  out  plenty  of  cable  if  the  harbor  space 
admits  of  it. 

It  is  very  astonishing  how  the  wind  gets  into  these  anchorages,  so 


56  ICAGELLAN  STRAIT. 

perfectly  landlocked  do  they  appear^  and  with  the  wind  from  many 
points  a  vessel  will  lie  quiet  in  them^  while  the  squalls  pass  overhead. 
Each  harbor,  however,  has  some  weak  point,  as  a  gully,  or  a  cliff  from 
which  the  wind  is  deflected^  and  the  same  harbor  which  one  navigator 
may  report  as  having  afforded  him  x>6rfect  shelter  in  a  gale  another 
may  find,  from  the  wind  being  a  few  points  different  in  direction,  a  per- 
fect pandemonium  of  squalls  and  columns  of  spray.  It  requires  a  con- 
siderable experience  of  an  anchorage  before  a  trustworthy  opinion  of 
its  value  can  be  formed;  it  must  be  proved  with  strong  winds  from 
all  points. 

The  more  open  anchorages,  and  apparently  the  least  protected  to 
windward,  often  prove  the  best,  as  far  as  tbe  squalls  are  concerned. 

The  best  anchorages  for  large  vessels  are  at  Fortescue  bay,  Borja 
bay,  Field  anchorage,  and  port  Tamar. 

EASTERN  ENTRANCE  TO  FIRST  NARROWS— NORTH  SHORE. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  443.) 

Caution. — The  eastern  entrance  to  Magellan  strait  should  be  ap- 
proached with  great  care.  The  velocity  of  the  tidal  streams,  the  vari- 
ability of  their  direction  off  cape  Virgins,  and  the  absence  of  good 
marks  to  fix  the  ship's  position  make  the  determination  of  position  and 
the  steering  along  an  intended  track  very  uncertain.  Several  reports 
have  been  made  of  vessels  striking  outside  the  limits  of  the  dangers 
charted  eastward  of  cape  Virgins,  but  there  is  no  evidence  to  show 
where  they  struck,  and  as  the  accidents  occurred  at  night  and  no  bear- 
ings are  given,  it  seems  probable  that  they  all  touched  on  the  shoals 
extending  from  cape  Virgins. 

Landmarks. — ^The  hills  on  the  south  shore  are  not  well  defined,  with 
the  exception  of  cape  Orange  and  those  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  the 
others  visible  from  the  channel  being  10  miles  inland,  and  not,  as  they 
appear,  near  the  water.  From  the  southern  side  of  the  channel,  also, 
it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  the  good  marks  on  the  north  shore,  such  as 
cape  Possession,  Direction  hills,  or  mounts  Dinero  and  Aymond,  which 
are  useful  for  obtaining  a  ve^sePs  position  when  in  the  fairway  or  on 
the  northern  side  of  it. 

Sarmiento  bank  does  not  extend  nor  change,  the  general  outline  of 
its  outer  edge  being  kept  in  that  position,  following  the  general  line 
of  the  coast  from  the  northward,  by  the  rapid  current  which  sweeps 
along  it.  The  ridge  of  the  bank  is  shingle,  while  inside  of  it  is  coarse 
sand  and  gravel  mixed.  As  a  rule  the  shoaler  the  water  the  coarser 
the  bottom.  Coming  from  the  eastward,  or  in  a  large  vessel,  it  will  be 
better  to  cross  this  bank  well  to  the  southward  of  Nassau  rock,  and 
the  time  of  tide  between  half-fiood  and  half-ebb  currents. 

If  the  wind  is  too  strong  for  entering,  or  for  any  other  reason  it  is  not 
advisable  to  do  so,  the  best  anchorage  is  off  Condor  cliff  in  8  fathoms, 
about  2  miles  north  of  cape  Virgins,  with  the  cape  bearing  S.  20°  W. 
(S.  mag.)  and  the  cliff  S.  88o  W.  (S.  68°  W.  mag.). 


NASSAU  ROCK — ^DUNGENESS.  57 

Rock  reported. — Jane  30, 1890,  the  German  steamer  Cleopatra  was 
lost  on  a  rock  off  cape  Virgins,  eastern  entrance  to  Magellan  strait,  on 
which  the  French  steamer  Ville  de  Strasbourg  and,  presumably,  the 
English  steamer  Magellan  had  previously  struck. 

According  to  the  dat^  furnished  by  the  captains  of  the  Cleopatra 
and  Ville  de  Strasbourg^  this  danger  lies  about  7  miles  northeastward 
from  cape  Virgins,  in  (approximately)  latitude  52^  16'  30"  S.,  longitude 
680  12'  W. 

Nassau  rock,  a  small  pinnacle  with  3  feet  over  it  at  low-water 
springs,  lies  S.  53^  E.  (S.  73^  E.  mag.),  3J  miles  from  cape  Virgins. 
There  is  a  little  kelp  on  the  rock,  but  not  enough  to  mark  it,  and 
except  in  gales  the  sea  does  not  break  until  nearly  low  water.  At 
extraordinary  low  spring  tides  Nassau  rock  is  dry. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  on  Sarmiento  bank,  8  miles 
SE.  of  cape  Virgins,  at  8h.  10m.;  springs  rise  from  36  to  42  feet. 

Cape  Virgins,  the  north  point  of  the  eastern  entrance  of  Magellan 
strait,  is  135  feet  high,  and  is  the  best  point  to  make,  and  usually  the 

I  first  land  seen  when  approaching  the  strait  from  the  eastward.    On  it 

i  there  are  several  houses.    In  clear  weather  the  cape  is  visible  from  a 

distance  of  20  to  25  miles,  and  when  made  from  the  northward,  between 
the  bearings  of  south  and  west,  will  appear  as  an  extreme  of  land. 
Bungeness  spit,  5  miles  SW.  of  cape  Virgins,  will  not  be  visible  until 

I  much  nearer.    When  cape  Virgins  bears  westward  of  N.  87^  W.  (8. 

780  W.  mag.),  mount  Dinero,  8  miles  farther  west,  will  show  as  a  small 

!  nipple,  opening  clear  of  it. 

Capes  Virgins  and  Espiritu  Santo  have  certain  points  of  resemblance, 
both  being  marked  with  white  cliffs  forming  the  seaward  termination 
of  a  range  of  moderate-sized  hills  extending  into  the  interior ;  both  have 
low  shingle  points  connected  with  them. 

All  over  this  eastern  portion  of  the  strait  the  most  remarkable 
difference  takes  place  in  the  appearance  of  the  land  according  to  the 
light  in  which  it  is  seen. 
Virgin  reef,  which  at  half  tide  is  scarcely  perceptible,  as  then  the  tidal 

;  stream  is  slack,  dries  J  mile  ESE.  from  cape  Virgins.    There  are  4  or  5 

fathoms  close  outside  the  reef,  but  a  vessel  should  not  pass  near,  as 

fan  the  height  of  the  cape  makes  it  difficult  to  judge  the  distance  from 

shore. 

Dungeness  is  a  low  spit,  extending  3^  miles  from  the  foot  of  the  low 
range  of  hills  uniting  cape  Virgins  with  mount  Dinero.  The  beach  on 
both  sides  of  the  ness  is  of  shingle;  and  above  high- water  mark  the 
spit  is  covered  with  long  coarse  grass  and  a  thick  undergrowth  of 
scrub,  forming  a  kind  of  network  with  the  long  kelp,  which  is  blown 
up  by  the  heavy  gales  and  dried  in  the  summer  sun.  Prom  the  quan- 
tity of  this  weed  which  covers  the  spit,  as  well  as  from  the  large  i)ieces 
of  wreck  found  all  over  it,  sometimes  more  than  a  mile  from  either 

^  bea<)h,  it  seems  evident  that  at  times  in  easterly  gales  the  sea  must 

break  over  its  whole  extent. 


58  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — ^EASTERN  ENTRANCE. 

Beacon. — A  pyramidal- shaped  beacon  (refdge),  52  feet  liigli,  painted 
in  red  and  white  alternate  bands  and  sormonnted  by  a  red  ball,  stands 
on  Bungeness,  150  yards  from  high-water  mark.  It  is  visible  in  clear 
weather  a  distance  of  12  miles,  and  may  be  seen  as  soon  as  cape  Vir- 
gins has  been  passed.  It  has  been  fitted  up  as  a  station  of  refuge  for 
shipwrecked  mariners.  This  and  the  other  beacons  recently  fitted  np 
serve  only  as  a  shelter. 

Lightbuilding.T— A  lighthouse  is  now  in  course  of  construction  on 
Dungeness. 

Wreck. — The  wreck  of  the  British  ship  Hungost^  wrecked  May  10, 
1804,  lies  If  miles  N.  26°  W.  (N.  46°  W.  mag.)  from  Dungeness  beacon. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Dungeness  at  8h.  30m.; 
springs  rise  from  36  to  44  feet;  neaps,  30  feet. 

Anchorages. — There  is  a  good  anchorage  on  either  side  of  the  spit 
and  very  convenient  for  vessels  bound  either  way  to  await  a  change 
of  wind  or  tide  or  stop  for  the  night.  The  bottom  is  of  stiff  blue  mud, 
that  on  the  east  side  being  thinly  overlaid  with  stones. 

As  long  as  the  wind  does  not  haul  to  the  southward  of  S8W.  the 
east  anchorage  is  the  better  of  the  two;  for,  though  the  squalls  may 
come  very  hard  across  the  spit,  there  is  no  sea  until  the  wind  hauls. 
From  this  position,  if  the  chain  must  be  slipped  or  parts,  it  is  very  easy 
to  weather  the  3-fathoms  patch  and  pass  on  either  side  of  Nassau  rock. 

Zealous  anchorage,  on  the  west  side,  is  perhaps  the  better,  as  the 
curve  of  the  spit  enables  a  vessel  to  anchor  well  under  the  north  shore 
out  of  the  strength  of  the  tide. 

A  large  vessel  should  not  anchor  inside  of  a  line  between  the  beacon 
on  the  ness  and  mount  Dinero,  but  anchor  so  as  to  have  a  depth  of  6 
to  8  fathoms  at  low  water;  and  it  must  not  be  forgotten  when  anchor- 
ing anywhere  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  strait  that  allowance  must 
be  made  for  7  fathoms  rise  and  fall  of  tide  when  eastward  of  the  First 
Narrows,  and  when  westward  it  will  be  much  less.  In  Zealous  anchor- 
age a  vessel  will  be  sheltered  until  the  wind  veers  to  the  southward  of 
west  and  will  have  no  difficulty  in  clearing  the  ness  should  it  blow 
hard  from  S W.  There  are  two  conspicuous  sand  patches  on  the  fiuje  of 
the  cliff  from  which  Dungeness  projects,  which  appear  like  roads;  the 
easternmost  of  these  should  bear  about  N.  31°  E.  (N,  11°  E.  mag.)  from 
the  anchorage. 

Mount  Dinero. — When  southward  of  cape  Virgins,  mount  Dinero, 
a  conical  hill  270  feet  high,  and  8  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  •cape, 
will  be  seen.  From  thence  the  land  continues  between  200  and  400 
feet  high,  rather  level  topped,  and  generally  covered  with  grass  and 
scrub  to  cape  Possession,  14  miles  farther  west. 

Xhis  part  of  the  coast  is  fronted  by  a  shore  of  mud  and  stones,  with 
rocky  ledges,  which  dry  at  low  water,  from  J  to  J  mile  off  the  points. 
About  3  miles  eastward  of  cape  Possession  there  is  a  remarkable  bare 
sandy  patch. 


■»  WALLIS   SHOAL — PLUMPER   ANCHORAGE.  59 

Wallis  Shoal,  with  9  feet  water,  lies  WNW.  i  W.  10  miles  from 
Dungeness.  It  is  connected  with  the  mainland,  and  no  vessel  should 
pass  north  of  it.  Gape  Virgins,  bearing  N.  79°  E.  (N.  69^  E.  mag.)  and 
well  open  south  of  Oliff  hill,  leads  outside  this  danger.  Mount 
Aymond,  seen  southward  of  cape  Possession,  and  bearing  !N".  65o  W. 
(N.  85°  W.  mag.)  also  leads  south  of  Wallis  shoal. 

Cape  Possession,  a  bold  perpendicular  headland,  385  feet  high, 
with  a  deeply  furrowed  face,  is  the  center  of  a  wavy  line  of  cliffs;  and 
is  higher,  and  has  a  darker-colored  base,  than  either  of  the  adjoining 
ones.  The  laud  behind  it  dips  so  much  that  the  cape  makes  as  an 
island  at  15  or  20  miles  distant  on  either  side. 

Beacon. — February,  1896,  the  beacon  on  cape  Possesion  consisted 
of  a  small  tower  painted  red  and  white  in  horizontal  bands  and  not 
visible  more  than  4  miles.  No  dependence  can  be  placed  on  beacons 
on  cape  Possession  for  leading  through  the  First  Narrows. 

Possession  bay,  extending  from  cape  Possession  to  the  entrance  of 
the  First  Narrows,  affords  anchorage,  in  most  parts,  though  open  to 
winds  from  the  southward. 

StonoTitrall  anchorage,  in  Possession  bay,  has  a  good  bottom  of  stiff 
blue  mud,  is  well  sheltered  from  the  east,  and,  being  free  from  the  strong 
tidal  currents  or  high  seas,  is  a  safe  place.  During  westerly  winds  a 
convenient  anchorage  will  be  found  in  the  western  part  of  the  bay  off 
Tandy  point.  Care  is  necessary  in  making  this  anchorage  to  avoid 
being  set  upon  Narrow  bank. 

Water  may  be  obtained  IJ  miles  west  of  Tandy  point  from  a  small 
pond  just  inside  the  high  line  of  the  beach.  The  next  watering  place 
is  in  St.  Jago  bay,  where  watering  is  easier,  owing  to  the  heavy  surf 
which  usually  breaks  on  the  beach  in  Possession  bay. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Possession  bay  at  8h. 
35m. ;  springs  rise  36  to  42  feet. 

Narrov7  and  Plumper  banks,  in  the  western  part  of  Possession 
bay,  are  separated  by  a  channel  i  mile  wide  with  5  fathoms  water,  and 
over,  in  it.  The  least  water  on  Narrow  bank  is  13  feet,  near  the  center. 
It  may  be  crossed  between  half  flood  and  half  ebb  streams,  but  this 
should  not  be  done  except  in  case  of  necessity,  especially  with  the  ebb, 
^  as  the  tide  falls  rapidly  and  the  stream  sets  strongly  across.    Plumper 

bank  is  composed  of  fine  sand  and  dries  at  low  water. 

Bnoy. — A  red  conical  buoy  surmounted  by  a  staff  and  white  ball  is 
moored  on  the  south  side  of  Narrow  bank. 

Caution. — The  buoys  in  Magellan  strait  are  not  to  be  relied  upon,  as 
they  are  frequently  out  of  position  or  missing.  The  beacons  are  often 
reported  down. 

Plumper  anchorage,  SE.  of  Plumper  bank,  is  not  recommended, 

although  it  may  be  used  as  a  stopping  place  when  unable  to  pass  the 

Narrows  and  anxious  not  to  lose  ground. 

m  If  intending  to  anchor  here  keep  mount  Aymond,  bearing  N.  19°  W. 

(N.  39°  W.  mag.),  making  allowance  for  the  tide,  till  Direction  hill  bears 


60  MAGELLAN   STRAIT. 

S.  880  W.  (S.  680  W.  mag.)?  when  there  will  be  about  13  fathoms  at  low 
water.  The  anchor  must  be  let  go  immediately  that  depth  is  obtained 
as  any  delay  may  put  the  vessel  in  2  or  20  fathoms,  according  to  the  tide. 

Mount  Ayxnond,  1^  miles  inland,  is  857  feet  high,  and  has  near  it 
to  the  westward  four  sharp,  rocky  summits,  named  Asses  ears.  The 
mount  forms  an  excellent  mark  when  advancing  toward  the  First  Nar- 
rows from  the  eastward,  and  can  also  be  seen  for  some  distance  west- 
ward of  them.  The  appearance  of  the  ears  changes  much  according  to 
their  bearing;  on  some  bearings  all  are  seen,  and  on  others  only  one. 

Direction  hills  will  be  seen  as  soon  as  cape  Possession  is  passed; 
they  appear,  as  do  the  hills  near  cape  Orange,  like  islands.  When 
approached  on  a  W.  i  S.  bearing,  about  10  miles  distant,  they  show 
on  a  lighter  background  of  about  the  same  apparent  elevation ;  the 
northernmost  and  highest  hill,  224  feet  above  the  sea.,  is  the  best  object 
to  steer  for  on  the  above  bearing,  in  order  to  gain  the  fairway  of  the 
First  Narrows. 

Beacon. — A  pyramidal-shaped  beacon  (refuge),  62  feet  high,  painted 
in  red  and  white  horizontal  bands,  and  surmounted  by  a  red  ball, 
stands  on  the  northern  and  highest  Direction  hill. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  under  Direction  hills  at 
8h.  53m. ;  springs  rise  38  feet,  neaps  23  feet. 

EASTERN  ENTRANCE  TO  FIRST  NARROWS— SOUTH  SHORE. 

Cape  Espiritu  Santo,  the  southern  point  at  the  eastern  entrance  of 
Magellan  strait,  is  a  steep  white  cliff  about  190  feet  high,  and  is  the 
seaward  termination  of  the  range  of  hills  (Sierra  Balmacedos)  which 
extends  across  the  northern  part  of  Tierra  del  Fuego  from  cape  Bou- 
queron.    Gap  peak  is  the  highest  part  of  this  range. 

The  cape  does  not  show  as  an  extremity  until  the  vessel  is  inside  of 
the  strait.  When  seen  from  seaward  it  appears  as  the  highest  part 
of  a  line  of  white  cliffs  indented  by  bays,  which  give  it  the  appearance 
of  having  had  gaps  cut  in  it.  As  the  land  is  raised  a  remarkable 
detached  lump  of  cliff,  appearing  like  an  island,  will  be  seen  in  the  bay 
to  the  southward  of  the  cape.  The  land  must  not  be  approached 
closely,  as  eastward  from  the  cape  the  low- water  line  extends  a  mile 
off,  while  farther  north  it  dries  1 J  miles  from  shore. 

Boundary  beacon. — A  triangular  pyramid,  16  feet  high,  and  painted 
red,  has  been  erected  a  little  more  than  a  mile  northwestward  from 
cape  Espiritu  Santo.  The  beacon  is  at  the  edge  of  the  cliffs,  about  55 
yards  from  the  sea,  and  serves  to  mark  the  boundary  line  between 
Chile  and  Argentina.  It  may  also  be  of  some  service  to  mariners  navi- 
gating in  the  vicinity,  though  it  is  only  visible  short  distances. 

Catherine  point  is  similar  in  appearance  to  Dungeness;  it  seems 
very  low  when  the  tide  is  high,  but  the  difference  which  a  change  of 
level  from  30  to  40  feet  makes  in  the  appearance  of  such  spits  must 
not  be  forgotten  when  estimating  the  distance. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Catherine  point,  at  8h. 


SDTLEJ  ANCHORAGE — FIRST  NARROWS.  61 

6m.;  springs  rise  30  feet.  In  Lomas  bay  off  Catherine  point  the  tidal 
streams  turn  at  high  and  low  water  by  the  shore. 

Sutlej  anchorage,  about  midway  between  cape  Espiritu  Santo  and 
Catherine  point,  is  good  for  large  vessels.  The  great  advantage  of  this 
anchorage  is  that  there  is  no  lee  shore  with  the  prevailing  wind. 

It  is  not  advisable  to  bring  Catherine  point  to  the  westward  of  N. 
820  W.  (S.  780  W.  mag.)  in  picking  out  a  berth,  as  north  of  that  line 
the  tide  is  so  strong  as  to  cause  a  vessel  to  be  tide-rode  even  in  a  gale, 
and  to  roll  heavily. 

Lomas  bay,  between  Catherine  point  and  cape  Orange  23J  miles  to 
the  westward,  is  a  large  bight  almost  entirely  filled  by  banks  which 
dry  at  low  water. 

The  bay  is  not  recommended  as  an  anchorage  on  account  of  its 
approach  being  rendered  intricate  by  the  surrounding  banks  and  also 
its  distance  from  the  fairway. 

Great  Orange  bank. — From  Catherine  point  a  bank  composed  of 
fine  dark  sand  extends  nearly  3  miles  westward  and  follows  the  trend 
of  the  coast  at  4  to  5  miles  distance  in  the  bay;  thence  curving  with 
the  coast  to  the  NW.  as  far  as  Anegada  point  it  forms  the  Great 
Orange  bank,  the  north  extreme  of  which  terminates  in  a  point  about 
8|  miles  NE.  of  cape  Orange.  Owing  to  the  rapidity  of  the  tidal 
streams  through  the  First  Narrows,  its  northern  edge  from  Anegada 
point  is  abruptly  cut  off  in  line  with  the  south  shore  of  the  Narrows. 

Buoy. — A  red  conical  buoy  with  staff  and  ball  is  moored  on  the  edge 
of  Great  Orange  bank;  too  much  reliance  must  not  be  placed  on  this 
buoy. 

Spiteful  anchorage,  eastward  of  Great  Orange  bank,  will  be  found 
very  secure  in  westerly  and  southwesterly  gales.  The  strength  of  the 
tidal  currents  is  its  only  disadvantage,  though  much  strain  is  taken  off 
the  cable  during  the  flood  current,  with  which  westerly  winds  gen- 
erally freshen.  Here  the  tide  turns  one  and  one-half  hours  after  high 
and  low  water. 

Although  a  vessel  may  approach  cape  Orange  on  a  west  bearing  to 
a  distance  of  8  miles,  the  unevenness  of  the  bottom  and  strength  of 
stream  setting  across  this  line  render  it  unadvisable  to  do  so. 

Cape  Orange,  about  8^  miles  SE.  of  Direction  hills,  terminates  in 
a  sharp  conical  hill  152  feet  high,  and  is  unmistakable.  As  the  cape  is 
approached  a  remarkable  white  patch  of  cliff  will  be  seen  on  its  east 
face. 

Beacon. — A  triangular  pyramid  36  feet  high,  painted  white  and  sur- 
mounted by  two  red  cages,  has  been  erected  on  cape  Orange.  This 
beacon  is  on  the  slope  of  the  hill  marked  152  feet  on  the  charts,  but 
the  data  furnished  states  that  it  is  203  feet  above  the  sea. 

FIRST   NARROWS. 

North  shore. — The  channel  is  10  miles  long,  KE.  and  SW.,  and  2 
miles  wide,  with  cliffy  shores  and  an  average  depth  of  40  fathoms. 


62  MAGELLAN   STRAIT — FIRST  KARB0W6. 

Delgada  point,  on  the  west  side  of  the  nortii  entrance,  has  a  small 

settlement  on  it. 

Anchorage. — ^There  is  a  good  anchorage  in  the  bight  between  Del- 
gada point  and  Malvinas  point,  sheltered  from  prevailing  winds  and 
out  of  the  strength  of  the  tide.  The  bottom  is  stiff  clay.  It  is  at  all 
times  a  safe  berth  for  small  vessels  and  to  be  preferred  to  Possession 
bay. 

Directions. — In  standing  in  for  it,  keep  Malvinas  point  bearing  N. 
70O  W.  (W.  mag.)  and  anchor  when  Delgada  point  bears  S.  37°  W. 
(S.  170  W.  mag.),  600  yards  off  shore.  The  water  shoals  suddenly 
from  30  fathoms  to  3  fathoms,  when  the  vessel  will  be  out  of  the  tide. 
The  houses  serve  as  excellent  landmarks,  both  for  Delgada  point  and 
anchorage,  which  is  directly  in  front  of  them. 

Landing  can  be  effected  on  this  point,  and  at  the  next  point  westward 
there  is  a  hard  sand  bank  suitable  for  beaching  vessels. 

Nunez  head  will  be  recognized  as  a  triangular  cliff. 

Barranca  point  may  be  known  by  its  low  cliffs,  the  only  ones  in  this 
vicinity.  It  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  south  entrance  to  the  First 
Narrows. 

BeacozL — ^A  beacon  has  been  erected  on  the  summit  of  Barranca 
point.  The  beacon  consists  of  iron  framework  33  feet  high,  pyramidal 
in  shape,  and  surmounted  by  a  spherical  cage.  The  lower  part  of  the 
beacon  is  painted  red,  the  cage  white. 

Satellite  patch,  nearly  one  mile  S.  34^  E.  (S.  54^  E.  mag.)  of  Bar- 
ranca point,  is  usually  marked  with  kelp,  but  with  both  the  tide  and 
wind  strong  it  is  run  under  from  half-flood  to  half-ebb  streams.  The 
outer  edge  of  this  patch  is  steep-to,  but  its  inner  edge  joins  Barranca 
point.    There  is  a  least  depth  of  3  feet  on  this  patch  at  low  water. 

Barranca  bank  extends  a  mile  SW.  from  Satellite  patch,  nearly  in 
line  with  the  coast,  and  occupies  the  whole  NE.  part  of  St.  lago  bay. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  the  First  iNTarrows  at 
8h.  57m.,  and  the  strength  of  the  stream  is  from  5  to  8  knots.  There 
is  no  slack  water,  the  stream  changing  three  hours  after  high  and  low 
water. 

South  shore. — From  Anegada  point  the  South  shore  trends  in  a 
southwesterly  direction  7  miles  to  Mendez  point,  102  feet  high,  thence 
more  southerly  3J  miles  to  Baxa  point;  this  shore  affords  no  anchorage 
except  in  the  bight  between  Anegada  point  and  Espora  point  at  3f 
miles  S  W,  of  it,  where  a  small  vessel  may  anchor  out  of  the  strength  of 
the  tide. 

Angle  hill,  124  feet  high,  at  2  miles  south  of  Anegada  point,  is  con- 
spicuous, having  the  same  apparent  elevation  and  conical  appearance 
as  cape  Orange,  only  more  regular  in  outline. 

Baza  pointy  when  bearing  S.  14^  E.  (S.  34°  E.  mag.),  appears  as  an 
extreme  point  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  west  entrance  to  the 
First  Narrows,  and  may  be  known  by  being  the  fourth  clifif  from  the 
southward. 


FIRST  TO   SECOND   KAHBOWS.  63 

Beacon. — A  pyramidal  beacon  (refiige),  52  feet  high,  painted  in  red 
and  white  horizontal  stripes,  and  sormounted  by  a  red  ball,  stands  on 
Baxa  point.  > 

ShoaL — The  steamer  Oulfof  8t  Fmcew<,  drawing  18  feet,  when  edg- 
ing inshore  to  escape  the  strength  of  the  adverse  stream  through  the 
First  !N"arrows,  struck  on  a  rock,  not  shown  on  the  charts,  off  Baxa 
point. 

Gulf  of  San  Vicente  rock,  with  18  feet  of  water  or  less  on  it  and 
deep  water  close  to  the  westward,  lies  approximately  IJ  miles  N.  36°  W, 
(J'^  (N.^o  W.  mag.)  from  Baxa  poind,  between  the  soundingfc  8  and  32 
fathoms  and  outside  of  the  10-fathom  line  shown  on  the  charts. 

Dixon  hill,  232  feet  high,  3^  miles  east  of  Baxa  pointy  can  not  be  seen 
until  it  is  open  south  of  the  point,  unless  from  an  elevation  of  26  or  30 
feet,  when  the  top  of  the  hill  will  be  visible,  over  Baxa  point  bearing 
S.  670  E.  (8. 870  B.  mag.).  Dixon  hill  will  be  seen  in  clear  weather  from 
the  westward  at  a  distance  of  about  20  miles,  and  may  be  known  by 
having  two  mounds  slightly  rounded,  the  southern  being  a  little  higher 
and  darker  and  apparently  only  half  the  breadth  of  the  northern. 

FIRST  TO  SECOND   NARROWS-NORTH   SHORE. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  444.) 

St.  Jago  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  Barranca  point,  affords  anchorage 
in  6  to  11  fathoms,  water.  In  easterly  winds  the  best  anchorage  is  on 
the  west  edge  of  Barranca  bank,  where  the  kelp  forms  a  breakwater. 
Indeed,  the  kelp  is  often  most  serviceable  in  this  respect  in  these  large 
bays,  as  the  water  is  almost  invariably  smooth  in  it  or  under  its  lee. 
During  westerly  winds  the  best  anchorages  are  under  Y alle  point  or  in 
Gregory  bay. 

Standing  westward,  if,  on  passing  Barranca  point  it  is  plain  that 
Gregory  bay  can  not  be  reached,  the  vessel  should  continue  the  mid- 
channel  course  until  2  miles  past  Satellite  patch  with  the  stream  of  the 
ebb  (one  mile  with  the  flood  stream),  and  then  haul  in  for  Gregory 
shoulder.  This  will  lead  between  the  two  banks,  when  the  land  may  be 
closed  if  it  is  desired  to  anchor.  Irregular  changes  in  the  soundings 
must  be  expected,  as  the  bottom  is  very  uneven  all  over  the  bay.  Valle 
point  is  steep,  and  with  the  hills  at  its  back  can  not  easily  be  mistaken. 

Triton  bank,  on  which  the  depth  is  7  feet  at  low  water,  lies  nearly  in 
the  track  midway  between  the  First  and  Second  !N"arrows,  and  is  com- 
posed of  sand,  being  an  exception  to  the  general  rule  of  the  shoalest 
parts,  which  are  almost  invariably  formed  of  shingle.  The  tide  streams 
set  strongly  over  it  and  there  is  usually  a  ripple  near  the  shoalest  spot. 

Bnoy. — The  southern  edge  of  the  bank  is  marked  by  a  black  conical 
buoy  marked  Triton  in  white  letters  and  surmounted  by  a  cage^  it  can 
not  be  relied  upon. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  St.  Jago  bay  at  9h.  27m.  j 
^  springs  rise  20  feet,  neaps  15  feet;  and  on  Triton  bank  at  9h;  springs 

rise  15  feet. 


64  IfAQELIiAN   8TBAIT. 

Tribune  bank,  midway  between  Triton  bank  and  cape  Oregory,  has 
3^  fathoms  on  it,  and  vessels  hauling  in  for  an  anchorage  in  Gregory 
bay  should  keep  the  Gone,  a  hill  135  feet  high,  at  3  miles  south  of  the 
Hummock,  well  open  of  cape  Gregory,  bearing  S.  88°  W.  (8,  68^  W. 
mag.),  till  Gregory  shoulder  bears  F.  G5^  W.  (N.  85^  W.  mag.),  in  order 
to  clear  it.    Here,  as  elsewhere,  allowance  must  be  made  for  the  tide. 

The  banks  Tribune,  Triton,  Barranca,  and  Satellite,  though  treated 
as  separate  banks  for  the  purpose  of  description,  are  more  properly  one 
continuous  ridge,  connected  by  the  10-fathom  line  of  soundings.  The 
rapid  tide  as  it  sweeps  out  of  either  narrows  seems  to  be  divided  here 
by  the  opposite  one,  which  it  forces  backward,  and  as  it  sweeps  into 
the  bays  on  either  hand  it  deposits  its  load  of  sand  and  shingle  on  the 
banks. 

Cape  Gregory,  22  feet  high,  rises  to  a  sandy  hill  of  209  feet  about  a 
mile  to  the  northward. 

Gregory  bay  affords  anchorage  in  12  to  13  fathoms  between  2^  and 
3J  miles  NE.  of  the  cape. 

On  account  of  the  prevalent  gales  it  is  advisable  to  anchor  well  under 
the  north  shore.  If  the  south  shore  of  the  Second  Narrows  is  visible. 
Sweepstakes  foreland,  just  shut  in  by  cape  Gregory,  is  a  good  mark  for 
anchoring.  In  weighing  for  the  westward  with  the  tide,  stand  well  out 
into  the  Narrows  before  keeping  away,  to  avoid  being  swept  round  into 
shoal  water  to  the  southward  and  westward  of  the  cape. 

A  house  on  the  beach,  2J  miles  ST.  15^  E.  (N.  5°  W.  mag.)  from  the 
cape,  is  a  very  good  mark  for  anchoring.  The  U.  S.  S.  Finta,  in  March, 
1884,  found  excellent  holding  ground  in  9  fathoms  of  water  and  well 
sheltered  from  the  prevailing  winds;  the  berth  was  easily  taken  up  at 
night  by  using  the  lights  of  the  house  (cattle  ranch)  as  a  guide,  keep- 
ing them  on  a  bearing  K  81^  W.  (S.  79o  W.  mag.). 

There  are  now  buildings  and  sheep  pens  on  the  shore  back  of  Greg-. 
ory  bay,  and  there  is  also  a  stone  house  under  the  bluff  back  of  cape 
Gregory. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Gregory  bay  at  9h.  30m. ; 
springs  rise  21  feet,  neaps  12  feet.  The  time  of  the  turning  of  the  flood 
stream  here  with  reference  to  the  Second  Narrows  seems  doubtful.  It 
has  been  stated  that  it  turned  two  and  one-quarter  or  three  hours  ear- 
lier at  the  anchorage  than  in  the  Narrows;  though  several  trials  have 
shown  this  to  be  the  case  sometimes,  it  is  not  always  so,  and  it  is  prob- 
able that  the  turning  of  the  stream  depends  on  the  wind  and  the  posi- 
tion in  which  the  ship  is  anchored. 

Appearance  of  the  land. — ^When  abreast  Triton  bank,  Sntlej  hill, 
at  10  miles  west  of  Direction  hills,  will  begin  to  show  out  clear  of  the 
range  at  the  back,  forming  a  good  mark;  in  some  lights  Useful  hill  (176 
feet),  12  miles  west  of  Barranca  point,  one  of  several  peaked  hillocks 
in  this  vicinity,  will  also  be  seen  as  a  small  double  hill  close  to  the  shore 
over  Valle  point,  the  west  entrance  point  of  St.  Jago  bay;  and  in  clear 
weather  Gap  peak  will  be  seen  on  the  south  side  of  the  strait. 


FIRST  TO   SECOND   NARROWS.  65 

Under  ordinary  circumstances  Gregory  range,  westward  of  St.  Jago 
bay,  appears  quite  level,  and  the  ground  seems  to  rise  in  a  regular  slope 
from  the  water's  edge  to  the  top  of  the  ridge  5  but  if  brought  into  relief 
by  light,  or  when  covered  with  snow,  the  whole  face  of  the  range  will 
be  seen  to  be  a  series  of  ridges  and  deep  ravines,  and  a  row  of  small 
hills  will  appear  fringing  the  coast,  between  which  and  the  commence- 
ment of  the  ascent  to  Gregory  range  there  is  a  long  valley. 

Except  in  thick  weather,  before  passing.  Triton  bank,  cape  Gregory 
and  the  Hummock,  260  feet  high,  will  be  seen  on  the  north  shore  appear- 
ing like  islands,  and  a  remarkable  conical  hill,  Sharp,  may  be  seen  on 
the  Fuegian  side,  which  is  a  good  guide  until  St.  Simons  head  comes 
into  view. 

Even  in  thick  weather  the  west  shoulder  of  Gregory  range  will  be 
seen  frequently  through  the  mist.  A  bearing  of  it  will  show  the  prog- 
ress made.  If  the  lead  is  attended  to  and  attention  paid  to  the  courses 
no  danger  need  be  apprehended,  for  if  soundings  are  obtained  less  than 
12  fathoms,  after  hauling  up  for  the  Second  Narrows,  it  is  evident  that 
the  vessel  is  too  far  to  the  northward,  and  should  be  edged  away  a  little. 
Unless  a  vessel  is  a  long  way  out  of  her  course  that  depth  will  not  be 
found  to  the  southward;  moreover,  the  latter  could  hardly  happen, 
owing  to  the  set  of  the  tide  streams. 

FIRST  TO  SECOND  NARROWS— SOUTH  SHORE. 

Philip  bay  comprises  the  whole  of  the  south  shore  between  Baxa 
and  St.  Isidro  points.  In  it  are  several  anchorages,  but  they  are  more 
exposed  to  the  prevailing  winds  than  those  in  St.  Jago  bay.  The  land 
on  the  south  shore  of  Philip  bay  is  low,  with  a  row  of  small  hills  like 
those  on  the  north  side  fringing  the  coast,  behind  which  the  land  grad- 
ually rises  toward  the  range  of  high  ground  which  has  been  said  to 
extend  from  cape  Espiritu  Santo  to  cape  Boqueron,  and  of  which  Gap 
peak,  925  feet  high,  forms  the  only  point  useful  to  the  mariner.  In  some 
lights  the  coast  hills  stand  out  clearly,  but  generally  the  land  appears 
to  slope  from  the  beach  to  the  back  range. 

St  Isidro  pointy  the  south  point  of  the  eastern  entrance  to  the 
Second  Narrows,  is  low  and  sandy  with  a  reef  off  it.  The  shore  flat, 
which  extends  out  about  6  miles  from  the  center  of  Philip  bay,  is  only 
f  mile  from  the  shore  off  St.  Isidro  point,  and  the  water  deepens  sud- 
denly from  12  feet  to  37  fathoms. 

Barnacle  reef/  3  miles  east  of  St.  Isidro  point,  has  on  it  16  feet 
water  and  is  the  only  rocky  ledge  between  the  First  and  Second 
Narrows. 

Anchorages. — In  the  KE.  part  of  Philip  bay  anchorage  sheltered 
from  SE,  winds  may  be  obtained  in  5^  fathoms,  with  Baxa  point  bear- 
ing N".  170  E.  (N.  30  W.  mag.),  distant  3J  miles  5  or  farther  to  the  south- 
ward in  10  fathoms  water,  with  the  point  bearing  K.  23°  E.  (N.  3°  E. 

1943— No.  89 6 


66  MAQELLAK  STRAIT — SECOKD   NABROWS. 

mag.)  and  Black  hill  (104  feet  high)  at  5^  miles  sonth  of  BaxaxHHnt, 
beariDg  S.  84^  E.  (N.  76^  b.  mag.).  When  leaving  this  anchorage  for 
the  westward  with  a  fair  tide  steer  for  Gregory  shonlder  until  well 
out  in  the  fairway,  to  avoid  being  set  down  on  the  foul  ground  at  the 
head  of  the  bay. 

In  the  bight  east  of  St.  Isidro  point  good  anchorage  may  be  obtained, 
well  sheltered  from  southwesterly  winds.  Proceeding  for  this  anchor- 
age, steer  in  with  Double  peak,  a  hill  over  the  8W.  part  of  the  bay, 
bearing  8.  25^  W.  (8.  6o  W.  mag.),  which  will  lead  over  the  tail  of 
Barnacle  reef  in  9  fathoms,  and  when  the  Cone  on  the  north  shore  of 
the  Second  Narrows  bears  N.  67^  W,  (N.  87°  W.  mag.)  a  vessel  may 
anchor  in  14  fathoms,  sand  and  shell.  This  will  be  found  a  convenient 
stopping  place  if  caught  by  the  ebb  stream  too  late  to  cross  to  Gregory 
bay  or  to  reach  Eoyal  road. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Philip  bay  at  9h.  29m.; 
springs  rise  17  feet.  The  west-going  stream  makes  three  hours  before 
high  water  by  the  shore,  and  runs  till  three  hours  after. 

SECOND   NARROWS. 

North  shore. — ^The  Second  iN^arrows  are  about  12  miles  long  8W. 
and  NE.  and  from  4  to  6  miles  wide.  The  north  shore  recedes  between 
cape  Gregory  and  Gracia  point  and  is  bordered  by  a  bank  with  shoal 
water  extending  out  to  the  line  joining  the  cape  and  point.  These 
shoals  consist  of  a  sand  bank  that  dries  at  low  water,  with  its  east  end 
IJ  miles  W.  by  8.  of  the  cape,  while  5J  miles  WSW.  of  the  cai)e  is 
Halfway  shoal,  a  mile  in  length,  with  S^  fathoms  on  it.  Susannah 
cove,  inside  these  shoals,  is  only  fit  for  boats.  At  Gracia  point  the 
bank  extends  off  J  mile,  with  6  feet  over  it,  and  is  steepto. 

Tides. — It  is^igh  water,  full  and  change,  at  Gracia  point  at  lOh.  17m. ; 
springs  rise  8  feet,  neaps  7  feet. 

South  shore. — The  south  shore  is  higher  than  the  Patagonian  and  is 
straight  and  steep-to.  Prom  San  Isidro  point  the  shore  of  the  Second 
Narrows  trends  in  westerly  direction  6  miles  to  St.  Simon  head,  226 
feet  high,  thence  curving  gradually  to  the  southward  for  5J  miles  to 
cape  St.  Vincent,  184  feet  high,  the  SW.  entrance  point  of  the  Second 
Narrows. 

SECOND  NARROWS  TO  CAPE  PORPESSE— PATAGONIAN  SHORE. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  445.) 

Oaz7  harbor,  IJ  miles  westward  of  Gracia  point,  has  a  narrow 
entrance  and  a  space  within  for  anchorage  J  mile  in  extent.  All  the 
rest  is  dry,  or  nearly  so,  at  low  water. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Oazy  harbor  at  lOh,  18m.  j 
springs  rise  7  feet,  neaps  6  feet. 

TArhitsand  bay,  adjoining  Oazy  harbor,  affords  anchorage  in  2  to  4 
fathoms,  well  sheltered  from  westerly  winds. 


PECKET  HABBOR — ELIZABETH  ISLAND.  67 

Pecket  hnrbor  is  5  miles  westward  of  Oazy  harbor,  and  tHoagh  tliiB 
anchorage  groxmd  is  confined,  a  steamer,  with  care,  may  pass  in  and 
out.  With  westerly  winds  a  disagreeable  sea  gets  up  quickly  in  this 
harbor,  and  makes  it  dangerous  for  boats.  The  distance  between  the 
two  points  forming  the  apparent  entrance  is  1^  miles,  but  between  Perno 
point  on  the  north  side  and  Plaid  island  at  one  mile  within  the 
entrance  the  whole  space  is  shoal,  upon  the  greater  part  of  which  the 
sea  breaks  in  a  moderate  breeze,  while  the  navigable  channel  between 
Plaid  island  and  Puno  point  (a  sand  spit  steep-to)  on  the  south  is  only 
about  200  yards  wide. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  the  harbor  9h.  30m. ; 
springs  rise  7  feet,  neaps  6  feet. 

The  tide  loses  some  of  its  force  on  entering  the  harbor,  in  which, 
though  the  flood  tide  is  strong^  the  ebb  is  not  much  felt. 

Royal  road  is  between  Elizabeth  island  and  the  main.  essels  may 
anchor  in  security  out  of  the  strength  of  the  currents  in  any  part  of 
the  roads,  although  the  berth  off  the  north  end  of  Elizabeth  island  is 
preferable. 

The  Middle  ground,  with  2^  fathoms  least  water,  lies  nearly  mid- 
way between  Pecket  harbor  and  Elizabeth  island.  The  north  extreme 
of  Elizabeth  island,  in  line  with  the  south  side  of  Santa  Marta  island, 
leads  southward  of  the  Middle  ground. 

A  vessel  of  moderate  size  may  pass  eastward  of  the  Middle  ground, 
keeping  along  the  west  side  of  Elizabeth  island  at  i  mile  distant  until 
cape  Thorax  bears  about  S.  52°  E.  (8.  72°  E.  mag.)  and  the  passage  is 
well  open,  when  steer  for  cape  Porpesse,  to  avoid  being  set  into  the 
shallow  water  off  Shoal  haven.  Laredo  bay  is  preferable  to  the 
anchorage  north  off  cape  Porpesse  in  SE.  winds. 

When  the  wind  and  current  are  opposed  to  each  other  a  dangerous 
race  ensues  for  boats  in  Pelican  passage  between  Thorax  cape  and  the 
mainland. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Eoyal  road  at  9h.  47m,  j 
springs  rise  8  feet. 

Elizabeth  island  is  8  miles  WE.  and  SW.,  with  an  average  breadth 
of  2  miles,  and  is  composed  of  ranges  of  hills  extending  in  ridges  nearly 
in  the  direction  of  its  length.  The  highest  elevation  is  178  feet  near 
the  south  end  of  the  island.  A  bank  with  4  fathoms  least  water  and  16 
to  20  fathoms  close-to,  extends  in  a  southeasterly  direction  one  mile 
from  Tern  point,  the  SB,  extreme  of  the  island. 

Anchorage. — If  unable  to  make  Laredo  bay  or  Sandy  point,  good 
anchorage  will  be  found  in  7  fathoms  of  water  off  the  northern  end  of 
the  island.  When  using  this  anchorage  allowance  must  be  made  for 
the  set  of  the  currents,  especially  after  dark.  Should  Elizabeth  island 
seem  very  close  without  soundings  the  vessel  is  sure  to  be  too  far  to 
the  eastward,  and  must  edge  away  to  the  westward  until  a  proper  depth 
is  found. 


68  MAGELLAN  STRAIT. 

The  anchorage  on  the  east  shore  of  the  island  is  abreast  of  a  remark- 
able gap  between  Sylvester  and  Alfred  points,  bottom  of  coarse  sand 
and  shell,  in  8  to  10  fathoms. 

Santa  Marta  island. — ^Marta  bank,  with  2  to  9  fathoms  water,  and 
15  to  26  fathoms  close  aronnd,  lies  3^  miles  sonth  of  Second  Narrows, 
and  1^  miles  east  of  Sylvester  point.  It  is  5^  miles  long,  north  and 
south,  with  an  average  breadth  of  abont  i  mile.  In  the  middle  of  this 
bank  stands  Santa  Marta  island,  rising  in  perpendicular  cliffs  96  feet 
above  the  sea,  flat  topped,  and  sloping  slightly  to  the  eastward.  A  reef, 
which  dries,  extends  ^  niUe  from  it  in  a  northeasterly  direction.  As 
the  east-going  stream  sets  strongly  across  this  bank,  it  is  recommended 
to  keep  well  on  the  Elizabeth  island  shore  in  passing. 

Marta  Bank  buoy. — ^A  conical  red  buoy,  surmounted  by  a  staff  and 
white  ball,  is  moored  in  6  fathoms,  eastward  of  a  2-fathom  patch  named 
Baja  Marta,  near  the  NE,  extreme  of  Marta  bank.  The  position  of  the 
buoy  is  unreliable. 

Santa  Magdalena  island  has  four  or  Ave  small  hills  by  which  it  can 
not  fail  to  be  recognized,  especially  when  coming  from  the  westward, 
the  highest  of  which,  at  the  SW.  end,  rises  136  feet  perpendicularly 
from  the  water.  The  10-fathom  line  extends  nearly  1 J  miles  north  and 
south,  and  2  miles  east  of  this  island,  and  should  not  be  closed  inside 
this  line  by  passing  vessels.  Kelp  and  tide  ripplings  mark  the  edge  of 
deep  water  on  the  !NE.,  and  sometimes  these  may  be  seen  to  the  SW. 

Shoals. — ^A  sunken  danger  lies  about  one  mile  from  the  KW.  side  of 
Santa  Magdalena  island.  The  German  steamship  Setos  is  reported  to 
have  struck  on  this  shoal,  which,  from  bearings  taken  at  the  time,  but 
of  objects  that  leave  a  considerable  doubt  as  to  the  exact  position,  lies 
with  the  S  W.  extreme  of  Santa  Magdalena  island,  bearing  S.  15°  W. 
(S.  50  E.  mag.)  approximate,  distant  about  1^  miles.  The  danger  is 
probably  of*  small  extent,  as  immediately  after  striking  (the  vessel 
heeling  over)  soundings  of  9J  fathoms  were  obtained. 

A  shoal  of  3  fathoms  lies  with  the  SW.  point  of  the  island  bearing 
S.  30  W.  (S.  170  E.  mag.),  distant  1,100  yards;  a  shoal  of  4i  fathoms 
lies  with  the  same  point,-  bearing  S.  31^  E.  (S.  51°  E.  mag.),  distant  1,200 
yards;  and  a  shoal  of  3 J  fathoms  with  the  NE.  point  of  the  island  bear- 
ing K.  530  W.  (K  730  W.  mag.),  distant  IJ  mUes. 

Wreck. — The  wreck  of  the  steamer  Atlantique  lies  sunk  in  a  posi- 
tion with  Santa  Magdalena  island  north  extreme  bearing  K.  72°  W. 
(S.  8S^  W.  mag.),  distant  1,133  yards,  and  Santa  Marta  island  summit 
K  140  W.  (N.  340  W.  mag.). 

Caution. — The  tide  does  not  run  fairly  through  the  channel  between 
Santa  Magdalena  and  Santa  Marta  islands,  and  as  rocky  heads  may 
exist  on. the  banks  surrounding  both  the  islands  bordering  it,  on  which 
much  kelp  at  times  grows,  it  should  never  be  used  at  night. 

Walker  shoal,  with  3J  to  9  fathoms  over  it  and  from  20  to  37  fath- 
oms around,  lies  between  Santa  Magdalena  and  Elizabeth  islands.    It 


SECOND  NARROWS  TO  MAGDALEN  SOUND.         69 

is  aboat  4  miles  KB.  and  SW.,  and  from  ^  to  1  mile  wide.  The  north- 
ern and  broadest  part  of  this  shoal  is  separated  by  a  narrow  chan- 
nel, with  depths  of  13  to  17  fathoms,  from  a  smaller  shoal  If  miles  long 
and  J  mile  wide,  which  lies  parallel  to  Walker  shoal,  and  on  which  the 
depth  is  from  4f  to  9  fathoms. 

The  stream  runs  from  3  to  5  knots  between  Walker  shoal  and  Santa 
Magdalena  island. 

Buoy. — ^A  conical  buoy,  painted  red,  with  the  word  Walker  on  it  in 
white  letters,  surmounted  by  a  staff  and  globe,  painted  white,  has  been 
placed  on  the  southwestern  part  of  Walker  shoal.  The  position  of  the 
buoy  is  unreliable. 

ShoaL — About  2J  miles  off  cape  Negro,  and  SW.  of  Walker  shoal, 
the  U.  S.  revenue  cutter  Grant  encountered  an  extensive  kelp  patch 
not  shown  on  the  charts.  The  commander  of  the  Chilean  gunboat 
Condor  stated  that  he  sounded  over  this  patch  and  found  8  to  10  feet 
of  water.  Thib  shoal  lies  in  a  position  very  dangerous  to  vessels  using 
the  Queen  channel,  or  running  out  from  the  anchorage  in  Laredo  bay. 

Channels. — For  the  channels  in  and  around  those  islands  and  shoals, 
and  the  directions  for  them,  see  page  49 

SECOND  NABBOWS  TO  MAGDALEN  SOUND — TIEBBA  DEL  FUEGO 

SHOBE. 

(H.O.  Chart  No.  445.) 

Lee  bay. — On  the  south  side  of  cape  St.  Vincent  the  land  recedes 
and  forms  a  deep  bight  named  Lee  bay.  The  bay  is  9  miles  wide 
between  cape  St.  Vincent  and  the  south  entrance  point  but  Xew  bank, 
with  7  feet  least  water,  extends  from  cape  St  Vincent  half  way  across 
the  entrance. 

Anchorage  in  the  bay  is  not  recommended. 

GKente  Grande  bay  is  shoal  and  unfit  to  enter,  and  the  shore  around 
it  is  low  and  dangerous.  Gente  point,  about  5  miles  south  of  the  bay, 
and  the  land  near  it,  is  also  low,  and  the  strong  tide  setting  along  shore 
is  an  additional  reason  for  avoiding  the  vicinity  of  this  point. 

Quartermaster  island,  68  feet  high,  lies  across  the  entrance  to  Gente 
Grande  bay.  A  long  spit  dries  upward  of  a  mile  from  the  NE.  end. 
The  south  end  of  the  island  is  composed  of  sand  covered  with  grass, 
eastward  of  which  anchorage  may  be  had  in  5  to  7  fathoms,  with  the 
extremes  of  the  island  bearing  about  K.  17o  W.  (N.  37°  W.  mag.)  and 
S.  710  W.  (S.  610  W.  mag.). 

Coast. — ^The  coast  from  Gente  point  trends  south  21  miles  to  cape 
Monmouth,  thence  southeasterly  10  miles  to  cape  Boqueron,  a  precipi- 
tous headland,  forming  the  abrupt  termination  of  the  high  land  extend- 
ing across  the  country  from  cape  Espiritu  Santo.  The  shoulder  of  this 
range  over  the  cape  forms  a  most  conspicuous  mark  from  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Sandy  point. 


70  MAGELLAN   STRAIT — ADinRALITT   SOUKD. 

There  are  no  oatlying  dangers  along  this  part  of  the  coast^  and  the 
water  shoals  gradually  to  the  shore. 

Forvenir  bay,  2  miles  north  of  cape  Monmoath,  is  avaUable  for  small 
craft.  With  the  assistance  of  a  pilot,  or  by  buoying  the  channel,  a 
vessel  drawing  13  feet  could  enter  at  high  water,  otherwise  the  chan- 
nel should  not  be  attempted.  The  entrance  is  1,200  yards  wide,  with 
2  to  3^  fathoms,  but  i  mile  farther  in  the  width  considerably  decreases, 
and  there  is  only  0  feet  water. 

After  a  sharp  turn  to  the  northward  round  a  sandy  point  the  Nar- 
rows are  reached  between  the  north  shore  and  a  long  sand  spit  project- 
ing from  the  opi>osite  side,  leaving  a  passage  100  yards  wide,  with  4 
:fatboms  in  the  center. 

Inside  it  opens  out  to  a  basin  2  miles  long  and  i  mile  wide,  but  a 
great  part  of  it  is  shallow,  and  banks  obstruct  the  deeper  portions. 
The  Sylvia  anchored  in  4  fathoms  just  outside  the  entrance  on  a  stiff- 
clay  bottom.    The  tide  runs  very  strong  in  the  entrance. 

Porvenir  bay  is  the  headquarters  of  the  gold  diggers  working  the 
hills  behind  it;  a  small  Chilean  military  establishment  is  maintained 
here.  There  is  communication  between  this  settlement  and  Punta 
Arenas  by  a  small  steamer. 

nselesB  bay,  to  the  eastward  of  cape  Boqueron,  is  more  than  30 
miles  deep,  from  12  to  20  wide,  and  entirely  exposed  to  the  SW.  The 
northern  shore  affords  no  shelter,  but  on  the  southern  side  there  is  an 
indentation  of  the  coast  line  under  the  hill  named  Nose  peak,  which 
may  possibly  afford  a  sheltered  anchorage. 

Admiralty  sonnd,  at  23  miles  south  of  Useless  bay,  extends  43 
miles  to  the  eastward  into  the  island  of  Tierra  d^l  Fuego.  It  is  9  miles 
wide  at  the  entrance,  and  gradually  diminishes  to  3  miles.  On  its 
north  side  the  shore  is  straight,  but  the  south  side  has  three  deep 
inlets,  named  Brookes,  Ainsworth,  and  Parry  harbors.  The  sound 
terminates  in  a  bay,  affording  anchorage  in  10  to  15  fathoms,  but  is 
much  exposed  to  NW.  winds,  which,  from  the  funnel  shape  of  the 
sound,  probably  blow  with  great  strength.  On  the  north  side  of  the 
bay  is  mount  Hope,  a  lofty,  detached  mass  of  rock,  but  to  the  south- 
ward of  it  lies  a  considerable  tract  of  low  land,  over  which  the  view  is 
unobstructed  for  a  considerable  distance,  being  bounded  only  by  a 
distant  mountain  in  an  easterly  direction. 

Port  Cook,  on  the  south  shore  of  the  sound,  just  within  the  entrance, 
is  convenient  and  useful.  It  is  sheltered  by  an  island,  high  and 
wooded;  the  anchorage  is  off  the  rivulet  on  the  west  side,  in  9  fathoms. 
Brookes  harbor  south  of  port  Cook  is  spacious,  but  not  good;  the 
water  is  deep,  and  the  anchorages,  being  in  coves,  are  not  easy  of 
access.  Ainsworth  harbor,  12  miles  east  of  Brookes  harbor,  has  anchor- 
age at  its  head  on  the  west  side.  The  mountains  at  the  back  of  the 
harbor  are  capped  by  an  enormous  glacier  that  descends  into  the  sea. 
Parry  harbor,  10  miles  east  of  Ainsworth  harbor,  is  abopt  5  miles  deep 


DAWSON  ISLAND — PORT  VALDEZ.  71 

and  3  miles  wide;  at  the  entrance  on  the  west  side  there  are  two 
coves,  either  of  which  offers  a  convenient  stopping  place  for  a  small 
vessel. 

Dawson  island  is  45  miles  long  north  and  south  and  18  miles  across 
the  broadest  part.  Cape  Valentyn,  its  northern  extremity,  is  low,  with 
a  small  hammock  near  the  extremity,  and  becomes  visible  from  the 
fairway  of  the  strait  when  between  Freshwater  bay  and  port  Famine. 
A  bank  with  3  and  4  fathoms  marked  by  kelp  extends  from  the  east 
extreme  of  the  cape  in  a  northwesterly  direction  for  2  miles.  The  tides 
rush  over  the  bank,  forming,  in  a  contrary  wind,  races  probably  at 
times  dangerous  to  boats.    The  bank  has  only  been  partially  examined. 

Preservation  cove. — Stabenrauch  point  is  10  miles  SW.  of  cape 
Valentyn,  and  south  of  the  point  is  Preservation  cove,  small,  and  with 
an  islet  off  its  south  point  affording  protection  for  landing  in  most 
states  of  the  weather  if  the  wind  be  not  west  of  north. 

St  Peter  and  St  Paul  rocks  lie  1^  miles  SW.  by  W.  from  Stu- 
benrauch  point.  They  are  about  10  feet  above  high  water,  and  when 
joined  at  low  water  are  400  yards  in  extent.  The  ground  between  these 
rocks  and  Stubenrauch  point  and  from  the  latter  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  is  foul. 

Lomas  bay,  5  miles  south  of  Preservation  cove,  is  a  deep  bight, 
bottom  of  stiff,  blue  clay,  suflBciently  sheltered  from  SW.,  but  quite 
exposed  to  NW.  and  westerly  windi^,  which  during  the  winter  are  the 
most  prevalent. 

Port  San  Antonio. — From  the  south-entrance  x)oint  of  Lomas  bay 
the  shore  trends  westerly  3  .miles  to  Joachim  point,  and  at  3|  miles 
south  of  this  point  lies  port  San  Antonio,  which  has  the  appearance  of 
being  well  sheltered,  but  during  a  fortnight  that  the  Adventure  was 
there,  so  much  inconvenience  was  experienced,  and  even  risk,  from  the 
violence  of  the  squalls  that  they  were  obliged  to  secure  the  ship  with 
three  anchors.  Some  diflftculty  was  also  found  in  leaving  the  port  on 
account  of  the  baffling  winds,  as  well  as  the  narrowness  of  the  channel 
(North  passage). 

The  port  formed  by  the  channel  between  Dawson  island  and  the  two 
adjacent  islands  of  North  and  San  Juan  is  scarcely  i  mile  across,  and 
in  it,  particularly  at  the  north  end,  are  several  islets.  From  the  west 
end  of  North  island  a  reef  extends  i  mile,  and  to  the  southward  there 
are  two  small  islets,  which  may  be  passed  on  either  side.  North  island 
is  separated  from  San  Juan  island  by  a  narrow  and  impassable  strait. 

As  there  are  so  many  better  anchorages  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the 
strait,  this  port  should  not  be  resorted  to  unless  in  great  necessity. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  port  San  Antonio  at 
12h. ;  springs  rise  from  6  to  8  feet. 

Port  Valdez,  at  2  miles  south  of  port  San  Antonio,  is  a  deep  inlet 
extending  in  a  SB.  direction,  but  is  not  at  all  inviting  to  enter.  From 
the  appearance  of  the  hills,  which  on  both  sides  of  this  port  rise  to  an 


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MAGDALEN  SOUND — LABYRINTH  ISLANDS.  73 

these  mountains  the  summit  of  the  range  is  occupied  by  an  extensive 
glacier,  the  constant  melting  of  which  feeds  innumerable  cascades 
which  pour  large  bodies  of  water  down  the  rocky  precipices  overhang- 
ing  the  south  shore  of  the  channel. 

Magdalen  sound  is  the  next  opening  west  of  Gabriel  channel. 
Approaching  from  the  northward  it  appears  to  be  a  continuation  of 
the  strait,  and  it  is  not  until  after  passing  cape  San  Isidrothat  Froward 
reach  opens  out.  Magdalen  sound  extends  in  a  southerly  direction  for 
20  miles  and  is  bounded  on  either  side  by  high  and  precipitous  hills, 
particularly  on  the  western  or  Clarence  island  shore.  Anxious  point, 
the  eastern  entrance  point  of  the  sound,  is  a  low,  narrow  tongue  of  land, 
with  an  island  off  it.  Abreast  this  point,  on  Clarence  island,  there  is 
a  steep  mountain,  called  the  Vernal  (or  summerhouse)  from  a  remark- 
able lump  of  rock  upon  its  summit. 

Hope  harbor,  on  the  south  side  of  mount  Yernal,  is  a  convenient 
stopping  place  for  small  vessels  passing  through  Magdalen  sound. 
The  entrance  is  narrow,  with  kelp  across  it,  indicating  a  rocky  bed, 
but  not  less  than  7  fathoms  were  found  on  it.  Inside  it  opens  into 
a  spacious  basin,  with  anchorage  in  4  fathoms,  sheltered  from  all  winds 
excepting  the  squalls  off  high  land,  which  must  blow  with  furious 
violence  during  a  southwesterly  gale. 

Stokes  inlet,  at  2^  miles  southward  of  Hope  harbor,  has  at  its 
entrance  the  three  Rees  islets.  The  inlet  extends  3  miles  in  a  southerly 
direction,  with  deep  water;  there  is  a  cove  on  its  north  side,  but  neither 
as  good  nor  accessible  as  Hope  harbor. 

Mount  Boqueron,  the  extremity  of  which  is  Squally  point,  the  east 
entrance  point  of  Stokes  inlet,  is  a  very  precipitous  mountain,  about, 
3,000  feet  high,  having  on  its  summit  three  small  but  remarkably  con- 
spicuous peaks.  The  squalls  that  blow  down  the  sides  of  this  moun- 
tain during  a  SW.  gale  are  most  furious,  and  dangerous  unless  little 
sail  be  carried. 

The  sound  here  is  not  more  than  2^  miles  wide.  On  the  opposite 
shore,  within  Anxious  point,  an  inlet  extends  to  the  SB.  for  2  or  3  miles 
but  it  is  narrow  and  unimportant. 

ShoU  bay  is  a  small  bight,  5  miles  southward  of  Squally  point. 
There  is  a  reef  off  it  which  is  marked  by  kelp,  and  a  rock  close  to 
Ariadne  point,  the  south  entrance  point  of  the  bay. 

At  2  miles  south  of  Ariadne  point  there  is  a  rocky  islet  lying  nearly 
in  the  middle  of  the  sound. 

Lab3arinth  islands,  consisting  of  two  large  and  several  small 
islands,  lie  in  the  entrance  of  a  bay  about  3  miles  south  of  Sholl  bay. 
Drew  harbor  at  the  head  of  the  bay  is  protected  by  the  Labyrinth 
islands,  and  has  depths  of  10  to  12  fathoms.  North  entrance,  with 
13  fathoms  water,  lies  between  the  northernmost  of  the  group  and  a 
projecting  point  of  Clarence  island.  South  entrance,  with  8  to  12 
fathoms  water,  lies  between  Jane  island,  the  southernmost  of  the  group, 


74  HAQELLAN  STRAIT. 

and  the  soath  side  of  the  bay.  Small  vessels  may  find  good  anchorage 
among  these  islands. 

Transitioii  bay,  the  next  opening  sonth  of  Iiab3rTinth  islands,  is 
deep,  but  of  little  importance.  At  cape  Tarn,  4  miles  farther  south, 
the  channel  narrows  to  2  miles,  and  the  shore  tarns  snddenly  to  the 
westward  into  Oockburn  channel. 

Keats  Bound,  on  the  opposite  shore,  extends  to  the  eastward  for  6 
or  8  miles,  and  is  between  4  and  5  miles  wide.  Southward  of  Keats 
sound,  there  are  no  objects  worth  noticing,  excepting  mount  Sannieuto, 
already  described,  and  Pyramid  hill,  2,500  feet  high. 

BROAD     AND     FAMINE     REACH— CAPE     PORPESSE     TO     CAPE 

FROWARD. 

Laredo  bay. — From  cape  Porpesse  the  shore  trends  in  a  southerly 
direction  f  mile  to  cape  l^egro,  on  the  south  side  of  which  lies  Laredo 
bay,  the  easternmost  anchorage  in  the  strait,  where  wood  can  be 
obtained.  This  bay  affords  a  secure  anchorage  when  there  is  any  west- 
ing in  the  wind;  and  with  easterly  winds,  which  are  uncommon,  and 
seldom  blow  with  violence,  no  danger  need  be  apprehended  if  the 
ground. tackling  be  good,  as  the  depth  of  water  is  7  fathoms,  and  the 
bottom  sand  and  mud. 

When  entering,  keep  well  over  to  the  north  shore,  as  there  is  a  ledge 
of  rocks  off  the  southern  point;  but  cape  Porpesse  should  not  be  passed 
too  closely,  as  shoal  ground  extends  off  f  mile  in  an  easterly  direction. 
There  is  a  15-foot  patch  in  the  center  of  the  bay.  Gape  St.  Vincent, 
seen  open  of  the  east  extreme  of  Santa  Marta,  bearing  N.  51°  B.  (K 
31^  E.  mag.),  leads  outside  the  5-fathom  line  of  soundings.  The  best 
anchorage  is  in  the  NW.  part  of  the  bay,  with  Hawk  cliff  (which  will 
appear  as  the  eastern  extreme  of  Elizabeth  island)  just  open  of  cape 
Negro.  No  tide  of  any  consequence  will  be  found  inside  Laredo  bay. 
Between  cape  Negro  and  Quarter  Master  island  on  the  opposite  shore 
may  be  called  the  western  limit  of  strong  tides  in  Magellan  strait. 

Caution. — In  leaving  the  bay  a  vessel  should  be  careful  to  avoid  the 
8-foot  shoal  marked  by  kelp  and  reported  as  lying  about  2  J  miles  S.  76^ 
E.  (N.  840  E.  mag.)  fix)m  cape  Negro. 

Tide& — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Laredo  bay  at  llh.; 
springs  rise  7  feet  When  to  the  southward  of  Laredo  bay  the  tidal 
streams  are  scarcely  felt;  but  to  the  northward  they  are  strong,  and 
must  be  carefully  guarded  against  during  the  night  or  in  light  winds. 
A  vessel  in  mid-channel  between  Laredo  bay  and  Gente  Grande  bay 
on  the  eastern  shore  would  be  set  by  the  ebb  tide,  if  the  wind  failed, 
directly  among  the  dangers  surrounding  Santa  Magdalena  island. 

Catalina  bay,  about  8  miles  south  of  Laredo  bay,  has  no  good 
anchorage.  Just  north  of  it  there  is  a  conspicuous  white  clay  patch  in 
the  cliff,  which  is  an  excellent  mark  for  determining  a  vessel's  position. 
In  some  lights  this  patch  looks  like  a  ship  under  sail  when  to  the 
northward  of  it. 


SANDY  POINT  ROAD — TIDES.  75 

Sandy  Point  road. — Sandy  point,  the  south  extreme  of  Gatalina 
bay,  is  a  low  projection  covered  with  grass,  with  a  few  trees  on  its  inner 
part,  and  extends  more  than  a  mile  from  the  general  direction  of  the 
coast.  To  the  northward  and  northeastward  the  water  is  deep  close-to, 
but  to  the  southeast  less  than  3  fathoms  will  be  found  a  mile  from  the 
point. 

Beacon. — A  pyramidal-shaped  beacon  (refuge)  52  feet  high,  painted 
in  red  and  white  bands  and  surmounted  by  a  red  ball,  stands  on  Sandy 
point. 

Bnoy& — ^A  red  conical  buoy  with  staff  is  moored  in  4  fathoms  on 
the  eastern  edge  of  the  shoal  extending  from  Sandy  point.  Its  position 
is  unreliable. 

A  mooring  buoy  for  the  use  of  the  Chilean  station  ship  is  moored  in 
Sandy  Point  road  SSE.  of  the  lighthouse. 

Funta  Arenas  or  Sandy  point,  2^  miles  SSW.  of  Sandy  point,  is  a 
Chilean  settlement 5  population  in  1894  about  4,000.  It  is  built  on  the 
summit  of  a  bank  35  feet  high.  A  river  runs  past  the  settlement  on 
the  north  side  charged  with  sand  from  the  hills,  down  which  it  runs 
with  great  force  in  the  rainy  season. 

Off  the  Biver  point,  at  the  mouth  of  this  river,  shoals  extend  east- 
ward for  a  mile. 

The  place  is  healthy  at  all  seasons;  no  epidemic  diseases.  There  is 
a  captain  of  the  port  and  a  health  oficer,  but  no  method  of  enforcing 
any  regulations.  The  port  is  free;  no  regular  pilots,  but  sometimes 
they  may  be  obtained  for  the  lateral  channels. 

Supplies. — Ships'  stores  of  all  description,  live  stock,  fresh  meat, 
,and  vegetables  can  be  obtained;  also  wood  and  fresh  water.  Pish  may 
be  taken  with  the  seine  at  the  commencement  of  flood  tide  on  the  sand 
beach  near  Eiver  point. 

CoaL — Cardiff  coal  can  be  obtained  from  the  hulk,  where  1,200  tons 
are  usually  kept  in  stock.  Vessels  may  go  alongside  the  hulk  in 
safety,  but  should  not  drop  an  anchor.  From  150  to  180  tons  can  be 
put  aboard  per  day;  otherwise  coaling  is  slow,  and  done  by  lighters 
towed  by  a  vessel's  own  boats.  Price  in  1895  about  $16  per  ton.  The 
hulk  is  moored  over  the  wreck  of  the  Doterelj  which  has  6  fathoms 
over  it. 

Communications. — The  P.  S.  N.  C.  steamers  call  four  times  a 
month — twice  from  England  and  twice  from  Valparaiso.  The  Kosmos 
Line  call  regularly.    A  small  steamer'communicates  with  Porvenir  bay. 

Observation  spot. — The  observation  spot  is  at  the  old  boathouse, 
and,  according  to  the  latest  determination,  is  in  latitude  53o  10'  S.  and 
longitude  70°  54'  (6"  .24)  W. 

Light. — A  fixed  white  light,  26  feet  above  the  sea  level  and  visible 
10  mile§f,  is  shown  from  a  framework  on  end  of  pier. 

The  coal  hulk  shows  two  red  lights  at  night  when  vessels  arrive. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Sg-ndy  Point  road  at 
12h. ;  springs  rise  5  feet,  neaps  4  feet. 


76  KAGELLAN  STBAIT. 

Anchorage. — The  anchorage  is  good  and  well  sheltered  from  the 
prevalent  westerly  and  southwesterly  winds.  Easterly  or  southeasterly 
gales  rarely  blow  home  to  make  it  unsafe. 

Directions. — A  vessel  making  for  the  anchorage  in  Sandy  Point 
road  should  not  close  the  land  until  the  lighthouse  bears  N.  70<^  W. 
(West,  mag.),  when  it  may  be  steered  for  on  that  bearing  and  anchor  in 
5  to  8  fathoms,  water.  A  large  vessel  should  anchor  in  10  fathoms 
upon  the  same  bearing.  Anchorage  may  also  be  obtained  in  5  to  6 
fathoms  farther  south  with  the  lighthouse  bearing  N.  23^  W.  (N.  43^ 
W.  mag.).  Vessels  should  give  Sandy  point  a  wide  berth,  and  not 
depend  upon  the  red  buoy  as  marking  the  clearance  of  the  bank. 

Landing. — As  soon  as  the  wind  has  any  easting  in  it  a  surf  sets  in 
on  the  beach,  and  unless  at  the  pier,  landing  will  frequently  be  found 
difficult  or  impossible  in  the  winter  months  when  it  is  perfectly  fine  in 
the  channel.  When  it  is  too  rough  for  boats  to  land  a  black  disk  is 
hoisted  on  a  pole  near  the  lighthouse. 

Fresh'water  bay. — Punta  Santa  Maria,  13  miles  southward  of  Sandy 
point,  is  the  north  entrance  point  of  Agna  Fresca  or  Freshwater  bay, 
and  may  be  known  by  the  land  suddenly  trending  into  the  bay.  It 
has  also  a  high  bank  close  to  the  beach,  with  two  patches  bare  of  trees. 
All  the  points  to  the  northward  are  low  and  thickly  wooded.  As  the 
bay  opens,  the  bluff  point  at  its  southern  extremity  becomes  visible. 
There  is  also  a  remarkable  round  hill  (Center  mount),  990  feet  high,  a 
short  distance  westward  of  the  bay,  and  a  valley  southward  of  it, 
through  which  a  small  river  runs  into  the  sea.  This  bay  (theBahia  de 
Eomay  of  the  Spaniards)  is  now  an  offstation  of  the  Chilean  settle- 
ment at  Sandy  point.  There  were  62  inhabitants,  chiefly  Swiss,  in  1878, 
forming  a  small  settlement,  the  houses  being  visible  from  the  sea. 
There  is  also  a  Chilean  military  post. 

Anchorages. — Between  Sandy  point  and  Punta  Santa  Maria  good 
anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  10  and  12  fathoms,  sand  and  shell  over 
clay,  f  mile  from  the  shore.  At  the  edge  of  the  kelp  which  fronts  the 
shore  there  are  depths  of  5  and  6  fathoms,  so  that  with  the  wind  off- 
shore a  vessel  may  anchor  close  to  the  coast  by  keeping  outside  of  the 
kelp.  The  holding  ground  in  Freshwater  bay  is  good,  but  with  Sandy 
point  and  port  Famine  so  near  it  is  not  likely  to  be  required. 

Supplies. — Vegetables  can  be  readily  procured  from  the  settlers 
between  the  months  of  November  and  April;  beef  can  always  be 
obtained.  Wood  is  plentiful  and  good  for  steaming  purposes.  Good 
water  can  be  obtained  from  the  rivulets. 

Directions. — Rounding  into  Freshwater  bay  from  the  northward, 
keep  from  f  to  ^  mile  from  the  coast  in  10  or  12  fathoms,  and  having 
passed  Punta  Santa  Maria,  steer  toward  the  bluff'  southern  point  of  the 
bay  until  the  south  beach  under  Center  mount  bears  N.  48°  W^.  (N.  68^ 
W.  mag.),  when  the  vessel  will  be  clear  of  the  kelp.  The  north  side  of 
the  bay  is  foul  round  the  edge  of  the  kelp,  and  should  not  be  approached 


PUNTA   CABRERAS — ^PORT  FAMINE.  77 

into  a  less  depth  than  6  or  7  fathoms.  Steer  in  with  Center  mount  on 
the  above  bearing,  or  a  little  southward  of  it,  and  anchor  in  9  to  10 
fathoms,  sandy  mud  over  clay,  with  the  extremity  of  Punta  Santa 
Maria  bearing  K.  12°  E.  (S.  8^  W.  mag.),  Center  mount  (south  pitch) 
N.  870  W.  (S.  730  W.  mag.),  and  the  entrance  to  the  river  S.  64°  W. 
(S.  340  W.  mag.).  A  good  berth  may  be  obtained  much  nearer  the 
shore  in  6  fathoms,  toward  which  the  depth  gradually  decreases. 

Punta  Carreras. — South  of  Freshwater  bay  the  coast  is  bold  (though 
a  small  vessel  may  anchor  outside  the  kelp),  and  trends  in  a  southerly 
direction  11  miles  to  Punta  Carreras,  which  is  low,  but  may  be  recog- 
nized by  a  sawmill  upon  it.  Georgia  reef,  extending  one  mile  SE.  by 
S.  from  Punta  Carreras,  dries  for  a  considerable  distance  at  low  water, 
and  is  marked  by  kelp  to  its  extremity.  Cape  San  Isidro,  seen  open 
eastward  of  Santa  Anna  point,  and  bearing  S.  17^  W.  (S.  3°  E.  mag.), 
leads  eastward  of  Georgia  reef. 

Carreras  bay,  between  Georgia  reef  on  the  north  and  Askew  point, 
a  conspicuous  bluff,  on  the  south  side  of  the  bay,  affords  a  confined 
though  good  anchorage  in  14  fathoms,  muddy  sand,  off  the  center  of 
the  sandy  beach  at  the  head,  taking  care  to  "let  go"  immediately  that 
depth  is  obtained,  with  the  large  house  bearing  N.  81°  W.  (S.  79°  W. 
mag.).  Nearer  to  the  inshore  end  of  Georgia  reef  the  bottom  is  shelv- 
ing, and  a  vessel  would  tail  very  close  with  a  SE.  wind.  In  1884  there 
was  a  sawmill  here,  and  it  is  a  convenient  place  to  load  timber,  as  the 
beach  is  very  steep,  and,  excepting  with  easterly  winds,  no  swell 
fetches  on  to  it.  As  a  stopping  place  it  is  not  to  be  compared  with 
Port  Famine. 

Askew  point,  bearing  S.  54°  W.  (S.  34^  W.  mag.),  will  lead  in  clear  of 
Georgia  reef. 

Santa  Anna  point,  2  miles  south  of  Carreras  bay,  has  a  large  clump 
of  trees  on  its  extreme  end,  and  will  be  distinguished  soon  after  leaving 
Sandy  point.  Mount  San  Felipe,  3  miles  westward  of  Santa  Anna  point, 
is  1,455  feet  high. 

Arauco  patch,  with  5  fathoms  over  it,  is  450  yards  S.  42°  E.  (S.  62° 
E.  mag.)  irom  the  extreme  of  Santa  Anna  point. 

Tidal  streams. — All  along  this  coast  the  strength  of  the  stream  is 
not  great,  but  frequeutly,  with  a  southerly  wind,  there  is  in  the  offing 
a  set  to  the  northward  quite  independent  of  the  stream.  In  winter 
the  tides  occasionally  rise  high  and  overflow  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  land  immediately  behind  the  beach. 

Port  Famine  affords  good  anchorage  on  the  south  side  of  Santa 
Anna  point.  Landing  can  almost  always  be  effected  (except  in  easterly 
gales)  on  one  side  or  the  other  of  the  port.  The  Sedger  river  flows 
into  the  south  part  of  the  port,  and  is  fronted  by  a  bar  which  dries  at 
low  water,  but  can  be  entered  by  boats  at  half  tide.  The  water  is  fresh 
at  J  mile  above  the  entrance.    Drift  timber  of  large  size  is  plentiful. 

Supplies. — ^The  fishing  is  variable,  depending  not  only  on  the  state 


7S  MAOELLAK  STRAIT. 

of  the  tide,  but  also  on  the  direction  of  tbe  wind.  Usaally  it  is  a  very 
good  place  for  hauling  the  seine,  and  the  smelt  are  abuudant  and  fine. 
Ducks  and  geese,  with  occasional  snipe  and  plover,  will  idso  be  found. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fiQl  and  change,  at  port  Famine  at  noon; 
springs  rise  6  feet,  the  ebb  setting  to  the  northward  and  the  flood  to 
southward;  the  range  is  irregular,  depending  upon  the  prevalence  of 
the  wind,  northeasterly  and  easterly  winds  causing  high  tides,  while 
winds  from  the  opposite  directions  have  a  contrary  efitot. 

I>ireotloxl& — In  standing  in  give  Santa  Anna  point  a  berth  of  at 
least  800  yards;  but  if  under  sail  only,  and  the  wind  is  scant,  give  it  a 
good  wide  berth  on  account  of  the  eddy  current  wjiich  sometimes  sets 
toward  it.  Steer  in  toward  the  head  of  the  bay  for  the  summit  of 
mount  San  Felipe,  keeping  it  on  over  the  rivulet,  which  will  be  known 
by  a  small  break  in  the  trees  on  the  WW.  end  of  the  clear  bank  on  the 
south  side  of  the  bay.  The  bank  is  conspicuous,  being  clear  of  trees 
and  covered  with  grass.  Keep  on  this  course  until  the  mouth  of  the 
Sedger  river  is  open,  taking  care  not  to  shut  in  the  points  of  its 
entrance,  anchoring  in  from  9  to  7  fathoms  as  convenient. 

At  night  under  steam  a  vessel  will  be  able  to  feel  her  way  to  an  anchor- 
age after  passing  Santa  Anna  point,  by  steering  K.  35^  W.  (K.  55^ 
W.  mag.),  straight  up  the  middle  of  the  port,  anchoring  as  soon  as  14 
or  15  fathoms  is  obtained.  In  summer  the  best  berth  is  toward  the 
west  side  iu  9  fathoms,  and  in  winter  in  the  center  of  the  bay.  The 
strongest  winds  here,  as  well  as  elsewhere  in  the  strait,  are  from  NW. 
to  S W. ;  it  blows  hard  sometimes  from  the  south,  and  occasionally  a 
fresh  gale  out  of  the  valley  to  the  southward  of  mount  San  Felipe. 
Unless  the  vessel  be  very  large  or  a  long  stay  be  meditated,  single 
anchor  is  quite  sufficient,  or  moor  with  a  kedge  to  the  SE.  The  ground, 
though  best  in  the  middle,  is  good  all  over  the  port,  being  stiff,  tenacious 
clay,  in  some  places  overlaid  by  sand. 

Voces  bay,  immediately  to  the  southward  of  port  Famine,  has 
anchorage  in  7  to  10  fathoms  off  Second  river,  but  the  shelter  is  not  so 
good  as  in  port  Famine,  and  it  would  only  be  used  when  several  vessels 
were  in  company.  Second  river,  which  has  a  shoal  entrance,  comes 
from  some  distance  up  the  valley.  Between  Voces  bay  and  Tree  point, 
at  6  miles  further  south,  the  water  is  too  deep  for  anchorage,  even  close 
to  the  beach.  At  1 J  miles  south  of  Tree  point,  on  the  ITE.  side  of  cape 
San  Isidro,  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  9  to  10  fathoms,  which  might 
be  useful  to  a  vessel  of  small  power,  unable  to  make  headway  against 
the  violent  squalls  which  sometimes  come  around  the  cape;  or  for  any 
vessel  running  into  a  fog,  which  sometimes,  though  rarely,  is  experi- 
enced in  this  locality. 

A  small  colony,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  timber,  was  established 
in  Voces  bay  in  1882. 

Light. — On  the  shore  of  Voces  bay  from  a  window  in  a  house  is 
shown  a  light  visible  one  mile. 


CAPE   SA]^  I&IDRO-^BOtrCHAGE  BAY.  79 

Cape  San  Isidro  has  a  low,  but  conspicuous,  rounded  hillock  at  its 
extremity,  covered  with  trees,  and  forms  the  termination  of  a  ridge, 
the  summit  of  which  is  mount  Tarn,  the  most  conspicuous  mountain 
near  that  part  of  the  strait  on  the  west  side.  A  rocky  patch,  covered 
with  kelp,  extends  400  yards  off  the  cape,  with  a  rock  awash  at  high 
water  at  its  outer  end. 

From  cape  San  Isidro  the  coast  trends  8  W.  about  7  miles  to  Glascott 
point,  and  in  the  stretch  are  several  small  bays  in  which  a  vessel  might 
find  anchorage. 

Wreck. — ^A  wreck  of  an  iron  vessel,  with  one  mast  standing  and  one 
inclined,  lies  close  to  cape  San  Isidro,  and  was  seen  a  long  distance. 
The  wreck  will  probably  mark  the  cape  for  many  years. 

Mount  Tarn. — From  abreast  of  Elizabeth  island  mount  Tarn,  50 
miles  to  the  southward,  is  readily  distinguished,  whence  it  appears  to 
be  the  most  projecting  part  of  the  continental  shore.  When  viewed 
from  the  northward  its  shape  is  peaked,  and  during  the  summer  it  has 
generally  some  patches  of  snow  a  little  below  its  summit,  but  in  the 
winter  months  its  sides  are  covered  with  snow  for  two-thirds  down. 
From  abreast  and  to  the  southward  of  port  Famine  it  appears  saddle- 
shaped^  its  summit  is  really  a  sharp  ridge  extending  nearly  a  mile 
NW.  and  SE.,  with  a  precipitous  descent  on  the  NE.  and  a  steep  slope 
on  the  SW.  sides.  The  highest  part,  near  its  NE.  end,  is  2,685  feet 
above  the  sea. 

Eagle  bay,  south  of  cape  San  Isidro,  is  f  mile  dfeep  and  affords 
anchorage  at  its  head,  but  it  is  only  useful  for  small  vessels,  steadied 
by  warps  to  the  shore.  The  williwaws  at  times  are  violent.  A  small 
reef  extends  200  yards  from  the  SW.  point  of  the  bay,  and  on  it  is  an 
islet.  Two  streams  empty  into  the  bay,  but  the  water  can  not  be 
preserved  long. 

Grun  bay,  next  to  Eagle  bay,  only  affords  anchorage  for  ar  single 
vessel  near  the  shore  at  its  S W.  part  in  8  to  9  fathoms,  stiff  clay.  Two 
rivulets  empty  into  the  bay,  from  which  water  can  be  easily  procured 
A  round  hill  of  moderate  elevation  separates  it  from  Indian  bay. 

Indian  bay. — From  the  south  entrance  point  of  Gun  bay  the  shore 
trends  in  a  westerly  direction  about  one  mile  to  Indian  bay,  and  then 
curves  round  toward  an  islet  covered  with  trees,  between  which  and 
the  shore  there  is  only  a  boat  passage.  A  rock  about  12  feet  high  lies 
to  the  SE.  of  the  islet,  and  either  north  or  south  of  it  anchorge  may 
be  obtained  in  7  to  9  fathoms  good  holding  ground,  sufficiently  sheltered 
from  the  prevailing  winds. 

The  north  side  of  Indian  bay  is  shoal,  caused  probably  by  the 
alluvial  deposit  from  the  stream  nearly  in  the  center.  A  patch  of  kelp 
projects  400  yards  from  the  SE.  point,  but  has  9  fathoms  over  its 
middle. 

Bonchage  bay,  next  south,  is  smalt  and  the  water  deep,  except  near 
the  head,  where  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  8  fathoms,  day. 


80  ICAGELLAN  STRAIT. 

Cape  Remarqnable,  which  has  a  precipitous  round-topped  bluff 
projection,  wooded  to  the  summit,  separates  Bonchage  from  Bournand 
bay. 

Bournand  bay  is  somewhat  better  sheltered  than  its  neighbor  from 
the  southerly  winds  by  Nassau  island;  the  anchorage  is  at  the  SW. 
end  of  the  stony  beach,  off  the  rivulet,  in  8  fathoms  of  water,  stiff  mud. 

Bougainville  bay,  known  as  Jack  harbor  by  the  sealers,  forms  a 
snug  basin,  in  which  a  vessel  might  careen  with  perfect  safety.  From 
its  small  size,  great  depth  of  water,  and  eijual  height  of  land  it  is  rather 
difficult  of  access,  but  a  vessel  may  anchor  in  12  fathoms  and  steady 
herself  by  warps  to  the  trees  along  the  sides  of  the  cove.  It  is  com- 
pletely sheltered  from  all  winds. 

Nassau  island  is  covered  with  trees.  Unless  close  to  the  shore,  the 
channel  between  it  and  the  mainland  can  not  be  seen,  but  the  island 
may  be  recognized  by  its  terminating  in  a  x>oint  of  needle-shax>ed  rocks. 
When  rounding  cape  San  Isidro,  San  Brigida  point,  60  feet  high,  at 
the  south  extremity  of  the  island,  will  appear  as  a  small  island.  There 
is  little  or  no  advantage  to  be  gained  by  going  through  Nassau  channel 
between  the  island  and  the  mainland,  as  it  is  so  very  narrow  and  the 
currents  very  irregular. 

San  Nicolas  bay  is  the  best  anchorage  between  cape  Ban  Isidro  and 
cape  Froward  both  from  its  dei)th  of  water,  extent  of  anchorage  ground, 
and  its  being  more  easily  entered  and  quitted.  It  is  well  sheltered 
from  winds  between  north  and  SW.  A  large  vessel  standing  to  the 
westward  will  do  well  to  stop  here  unless  sure  of  reaching  Fortescue 
bay  before  dark. 

Nearly  in  the  center  of  the  bay  is  Sanchez  island,  small,  and  covered 
with  trees,  between  which  and  the  shore  there  is  a  passage  of  7  fath- 
oms. The  shore  is  fronted  for  its  whole  length  by  a  shoal  bank,  which 
much  reduces  the  apparent  extent  of  the  bay.  This  bank  extends  ^ 
mile  from  shore,  its  edge  is  steep-to,  and  is  generally  distinguished  by 
a  ripple,  which,  with  a  moderate  breeze,  breaks  at  half  tide.  This  is 
not  a  good  place  for  procuring  water. 

The  best  anchorage  for  a  large  vessel  is  about  midway  between 
Glascott  point  and  Sanchez,  with  a  bottom  of  mud  or  clay.  Small  ves- 
sels may  stand  farther  in  to  9  fathoms,  clay  bottom.  This  berth  is 
sheltered  from  all  westerly  winds.  Vessels  standing  in  under  sail  are 
recommended  to  keep  plenty  of  sail  on,  in  order  to  shoot  into  a  good 
berth,  on  account  of  the  high  land  of  Nodales  peak,  which  becalms,  and 
to  avoid  the  drift  of  the  river  current,  which  sets  over  to  the  eastern 
side  of  the  bay.  It  is  not  probable  that  the  river  current  would  affect 
a  vessel  when  between  the  islet  and  the  point. 

In  selecting  an  anchorage,  care  is  necessary  not  to  run  in  too  far  and 
fall  upon  the  bank;  but  unless  the  SW.  side  of  the  bay  is  hugged 
closely,  and  as  long  as  the  outer  extreme  of  Sanchez  island  is  not 
brought  to  the  eastward  of  E.  by  N.,  a  vessel  will  be  safe. 


GLASCOTT   POINT — SNUG   BAY.  81 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  San  Nicolas  bay  at 
60m. ;  springs  rise  6  feet. 

Glascott  point,  the  southern  boundary  of  San  Nicolas  bay,  is  the 
extreme  of  a  high  range  of  hills  extending  back  for  some  distance.  On 
its  summit  are  several  sharp  points,  Nodales  peak  being  the  most  con- 
spicuous. From  Glascott  point  the  coast  trends  in  a  southwesterly 
direction  nearly  straight  to  cape  Froward,  a  distance  of  7  miles,  the 
laud  at  the  back  continuing  mountainous  and  woody.  Punta  Sampaio, 
formed  by  a  beach  of  shingle,  covered  with  trees  to  within  20  yards  of 
the  water's  edge,  and  distant  nearly  3  miles  from  cape  Froward,  is  the 
only  projection.  Between  this  point  and  the  entrance  of  a  rivulet, 
which  waters  the  only  valley  in  this  space,  there  is  an  anchorage  i  mile 
from  the  shore  in  11  fathoms,  which  might  be  occupied  during  a  westerly 
wind;  but  with  the  wind  more  southerly  it  would  be  too  much  exposed 
to  be  safe. 

Cape  Froward  is  the  southern  extremity  of  the  continent  of  South 
America,  and  lies  nearly  in  the  middle  of  Magellan  strait;  it  rises 
abruptly  1,200  feet  above  the  sea.  The  hill  which  rises  immediately 
above  the  cape  was  called  by  Sarmiento  the  Morro  de  San  Aguedo. 
Mount  Victoria,  immediately  behind,  is  2,910  feet  high. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  cape  Froward  at  Ih. 

FROWARD  AND  ENGLISH  REACHES— CAPE  FROWARD  TO  JEROME 

CHANNEL. 


west  of  cape  Froward.    See  page  53. 

Anchorges,  remarks  on.    See  page  55. 

Snug  bay,  5  miles  west  of  cape  Froward,  is  an  excellent  berth, 
although  the  anchorage  is  quite  open.  The  water  from  the  Rio  D'Oro 
has  deposited  a  large  bank  of  even,  muddy  bottom,  which  forms  a  good 
holding  ground.  The  lead  will  only  bring  up  broken  shell.  There  is 
plenty  of  room  and  no  williwaws. 

The  best  berth  is  in  8  fathoms,  about  400  yards  ea^t  of  Lambert  islet. 
There  is  room  for  several  vessels  to  the  northVard  and  eastward  of  this 
berth,  with  equally  good  holding  ground.  The  islet  is  a  good  guide  for 
anchoring.  The  outer  edge  of  the  anchorage  bank  is  steep-to.  The 
easterly  tide  current  is  quite  strong  at  the  anchorage,  with  S  W.  winds, 

"Wreck. — The  3-fathom  shoal  about  800  yards  northwestward  from 
Lambert  island  is  marked  by  the  wreck  of  an  iron  steamer. 

Tides.— It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Snug  bay  at  40m.; 
springs  rise  8  feet. 

Coast — ^The  coast  from  Snug  bay  to  Woods  bay  is  straight  and 
steep-to.  A  low-powered  steamer  will  often  be  able  to  creep  along 
inshore  at  a  distance  of  about  i  mile,  where  she  will  find  some  shelter 
and  less  current  than  further  out,  when  the  wind  is  straight  down  the 
reach. 

1943— No.  89 6 


82  MAOELLAK  STRAIT. 

Cape  Holland  is  bold  and  high,  and  although  projecting  but  diglitly 
it  is  a  conspicuoas  headland  (darker  than  any  land  in  the  vicinity),  as 
it  is  formed  by  an  isolated  ridge  1,125  feet  high,  parallel  to  the  strait, 
and  presenting  precipitous  cliffs  with  steps  thickly  cov^^  with  trees 
to  seaward,  while  inland  it  slopes  away  to  lowlands.  There  is  no 
point  to  localize  this  cape,  the  cliffs  beiug  abont  4  miles  long  and  the 
shore  nearly  straight.  It  is  steep-to,  and  the  tidal  currents  strong  off 
it.  When  the  wind  is  ail  north  of  the  line  of  the  reach  there  is  less 
current  within  J  mile  of  it  than  farther  off. 

Woods  bay,  8  miles  west  of  Snug  bay,  and  protected  Arom  ttie  pt^ 
vailing  winds  by  the  high  land  of  cape  Holland,  is  a  convenient  stop- 
ping place.  Small  vessels  may  enter  the  cove  at  the  head  of  the  bay 
by  skirting  round  the  edge  of  the  kelp  that  extends  about  200  jrm^s 
off  the  east  extreme  of  the  cape,  but  care  must  be  tak^i  to  avoid  the 
Esk  rock,  on  which  the  depth  is  only  4  feet  water.  The  best  anchor- 
age for  large  vessels  is  in  8  to  10  or  11  fathoms,  with  the  cape  beaaring 
K  690  W.  (West,  mag.),  distant  600  to  1,000  yards. 

If  proceeding  to  the  inner  anchorage,  steer  for  the  gap  or  lowland 
behind  the  cape,  and  as  the  south  point  is  neared  keep  a  hillock  with  a 
conspicuous  clump  of  trees  on  it,  at  the  inner  end  of  the  bay,  hi  line 
with  a  remarkable  peak,  1  or  2  miles  behind,  bearing  N.  24^  W.  (N. 
450  W.  mag.),  and  anchor  in  17  or  18  fathoms.  The  bank  on  the  FE. 
side  of  the  cove  shoals  suddenly,  and  must  be  avoided.  When  the 
stream  is  running  to  the  eastward,  a  long  vessel  might  find  some  diffi- 
culty in  backing  out  clear  of  Boxer  spit  on  the  north  side  of  the  eove. 

San  Josef  river  empties  itself  into  Woods  bay  and  is  clear  &>r  2 
miles  within  the  entrance,  beyond  which  it  was  not  explored.  It  was 
then  about  30  yards  wide,  running  between  banks  abont  16  feet  high, 
in  thick  forest,  and  is  doubtless  blocked  by  snags  a  little  beyond  this 
point. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Woods  bay,  at  34m.; 
springs  rise  8  feet. 

Cordes  bay. — ^From  Woods  bay  the  shore  trends  in  a  westerly 
direction  12  miles  to  Gordes  bay.  In  fine  weather  an  anchor  may  be 
dropped  in  Andrews  bay  on  the  west  side  of  cape  Holland  or  near 
cape  Coventry,  about  4  miles  farther  west,  but  there  is  no  shelter  from 
the  prevailing  winds.  Oordes  bay  may  be  known  by  Mussel  island,  a 
small,  bright  green  island  on  the  east  side  of  the  eatraBce,  and  sdso  by 
mount  Three  Peaks,  detached  from  the  surrounding  Mils  at  the  head 
of  the  bay;  the  westernmost  and  highest  of  these  i^eaks  is  8,700  feet» 
The  entrance  between  West  point  and  Mussel  island  is  nearly  4*  mile 
wide  between  the  reefs;  from  it  the  bay  continues  a  mile,  but  is  vmeh 
contracted  by  shoals  covered  with  kelp.  The  bay  has  not  been 
thoroughly  examined.  Temporary  anchorage  in  7  fathoms  may  be  bad 
at  the  entrance,  with  Mussel  island  bearing  N.  56°  E,  (N.  34°  E.  oaa#.) 
and  West  point  N.  47°  W.  (N.  68°  W.  mag.). 


PORT  SAK  MIGUEL— PASSAGE  POINT.  83 

t'ort  San  Iffiguel  is  a  large  lagoon  opening  from  the  head  of  Oordes 
bay,  running  in  a  KB.  direction  about  2  miled,  and  about  §  mile  wide. 
The  entrance  to  the  lagoon  is  not  safe  for  vessek  drawing  more  than 
6  feet. 

Fortedcud  bay  id  one  of  the  best  anchorages  in  the  whole  length  of 
the  strait.  It  is  spacious,  well  sheltered,  easy  of  access,  and  of  mod- 
erate depth*  It  is  not  advisable  to  anchor  too  close  to  the  west  side, 
where  the  williwaws  are  more  uncertain  in  their  direction^  The  holding 
ground  also  is  not  so  good  as  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  bay. 

Beacoxi. — A  beacon  33  feet  high,  consisting  of  iron  frame  work 
pyramidal  in  shape  and  surmounted  by  a  ball^  all  painted  white,  stands 
a  little  inside  of  Southwest  point. 

Port  Gkdlatit,  the  inner  harbor,  forms  a  snug  little  port,  perfectly 
sheltered  and  with  excellent  anchorage  in  from  3  to  3^  fathoms^  bottom 
of  mud.  There  are  Only  2J  fathoms  in  the  channel  at  low  water,  but 
before  entering  the  depth  ought  to  be  verified  by  soundings  from  a  boat% 
The  banks  on  the  western  side  off  the  east  shore  of  Wigwam  island  are 
but  imperfectly  known. 

CautioiL-^Standing  in  for  Fortescue  bay  give  cape  Gallant  a  good 
berth,  as  the  western  tidal  stream^  during  springs,  sets  strongly  toward 
the  cape,  and  the  same  care  is  necessary  when  rounding  Peterel  point 
if  bound  to  the  eastward,  for  the  east^n  stream  sets  directly  toward 
and  around  it. 

!lHdeSk — It  is  high  water,  fcQl  and  change,  at  port  Gallant,  at  34m.  ^ 
springs  rise  8  feet.  Id  this  part  of  the  strait,  as  the  channel  becomes 
narrowed  by  the  islands,  the  tides  are  more  felt  and  run  as  much  as  3 
miles  an  hour.  It  is  reported  that  close  in  shore  the  stream  runs  con- 
trary  to  that  in  mid-channel. 

Ckarlea  lullands,  between  Fortescue  bay  and  Barbara  channel, 
consist  of  three  principal  and  some  smaller  islands. 

Opposite  to  cape  Gallant,  and  on  the  eastern  island  of  this  groUp, 
near  its  FW.  end,  there  is  a  conspicuous  white  rock  named  Wallis  Mark. 

Bay  ai  the  Three  Pasaea. — This  bay  is  formed  by  the  three  great- 
est of  the  Charles  islands,  and  may  be  Used  for  shelter  in  a  contingency^ 
There  is  a  shoal  of  2  fathoms  off  Jacquinot  point  in  mid-channel  of  the 
Northern  {^ass,  and  there  is  a  depth  of  about  32  fathoms  in  the  center 
of  the  bay.  Vessels  enter  by  the  Korth  or  West  pass^  the  Southeast 
pass  being  too  narrow. 

Wren  island,  the  southeastern  of  the  ^oup,  is  a  small  rocky  islet 
risiiig  abruptly  in  two  pes&s.  Near  it  to  the  SE.  are  the  Oanoas,  two 
single  rocks  above  water.  The  next  islands  to  the  westward  in  succes- 
sion are  Monmouth  and  James  islands,  with  Bupert  rocks  and  island. 
At  I  ^lle  SW«  of  Wren  island  is  a  sunken  rock. 

Passage  point,  the  east  entrance  point  to  EUzabeth  bay,  is  8  miles 
westward  of  cape  Gallant.  The  12-foot  shoal  off  this  point  is  well 
marked  by  kelp. 


84  MAGELLAN  STRAIT. 

A  rock  with  a  depth  of  2J  fathoms  over  it  lies  with  Passage  point 
bearing  N.  29o  W.  (N.  50o  W.  mag.)  distant  about  400  yards,  at  the  tail 
of  the  kelp  as  charted.  At  slack  water  the  kelp  attached  to  the  rock 
is  visible. 

Elizabeth  bay  has  a  fair  anchorage  about  i  mile  from  the  eastern 
beach,  in  from  13  to  16  fathoms,  sandy  bottom.  In  easterly  winds  it  is 
a  very  good  anchorage,  but  it  is  open  to  the  prevailing  winds,  which, 
however,  do  not  throw  in  much  of  a  sea.  There  is  a  remarkable  bare 
patch  on  a  hill  over  the  anchorage,  which,  when  coming  from  the  west- 
ward, shows  conspicuously,  and  should  not  be  brought  to  bear  eastward 
of  N.  890  E.  (N.  680  E.  mag.),  the  line  which  clears  the  rocky  ridge 
extending  off  from  a  low  x>oint  ^  mile  west  of  the  anchorage. 

The  tidal  streams  are  not  strong  in  the  eastern  part  of  this  bay,  but 
they  develop  quite  a  strength  in  the  western  part,  where  there  is  an 
indifferent  anchorage  in  14  or  15  fathoms  near  the  edge  of  the  kelp, 
about  260  yards  from  the  beach. 

Caution. — It  is  reported  that  Passage  point  extends  with  submerged 
isolated  pinnacle  rocks  farther  to  the  southward,  in  the  channel  of  the 
reach,  than  shown  on  the  chart.  Therefore,  in  passing  this  locality 
vessels  should  give  the  point  a  good  berth. 

Tork  road.  5  miles  west  of  Elizabeth  bay,  is  off  the  mouth  of  the 
Batchelor  river.  As  the  tides  set  strongly  through  both  Crooked  reach 
and  Jerome  channel,  a  vessel  lying  here  in  light  winds  will  be  sheared 
about  most  uncomfortably,  and  in  strong  winds  it  is  subject  to  violent 
gusts  down  both  these  channels  also;  but  for  these  objections  there 
would  seem  to  be  a  fair  anchorage  in  10  or  12  fathoms,  sand  and  mud, 
with  Batchelor  river  seen  weU  open.  When  anchoring  or  leaving  the 
roads  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  the  river's  mouth  well  ox>en  until  at 
least  i  mile  off  shore  from  the  west  point  of  the  bay,  as  very  shoal 
water  extends  a  considerable  distance  from  the  point.  With  Elizabeth, 
Tilly,  and  Borja  bays  so  near,  York  road  is  not  recommended. 

A  rock  awash,  marked  by  kelp,  lies  about  200  yards  from  the  eastern 
shore  of  York  road,  with  Little  Bonet  island  on  the  south  shore  of  the 
strait  bearing  S.  72°  W.  (S.  51°  W.  mag.)  and  Batchelor  river  entrance 
K  lOo  W.  (N.  310  W.  mag.). 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  York  road  at  2h.; 
springs  rise  9  feet.  The  set  and  change  of  the  stream  in  this  part  of 
the  strait  are  uncertain  on  account  of  the  meeting  of  the  waters  of 
Jerome  channel  with  those  of  the  strait  through  English  and  Crooked 
reaches,  which  occasions  many  ripplings.  The  streams  run  about  3^ 
knots  an  hour.  There  is  an  eddy  all  along  the  north  shore  of  the  strait 
in  this  part. 

Jerome  channel— For  description  of  this  channel,  Otway  and  Sky- 
ring  waters,  see  page  112. 

Anson  rock,  a  dangerous  pinnacle,  on  which  the  depth  is  18  feet, 
with  deep  water  close-to,  lies  well  out  in  the  strait  abput  4  miles  west 


CARLOS  III  ISLAND— PORT  BEAUBASIN.  85 

of  York  road  in  the  bend  north  of  cape  Crosstide.  It  is  small  in  extent, 
and  is  marked  by  kelp,  which  shows  only  at  slack  water,  as  it  is  run 
under  by  the  tide. 

The  south  extreme  of  Borja  island,  in  line  with  the  nick  in  cape  Quod 
bearing  N.  83o  W.  (S.  76o  W.  mag.),  leads  south  of  Anson  rock. 

Carlos  III  island,  separated  from  Ulloa  peninsula  by  David  sound 
and  joined  to  Rupert  island  by  a  reef  called  Lucky  Ledge,  is  high  and 
covered  with  trees.  The  cove  to  the  northward  of  Whale  point,  the 
southeastern  extremity,  has  an  anchorage  in  15  fathoms,  but  the  hold- 
ing ground  is  very  bad. 

Mussel  bay,  on  the  KE.  shore  of  the  island,  is  of  considerable  size 
and  well  sheltered,  but  the  bottom  is  uneven  and  stony  and  the  water 
deep.  Dessant  rocks,  with  one  fathom  over  them,  lie  about  600  yards 
off  the  eastern  point 

Bonet  islands,  the  highest  of  which  is  136  feet  above  the  sea,  lies  2^ 
miles  westward  of  Mussel  bay  off  the  north  shore  of  Carlos  III  island. 
A  shoal  of  4  fathoms  lies  about  400  yards  west  of  the  larger  Bonet 
island. 

The  neighborhood  of  Bonet  islands  is  not  adapted  for  anchorage,  as 
there  is  no  shelter  and  the  water  very  deep,  added  to  which  the  tidal 
streams  between  the  islets  are  very  strong. 

Tilly  bay,  one  mile  east  of  cape  Crosstide,  is  very  conveniently 
placed  for  a  vessel  unable  to  stem  the  strong  currents  and  violent 
squalls  which  often  come  with  great  force  through  Crooked  reach  and 
sweep  around  the  cape.  It  is  the  first  opening  east  of  the  cape.  A 
moderate-sized  vessel  must  anchor  in  the  middle  of  the  bay  or  a  little 
farther  in,  where  18  to  20  fathoms,  bottom  of  mud,  will  be  found.  When 
entering  this  bay  great  care  must  be  paid  to  the  helm,  as  the  currents 
set  strongly  across  the  entrance.  In  this  bay,  as  in  many  others  of  the 
western  anchorages  of  the  strait,  there  seem  to  be  points  of  rocks 
projecting  up  through  the  mud. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Tilly  bay  at  Ih.  30m.; 
springs  rise  6  feet.  The  description  of  the  north  shore  of  the  strait  is 
continued  on  page  100. 

SOUTHERN    SHORE— MAGDALEN    SOUND   TO   CAPE   PILLAR. 

(H.O.  Chart  No.  445.) 

Clarence  island,  on  the  south  side  of  Froward  reach,  extends  from 
Magdalen  sound  to  the  Barbara  channel  j  and  the  whole  length  of  its 
northern  coast  is  indented  by  sounds  stretching  deeply  into  the  island. 

Port  Beaubasin,  at  the  western  side  of  entrance  of  Magdalen  sound, 
is  sufficiently  pointed  out  by  the  small  rocky  islet  called  Periagua,  and 
by  mount  Vernal.  The  outer  part  of  the  port  decreases  in  breadth 
gradually  to  the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  which  is  formed  by  two  project- 
ing points,  a  short  distance  apart,  and  is  very  shoal,  the  deepest  water 
being  only  2J  fathoms.    Inside,  in  the  basin,  there  are  5  fathoms.    It  is 


S6  MAGELLAN  8T9A11V— MOUNT  FONIX 

a  vory  snug  plaee  when  onoe  in,  but  iioesesaes  no  advantageyOiiioeitii 
on  the  wrong  side  of  the  strait  for  vessels  bound  to  the  westward,  as  the 
northerly  wind,  which  would  be  favorable  to  proceed,  would  preyent  a 
Teasel  sailing  out. 

Inman  bay,  Hawkins  bay,  Staples  inlet,  and  port  Shell  are  all  deep 
inlets,  surrounded  by  high  precipitous  land. 

Lyell  aonnd  penetrates  9  miles  into  Olarence  island  to  the  westward 
of  Greenough  peninsular,  and  is  separated  from  port  ShoU  by  a  ridge 
of  hills  only  1^  miles  wide.  In  the  entrance  of  the  sound  are  two  con- 
spicQOus  islands,  though  one  of  them  is  very  small,  called  the  Dos 
Hermanos,  Kempe  harbor,  1^  miles  within  the  entrance  of  the  sound, 
on  the  western  side,  is  rather  difficult  of  access,  but  perfectly  secure. 
Stokes  creeks  on  the  same  side  and  more  to  the  southward,  also  offers 
good  anchorage,  but,  from  its  being  out  of  the  way,  ean  be  of  no  utility. 

Masaredo  hmj  and  Oaacade  harbor  are  of  less  size,  and  therefore 
more  attainable,  but  of  the  same  character  with  Lyell  sound,  vis,  deep 
water  surrounded  by  high  land.  The  latter  is  known  by  a  cascade  from 
which  it  derives  its  name. 

Hidden  harbor,  at  1^  miles  westward  of  Cascade  harbor,  has  a 
narrow  entrance,  but  if  required  offers  a  good  shelter.  It  is  not  safe  for 
vessels  drawing  over  10  feet.  Just  before  opening  into  the  harbor  a 
ridge  of  rocks  dries  nearly  across  at  low  water,  leaving  to  the  north 
a  passage  70  yards  wide,  thick  with  kelp^  and  with  2|  fathoms  as 
deepest  water  in  the  center. 

San  Pedro  sound  extends  in  a  southerly  direction  for  nearly  13  miles, 
and  has  two  inlets  branching  off  into  the  land  to  the  westward,  and  to 
the  eastward  a  channel  with  a  depth  of  6  fathoms  in  the  Narrows,  join- 
ing the  sound,  with  Dyneley  bay.  There  is  a  small  anchorage  on  its 
western  side,  1^  miles  within  the  entrance,  called  Murray  cove,  and 
another  close  to  it,  which  is  even  more  sheltered. 

Murray  cove  is  not  fit  for  vessels  more  than  120  feet  long.  It  is 
deep  to  the  head,  where  there  is  anchorage  in  16  fathoms,  but  a  large 
kelp  patch  contracts  the  swinging  room. 

Fresh'water  cove,  at  4  miles  westward  of  San  Pedro  Sound,  is  a 
confined  and  indifferent  place. 

Bradley  Cove,  on  the  western  side  of  Bell  bay,  is  a  very  convenient 
anchorage.  It  bears  WSW.  from  Taylor  pcnnt,  the  entrance  point  on  the 
east  side  of  the  bay,  and  will  be  known  by  a  small,  green,  round  hillock 
that  forms  its  north  head.  The  anchorage  is  in  17  fathoms,  and  the 
vessel  may  be  hauled  in  by  stern  fasts  or  a  kedge  into  9  fathoms  in 
perfect  safety. 

Fond  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  Bell  bay  entrance,  has  good  shelter, 
but  is  too  confined  for  anything  but  small  sealing  vessels. 

lySount  Fond,  2,500  feet  high,  is  a  conspicuous  double-peaked  hill, 
and  is  visible  from  the  eastward  as  soon  as  it  opeins  off  cape  Froward.; 
the  mount  has  a  double  summit,  only  one  of  which  is  visible  from  the 
eastward. 


SmON  BAY — DAVro  SOUND.  87 

Sinoii  bay,  5  sailes  west  of  Pond  bay,  is  atudded  with  islands  and 
rocks.  To  tho  southwand  it  commanicates  with  the  Barbara  ehanneL 
on  both  sidea  of  Burgees  island.  The  eaftternmost  of  these  channels, 
named  Toms  pass,  ia  tolerably  large,  but,  from  tiie  irregularity  and  foree 
of  the  tides,  it  i^  not  to  be  preferred  to  the  more  direct  i>a8sage  through 
the  Shag  narrows  on  the  western  side  of  Oayetano  island,  for  there  is 
no  good  anohorage  in  St.  Michael  channel  (which  leads  to  it^  between 
St.  Michael  point  and  Oayetano),  and  it  is  bounded  by  a  steep  and 
precipitous  coast.  Gonzalez  narrows,  on  the  western  side  of  Burgess 
ialand,  is  not  more  than  30  yards  across,  and,  from  the  foree  of  the  tide 
and  tbe  fall  of  the  rapids,  would  be  dangerous  even  for  a  boat  to  pass. 

Slupton  and  MaUersh  covas,  on  the  eastern  side  of  Simon  bay,  are 
both  surrounded  by  high  land,  and  the  depths  being  great,  neither  of 
th^n  afford  anchorage.  Off  the  head  that  divides  them  are  the  Castro 
islets,  on  the  north  side  of  the  largest  of  which  there  is  a  couTenient 
oovQ  with  a  moderate  depth  of  water.  In  the  Gastellano  group  there 
are  five  good-sised  islands ;  they  lie  in  the  center  of  the  bay,  but  possess 
no  anchorage. 

lliUar  acrra,  on  the  east  side  of  Gayetano  island,  at  about  3  miles 
southward  of  Elyira  point,  the  north  extreme  of  the  island,  is  the  only 
good  anchorage  in  Simon  bay.  It  has  three  rocky  islets  off  its  entrance 
and  a  conspicuous  mount  on  its  eastern  point.  The  anchorage  is  in  5 
fathoms,  good  bottom,  and  entirely  sheltered.  Wood  and  water  are 
plentiftil. 

Part  Langara,  the  next  opening  south  of  Millar  cotc,  is  rather  more 
than  a  mile  long,  |  mile  wide,  and  trends  in  a  KW.  direction.  The 
water  is  deep,  excepting  at  the  head  of  the  x>ort  and  in  a  cove  on  its 
northern  shore,  in  either  of  which  there  is  good  anchorage.  At  the 
former  the.  depth  is  8  fathoms  and  in  the  cove  5  fathoms. 

Barbara  channel    See  page  32. 

Qhoiaaffd  baj,  situated  5  miles  WW.  of  Barbara  channel,  does  not 
seem  to  be  in  the  least  inviting.  It  is  a  large,  deceptive  bay,  fuU  of  islets 
and  patches  of  kelp,  under  which  there  are  rocks,  while  between  the 
islets  the  water  is  deep  and  unfit  for  anchorage.  Fash  bay,  4  miles  to 
the  KW.,  is  equally  unserviceable. 

Wbala  aoimd,  on  the  south  side  of  Ulloa  peninsula,  is  the  first 
opening  west  of  Hash  ba^,  and  runs  westerly  8  miles,  and  terminates 
in  a  valley  bounded  on  each  side  by  high  mountains.  There  is  anchor- 
age only  in  one  part  of  it,  on  the  western  side  of  Last  harbor;  and 
although  this  harbor  appears  large,  the  anchorage  is  small  and  close  to 
the  shore.  Whale  sound  is  too  far  out  of  tho  way  to  be  of  use  to  the 
navigator. 

I>amd  soiuiid,  between  Garlos  III  island  and  Ulloa  peninsula,  has 
in  its  northern  psurt  deep  water,  but  in  the  narrow  part  of  the  sound 
there  are  depths  of  10  to  30  fathoms,  and  possibly  an  anchorage.  In  a 
passage  like  this,  however,  between  high  land  the  squalls  would  be 
violent  and  anchorage  unsafe. 


88  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — SWALLOW  BAT. 

El  Morion  (the  Helmet),  formerly  called  San  David  head,  on  the 
XJlloa  peninsula  shore,  at  2  miles  BW.  of  cape  Oroestide,  is  a  granitic 
rock  1,100  feet  high,  the  outer  face  of  which  is  perpendicular,  bare,  and 
of  a  light-clay  color.  It  may  be  distinguished  for  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  westward,  and  forms  an  excellent  landmark.  El  Morion 
is  remarkable,  also,  for  a  large  white  patch  on  its  face. 

Crooked  reach  is  comprised  between  the  entrance  of  Jerome  chan- 
nel and  cape  Quod.  The  coast  and  bays  on  its  north  side  are  described 
on  page  100. 

Butler  bay  is  directly  west  of  El  Morion,  and  easily  accessible  to 
small  craft.  The  anchorage  is  near  the  west  shore  of  the  bay  oyer  a 
rocky  plateau  covered  more  or  less  with  mud,  where  vessels  are  shel- 
tered against  the  surf  and  wind.  Fresh  water  may  be  obtained  from  a 
cascade  behind  the  low  hills  which  border  the  south  coast  of  the  bay. 

Chance  bay,  the  next  opening  west  of  Butler  bay,  looks  like  a  good 
place  at  first  sight,  but  the  rocks  and  islets  at  the  west  end  are  all 
joined  by  kelp,  being,  in  fact,  a  continuation  of  rocky  ledges,  rendering 
the  anchorage  unfit  for  a  vessel  of  any  size. 

Mass  bay  is  very  deep.  It  shares  also  in  the  objection  to  other 
bays  on  the  south  side  of  this  reach,  that  they  are  exposed  to  the  full 
force  of  all  the  winds  down  Long  reach. 

Wliite  bay  has  an  anchorage  in  15  fathoms,  mud,  for  small  vessels; 
it  is  perfectly  secure. 

Long  reach  extends  from  cape  Quod  to  Havannah  point,  36  miles  in 
a  northwesterly  direction.  The  weather  in  this  reach  is  frequently  so 
thick  that,  although  the  distance  across  it  is  only  2  to  3  miles,  one  shore 
is  found  concealed  from  the  other  by  the  mist;  but  the  rain  squalls  often 
blow  along  the  land  when  it  is  comparatively  clear  in  the  middle. 

There  is  less  rain  with  the  wind  from  the  S  W.  quarter  than  the  NW., 
but  it  is  very  capricious. 

A  clear,  bright  morning  is  usually  followed  by  a  stormy  and  wet  day, 
the  change  generally  setting  in  before  noon. 

Although  such  weather  is  common  in  all  the  western  parts  of  the 
strait,  and  perhaps  in  Long  reach  more  than  in  the  others,  the  naviga- 
tion by  a  steamer  presents  little  difficulty  on  tJhis  account.  The  high 
land  is  commonly  obscured,  as  well  as  the  points  at  a  distance  of  2  or 
3  miles,  but  they  can  almost  always  be  seen  sufficiently  far  off  to  avoid 
running  on  them,  and  between  the  driving  squalls  a  view  is  generally 
obtained  for  some  distance.  The  shores  on  either  side  of  this  reach 
are  less  verdant  than  to  the  eastward  of  cape  Quod.  The  hills  are 
generally  bare  of  all  vegetation  above,  but  below  they  are  covered  with 
trees  and  shrubs,  though  not  of  large  size. 

Snow  sound,  on  the  south  shore  of  Long  reach,  is  of  no  importance 
to  the  navigator;  it  ends  in  two  arms  surrounded  by  high,  perpendic- 
ular black  rocks. 

Sivallow  bay  is  1 J  miles  westward  of  Snow  sound.  The  anchorage 
is  under  the  eastern  side  of  Carteret  island,  which  separates  Swallow 


CONDESA  BAY — HAVERGAL  BAY.  89 

and  Condesa  bays.  On  the  west  side  of  the  entrance  is  Fitz-Roy  rock, 
which  covers  some  time  before  high  water,  and  lies  about  200  yards  off 
Carteret  island,  but  between  this  and  the  Wallis  islets  the  passage  is 
clear.  After  entering,  the  kelp  marking  Fisgard  rocks  will  be  seen  400 
yards  eastward  of  Duntze  point,  nearly  in  the  middle  of  the  bay,  and 
may  be  passed  on  either  side,  the  anchorage  for  large  vessels  being 
about  300  yards  inside  them.  A  smaller  vessel  will  find  anchorage  off 
Grant  point,  or  even  farther  up  the  bay. 

The  drawback  to  Swallow  bay  ia  that  the  bottom  is  one  of  the  rock- 
iest in  the  straits  and  the  grinding  of  the  cables  excessive,  and  in 
consequence  it  is  not  recommended. 

Swallow  bay  may  be  easily  recognized  by  a  large  cascade  falling 
down  from  the  center  of  the  mountains  at*  the  head  of  the  port,  to  the 
southward  of  which  there  are  two  higher  mountains,  the  summit  of 
the  eastern  being  peaked  and  the  western  one  rounded.  Coming  from 
the  eastward  it  will  be  recognized  as  the  next  opening  to  Snow  sound. 
The  passage  inside  Carteret  island  between  Swallow  and  Condesa  bays 
is  full  of  large  bowlders,  and  is  only  navigable  for  boats. 

Quantities  of  fish  may  be  taken  with  a  net  in  the  small  coves  at  the 
head  of  the  bay. 

Condesa  bay  has  not  nearly  so  much  room  in  it  as  Swallow  bay; 
the  anchoring  ground,  obstructed  by  islets  and  rocks,  is  suitable  for 
small  vessels  only. 

Stevrart  bay,  at  about  one  mile  westward  of  Condesa  bay,  is  so 
much  obstructed  by  rocks  as  to  be  useless  to  large  vessels.  A  patch 
of  2  fathoms  lies  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  entrance.  •  It  is  not  to  be 
recommended  as  an  anchorage,  for,  though  it  is  sufficiently  sheltered 
from  wind  and  sea,  yet  the  rocks  in  different  parts  of  it  render  the 
passage  in  and  out  very  hazardous.  Every  danger  in  it  is  pointed  out 
by  rockweed,  but  it  is  so  much  narrowed  thereby  as  to  require  the 
utmost  vigilance. 

Cape  Hunter,  about  3^  miles  west  of  Stewart  bay,  is  the  east 
entrance  point  of  Snowy  inlet.  It  has  a  rock  to  the  north  of  it  close  to 
shore. 

Sno^Ty  inlet  trends  to  the  southward  and  is  about  IJ  miles  wide. 
It  is  deep  and  as  far  as  known  the  shores  are  clear.  Its  extent  is  not 
known. 

A  little  over  3  miles  up  the  western  side  of  the  inlet  there  is  a  large 
glacier,  which  descends  from  the  snow  field  surrounding  mount  Whar- 
ton, 4,350  feet  high,  to  within  150  feet  of  the  sea  level.  It  marks  Hav- 
ergal  bay. 

Havergal  bay  is  divided  into  two  parts  by  Arthur  island.  There  is 
anchorage  in  both  the  West  and  East  bays,  but  the  latter  is  by  far  the 
better.  West  bay,  being  the  largest,  was  first  used  by  the  Sylvia,  but 
experience  showed  that  heavy  williwaws  occurred  from  opposite  direc- 
tions, so  that  if  anchored  on  the  flat  of  10  fathoms  it  was  necessary, 
when  allowing  room  for  swinging,  to  have  the  anchor  so  near  the  edge 


90  MAOTlJiAN  STRAIT — ^ABATHOaN  BAT. 

of  tbe  deep  T^ter  tliat  tbe  bight  <tf  the  Qhain  was  liable  to  eatoh  when 
the  vessel  was  sheering  about.  The  flat  is  composed  of  moddy  sand 
QTer  loose  stones,  and  did  not  seem  good  holding  ground* 

The  water  in  the  other  part  of  this  hay  is  inconveniently  deep,  bat 
there  is  stiff  mud  between  the  roeks  at  the  bottom  and  the  anchor  will 
hold  well. 

Taeht  bay,  a  cove  in  the  West  bay,  is  too  small  for  anything  larger 
than  a  schooner,  and  the  holding  ground  is  not  overgood.  A  small 
leg  of  the  glacier  comes  down  a  gully  in  the  cliff  S  W.  of  Yadit  bay, 
and  the  stream  from  this  has  pushed  forward  a  flat  delta,  which  spoils 
the  bay. 

East  HuTargal  bay.— ^oed  anchorage  was  found  in  this  bay  in  22 
fathoms,  stiff  black  mud,  with  no  rocks,  and  though  the  squalls  also 
change  their  direction  here  from  north  to  south,  they  were  not  so  heavy 
as  those  in  West  bay,  more  immediately  under  the  cliffis  of  mount 
Wharton.  There  is  not  much  room  to  spare,  but  the  wind  always  blows 
either  in  or  out  of  the  bay.  It  is,  for  a  moderate-sized  vessel,  a  fSftr 
better  anchorage  than  Swallow  bay,  and  it  is  well  worth  while  turning 
down  for  a  couple  of  miles  to  pass  a  quiet  night  if  possible.  A  large 
vessel  should  go  to  Field  anchorage  on  the  opposite  shore. 

The  entrance,  nearly  200  yards  wide,  has  a  little  kelp  on  the  island 
side,  off  Johnson  point,  which  is  low. 

The  anchor  should  be  dropped  with  Ling  point  in  line,  with  the  sum- 
mit of  Moraine  hill  bearing  a  30^  W.  (3.  8<>  W.  mag.),  and  I^et-go 
point  in  Yacht  bay  seen  just  over  the  low  isthmus  in  the  center  of 
Arthur  island,  bearing  N.  67o  W.  (N.  79°  W.  mag.). 

Oare  must  be  taken  to  anchor  in  the  right  spot,  as  if  too  £ax  up  the 
cable  will  catch  on  the  edge  of  the  shoaler  rocky  ground. 

With  the  wind  northward  of  west  in  the  strait,  the  squalls  in  Haver- 
gal  bay  will  be  from  the  northward;  when  well  souiA  of  west,  they 
will  come  from  about  south,  and  for  the  points  immediately  about  west^ 
the  wiUiwaws  come  from  the  north  and  south  indiscriminately. 

Ohink  creek,  the  western  entrance  of  Snowy  inlet,  and  Humphrey 
cove,  1 J  miles  west  of  the  inlet,  are  of  no  importance. 

Radford  hill  is  a  conical  mound  and  stands  near  the  shorei  Stella 
Island  is  farther  up  the  coast,  to  tbe  east  of  which  is  a  small  bight  of 
no  importance.  It  might  afford  anchorage  for  a  small  vessel;  rocky 
bottom. 

Arathocm  bay,  about  opposite  Glacier  bay,  is  a  large  and  deep  open- 
ing with  two  arms.  The  western  one  is  useless  as  an  anchorage.  Near 
the  end  of  the  eastern  arm  is  Marsh  basin,  a  considerable  area  of  even, 
stony  bottom,  with  light  mad  and  10  fathoms  water  over  it.  The 
entrance  to  this  bay  is  wide,  quite  clear,  and  steep- to.  Steer  mid- 
chaunel  until  Doyle  point  is  approached,  when  keep  over  on  the  star- 
board hand  to  clear  the  one-fathom  rock  to  the  eastward*  This  rock  is 
marked  by  kelp,  and  there  is  a  channel  400  yards  wide  between  it  and 
Doyle  point. 


MAB8H  BASIN — KOOKY  WUV!^.  9i 

Kelp  ^xte^^s  Beariy  J  mUe  SB.  from  Df  ev  patot  »nd  must  b^  ayoidied. 
Henry  point,  at  the  entrcuioe  to  Marsh  basing  m  free  from  OQtlyiu§^ 
danger,  and  the  channel  here  is  300  yairds  wJi(}e^  with  10  fatthoma  lea^t 
water, 

Mar9)i  basiii  is  a  mile  ip  length  and.  f  mile  w\i%  and  is  anrroqndeid 
by  lofty  mountains. 

The  water  in  the  basin  is  very  deep,  exeept  in  the  SE.  corner,  wh^re 
there  is  anchorage  in  front  of  the  entran^^  to  an  inner  basin,  wbioh  is 
also  deep.  Steele  islet  is  just  inside  the  entrance  of  this  inner  basin 
and  is  covered  with  trees.  It  will  be  seen  under  a  mass  of  glacier  that 
has  fallen  from  the  cliffs  of  mount  Wharton. 

Wbito  rocks  off  the  east  shore  of  the  an^^orage  are  about  5  feet 
above  water.  Greek  point  is  the  point  on  the  north  side  of  the  cove  at 
the  SW.  corner  of  Marsh  basin^ 

Anchorage. — ^The  best  position  for  anchoring  is  in  10  fathoms,  with 
Steele  islet  seen  clear  of  both  points  of  the  narrows  to  the  inner  basin 
bearing  8.  SX^  B-.  (S.  63Q  E.  ma^.)  md  White  rocks  8,  ago  K  (K  73o 
E,  mag.). 

Volage  bay  or  Bates  cove,  to  the  eastward  of  Abra  channel,  is  avail- 
able only  to  small  craft.  It  is  long  and  narrow  and  appeari;^  perfectly 
sheltered.  The  high  mountains  which  border  the  bay  rise  nearly  per* 
pendicular,  which  is  an  indication  that  the  banks  are  steep  and  the 
entrance  dear.  In  1383  the  French  ship  Volage  anchored  in  13  fathoms 
in  about  the  middle  of  the  bay.  A  narrow  passage  leads  from  the  bay 
to  the  cove  at  its  southern  end,  where  there  is  excellent  shelter.  A 
creek,  or  rather  a  cascade,  flows  from  a  small  lake  baok  of  tho  bay  and 
empties  into  the  cove* 

Sea  Shell  or  Abra  Channel  may  possibly  be  of  service  to  a  vessel 
embayed  in  Otway  bay,  enabling  her  to  run  into  the  strait.  Abra 
island,  which  stands  in  the  center  of  the  eastern  entrance,  is  300  feet 
high  and  covered  with  vegetation.  The  entrance  is  2  miles  wide,  but 
it  soon  narrows  to  f  mile. 

Rock. — ^A  rock  with  a  depth  of  1^  fathoms  on  it,  and  well  marked 
with  kelp,  lies  in  the  fairway  of  Abra  channel,  with  center  of  Maycoek 
island  bearing  N.  56^  W.  (N.  77^  W.  magO?  distant  f  mile,  and  summit 
of  Francis  island  N,  32^  E.  (N.  lOo  13.  mag,). 

Village  point,  at  the  west  entrance  of  Abra  channel,  so  called  on 
account  of  a  collection  of  Fuegian  wigwams  in  the  little  bight  just,  to 
the  west,  is  a  fine,  bold  headlands 

Rooky  inlets  3|  miles  west  of  Village  point,  is  narrow.  If  miles  long, 
and  at  the  bottom  of  an  open  bay  formed  by  the  projection  of  Gasper 
X>oint. 

Ellen  islet,  smaU  and  rocky,  lies  1,200  yards  south  from  Oasper  point 
facing  the  entrance  of  Bocky  inlet,  and  1,200  yards  eastward  of  Ellen 
islet  is  shoal  ground  with  two  rocks  awash  at  low  water.  A  vessel 
entering  Eocky  inlet  should  pass  north  of  both  Ellen  islet  and  these 
rocks. 


92  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — PORT  AN008T0. 

Harry  x>oin^9  ^^^  north  entrance  point  to  Bocky  inlet,  has  kelp  off  it 
for  more  than  200  yards,  to  which  a  berth  must  be  given.  After  passing 
Harry  point  the  channel  is  quite  clear. 

The  anchorage  at  the  head  of  Kocky  inlet  is  300  yards  wide,  the 
depth  of  water  where  the  anchors  are  dropped  17  and  13  fathoms, 
gravelly  mad  and  shell,  and  a  ship  using  it  must  moor  to  be  safe.  It 
will  probably  be  but  seldom  entered,  as  it  would  be  most  likely  better 
to  run  back  to  Playa  Parda  cove  if  Port  Angosto  can  not  be  reached. 

When  the  large  waterfall  on  the  south  side  bears  S.  46o  B.  (S.  68°  B. 
mag.),  drop  the  first  anchor  midway  between  the  two  shores,  and 
moor  with  60  fathoms  of  chain  on  each  anchor;  with  the  other 
anchor  also  in  mid-channel  toward  the  head  in  about  13  fathoms. 
Williwaws  are  strong,  but  are  either  up  or  down  channel. 

The  bight  between  Gasper  point  and  Harry  point  is  too  deep  and 
rocky  for  anchorage. 

Underhill  bay,  3  miles  west  of  Casper  point,  has  no  anchorage  in 
it.  The  cove  on  the  north  shore  inside  the  island  would  do  well 
enough  for  a  schooner,  but  is  rocky  and  too  small  for  anything  over 
200  tons. 

Cormorant  inlet,  at  1^  miles  west  of  Underhill  bay,  is  a  large,  strag- 
gling sheet  of  deep  water,  with  no  anchoring  ground  for  a  vessel  larger 
than  a  sealing  scliooner,  except  in  Mostyn  cove,  at  3  miles  within. 

Pritchard  islands  are  a  group  of  small  islets  lying  at  the  entrance 
of  Cormorant  inlet.  Sealers  anchor  under  the  island  and  in  a  little 
bay  west  of  Grave  island,  but  in  both  places  on  foul  ground. 

Lewis  bay,  just  west  of  Cormorant  inlet,  runs  in  a  westerly  direc- 
tion under  mount  Possession.    It  is  too  deep  and  small  for  anchorage. 

Moystyn  cove  appears  to  be  a  very  fair  anchorage,  but  very  little 
is  known  about  it.  To  reach  it,  steer  mid-channel  into  the  inlet  south 
of  Wellard  island,  and  after  turning  to  the  westward  keep  on  the  north 
shore,  t>o  avoid  a  large  patch  of  rocks  and  kelp  in  the  center  of  the 
inlet.  The  entrance  is  narrow,  and  kelp  is  found  on  both  sides,  but  6 
fathoms  was  carried  in  and  out  by  the  Sylvia  on  two  occasions.  Though 
kelp  lies  off  all  the  north  shore  inside,  the  opposite  side  is  clear,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  plenty  of  room  to  swing  when  at  anchor. 

The  coast  for  2  miles  to  Port  Angosto  is  much  broken  up  and 
indented,  but  no  bay  is  large  enough  for  anchorage  except  Brooke 
cove,  which  would  give  good  protection  to  a  small  crafb. 

Port  Angosto  affords  good  anchorage,  with  room  enough  for  a  large 
vessel,  but  for  small  craft  it  is  not  so  comfortable  as  Playa  Parda  cove. 
As  regards  williwaws,  there  is  not  much  to  choose  between  them,  as 
with  gales  from  certain  points  the  squalls  are  very  heavy  in  both 
places.  The  bottom  is  rocky  and  uneven,  having  stiff  clay  in  the  inter- 
stices, in  which  the  anchor  holds  well.  In  ordinary  winds  the  puffs 
come  from  all  directions,  and  the  anchor  may  become  very  foul  if  a 
vessel  remains. 

When  it  is  quiet  it  is  perhaps  better  to  lie  with  a  short  scope,  to  avoid 


POET  ANGOSTO— CANOE  mLET.  93 

foaling^  but  if  puffs  commence  the  cables  should  be  at  once  veered  as 
much  as  the  vesseFs  length  will  allow,  as  the  williwaws  are  quite 
strong  enough  to  bring  heavy  strain  on  the  gear. 

Port  Angosto'a  weak  point  is  to  the  south,  and  consequently  it  is 
winds  from  south  of  west  that  find  their  way  in.  The  north  shore  of 
the  harbor  is  so  precipitous  that  no  wind  can  come  from  that  direction, 
consequently  in  bad  weather  a  ship  will  always  lie  with  her  head  to 
the  southward  or  8W.,  and  care  must  be  taken  when  anchoring  not  to 
let  go  too  soon.    During  winter  the  head  of  the  port  is  frozen  over. 

Thin  streamers  of  kelp  grow  up  from  rocks  in  9  fathoms  for  some 
distance  west  of  the  thick  mass  springing  from  the  shallow  water  off 
Hoy  point. 

The  south  waterfall  is  always  conspicuous,  and  is  fed  by  a  lake  of 
considerable  extent. 

The  best  mark  for  Port  Angosto  is  mount  Possession,  a  conical 
mountain  1,635  feet  in  height,  nearly  separated  from  the  ranges  behind 
by  a  dip  at  the  head  of  Lewis  bay,  and  which  generally  stands  well 
out  in  front  of  the  other  land.  It  is  immediately  to  the  eastward  of 
Port  Angosto,  and  a  large  beacon  now  stands  on  its  summit. 

Beacon. — A  beacon,  8  feet  high  and  surmounted  by  a  red  disk,  is 
erected  on  Entry  island. 

DirectionB. — When  entering  port  Angosto,  steer  a  mid-channel 
course.  Kelp,  with  a  rock  awash  in  it,  extends  100  yards  southeastward 
of  Entry  island,  a  small,  moss-covered  islet  on  the  north  side  of  the 
entrance.  Kelp  also  extends  off  Wise  point,  the  south-entrance  point. 
On  passing  Passage  island  the  large  waterfall  will  be  seen.  This  is  the 
southern  of  the  two  cascades  marked  in  the  plan  (the  other  is  some- 
times a  mere  trickle),  and  on  rounding  Hoy  point  can  be  steered  for  on 
a  bearing  of  8.  61^  W.  (S.  39^  W.  mag.)  for  the  anchorage  in  15  fath- 
oms. A  cast  of  8  fathoms  may  very  likely  be  got  just  before  arriving 
on  the  spot,  and  if  the  anchor  is  being  eased  down,  care  must  be  taken 
that  it  is  not  lowered  too  far  before  this  ridge  is  passed,  or  the  anchor 
may  catch. 

The  anchor  should  be  placed  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  position 
indicated  on  the  plan.  A  bearing  of  the  second  projection  south  of 
Hoy  point,  a  smooth,  low  piece  of  rock,  will  be  found  convenient  to 
check  the  position  for  bringing  up.  When  the  anchor  is  let  go.  Hoy 
point  should  be  iu  line  with  the  south  extreme  of  Passage  island. 

In  the  winter  months  ice  forms  in  the  interior  harbor  to  an  extent 
rendering  the  free  handling  of  vessels  impossible. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Oh.  40m.;  springs  rise  4 
feet. 

Half  Port  bay  is  a  small  indentation  one  mile  west  of  Port  Angosto 
and  immediately  east  of  Ganoe  inlet. 

Canoe  inlet  is  very  deep  until  the  hammer-shaped  head  is  reached, 
but  the  entrance  to  this,  east  of  the  island  that  nearly  blocks  the  pas- 
sage, is  very  narrow,  and  the  basins  iuside  are  too  confined  for  anything 


94  MAGELLAN  STHAIT-HroBDOVA  PAfiS. 

bat  afimall  vessel.  Th«  western  basin  is  barred  by  tooks  Mid  kelp;  tbe 
center  x^ne  has  a  rockj  bottom,  but  the  eastern  one,  having  a  maddy 
bottom  in  6  fathoms,  would  be  good  for  small  craft. 

Bavia  point  has  a  rather  remarkable  conical-shaped  mossy  hill  at  its 
e:stremity,  125  feet  high.  A  rock  awash  and  snrronnded  by  kelp  lies 
abont  206  yards  to  the  u<»*thward  and  eastward  of  tiie  point. 

Indian  tnlet»  the  next  opening,  is  deep  and  ns^ess  to  navigation. 

Byron  bfty,  under  cape  Monday,  is  too  confined  for  other  than  small 
schooners*  They  will  find  shelt^  by  anchoring  close  under  the  cai>e. 
The  bottom  is  rocky  and  a  kelp  patch  with  5  &thoms  lies  dOO  yards 
west  of  the  islet  oif  the  eastern  point. 

Cape  Monday  is  a  bold  cape  forming  the  western  limit  of  Long 
reach.  The  flat  sommit  of  tlie  ridge  which  forms  it  and  which  drops 
abruptly  to  the  sea  is  925  feet  high. 

Sea  reaoh,  forming  the  western  portion  of  Magellan  strait,  runs 
UW.  by  W.  and  SB.  by  E.  for  58  miles.  On  the  northern  shore, 
between  capes  Tamar  and  Philip,  it  opens  into  Smyth  channel,  and 
tiience  by  other  channels  into  the  gulf  of  PefLas.  In  a  heavy  gale  or 
strong  breeze  a  short  sea  may  be  experienced  in  the  wider  parts  of  the 
strait^  especisdiy  westward  of  cape  Froward,  but  on  opening  this  reach 
a  heavy  swell  will  be  met  coming  from  the  Pacific.  This  will  be  found 
to  a  certain  extent  even  on  the  cs^mest  days,  and  with  strong  westerly 
winds  it  becomes  a  serious  drawback,  giving  a  good  indicc^ion  of  what 
may  be  expected  outside. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  the  south^m  side  of  Sea  reach  is  the  most 
rainy. 

Medal  bay  is  a  small  port  one  mile  west  of  cape  Monday. 

It  has  a  small  island  at  the  entrance  which  forms  two  channels,  the 
easternmost  of  which  is  only  deep  enough  for  boats,  but  the  western  is 
25  fathoms  wide.  It  is  strewed  half  way  across  with  kelp,  but  between 
the  kelp  and  the  island  is  a  very  narrow  passage  of  6  fathoms.  In  the 
kelp  is  3  £athoms,  and  inside  the  port  the  depth  is  9,  8,  and  7  fittfaoms, 
sandy  bottom,  with  4  fathoms  at  the  sides. 

The  port  is  semicircular,  of  about  300  yards  in  diameter,  and  there- 
fore too  small  to  be  of  service  to  modem  vessels,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
narrowness  of  the  entrance. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  bay,  between  cai)e  Monday  and  Medal  bay,  is  a 
similar  but  still  smaller  haven,  wiCh  an  entrance  just  wide  enough  to 
admit  a  boat. 

Cordova  island,  715  foet  high,  lying  at  the  entrance  of  Oordova 
mlet,  is  rocky,  and  4  miles  west  of  cape  Monday.  On  its  northern 
point  is  a  remarkable  hillock  named  Conway  knob. 

Luiz  cove,  a  two^^armed  bight  in  the  north  shore,  is  deep  and  useless 
as  an  anchorage. 

Cordova  pass,  leading  eastward  of  Oordova  island  into  Oordova 
inlet,  is  i  mile  wide  at  the  entrance,  narrowing  to  |  mile  at  the  sduth 
point  of  the  island. 


COBDOYA  INLET — SENTINEL  ISLAND.  95 

A  small  islet  lies  a  little  to  the  eastirard  of  raid-diaanel,  and  aoxne 
rocks  beyond  it  are  still  nearer  the  eastern  shore  at  the  narrowest  part. 

Anchorage  may  be  found  off  a  neck  near  the  south  point  of  Oordoya 
island  in  19  fathoms^  but  the  bottom  is  rocky  and  the  bank  ste^^  aad 
in  all  probability  it  wo^ld  be  a  dang^erous  places 

Kelp  lve&  off  the  south  point  of  0<»rdova  idand,  but  there  are  20 
fathoms  in  mid-channel. 

Cordova  inlet,  a  wide  and  long  soAnd  trending  to  the  southi^ard, 
is  one  mile  wide  at  the  entrance,  but  narrows  to  ^  mile  3  miles  inside, 
again  widening  to  the  southward. 

It  is  very  deep,  and  the  western  shore  is  indented  by  bays,  but  tMy 
are  all  unfit  for  anchorage.    The  inner  part  has  not  been  examined. 

Baker  cove  apx>ears  well  sh^tered  and  series  as  a  harbor,  but  is 
anything  but  a  quiet  one,  for  the  entrance  facing  the  N  W.  lets  in  the 
furious  gusts  from  that  quarter,  and  once  in  they  seem  quadrui^ed  in 
force,  so  that  it  can  not  be  recommended,  but  may,  perhaps,  afbrd  a 
berth  to  some  belated  small  vessel. 

The  entrance  is  one  mile  south  of  Oordova  passage  on  the  east  side 
of  Cordova  inlet,  and  is  about  100  yards  wide,  with  an  abrupt  wall  of 
cliff  on  the  south  side.  On  the  north  is  also  a  steep  mounitain  side, 
but  two  short  low  points  form  the  actual  coast  line. 

A  ship  should  moor,  on  account  of  the  liability  to  foul  the  anchor 
more  than  firom  want  of  room^  dropping  the  first  anchor  in  the  cent^ 
of  the  basin  in  14  fathoms,  with  the  entrance  pmnts  just  touching  and 
the  other  toward  the  head  of  the  cove  in  10  £a.thoms.  With  S W.  winds 
the  gusts  are  from  the  north,  being  deflected  by  the  mountains.  With 
a  strong  W!NW.  wind  it  would  not  be  agreeable  for  a  stranger  to  run 
in  through  the  narrow  entrance  with  the  wind  aft. 

Williwaw  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  Oordova  inlet,  5  miles  within 
the  entrance,  has  two  arms  inclosed  by  steep  and  lofty  mountains.  It 
is  not  a  safe  anchorage. 

Upright  bay,  between  Cordova  inlet  and  cape  Upright,  at  2^  miles 
west  of  it,  is  to  be  avoided.  The  bottom  is  rocky  and  irregular,  and 
several  patches  of  kelp  with  rocks  in  them  were  found  in  it. 

Port  Upright  is  at  the  head  of  Upright  bay,  and  having  a  bad 
entrance,  deep  water,  and  rocky  bottom,  can  not  be  considered  a  fit 
place  for  a  vessel. 

Delusion  bay,  on  the  eastern  side  of  Upright  bay,  is  too  deep  to  be 
of  use. 

Cape  Upright^  a  flat-topped  and  square-faced  headland,  880  feet 
high,  is  the  termination  of  a  promontory  which  separates  Oordova  inlet 
and  Wallis  sound.    Several  islets  and  rocks  lie  around  it, 

SentUiel  island,  62  feet  high,  is  small  and  rocky,  and  lies  700  yards 
east  of  cape  Upright. 

It  shows  just  clear  of  the  cape  to  a  vessel  approaching  fi^m  either  an 
east  or  west  direction  when  on  the  south  side  of  the  strait.  Foul  ground 
extends  200  yards  firom  the  island. 


96  ICAGELLAN  STBAIT — ^POET  CHUBRUCA. 

Ildefonzo  bay  is  an  indentation  on  the  north  face  of  the  Upright 
promontory,  and  is  |  mile  across.  A  line  of  rock  rons  out  fron  its  cen- 
ter, terminating  in  Midge  rock,  10  feet  above  high  water  and  600  yards 
outside  the  west  point  of  Ildefonzo  bay. 

It  is  not  fit  for  anchorage. 

Alquilqua  is  the  name  of  the  bight  included  between  cape  Upright 
and  Santa  Gasilda  point.  The  shore  is  much  broken  up  and  indented, 
with  rocks  and  islets  off  it.  Oft*  them*  the  tidal  currents  cause  much 
rough  water  and  rippliugs,  and  this,  combined  with  the  fact  that  the 
wind  generally  draws  in  toward  the  shore,  makes  it  an  undesirable 
locality. 

Coughtry  islands,  west  of  the  Upright  promontory,  are  mostly  low, 
but  one  rises  in  a  rounded  hill  to  165  feet.  They  are  from  ^  to  1^  miles 
offshore,  with  rocks  awash  off  their  seaward  face. 

Wallis  sound  runs  into  the  land  to  the  SE.  from  the  eastern  part 
of  Alquilqua  bay.  The  sound  has  two  bays  on  its  western  shore,  but 
they  are  too  deep  to  be  of  service,  having  also  rocky  bottoms  and 
patches  of  kelp. 

A  patch  of  rock  which  nearly  always  shows  or  breaks  lies  midway 
between  the  Coughtry  and  Chapman  islands,  in  the  fairway  into  Wallis 
sound. 

Chapman  islands  cover  a  space  of  2  miles  in  the  western  part  of 
Alquilqua  bay.  They  are  generally  about  100  feet  high,  and  on  the 
strait  side  seem  steep-to  and  clear  of  danger. 

Fort  Uriarte,  at  the  western  end  of  Alquilqua  bay,  from  the  entrance 
being  narrowed  by  a  rock  in  the  middle  and  from  the  amount  of  kelp 
scattered  about  in  it,  is  not  to  be  recommended. 

Santa  Casilda  point  is  low,  but  immediately  backed  by  a  steep 
mountain. 

Fuchachailgua  is  one  of  Sarmiento's  Indian  names,  and  is  appa- 
rently identical  with  Cordova's  Canal  de  la  Tempestad.  It  is  a  long, 
narrow,  and  deep  inlet,  and  is  quite  useless. 

Echinique  point,  at  the  western  entrance  of  Fuchachailgua  inlet,  is 
backed  by  precipitous  mountains. 

Port  Santa  Monica  is  a  small  port  with  a  very  narrow  entrance. 
A  boat  or  small  schooner  drawing  not  more  than  6  feet  can  enter  it,  and 
once  inside,  will  be  in  a  small  basin  with  7  fathoms  of  water. 

Fort  Chnrruca,  12  miles  WKW.  of  cape  Upright,  is  surrounded  by 
high  mountains  with  bare  precipitous  sides.  Mount  Hart  Dyke,  3,500 
feet  high,  at  4  miles  westward  of  port  Churruca,  is  covered  with  snow, 
and  wh^n  abreast  the  port,  if  clear,  one  of  the  glaciers  from  this  will  be 
seen  high  in  the  mountains  overhanging  one  of  the  creeks  of  the  port 
on  the  western  side,  with  mount  Campbell,  a  very  sharp  peak  2,644  feet 
high,  just  to  the  left  of  it,  and  up  the  inlet  of  Churruca. 

Mount  Cunningham,  2,542  feet  high,  in  the  first  line  of  mountains  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  entrance,  is  also  a  remarkable  sharp  peak  as 
seen  from  the  north  and  east,  and  is  further  to  be  distinguished  by 


NASSAU  ANCHORAaE — DARBY   COVE.  97 

another  peak  of  almost  the  same  shape  and  height  a  mile  to  the 
eastward  of  it. 

The  grandeur  of  the  scenery  in  the  inner  basins  is  scarcely  to  be  sur- 
passed, but  the  gloom  caused  by  the  height  of  the  precipices,  the  color 
of  the  bare  slate  rock,  and  the  almost  continual  pall  of  cloud  that  rests 
on  the  higher  peaks  is  most  depressing. 

The  port  is  more  than  usually  rainy,  and  frequently  it  is  enveloped  in 
mist  and  rain.  Nassau  anchorage  has  a  little  more  space  than  is  found 
in  Port  Tamar.  Eeports  from  various  officers  who  have  of  late  years 
visited  Port  Oherruca  recommend  it  as  an  anchorage,  and  state  that  it 
is  to  be  preferred  to  Port  Tamar.  Oldfield  anchorage  is  very  cramped, 
and  should  the  williwaws  be  long  and  strong,  there  is  scarcely  room  to 
swing. 

When  there  are  bad  williwaws  at  one  anchorage  the  other  enjoys 
immunity  from  them,  and  there  doubtless  are  many  days  in  which  a 
calm  will  prevail  at  both  anchorages. 

Passing  in  mid-channel  through  the  entrance,  Diegues  island,  off  the 
outer  point,  will  be  seen  on  the  starboard  beam,  and  Diaz  island,  off  the 
first  inner  point,  a  little  on  the  starboard  bow.  Oarranza  islands  will 
be  ahead,  and  the  channel  west  of  them,  through  the  first  narrows,  will 
not  open  until  nearly  abreast  Diaz  island.  A  little  farther,  Casilda 
island,  small,  will  be  seen  in  mid-channel,  and  should  be  left  to  star- 
board. The  first  inner  basin  will  now  open,  with  Oldfield  anchorage  on 
the  port  hand  and  a  long  arm  lined  with  cliffs  to  starboard.  Continue 
a  south  course,  and  passing  through  another  narrow  300  yards  wide, 
Nassau  anchorage,  the  second  inner  basin,  is  reached.  Holland  point, 
the  west  entrance  point,  has  a  shoal  with  15  feet  over  it  extending 
nearly  100  yards  into  this  entrance. 

Nassau  anchorage  has  a  very  uneven  rocky  bottom.  After  bottom 
is  obtained  with  the  lead  the  anchor  may  be  placed  near  the  position 
marked  on  the  chart,  but  it  is  almost  impossible  to  say  what  depth  may 
be  found.  The  height  of  the  cliffs  to  the  south  and  west  will  make  that 
shore  seem  much  closer  than  it  really  is. 

The  islet  north  of  Digby  point,  just  showing  west  of  the  latter,  is  a 
good  line,  and  a  bearing  of  one  of  the  points  leading  to  the  Lobo  arm 
will  check  the  distance  in.  The  eastern  part  of  the  anchorage  is  very 
deep. 

Oldfield  anchorage  is  at  the  east  corner  of  the  first  basin.  A  vessel 
should  steer  in  on  an  east  course  for  the  south  point  of  the  bay,  and 
anchor  in  about  18  fathoms  when  the  point  on  the  starboard  beam 
bears  about  south.  There  is  not  room  for  a  large  vessel  at  this  berth 
on  a  squally  day. 

Darby  cove,  about  |  mile  west  of  Port  Ohurruca,  has  a  rocky  bot- 
tom, judging  by  the  amount  of  kelp  in  it.  It  is  not  large  enough  for 
anything  but  a  small  craft. 

The  coast,  west  of  Port  Ohurruca,  is  for  2  miles  broken  into,  a 
1943— No.  89 7 


98  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — ^TUESDAY  BAY. 

succession  of  bays,  with  low  rocky  promontories  between  them.    None 
of  them  afford  shelter  to  large  vessels. 

WodsiT^orth  bay,  4  miles  west  of  Port  Gharmca,  is  similar  in  plan, 
though  on  a  smaller  scale,  and  with  no  anchorage  worth  much  mention. 
Its  entrance  is  i  mile  wide. 

The  highest  waterfall  in  the  main  strait,  1,000  feet,  falls  into  Wods- 
worth  bay,  and  is  visible  from  the  strait. 

The  coast  west  of  Wodsworth  bay  is  fronted  with  islands  and  rocks 
for  2  miles,  one  of  the  latter  being  i  mile  from  the  shore. 

Feliz  bay,  under  Felix  point,  is  large,  but  open  to  prevailing  winds, 
and,  from  the  kelp  in  it,  of  a  rocky  bottom. 

FeUx  point,  8  miles  west  of  Port  Churruca,  shows  well  on  approach- 
ing from  either  side.  It  makes  as  a  ridge  with  two  x)eaks  on  it,  the 
southern  being  the  higher;  the  other,  just  above  the  iK)int,  is  630  feet 
high.    Eocks  and  foul  ground  stretch  off  Felix  point  for  400  yards. 

Valentine  harbor,  at  6  miles  west  of  Felix  point,  has  a  narrow 
entrance  between  kelp-covered  rocks,  and  the  anchorage  very  con- 
fined. Hauling  round  cape  Valentine,  there  are  some  islets  extending 
i  mile  from  it,  with  several  rocks  off  them,  which,  however,  are  all 
marked  by  kelp. 

Cape  Cuevas,  about  2  miles  If W.  of  cape  Valentine,  is  the  extrem- 
ity of  an  island  close  to  the  shore,  and  about  450  feet  high.  To  the 
eastward,  between  the  two  capes,  the  coast  forms  a  bay  studded  with 
islands,  while  to  the  westward  it  is  broken  into  several  small  bays. 

Truzillo  bay,  at  3  miles  west  of  cape  Cuevas,  is  the  first  good 
anchorage  west  of  Port  Ohurruca.  It  is  well  sheltered,  but  has  deep 
water  rather  near  the  shore,  and  did  not  seem  so  good  as  Tuesday  bay, 
which  is  close-to. 

Tuesday  bay,  the  next  bay  westward  of  Tru?illo,  is  well  sheltered, 
and  easy  of  access  for  the  largest  steamers,  though  the  entrance  is 
rather  narrow  for  a  sailing  vessel  to  work  in.  Gape  Cortado,  which 
may  be  said  to  form  its  western  entrance,  is  unmistakable  and  marks 
the  port  well. 

Vessels  proceeding  westward  should  not  pass  Tuesday  bay  without  a 
certainty  of  well  clearing  the  strait  before  night,  as  it  is  the  western- 
most safe  port,  and  only  13  miles  from  cape  Pillar. 

There  is  a  passage  on  either  side  of  Kodales  islets,  a  cluster  sur- 
rounded by  foul  ground  in  the  middle  of  the  entrance,  but  that  to  the 
northward  is  the  straighter  and  better  of  the  two.  These  islets  are 
36  feet  high,  and  will  be  seen  for  some  distance  outside,  and  the  Quar- 
termasters off  the  north  entrance  point  always  break.  There  is  anchor- 
age in  St.  Joseph  bay,  but  it  is  very  deep,  except  close  to  the  shore 
and  the  best  berth  for  a  large  vessel  is  in  20  to  22  fathoms  on  the  south 
side  of  the  bay,  and  for  small  craft,  in  Christmas  anchorage,  between 
the  kelp  at  the  western  extremity,  in  front  of  a  small  sandy  beach. 
The  holding  ground  is  not  good. 


TUESDAY  COVE — ^PORT  MERCY.  99 

The  Sylvia  anchored  in  20  fathoms,  J  mUe  S.  80o  E.  (N.  78o  E.  mag.) 
off  Cascade  point. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Tuesday  bay  at  Ih.; 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

Tuesday  cove,  immediately  outside  Tuesday  bay,  is  well  sheltered 
and  might  do  for  sealers,  but  is  altogether  too  small  for  anything  larger. 

Cape  Cortado  (cut  off)  is  a  perpendicular  rock  well  deserving  its 
name.  It  is  quite  steep-to.  This  cape  is  unmistakable  going  either 
way  along  the  southern  shore,  and  if  a  vessel  is  far  out  in  the  strait  a 
remarkable  needle  mountain,  over  the  head  of  Port  Tuesday,  marks  it 
well. 

Coast. — From  this  to  cape  Pillar  the  coast  the  whole  way  is  foul  and 
dangerous.  Eocks  above  water  extend  off  Mercy  harbor  to  a  distance 
of  2  or  3  miles,  and  a  wide  berth  should  therefore  be  given.  Going  to 
the  westward  from  Tuesday  bay  a  vessel  should  not  steer  westward  of 
N.  340  W.  (K.  560  W. mag.)  until  she  has  passed  Port  Mercy;  and  com- 
ing from  sea  should  be  very  careful  not  to  get  down  on  the  southern 
shore.  If  the  land  be  visible,  cape  Cuevas  should  be  kept  outside  cape 
Cortado,  or  Cortado  never  brought  to  bear  eastward  of  S.  34^  E.  (8. 
56^  E.  mag.).  After  passing  Mercy  harbor,  Cortado  will  show  as  a  near 
extreme,  and  cape  Cuevas,  though  really  an  island,  as  said,  shows  like 
a  promontory  joined  to  the  mainland  by  a  low  neck,  over  which  will  be 
seen  another  point  which  projects  beyond  it. 

Hamilton  head,  2  miles  west  of  cape  Cortado,  is  an  abrupt  cliff 
headland.  It  is  similar  in  profile  to  cape  Cortado,  but  not  quite  so  per- 
pendicular. It  is  much  higher,  and,  projecting  farther  into  the  strait, 
shows  as  the  extreme  when  seen  from  the  eastward  unless  very  close 
to  the  shore,  Cortado  being  to  the  left.  Coming  from  the  west,  the 
latter  is  more  conspicuous. 

Skyring  harbor,  3  mUes  west  of  cape  Cortado,  is  perfectly  sheltered 
when  once  inside,  but  there  are  several  rocks  off  its  entrance  and  it  is 
very  narrow  and  confined.  Having  got  in  there  on  one  occasion  in  the 
Nassau  during  a  heavy  gale,  great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  getting 
out  again,  owing  to  the  limited  space  and  the  fury  of  the  williwaws. 

Fort  Mercy. — At  3J  miles  westward  from  the  western  point  of  Sky- 
ring  harbor  is  Mercy  head,  the  eastern  point  of  entrance  of  the  harbor 
of  that  name.  This  port,  the  Puerto  de  la  Misericordia  of  Sarmiento 
and  the  Spanish  harbor  of  Wallis,  is  the  most  dangerous  harbor  in  the 
whole  strait  and  one  to  be  carefully  avoided.  When  once  inside  the 
port  the  anchorage  is  fair,  but  the  off-lying  dangers  are  such  as  to  ren- 
der its  entry  extremely  hazardous. 

With  such  a  good  harbor  as  Tuesday  bay  within  9  miles  no  vessel  is 
justified  in  going  into  port  Mercy. 

In  1857  the  Chilean  Government  sent  the  steamer  Afaria  Isabella  to 
relieve  the  crew  of  a  bark  which  had  been  wrecked  here,  and  the 
steamer  was  also  wrecked  in  the  entrance.    H.  M,  S.  ISutlej,  in  February, 


100  MAGELLAN  STRAIT— CBOOKED  BOCK. 

1863,  having  got  in  safely,  was  almost  lost  inside.  Still  later,  in  18^, 
the  P.  S.  N.  Company's  steamer  Santiaffo  was  lost  on  a  rock  outside 
those  marked  on  the  chart  of  that  time,  and  on  which  the  Nassau  nar- 
rowly escaped  being  lost  a  fortnight  before.  Should  circumstances, 
however,  render  it  necessary  to  enter  this  dangerous  place,  abreast  the 
first  bight  ronnd  Misericordia  point  is  as  good  a  bertk  as  any  other. 

Here,  as  in  many  ports,  it  will  not  be  found  advisable  to  get  too 
close  up  to  the  weather  corner  of  the  harbor  with  a  view  of  being  shel- 
tered from  the  strength  of  the  squalls,  as  they  are  usually  less  felt 
when  a  little  farther  off. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Mercy  at  Ih.  22m.; 
springs  rise  4  feet. 

Cape  Pillar,  the  south  point  of  the  western  entrance  of  Magellan 
strait,  is  a  high  cape  showing  from  the  eastward  as  a  double  nipple. 
See  page  38. 

CROOKED,  LONG,  AND  SEA  REACHES— NORTH  SHORE— JEROME 

CHANNEL  TO  WESTERN  ENTRANCE. 

Crooked  reach. — For  south  shore  see  page  88. 

Boxja  bay. — From  St.  Jerome  point  the  shore  trends  westerly  4  miles 
to  Borja  bay,  which  may  be  known  by  Borja  island,  off  the  west  entrance 
point  of  the  bay.  The  afichorage  is  sheltered  from  the  westerly  and 
southwesterly  gales  which  usually  prevail,  and  is  open  only  to  south- 
easterly winds,  which  very  rarely  blow  here,  and  still  more  rarely  with 
violence.  No  surf  or  swell  obstructs  the  landing  anywhere,  and  there 
is  plenty  of  wood  and  water.  A  number  of  boards  with  ships'  names 
upon  them  will  be  seen  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  bay  near  a  rivulet, 
and  these  form  a  good  mark  for  picking  up  an  anchorage  by  not  bring- 
ing them  eastward  of  K.  77^  E.  (K  56^  E.  mag.).  The  shores  of  the 
bay  may  be  approached  to  100  yards  close  to  the  edge  of  the  kelp.  The 
williwaws  are  at  times  very  heavy,  but  they  need  not  be  feared,  as 
there  is  no  sea  and  the  holding  ground  is  excellent.  Vessels  over  300 
feet  long  occupy  nearly  the  whole  of  the  bay  when  swinging. 

As  vessels  nearly  always  ride  head  to  the  northward  of  west  in  this 
bay,  long  ships  find  little  difficulty  in  backing  out  into  the  strait. 

Directions. — In  a  long  steamer,  stand  in  slowly,  midway  between 
Isabel  point  and  Despair  island,  steering  N.  41^  W.  (N.  62^  W.  mag.) 
for  the  head  of  the  bay,  until  Little  Borja  island  opens  well  out  west- 
ward of  the  largest  of  the  eastern  low-lying  groups  of  Ortiz  islands 
bearing  S.  21°  W.  (S.  mag.)  (the  vessel's  bow  will  then  be  in  14  or  16 
fathoms  and  the  stern  in  24),  when  the  anchor  should  be  let  go,  veering 
to  about  75  fathoms,  on  account  of  the  sudden  gusts. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Borja  bay  at  Ih.  15m. ; 
springs  rise  5  feet. 

Crooked  rock,  between  Borja  bay  and  cape  Quod,  has  3  feet  water 
on  it,  with  4  to  6  fathoms  at  the  distance  of  100  yards  on  its  east  and 
south  sides.    It  is  marked  by  kelp,  but  vessels  running  during  the 


CAPE   QUOD — GUIRIOR  BAY.  101 

night,  or  by  day  in  thick  weather,  should  keep  well  over  on  the  south- 
ern shore  where  no  danger  exists.  From  the  center  of  this  rock,  the 
north  extreme  of  Little  Borja  island  (distance  1,400  yards)  is  in  line 
with  south  ex.treme  of  Big  Borja  island,  bearing  N.  77^  E.  (N.  56^  E. 
mag.).  The  summits  of  the  Borja  islands  in  line,  N.  60^  E.  (N.  39^  E. 
mag.),  lead  about  400  yards  eastward  of  the  rock,  and  Beware  island, 
seen  well  open  south  of  cape  Quod,  leads  south  of  it. 

The  cove^Bahia  de  Cimeros  (Swan  bay)  and  the  Ancona  de  Tamasco 
of  the  Spaniards,  between  Borja  bay  and  cape  Quod,  are  not  suitable 
anchorages. 

Cape  Quod,  2  miles  west  of  Borja  island,  is  800  feet  high,  and  is 
unmistakable  when  coming  from  the  eastward  j  but  when  from  the 
westward  at  night  or  thick  weather,  care  must  be  taken  not  to  mistake 
False  Cape  Quod  for  it.  The  capes  are  very  similar,  but  cape  Quod 
has  a  small  island,  named  Beware,  25  feet  high,  about  J  mile  west  of  it. 

Long  reach  and  south  shore. — See  page  88. 

Barcelo  bay,  the  next  opening  west  of  cape  Quod,  has  no  safe 
anchorage.  The  west  part  is  too  small,  and  has  a  kelp  patch  nearly  in 
the  middle,  while  the  east  part  is  open  and  deep,  having  25  fathoms 
close  in  among  the  kelp,  and  too  close  to  the  beach  to  be  of  any  use. 
The  easternmost  part  of  all  has  a  sandy  beach  at  its  head,  but  it  is 
quite  exposed. 

Osorno  bay,  about  one  mile  west  of  Barcelo  bay,  is  of  no  service, 
being  too  deep,  as  well  as  open  to  all  westerly  winds. 

Langara  bay,  the  next  to  the  westward,  is  small,  and  the  bottom  is 
muddy  sand  over  rocks;  it  can  not  be  recommended  even  as  a  stopping 
place. 

Lion  sound,  at  IJ  miles  west  of  Langara  bay,  extends  2J  miles  in  a 
northeasterly  direction,  and  terminates  in  a  small  basin,  in  which  there 
is  a  depth  of  12  fathoms. 

Arce  bay,  the  next  opening  west  of  Lion  sound,  is  i  mile  across  the 
entrance  and  nearly  J  mile  deep,  with  6  to  18  fathoms  water.  On  the 
east  side  of  the  bay  an  arm  extends  in  a  northeasterly  direction  ^  mile, 
near  the  entrance  to  which  lie  two  small  islands. 

G-ood  LuQk  bay,  |  mile  west  of  Arce  bay,  affords  anchorage  in  15 
fathoms,  but  the  holding  ground  is  not  good,  and  there  is  no  shelter 
from  southerly  winds.  A  small  islet  lies  off  the  west  point  of  the  bay, 
to  which  it  is  joined  at  low  water.  Foul  ground  marked  by  kelp  extends 
SE.  of  the  islet. 

Vallena  cove,  at  2  miles  NNW.  of  Good  Luck  bay,  is  exposed  to 
the  SW.  Tt  has  not  yet  been  examined  for  anchorage.  With  the 
usual  winds  it  is  under  the  lee  of  cape  Notch,  and  possibly  a  ship 
might  anchor  there. 

Guirior  bay,  between  Vallena  cove  and  cape  N^otch,  extends  2J  miles 
north,  and  is  about  one  mile  wide.  There  is  no  possibility  of  anchor- 
ing, except  in  the  bight  at  the  extreme  head,  off'  a  low  waterfall,  that 
is  visible  as  a  white  spot  from  the  strait.    Here,  northward  of  a  patch 


102  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — CHANNEL  BOCK 

of  kelp  covering  a  one-fathom  rock,  is  a  muddy  bottom  at  26  fatlioms, 
but  there  is  not  room  for  any  but  the  smallest  craft.  The  deep  passage 
is  to  the  eastward  of  the  kelp. 

Cape  Notch  is  very  remarkable  when  passing  either  way.  A  per- 
pendicular mass  of  rock  590  feet  high  rises  from  the  shore  on  the  side 
of  the  ridge  forming  the  peninsula,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  a  deep 
notch.    The  shore  of  the  cape  is  steep-to. 

Skinner  islets,  i  mile  off  the  western  shore  of  Notch  peninsula,  are 
four  in  number,  and  little  more  than  rocks.  A  sunken  rock  marked  by 
kelp  lies  300  yards  westward  of  them. 

Pauline  bay,  between  the  Notch  peninsula  and  Hill  point,  is  so  foul 
and  rocky  that  it  would  be  most  unadvisable  to  anchor.  At  the  bot- 
tom of  this  bay,  NW.  of  the  peninsula,  is  the  entrance  to  Notch  cove. 
Ohope  island,  80  feet  high,  is  in  the  center  of  the  bay,  and  being  cov- 
ered with  thick  moss  and  grass  always  shows  green.  The  peninsula 
NW.  of  the  island  is  high  and  rocky  and  shows  like  an  island  from  all 
directions. 

Notch  cove  is  a  most  perfect  harbor,  but  the  entrance  is  somewhat 
intricate;  it  is  not  therefore  suitable  for  a  mere  stopping  place  for  the 
night,  but  in  case  of  repairs  being  necessary  to  a  vessel  not  over  230 
feet  in  length,  it  is  probably  the  best  place  in  the  western  part  of  the 
strait. 

Southerly  point,  at  the  entrance  of  Notch  cove,  and  the  islets  off 
it  form  an  outer  narrow  200  yards  from  shore  to  shore,  with  a  navigable 
channel  80  yards  wide,  with  6  fathoms  least  water,  the  edges  of  which 
are  clearly  marked  by  kelp. 

Steering  through  this  narrow  a  large  and  deep  basin  will  be  entered 
in  which  there  is  no  anchorage,  with  a  line  of  small  islands  across  the 
entrance  to  the  inner  harbor. 

The  inner  narrow  is  between  the  eastern  one  of  the  small  islands 
(Westley)  and  the  mainland.  The  passage  is  200  yards  wide,  but  Chan- 
nel rock,  with  only  2  feet  of  water  over  it  at  low  water,  lies  nearly  in 
the  center.  This  can  be  passed  on  either  side,  but  the  channel  to  the 
eastward  is  the  best  one. 

Channel  rock  does  not  show  and  generally  has  no  kelp  on  it,  though 
4  or  5  fathom  places  in  the  channel  are  marked  by  kelp.  The  rock  is 
very  small,  with  5  and  6  fathoms  water  close  to  it  all  round.  The  shore 
on  the  eastern  side  is  fairly  steep-to,  and  kelp  marks  the  limit  of  about 
4  fathoms  very  well. 

Leading  mark. — When  the  eastern  extremity  of  Westley  island  bears 
about  North  (N.  22^  E.)  a  small  wooded  island  (Max)  will  open  out 
inside  the  narrows.  On  the  peninsula  behind  it  are  several  rounded 
hills,  the  highest  of  which  (Dome  hill,  166  feet  high)  may  be  readily  dis- 
tinguished. Beacon  mound,  the  next  summit  to  the  right  of  and  a 
little  in  front  and  lower  than  Dome  hill,  kept  in  line  with  a  remarkable 
white  patch  on  a  low  cliff  at  the  water's  edge  N.  lOo  W.  (N.  32o  W. 


HILL  POINT — PLAYA  PARDA  COVE.  103 

mag.),  will  lead  eastward  of  Channel  rock  in  5  fathoms  water.  Dome 
hill,  kept  a  little  open  of  the  right  extreme  of  Max  island,  will  also 
clear  the  rock. 

It  would  be  advisable  for  a  stranger  to  anchor  a  boat  on  Channel  rock 
before  attempting  the  narrows. 

When  Levy  point  is  abeam,  steer  for  the  passage  between  Max  and 
Westley  islands,  which  is  quite  clear. 

After  passing  Max  island  keep  a  little  to  starboard  to  avoid  a  rock 
70  yards  off  the  middle  of  Lally  island,  and  then  steer  mid-channel, 
rounding  Proctor  point  in  the  same  manner,  when  the  harbor  will  open 
out.  Anchor  in  the  center  of  the  cove  in  12  fathoms  water,  mud  bot- 
tom, with  Maunder  point  bearing  East  (S.  68^  E.  mag.). 

Kelp,  with  shoal  water,  stretches  offshore  a  little  north  of  Proctor 
point,  which  is  avoided  in  a  mid-channel  course. 

The  passages  between  the  other  islands  are  shoal. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  iSTotch  cove  at  Ih. ; 
springs  rise  5  feet. 

Hill  Pointi  between  Pauline  and  Glacier  bays,  is  steep  and  bold. 

Glacier  bay  is  an  indentation  If  miles  deep  and  about  §  mile  wide. 
Eock  island,  bare,  divides  the  bay  into  an  inner  portion,  which  is 
very  deep,  and  therefore  useless,  and  an  outer  bay,  Field  anchorage, 
which,  though  open  to  the  SW.,  affords  a  good  berth  to  a  passing  vessel. 

Field  anchorage  affords  a  large  area  of  anchoring  ground.  Some 
small  islands  lie  in  the  middle  toward  the  KW.  shore,  and  between 
them  and  the  southern  side  is  a  smooth  sand  and  mud  bottom,  with 
from  6  to  12  fathoms  water.  It  is  quite  easy  of  access,  there  is  plenty 
of  room,  and  the  holding  ground  is  good. 

It  is  open  to  the  SW.,  but  no  sea  rolls  in,  and  the  absolute  immunity 
from  Willi waws  makes  it  as  quiet  an  anchorage  as  any  in  the  strait. 

Little  point,  in  line  with  the  summit  of  Eock  island,  on  a  bearing 
BT.  720  E.  (N.  50O  E.  mag.),  leads  in  clear  to  the  anchorage.  The  anchor 
should  be  let  go  on  this  line  when  the  rocks  to  the  south  of  Hat  island 
are  in  line  with  the  west  extremity  of  Boyce  island,  bearing  N.  12°  W. 
(N.  340  W.  mag.). 

On  entering,  the  first  depth  will  be  about  6  or  7  fathoms  for  a  distance 
of  400  yards,  when  it  will  suddenly  deepen  to  12  fathoms  as  the  anchor- 
age place  is  reached.  An  inside  berth  in  12  fathoms  is  better  than  one 
farther  out,  as  it  is  more  protected  and  the  holding  ground  is  stiffer. 

Ginn  cove,  about  4  miles  NNW.  of  Field  anchorage,  is  small,  and 
affords  no  shelter.  A  deep  ravine  extends  back  into  the  hills  from 
Ginn  cove,  up  which  the  lower  part  of  a  glacier  may  be  seen.  The 
range  at  the  back  of  this  part  of  the  coast  is  crowned  with  perpetual 
snow,  and  culminates  in  mount  Wyndham,  4,000  feet  high. 

Flaya  Farda  cove,  the  entrance  to  which  lies  IJ  miles  NW.  of 

*  Ginn  cove,  has  an  inner  anchorage  land  locked  and  well  sheltered,  but 

very  confined,  with  depths  of  6f  to  6J  fathoms,  mud.    Many  winds 


104  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — STAR  COVE. 

pass  harmlessly  overhead,  leaving  the  cove  in  perfect  calm,  but,  like 
all  the  landlocked  harbors,  it  has  its  weak  points,  and  cases  have  been 
known  of  the  williwaws  being  furious  and  from  all  directions.  It 
should  not,  therefore,  be  used  by  a  vessel  over  180  feet  in  length 
unless  absolutely  necessary. 

When  the  winds  inside  are  light  they  are  from  different  quarters, 
but  it  is  not  necessary  to  moor  for  one  night  only;  and  as  a  steamer 
will  have  her  fires  banked,  another  anchor  can  always  be  dropi>ed 
where  required. 

Middle  point,  on  the  east  side  of  the  cove,  just  within  the  entrance, 
is  steep-to,  and  should  be  kept  aboard  when  entering,  the  opposite  side 
being  rocky  and  more  shallow. 

The  east  entrance  point  to  the  inner  anchorage  is  also  steep-to,  and 
should  be  kept  aboard  to  avoid  Svetland  rock,  a  pinnacle  nearly  in 
mid-channel,  with  16  feet  on  it,  25  and  27  feet  close-to,  and  6J  fathoms 
between  it  and  the  eastern  point  of  entrance. 

The  width  from  shore  to  shore  here  is  only  80  yards,  and  the  naviga- 
ble passage  40  yards  for  vessels  that  can  not  pass  over  Svetland  rock. 

Anchorages. — The  outer  anchorage,  south  of  Middle  point,  is  very 

rocky  and  should  not  be  used.    The  inner  anchorage  is  in  about  (i 

.  fathoms,  with  Wooding  point  on  the  west  side  of  the  entrance,  or  the 

rocks  awash  north  of  it,  seen  well  open  of  the  eastern  x)oint  of  the 

narrows. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Playa  Parda  cove  at 
Ih.  8m. 

Flaya  Farda  inlet  extends  from  the  entrance  to  Playa  Parda  cove 
in  a  northwesterly  direction  2  miles,  and  is  J  mile  wide,  with  deep 
water  throughout.  The  sandy  beach,  with  flat  land  behind  at  the  head, 
looks  as  if  it  should  be  fronted  by  shallow  water,  but  the  water  is,  on 
the  contrary,  deep  to  within  100  yards. 

Shelter  island  is  conspicuous.  Standing  well  out  from  the  land  on 
the  west  side  of  the  entrance  of  Playa  Parda  inlet,  it  has  a  well-marked 
summit  385  feet  high,  and  is  (covered  with  vegetation. 

There  are  depths  of  19  to  42  fathoms  close  around  the  island,  but  the 
channel  to  the  NW.  has  not  been  suflBciently  examined  to  be  certain 
that  it  is  clear  of  danger. 

Turtle  rock,  above  water,  lies  nearly  J  mile  from  the  NE.  side  of  the 
island,  and  a  rock  nearly  awash,  buoyed  by  kelp,  lies  600  yards  from 
the  NW.  point  of  the  island. 

Marion  cove,  1^  miles  west  of  Shelter  island,  is  very  small,  but  is 
well  protected.  The  water  is  so  deep  that  there  is  scarcely  room  for 
even  a  small  vessel  to  veer  enough  cable  to  be  safe.  The  bottom  is 
irregular  and  rocky,  with  depths  from  24  to  30  fathoms,  where  a  vessel 
might  anchor. 

Star  cove,  IJ  miles  west  of  Marion  cove,  is  useless  as  a  port,  being 
too  small  and  much  encumbered  by  rocks. 


POLLARD   COVE — ^RICHARDSON  ISLAND.  105 

Pollard  cove,  3  miles  westward  of  Star  cove,  is  also  too  narrow  and 
steep  for  an  anchorage.  It  is  1 J  miles  long  and  400  yards  wide,  running 
into  the  land  in  a  northeasterly  direction. 

Cape  Cooper  Key,  just  westward  of  Pollard  cove,  is  rounded,  so 
that  from  abreast  it  can  not  be  localized,  but  it  appears  a  conspicuous, 
bold  headland  when  approaching  it  from  either  way,  and  more  espe- 
cially from  the  eastward,  after  rounding  cape  Quod,  it  will  be  visible 
in  clear  weather  as  the  apparent  termination  of  Long  reach. 

From  about  Star  cove  the  hills  assume  an  even  more  desolate  aspect 
than  before.  A  little  westward  of  cape  Cooper  Key  the  hills  on  the 
shore  line  dip  to  a  comparatively  low  peninsula,  which  forms  Bell  bay. 

Bell  bay  is  too  deep  and  rocky  for  an  anchorage. 

Hannant  bay,  just  west  of  Bell  bay,  has  deep  water  all  over  it.  At 
the  head  of  this  bay  sealing  vessels  anchor  among  the  kelp,  but 
nothing  larger  can  use  it. 

Among  the  rocky  summits  NE.  of  Hannant  bay  there  is  one  crag  of 
a  distinctly  darker  tint  than  the  others,  whose  general  color  is  a  light 
gray. 

Black  rock,  just  awash  at  high  water,  lies  J  mile  offshore  off  the 
west  point  of  Hannant  bay,  and  is  marked  by  kelp.  The  west  end  of 
Santa  Anna  islands  kept  open  off  the  extremity  of  Havannah  point 
will  clear  it  to  the  southward. 

Havannah  point,  the  northwestern  limit  of  Long  reach,  is  a  sloping 
point  of  bare  white  rocks.  A  rock  awash  lies  close  to  the  shore  off  its 
southwestern  extremity. 

Light  proposed. — A  lighthouse  is  proposed  for  Havannah  point. 

Sea  reach  and  south  shore. — See  page  94. 

Santa  Anna  islands,  in  the  entrance  to  the  gulf  of  Xaultegua, 
have  their  shores  steep-to  and  appear  free  from  dangers  5  they  are  com- 
posed of  bare  and  very  white  granite.  Their  summit  is  890  feet  above 
the  sea. 

Bla2:land  island,  a  small  rocky  island  partly  covered  with  moss,  is 
between  the  Santa  Anna  islands  and  Havannah  point.  It  is  100  feet 
high  and  steepto  on  the  west  side,  but  rocks  extend  a  short  distance 
from  its  east  and  northeast  sides. 

MnfLoz  G-amera  peninsula  (King  William  IV  land)  forms  the 
north  shore  of  this  reach.  It  presents  a  succession  of  high  jagged  peaks 
over  3,000  feet  high  with  deep  ravines  and  precipitous  cliffs.  There  are 
several  inlets,  but  all  are  too  deep  and  narrow  to  be  of  any  service. 

Richardson  island,  the  largest  and  most  conspicuous  of  a  group 
lying  off  Munoz  Gamera  peninsula,  is  If  miles  long,  and  is  mostly  low, 
but  has  two  hills.  The  southern,  325  feet  high,  appears  conical  from  the 
east.  The  northern  is  a  square-topped  hill,  380  feet  high.  The  island 
is  everywhere  covered  with  deep  moss  with  low  tangled  trees  on  the 
sheltered  sides.  Islets  and  rocky  shoals  extend  one  mile  in  a  south- 
easterly direction  from  the  island,  but  the  latter  is  marked  by  kelp. 


106  MAGELLAN  STRAIT— CAPE  PROVroENCE. 

Cripples  channel  is  the  passage  between  Bicbardson  island  and  the 
mainland.  It  is  useful  for  a  low-i)owered  vessel  tbat  can  not  contend 
with  the  wind  and  sea,  so  often  found  in  sea  reach. 

It  is  the  beginning  of  a  smooth-water  route  to  port  Tamar,  pass- 
ing north  of  Providence  island.  The  channel  (3  miles  long)  has  an 
average  width  of  600  yards,  but  is  only  300  yards  wide  in  the  narrowest 
part,  which  is  quite  clean  and  deep.  At  the  eastern  end  there  are  many 
kelp  patches  off  either  shore,  but  these  are  all  visible  and  can  be  avoided 
by  keeping  a  mid-channel  course. 

The  water  is  too  deep  for  convenient  anchorage,  but  the  Sylvia  rode 
out  a  heavy  gale  anchored  in  35  fathoms,  with  the  north  hill  of  Rich- 
ardson island  bearing  West  (S.  68^  W.  mag.).  The  wind  was  steady 
without  squalls.  The  kelp  patches  SE.  of  Richardson  island  are  the 
principal  dangers  to  be  avoided,  and  approaching  from  the  SE.,  the  left 
part  of  the  northern  hill  of  Richardson  island  (square-topped)  in  line 
with  Webb  point  bearing  K.  43^  W.  (N.  65°  W.  mag.),  will  lead  up 
clear.  When  abreast  the  islets  SE.  of  Richardson  island  keep  mid- 
channel. 

There  is  a  4-fathom  patch,  marked  by  kelp  on  the  south  shore  of  the 
narrows,  but  by  keeping  in  mid-channel  it  is  easily  avoided. 

Maze  islands,  KW.  from  Richardson  island,  with  an  unnavigable 
channel  between,  are,  as  their  name  denotes,  a  labyrinth  of  islands  and 
rocks.  A  conical  hill,  220  feet  high,  rises  at  the  eastern  end.  The 
remainder  of  the  group  are  low,  especially  at  the  western  part. 

Big  island  is  a  rocky  mass  670  feet  high,  one  mile  north  of  Cummins 
point,  the  north  point  of  Cripples  channel. 

The  Inshore  passage,  KW.  of  Cripples  channel,  is  between  Pike 
and  Vince  islands.  Off  the  SW.  extreme  of  Vince  island  is  a  rock  80 
yards  from  the  shore  ^  otherwise  the  passage,  ^  mile  wide,  is  deep  and 
clear. 

Northbrook  sound  is  a  deep  fiord,  running  between  the  mountains 
for  10  miles  to  the  ENE.,  and  terminating  in  a  picturesque  basin,  into 
which  the  streams  draining  a  large  glacier,  which  descends  to  within  J 
mile  of  the  shore,  discharge  themselves. 

This  glacier  is  fed  by  the  same  snow  field  that  supplies  those  stretch- 
ing down  to  Glacier  and  Icy  sounds,  at  the  head  of  Beaufort  bay.  No 
anchorage  was  found  in  Korthbrook  sound. 

Another  smaller  inlet,  unexplored  by  the  Sylvia^  trends  E.  by  S., 
having  its  entrance  east  of  Big  island. 

Providence  island,  about  1^  miles  west  of  Maze  islands,  is  4^  miles 
long  north  and  south  and  4  miles  across  the  north  side,  between  which 
and  the  mainland  is  Sylvia  channel.  It  is  mountainous,  and  when  seen 
from  the  strait  appears  as  an  undulating  ridge  with  several  peaks  on 
it,  the  highest  of  which  is  1,510  feet  above  the  sea. 

Cape  Providence,  the  south  extreme  of  Providence  island,  is  a  bold 
headland  with  deep  water  close-to  on  the  east  side,  but  a  small  rock 


CELERY  ISLAND — SYLVIA  CHANNEL.  107 

lies  about  200  yards  from  the  shore,  a  short  distance  west  of  the  cape, 
and  will  only  be  seen  from  the  eastward  when  tbe  south  extreme  bears 
west  of  K  490  W.  (N.  710  W.  mag.). 

Celery  island,  32  feet  higb,  small  and  moss  covered,  lies  ^  mile  from 
the  shore,  with  cape  Providence  bearing  S.  60°  W.  (S.  38°  W.  mag.). 

Providence  bank. — From  Celery  island  for  1 J  miles  to  the  south  a 
rocky  bank  of  foul  ground  extends,  with  two  (and  possibly  more)  rocks 
nearly  awash  on  it. 

To  pass  southward  of  Providence  bank,  Jones  peak,  on  Tamar  island, 
must  be  kept  well  open  south  of  cape  Providence,  bearing  nothing  to 
the  westward  of  N.  49°  W.  (N.  71o  W.  mag.). 

To  pass  eastward  of  Providence  bank.  Brown  point  (the  northwest- 
ern extreme  of  Maze  islands),  in  line  with  York  hill  (a  conical  eminence 
1,000  feet  high  at  the  eastern  extreme  of  Providence  island),  bearing 
K.  I80  E.  (N.  40  W.  mag.),  will  lead  east  of  the  bank  until  cape  Provi- 
dence bears  K.  68°  W.  (West  mag.),  when  the  course  can  be  altered  to 
port  to  clear  Brown  point. 

The  passage  between  the  Maze  islands  and  Providence  bank  may  be 
useful  to  vessels  unable  to  reach  Port  Tamar  before  dark,  as,  if  neces- 
sarj'',  anchorages  may  be  found  under  Providence  island  at  the  risk  of 
the  loss  of  an  anchor,  or  a  course  may  be  shaped  for  Sylvia  channel. 

Anchorage. — On  the  eastern  side  of  cape  Providence  the  water  is 
very  deep  and  the  shore  bank  is  steep  and  rocky.  A  vessel  can  anchor  in 
several  places  close  under  the  land,  but  there  is  no  room  to  swing,  and  the 
williwaws  are  exceedingly  heavy,  though  the  water  is  perfectly  smooth. 

Anchorage  under  Providence  island  is  not  recommended.  For  a 
moderate- sized  vessel  the  anchorage  in  Sylvia  channel  is  much  to  be 
preferred,  and  such  anchorage  should  be  sought  before  anchoring  in 
Sylvia  cove  if  there  be  time  before  dark. 

Sylvia  cove,  on  the  eastern  side  of  Providence  island,  2^  miles  from 
cape  Providence,  is  f  mile  deep  and  but  little  over  200  yards  wide.  It 
afforded  protection  to  the  Sylvia  while  her  boats  surveyed  the  vicinity, 
but,  moored  as  she  was,  there  was  not  room  to  swing  in  all  directions. 
It  is  not  fit  for  a  vessel  more  than  150  feet  long. 

Fairway  rock,  3  feet  above  high  water,  and  surrounded  by  kelp,  lies 
in  the  center  of  the  entrance,  and  can  be  passed  on  either  side,  but  the 
eastern  passage  is  the  better,  for  then  the  course  is  straight  N.  34°  W. 
(N.  5G^  W.  mag.).  Shallow  water  extends  some  distance  south,  and  a 
patch  of  2  fathoms  extends  100  yards  north  of  Fairway  rock. 

Sylvia  channel,  5  miles  long,  is  the  passage  between  the  mainland 
and  Providence  island,  and  is  the  continuation  of  the  inshore  route. 
It  is  250  yards  wide  at  the  narrows,  and  has  an  excellent  anchorage 
for  a  moderate- sized  vessel,  clear  of  rocks,  and  with  no  williwaws. 
Though  the  mountains  are  lofty,  they  slope  gradually  to  the  shore,  and 
the  land  immediately  on  either  hand  is,  for  the  strait,  low. 

The  eastern  entrance  is  partly  blocked  by  a  cluster  of  small  i^ands 


108  MAGELLAN  STEAIT — ^SYLVIA  CHANNEL. 

(Passage  islands),  having  a  deep  channel  to  the  northward  of  them.  The 
highest  of  these  has  a  well-marked  sammit,  which  will  be  easily  made 
out  when  approaching  from  Cripples  channel  or  from  the  southward. 

Entrance  island  is  the  eastern  one  of  the  Passage  group.  It  is  70 
feet  high  and  steep-to,  forming  with  the  mainland  the  commencement 
of  the  channel,  here  J  mile  wide. 

Coombes  rock  is  a  small  rounded  knob  of  granite  2  feet  above  high- 
water  mark.  It  lies  150  yards  from  the  south  shore  and  700  yards 
K.  57°  W.  (N.  790  W.  mag.)  from  Weston  point,  with  kelp  and  shoal 
water  extending  150  yards  to  the  northward  and  westward  of  it.  A 
mid-channel  course  is  easy  to  keep,  and  will  clear  all  dangers. 

At  Hayes  point  the  land  on  the  north  side  opens  into  a  large  bay 
full  of  islands,  and  at  the  low  western  end  of  Providence  island  a 
number  of  islands  continue  the  southern  shore  of  the  channel. 

Ward  island,  the  western  limit  of  this  channel,  has  a  group  of  rocks 
not  more  than  12  feet  high  about  200  yards  to  the  westward;  they  can 
be  rounded  within  200  yards.  This  island  is  covered  with  moss  and 
stunted  trees. 

Channel  peak  is  a  conspicuous  object  on  the  mainland  near  the 
west  end  of  the  channel.  It  is  an  isolated  conical  mountain  1,450  feet 
high.  There  is  another  mountain  of  similar  shape,  but  higher,  to  the 
KE.  of  it,  with  a  deep  dip  between  them. 

Anchorage. — ^The  anchorage  in  Sylvia  channel  is  in  the  narrow  east- 
ern part,  in  from  15  to  17  fathoms  water,  bottom  of  gravel,  stones,  and 
mud. .  It  is  on  the  southern  side  of  the  channel,  450  yards  K.  24°  W. 
{N.  460  W.  mag.)  of  Coombes  rock.  If  clear,  Channel  peak  ought  to  be 
seen  a  very  little  open  of  Poulter  point.  There  is  a  stream  on  the 
south  shore  which  usually  shows  as  it  trickles  down  the  hillside  in  a 
small  cascade.  This  should  bear  about  S.  38°  W.  (S.  I60  W.  mag.) 
when  the  anchor  is  dropped. 

Although  there  is  not  much  room  to  swing  to  the  westward,  it  is 
very  improbable  a  vessel  will  do  so,  except  in  a  calm,  when  with  a 
slack  chain  the  ebb  stream  may  cause  her  to  do  so. 

The  Sylvia  was  anchored  here  on  several  occasions  and  in  all  sorts  of 
weather,  and  found  it  one  of  the  best  berths  in  the  strait;  no  williwaws, 
very  little  jerking  of  the  cables,  and  the  wind  steady  in  direction. 

They  found  that  generally  the  current  ran  strongly  to  the  eastward, 
but  in  calm  weather  the  tidal  stream  made  itself  felt,  and  sometimes 
set  in  the  opposite  direction.  The  turning  of  the  stream  did  not  seem 
always  to  agree  with  the  time  of  high  water,  and  doubtless  it  is  much 
affected  by  winds  which  may  be  blowing  in  the  main  strait  while  it  is 
calm  at  the  anchorage. 

Coast. — ^The  coast  from  the  west  end  of  Sylvia  channel  to  Port  Tamar 
is  much  broken  up  and  is  faced  by  innumerable  islets,  rocks,  and  kelp 
patches.  The  land  is  lower,  but  rises  in  one  place  to  a  height  of  1,170 
feet/ 


SULLENS   ROCK — ^MOUAT  ISLANDS,  109 

Sullens  rock  is  marked  by  a  large  patch  of  kelp.  It  is  an  impedi- 
ment to  the  free  navigation  of  the  channel.  It  lies  N  .6S^  W.  (West, 
mag.),  distant  about  800  yards  from  Ward  island. 

Steed  rock  is  a  patch  of  2  fathoms  marked  by  kelp  about  one  mile 
S.  52°  W.  (S.  30O  W.  mag.)  from  Sullens  rock.  It  is  midway  between 
the  west  shore  of  Providence  island  and  the  mainland. 

Directions. — A  vessel  may  pass  either  east  or  west  of  the  above 
rocks,  but  it  is  advisable  to  keep  east,  especially  in  thick  weather. 

After  rounding  Ward  island  and  the  rocks  off  it,  the  west  point  of  it 
kept  bearing  K.  46^  E,  (N.  24°  E.  mag.),  right  astern  will  lead  eastward 
of  Steed  rock  until  Eound  island  is  in  line  with  the  summit  of  Beloe 
heights,  above  Port  Tamar.  The  course  may  then  be  changed  so  as  to 
bring  cape  Tamar  a  little  on  the  starboard  bow,  Beloe  summit  has  a 
large  beacon  on  it. 

Tamar  peninsula. — Monson  bay  is  a  bight  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
this  peninsula;  it  is  quite  large  and  might  afford  good  anchorage,  but 
it  is  too  far  out  of  the  way. 

Round  island,  260  feet  high  and  3  miles  east  from  cape  Tamar,  is 
readily  known  by  its  haycock  shape  and  white  patch  on  the  south  side. 
Its  steep  sides  are  covered  with  thick  bushes.  As  foul  ground  extends 
off  this  island  for  some  distance,  give  it  a  berth  of  at  least  one  mile. 

Fricker  island  is  somewhat  similar  in  appearance  to  Eound  island; 
but  as  it  is  higher  and  quite  close  to  the  shore  there  ought  to  be  no 
dif&culty  in  discriminating  between  them. 

Coast. — The  bay  northward  of  Fricker  island  was  not  thoroughly 
examined,  as  neither  the  approach  to  it,  nor  the  bay  itself,  seemed  to 
offer  any  inducement  to  spend  time  on  it  with  Port  Tamar  so  close. 

West  of  Eound  island,  a  line  of  shoal  patches,  marked  by  kelp, 
extends  to  Port  Tamar,  some  of  which  are  f  mile  from  the  shore.  There 
appears  to  be  a  passage  inshore  of  these  from  Eound  island,  but  it  was 
not  examined  closely,  as  it  would  be  of  little  service.  Vessels  entering 
port  Tamar  should  pass  west  of  these  shoals. 

Fort  Tamar. — Eeports  from  various  steamer  captains  describe  this 
anchorage  as  a  very  bad  one  and  only  to  be  used  in  case  of  absolute 
necessity,  while  port  Ohurruca,  on  the  opposite  shore,  is  highly  recom- 
mended. It  is  on  the  south  side  of  Tamar  peninsula  and  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  entering.  Unless  the  wind  is  very  far  to  the  south  no  sea 
will  enter  Port  Tamar;  in  the  latter  case  the  amount  of  sea  is  very 
insignificant. 

Beloe  heights  have  several  small  summits  on  them,  the  highest,  735 
feet  high,  being  marked  with  a  beacon.  The  hill  over  cape  Tamar  is 
rounded,  and  840  feet  high.  When  seen  from  the  eastward  the  peaks 
of  Tamar  island  will  tower  above  Tamar  peninsula,  but  Beloe  summit 
will  show  on  the  sky  line  just  to  the  right. 

Mouat  islands  will  generally  be  visible  from  a  distance  of  3  miles. 
The  one  with  the  observation  spot  is  the  highest,  40  feet  high,  and 


110  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — ^ASTR^E  ROCK. 

covered  with  vegetation,  the  larger  one  to  the  west  being  only  15  feet 
in  height.    Dolphin  island  is  a  bare  rock  and  shows  well. 

There  is  a  sandy  beach  at  the  western  part  of  the  bay,  a  very  rare 
thing  in  these  parts. 

Directions. — Approaching  Port  Tamar  from  the  eastward,  care  mnst 
be  taken  not  to  close  the  land  too  far  east  of  the  port,  on  account  of  the 
Percival  and  other  reefs;  as  these  are,  however,  marked  by  kelp  there 
is  no  real  diflBculty  to  be  apprehended. 

There  is  a  remarkable  white  vertical  patch,  abont  one-third  of  the 
way  up  the  green  side  of  the  hilly  land  at  the  western  part  of  the  i)ort. 
This  patch,  in  line  with  the  eastern  of  the  Mouat  islands  bearing  N.  52^ 
W.  (N.  749  W.  mag.),  leads  southward  of  all  dangers,  and  where  John 
point  bears  N.  4°  E.  (N.  18°  W.  mag.)  steer  for  it  on  this  bearing,  leav- 
ing the  4^-fathom  patch  west  of  Dolphin  island  on  the  starboard,  and 
the  2^-fathom  patch  on  the  port  hand. 

These  rocks  are  marked  by  kelp,  the  latter  having  a  large  mass  on  it, 
which  can  be  rounded  moderately  close. 

Caution. — Do  not  mistake  the  white  spot  on  the  cliffs  inside  of  John 
point  for  the  tombstone  stripe. 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  is  in  15  fathoms,  with  the  tombstone 
patch  seen  north  of  Spencer  island,  and  bearing  N.  80^  W.  (S.  78°  W. 
mag.),  and  Sentry  island  shut  in  by  the  large  Mouat  island.  Stiff  clay 
lies  in  the  hollows  between  the  rocks.  Do  not  drop  the  anchor  in  less 
than  15  fathoms. 

There  is  a  second  berth  NW.  of  the  Mouat  islands  for  small  vessels, 
but  it  ought  not  to  be  used  if  there  is  room  in  the  other  part  of  the  bay. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  this  part  of  the  strait  at 
Ih.  40m.  The  rise  in  Port  Tamar  is  6  feet,  and  a  little  less  in  jwrt 
Ohurruca. 

The  flood  stream  sets  to  the  eastward  and  attains  a  velocity  of  about 
IJ  knots  an  hour.  The  stream  of  the  ebb  is  not  so  strong,  but  when 
against  the  wind  there  are  overfalls  and  ripplings  southward  of  Tamar 
island. 

Tamar  island,  off  the  west  side  of  Tamar  peninsula,  and  separated 
from  it  by  Ehoda  pass,  has  two  peaks  visible  in  clear  weather  from 
abreast  Arathoon  bay  on  one  side  and  cape  Pillar  on  the  other.  The 
southern,  Taylor  peak,  is  square  and  flat  topped,  1,380  feet  high.  The 
northern,  Jones  peak,  has  a  sharp  summit  and  is  1,405  feet  high. 

Eocks  and  islets  skirt  the  shores  of  Tamar  island  for  IJ  miles  off  to 
the  south  and  at  J  mile  to  the  west.  Falgate  island,  the  highest,  is  60 
feet  above  water. 

Astr^e  rock,  the  outmost  danger  off  cape  Tamar,  has  16  feet  water 
over  it;  it  is  well  marked  by  kelp.  It  lies  f  mile  S.  55©  W.  (S.  33'=>  W, 
mag.)  from  Falgate  island  and  S.  10^  W.  (S.  12°  E.  mag.)  from  the 
western  extremity  of  Tamar  island.  Round  island  kept  open  south  of 
cape  Tamar  will  lead  south  of  the  rock. 


RHODA  PASS — SIB  JOHN  NAEBOROUGH   ISLANDS.  Ill 

Rhoda  pass  is  not  navigable  for  ships.  It  leads  into  a  large  bay 
formed  between  Tamar  island  and  peninsula,  but  farther  progress 
north  is  barred  by  a  shallow  ridge  with  islets  and  rocks  across  the 
channel.    Several  rocks  lie  at  the  south  entrance  to  Ehoda  pass. 

Beaufort  bay  lies  between  Tamar  island  and  cape  Phillip,  distant 
8  miles.  It  is  a  deep  bight,  and  has  two  arms,  the  easternmost  of 
which  extends  to  the  NE.  and  contains  Glacier  and  Icy  sounds.  The 
western  arm  is  the  commencement  of  Smyth  channel. 

Parker  island,  7  miles  westward  of  cape  Phillip,  is  6J  miles  long,  of 
irregular  shape,  and  1,050  feet  high  at  the  highest  part.  The  channel 
between  the  island  and  mainland  has  not  been  examined. 

Cape  Parker,  the  SW.  extreme  of  Parker  island,  is  a  long,  sloping 
ridge  with  three  remarkably  symmetrical  sugar-loaf  hills  on  it,  one 
behind  the  other,  rising  in  heijght  from  the  southern  one,  which  is  370 
feet  high.    These  are  only  conspicuous  from  the  eastward. 

A  rock,  10  feet  above  water,  lies  J  mile  S.  22^  W.  (South,  mag.)  of 
cape  Parker,  and  2J  miles  K.  79°  W.  (S.  79^  W.  mag.)  from  the  cape 
is  a  rock  awash,  which  generally  breaks. 

Lecky  harbor,  on  the  SE.  side  of  Parker  island,  has  not  been  exam- 
ined, but  the  space  inside  the  reef  of  it  appeared  small,  and  had  two 
rocks  above  water  in  it. 

Coast. — The  coast  north  of  Parker  island,  from  cape  Phillip  to  Barr 
point,  at  14  miles  west  of  it,  is  from  1,000  to  1,300  feet  high,  and  is 
broken  by  several  large  openings  trending  to  the  northward.  From 
Barr  point  the  land  recedes  to  the  north  and  west,  forming  a  very  large 
bay,  the  shores  of  which  were  estimated  from  the  summit  of  Westmin- 
ster Hall,  which  lies  off  its  mouth,  to  be  15  miles  distant.  It  contains 
numerous  islands. 

Westminster  Hall  is  a  precipitous  mass  of  granite  rock  1,120  feet 
high,  9  miles  W!N"W.  from  cape  Parker.  It  is  clear  on  the  east  and 
south  sides,  but  to  the  west  and  north  a  chain  of  islands  and  rocks 
commences,  which  borders  the  strait  as  far  as  cape  Victory  at  28  miles 
NW.  of  Westminster  Hall.  The  Sylvia  obtained  several  casts  of  from 
16  to  22  fathoms,  sand  and  stones,  off  the  east  side  of  Westminster 
Hall,  and  perhaps  a  vessel  could  anchor  here  under  the  lee  in  an  emer- 
gency, but  a  heavy  swell  would  come  round  the  island,  which  is  not 
large  enough  to  afford  shelter.  Westminster  Hall  has  a  remarkable 
appearance  from  east  or  west. 

Sir  John  Narborough  islands. — This  chain  consists  of  eight  or  nine 
large  islands  and  a  large  number  of  small  ones.  Behind  these  islands 
there  appears  to  be  a  channel,  and  among  them  several  anchorages,  but 
none  to  be  recommended,  especially  as  on  the  south  coast  there  are  two 
or  three  much  better,  safer,  and  easier  of  access.  The  northwestern 
point  of  the  group  is  cape  Victory,  in  latitude  52^  16'  S.,  longitude  74^ 
55'  W.,  which  may  be  considered  as  the  north  point  of  entrance  at  the 
west  end  of  Magellan  strait. 


112  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — OTWAY   WATER. 

This  is  all  a  dangerous  coast,  as  well  from  the  great  number  of  rocks, 
upon  which  the  sea  breaks  very  high,  as  from  the  tides  which  near  the 
edge  of  the  line  of  shoals  frequently  set  in  among  them. 

Cupola,  100  feet  high,  is  the  highest  of  the  numerous  outlying  islets 
off  Sir  John  Narborough  islands. 

The  Beagle  ran  in  among  the  breakers,  and  anchored  near  Observa- 
tion mount  (which  was  not  recognized  from  the  Sylvia)  for  the  purposes 
of  the  survey;  but  no  one,  except  for  discovery,  should  approach  this 
dangerous  coast. 

Lob  Evangelistas,  consisting  of  four  rocky  islets  and  some  detached 
rocks  and  breakers,  lie  11  miles  SW.  from  cape  Victory.  They  were  thus 
named  by  the  early  Spanish  navigators,  but  they  were  called  the  Islets 
of  Direction  by  !N"arborough,  from  their  forming  an  excellent  mark  from 
the  western  mouth  of  the  strait.  The  islets  are  very  rugged  and  barren, 
and  suited  only  to  afford  a  resting  place  or  breeding  haunt  for  seals  and 
oceanic  birds,  but  a  landing  place  may  be  found  on  one  of  them,  and 
anchorage  among  them  if  necessary.  The  largest  and  highest  (170  feet) 
may  be  seen  in  tolerably  clear  weather  from  a  vessel's  deck  at  a  distance 
of  15  miles.    The  southernmost,  is,  from  its  shape,  named  the  Sugarloat 

By  the  latest  determinations  Sugarloaf  is  considered  to  be  in  latitude 
520  25'  S.,  longitude  75°  4'  15"  W. 

Light — A  fixed  white  light,  varied  by  a  bright  fla^h  every  half  minute^ 
is  exhibited  on  the  largest  or  western  islet  of  Los  Evangelistas  at  an 
altitude  of  190  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea  and  36  feet  above  the 
ground.    The  light  is  visible  20  miles  in  clear  weather. 

Tides  are  here  very  variable,  and  sometimes  set  toward  the  rocks  that 
front  cape  Victory  and  the  Narborough  chain.  It  is  high  water,  full 
and  change,  at  Ih.,  and  the  tide  rises  about  5  feet. 

Captain  Stokes  experienced  a  current  of  about  2  knots  when  4  or  5 
miles  west  of  cape  Pillar  and  somewhat  southward  of  it. 

CHANNELS  OFF  THE  NORTH  SHORE  OF  THE  MAIN  STRAIT. 

Jerome  channel  runs  in  a  northwesterly  direction  9  miles,  with  an 
average  width  of  IJ  miles.  Arauz  point  at  the  entrance  is  low,  with 
foul  ground  extending  nearly  400  yards  from  it  in  a  westerly  direction. 
On  the  north  side  of  this  point  the  shore  recedes  and  forms  a  bight  2 
miles  across  between  the  entrance  points.  The  southern  part  is  named 
Arauz  bay  and  the  northern  Three  Island  bay.  A  kelp  patch  extends 
400  yards  in  a  SE.  direction  from  the  west  point  of  this  bay.  Wood 
and  Seal  coves,  on  the  western  shore  of  the  channel,  are  small  and 
appear  to  afford  but  indifferent  anchorage. 

Terran  islands,  two  in  number,  nearly  mid-channel,  are  of  equal  size, 
wooded,  and  about  30  feet  high.  Kelp  patches  extend  i  mile  in  a  SE. 
and  J  mile  in  a  K  W.  direction  from  the  islands. 

The  Alert  passed  westward  of  these  islands  and  the  passage  appeared 
clear  of  danger. 

Otway  water. — ^The  eastern  shore  of  Otway  water  from  abreast 


CUTTER  ISLANDS — FITZ-ROY  CHANNEL.  113 

Terran  islands  trends  in  a  northerly  direction  about  9  miles  to  cape 
Charles,  thence  more  easterly  6^  miles  to  Stokes  point,  the  west  entrance 
point  to  Wickham  bay.  Between  Cutter  cove,  at  3  miles  north  of  Ter- 
ran islands,  and  cape  Charles  the  mountains  are  high  and  rugged. 

Cutter  islands  are  two  in  number.  The  westernmost  is  a  small, 
grassy  island  about  10  feet  high;  the  easternmost  is  100  feet  high. 

Tree  island,  the  westernmost  of  two  small  islands  lying  near  the 
shore,  3J  miles  northward  of  Cutter  cove,  has  a  single  tree  on  its 
summit.  Eocks  and  kelp  extend  about  200  yards  in  a  westerly  direction 
from  Tree  island. 

Corona  islands,  about  3  miles  northward  of  Tree  island,  consist  of 
three  islands,  the  easternmost  of  which,  Sugarloaf,  lies  nearly  in  mid- 
channel,  is  conical  in  shape,  500  feet  high,  and  wooded.  The  southern- 
most island  is  60  feet  high,  and  the  westernmost  is  high  and  saddle- 
topped,  but  lies  so  close  to  the  shore  that  it  can  not  be  distinguished 
from  the  mainland  when  seen  from  the  southward.  It  is,  however, 
easily  recognized  from  the  northward. 

The  western  shore  of  Otway  water  rises  gradually  to  the  back 
range  of  hills,  and  is  a  dense  forest  between  Bending  cove,  abreast 
cape  Charles,  and  Shellnote  point,  at  35  miles  NE.  of  it.  Childs  bluff, 
the  NE.  entrance  point  of  Bending  cove,  is  about  100  feet  high,  cliffy, 
and  wooded  on  the  top.  Islets  point,  2  J  miles  NE.  of  Childs  bluff,  is 
low  and  rocky,  with  shoal  ground  extending  nearly  ^  mile  from  the 
shore.  From  Villiers  point,  at  5J  miles  NE.  of  Islets  point,  to  Martin 
point,  4  miles  farther  to  the  northeastward,  several  detached  rocks  and 
islets  lie  near  the  shore.  A  reef  is  reported  to  extend  one  mile  from 
Sunshine  point.  Lackwater  point,  19  miles  NE.  of  Martin  point,  is  a 
low,  sandy  spit,  with  several  bowlders  on  the  beach.  Shellnote  point, 
which  is  also  low,  has  on  it  a  round  clump  of  trees. 

Englefield  and  Vivian  islands,  about  400  feet  high,  flat-topped, 
and  wooded,  lie  about  3J  miles  from  the  shore  between  Martin  and 
Sunshine  points.  A  spit  extends  J  mile  in  a  NW..  direction  from  the 
KW.  point  of  Englefield  island  (the  northern). 

Fitz-Roy  channeli  leading  from  Otway  to  Skyring  water,  is  much 
narrowed  by  shoals  which  extend  from  most  of  the  points,  some  even 
to  mid-channel,  making  the  navigation  intricate.  The  difficulty  is 
increased  by  the  tide,  which  runs  through  the  channel  with  a  velocity 
of  3  to  4  knots  per  hour. 

Hall  point,  the  SW.  entrance  point  of  Fitz-Eoy  channel,  is  a  low, 
rocky  spit.  Bolton  bluff,  one  mile  northward  of  Hall  point,  is  a  brown 
slope  without  vegetation,  and  opens  to  view  when  bearing  north.  A 
bank,  with  16  to  18  feet  water,  and  8  fathoms  close-to,  extends  nearly 
a  mile  from  Bolton  bluff. 

The  eastern  shore  of  Fitz-Eoy  channel  is  about  40  feet  high  and  slop- 
ing; the  western  shore  is  low,  with  the  exception  of  Fenton  point,  the 
north  entrance  point  of  Beagle  harbor, 
1943— If 0.  89 8 


114  MAGELLAN  STRAIT — BKTRINa  WATER, 

Beagle  harbor  is  reported  to  be  very  shallow  at  the  head.  The 
Alert  anchored  in  10  fathoms,  muddy  bottom,  with  Fenton  point  bear- 
ing N.  320  E.  (I^.  no  E.  mag.),  Sandy  spit  8. 18©  E.  (8.  39©  E.  mag.), 
and  Donkin  point  8.  47©  E.  (8.  68©  E.  mag.). 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  the  harbor  at  30m.; 
springs  rise  about  5  feet. 

Directions. — Standing  in,  the  Alert  passed  Hall  point  at  a  distance 
of  1 J  miles,  and  when  it  bore  N.  69°  W.  (West  mag.)  the  course  was 
changed  to  K.  21^  E.  (North  mag.)  for  George  point,  until  Sandy  point 
(one  mile  within  the  entrance  on  the  western  shore)  bore  N.  18o  W. 
(N.  390  W.  mag.),  when  it  was  steered  for  on  that  bearing,  and  6  fathoms 
was  the  least  water  found.  The  flood  stream,  commencing  a  mid -channel 
course,  was  kept,  with  depths  of  9  to  11  fathoms,  until  abreast  of  Don- 
kin  cove,  on  the  eastern  shore,  from  which  point  a  reef,  with  12  to  14 
feet  water,  extends  more  than  halfway  across. 

Half  a  mile  north  of  Eeynard  point  is  the  narrowest  part  of  the  chan- 
nel, being  not  more  than  300  yards  between  the  shores.  The  navigable 
portion  of  this  part  of  the  channel  is  contracted  by  a  bank  extending 
from  the  eastern  shore,  and  by  another  bank  extending  from  the  low 
point  just  north  of  it  on  the  western  shore.  The  tidal  stream  in  this 
part  was  so  strong  and  in  such  a  disturbed  state  that  the  edges  of  the 
shoals  could  not  be  made  out.  The  stream  of  the  flood  sets  from  the 
bight  on  the  eastern  shore  toward  the  shore  south  of  Haase  point  on 
the  western  shore. 

When  rounding  Turn  point,  which  is  very  low,  care  is  necessary  with 
the  stream  of  the  flood  not  to  be  set  into  the  shallow  bight  on  the  west- 
ern shore  just  south  of  Bowlder  reef.  This  reef,  a  portion  of  the  north- 
ern edge  of  which  uncovers,  extends  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  channel. 

After  passing  Turn  point  keep  near  the  eastern  shore.  Solitary 
bowlder,  in  line  with  the  south  low  shoulder  of  Beagle  hills  bearing  S. 
630  E.  (S.  840  E.  mag.),  leads  north  of  Bowlder  reef,  thence  steer  toward 
Swan  bay  to  avoid  a  reef  which  extends  more  than  halfway  across  the 
channel  from  the  western  shore.  In  the  northern  entrance  depths  of 
4  fathoms  were  obtained  in  mid-channel  north  of  Bennet  point,  the  N W. 
entrance  point  of  Fitz-Eoy  channel. 

Skyring  ivater. — Hoppers  bluff,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Skyring 
water,  at  3J  miles  iNTNW.  of  Bennet  point,  is  a  black,  cliffy  projection, 
while  all  the  coast  near  is  grass  land,  from  which  spits  extend  seaward 
with  large  bowlders.  At  2f  miles  west  from  Bennet  point,  on  the  south- 
ern shore,  there  is  a  conspicuous  white  bowlder,  which  can  be  seen  from 
Isabella  point,  on  the  northern  shore  of  Skyring  water. 

The  Alert  y^hen  proceeding  from  Fitz-Eoy  channel  to  Las  Minas  bay 
steered  K.  75°  W.  (8.  84^  E.  mag.),  with  Bennet  point  and  the  highest 
part  of  Beagle  hills  in  line  bearing  8.  75°  E.  (N.  84o  E.  mag.),  with 
depths  of  4  fathoms,  until  Hoppers  bluff  bore  N.  40  W.  (N.  25°  W. 
mag.).    The  soundings  then  gradually  increased  until  Hoppers  bluff 


ANCHORAGES — PORT  ALTAMIRANO.  115 

bore  IT.  90  E.  (N.  12o  W.  mag.),  when  a  depth  of  10  fathoms  was  attained, 
after  which  no  bottom  with  the  hand  lead.  The  course  was  now  altered 
to  N.  69°  W.  (West  mag.),  and  when  Isabella  point,  which  is  a  green, 
smooth  point,  bore  N.  IQo  W.  (N.  31°  W.  mag.),  steered  N.  58©  W.  (K 
790  W.  mag.)  for  Las  Minas. 

Anchorages. — The  Alert  anchored  in  Las  Minas  bay  in  6  fathoms, 
mud,  with  Julio  point,  the  west  point  of  the  bay,  bearing  N.  52°  W. 
(N.  730  W.  mag.),  the  pier  in  the  bight  F.  2©  W.  (N.  23°  W.  mag.),  and 
Hurtado  point,  a  cliffy  point  on  the  east  side  of  the  bay,  N.  69^  E. 
(N.  480  E.  mag.).  This  anchorage  is  open  to  the  SW.  winds,  which 
generally  blow  strong. 

Landing. — The  coal  shed  and  jetty  are  at  Julio  point,  where  it  is 
best  to  land;  the  pier  in  the  bight  is  exposed  to  the  sea. 

CoaL — The  coal  from  the  Marta  cbal  mines  at  Las  jVIinas  bay  proved 
to  be  of  inferior  quality,  and  great  difficulty  was  experienced  ia  keep- 
ing steam,  though  the  boiler  power  was  sufficient  to  give  such  coal 
every  advantage.  It  was  subsequently  tried  in  combination  with  Lota 
and  Welsh  coal,  but  the  results,  though  much  better,  were  not  satisfac- 
tory. The  difficult  navigation  of  Fitz-Eoy  channel  would  prevent 
passing  vessels  from  visiting  the  mines  for  a  supply,  and  would  raise 
the  cost  of  transport  to  a  convenient  port  in  Magellan  strait  so  much 
that  it  would  equal  the  price  of  good  English  coal. 

Tides. — The  time  of  high  water  is  somewhat  irregular,  and  the  rise 
is  about  5  feet. 

Fort  Altamirano  is  6  miles  west  of  Las  Minas.  It  is  a  small  but 
secure  harbor,  having  good  holding  ground  in  9  fathoms,  mud.  Eocky 
spits  extend  nearly  4  mile  from  both  entrance  points. 

Cockbum  channel.    See  page  30. 

Barbara  channel    See  page  32. 


CHAPTER    III. 

PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS  AND  THE  OUTER  COAST;  MAGELLAN  STRAIT 

TO  CAPE  TRES  MONTES. 

PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS. 

Qeneral  remarks. — ^The  southwestern  coast  of  Chile,  between  Magel- 
lan strait  and  the  gulf  of  Penas,  is  fronted  by  a  succession  of  islands  of 
considerable  extent,  between  which  are  good  navigable  channels,  afibrd- 
ing  a  smooth  water  route  of  300  miles,  denominated  the  Patagonian 
channels. 

This  route  is  mostly  used  by  vessels  designed  to  avoid  the  heavy  seas 
and  bad  weather  so  often  experienced  on  passing  into  the  Pacific  from 
the  western  end  of  Magellan  strait. 

The  large  full-powered  mail  steamers  generally  at  once  gain  the  open 
sea  at  cape  Pillar,  as  experience  has  shown  that  time  is  thus  saved  to 
them;  but  vessels  of  less  engine  power,  to  which  punctuality  and  dis- 
patch is  not  so  much  an  object  as  avoiding  possible  danger,  will  find 
the  Patagonian  channels  the  best  route. 

The  general  features  of  these  channels  are  high,  abrupt  shores,  with 
innumerable  peaks  and  headlands  remarkably  alike  in  character,  their 
bold,  rugged  heads  giving  an  appearance  of  gloomy  grandeur  rarely 
seen  elsewhere.  The  shores  are  generally  steep-to  and  the  channels, 
for  the  most  part,  open  and  free,  while  the  few  dangers  that  exist  are 
usually  marked  by  kelp.  The  tides  are  regular  and  not  strong,  except 
in  the  English  narrows. 

In  no  case  are  these  channels  more  than  5  miles  wide,  and  average 
about  1^  miles.  In  Mayne  channel  the  navigable  width  is  reduced  to 
500  yards;  Guia  narrows  are  ^  mile  wide,  but  in  the  navigation  of  these 
there  is  no  difl&culty  or  danger  for  the  largest  vessels. 

It  is  at  the  English  narrows  in  Messier  channel  that  the  passage  is 
most  contracted.  Here  it  is  only  200  yards  wide,  but  it  presents  no 
great  difficulty  or  danger  (excepting  to  very  long  vessels)  unless  a  vessel 
goes  through  with  the  wind  and  tide,  which  should  never  be  attempted 
if  the  wind  be  strong. 

In  these  narrows  the  tide  runs  6  knots  at  springs;  and  as  the  chan- 
nel is  winding  it  is,  during  springs,  always  advisable  to  await  slack 
water,  for  which  purpose  the  anchorages  in  Eden  harbor  on  the  south 
and  Halt  bay  or  Gray  harbor  on  the  north  side  of  the  narrows  are 
conveniently  situated. 
116 


GENERAL  BEMABES.  117 

Through  the  whole  extent  of  the  channels  the  chart  and  eye  must  be 
the  principal  guides,  as  it  is  impossible  to  give  a  description  of  channels 
so  narrow  and  tortuous  with  sufficient  exactness  to  guide  a  mariner 
without  them. 

The  following  description  is  intended  only  for  steamers,  which  alone 
should  attempt  to  make  this  passage.  With  care,  those  of  the  largest 
class  may  go.  through  with  perfect  safety. 

The  usual  route  followed,  and  that  recommended  to  vessels  bound 
northward,  is  by  Smyth  channel,  Barmiento,  Inocentes,  Ooncepcion, 
Wide  aud  Messier  channels  to  the  gulf  of  Peiias. 

Trinidad  channel,  which  leads  to  seaward  from  the  northern  end  of 
Concepcion  channel,  is  exceedingly  useful  to  pass  out  to  the  Pacific  from 
the  Patagonian  channels,  in  case  it  is  desirable  to  avoid  the  possible 
delay  occasioned  by  English  narrows  in  Messier  channel.  Alert  harbor, 
at  its  western  end,  will  afford  shelter  t©  a  number  of  large  vessels. 

From  Trinidad  channel  vessels  can  gain  the  gulf  of  Peflas  by  Picton, 
Stosch,  and  Fallos  channels,  but  that  route,  although  having  some 
advantage  in  avoiding  English  narrows,  is  not  considered  so  safe  as 
the  well-known  route  by  Wide  and  Messier  channels. 

Anchorages  may  always  be  had  if  judgment  be  exercised  and  the 
vessel  not  pushed  on  till  too  late  in  the  day  to  pick  one  up;  and,  even 
should  no  anchorage  be  obtained,  the  shores,  excepting  in  one  or  two 
places,  are  so  bold  and  steep-to  that  a  vessel  may  safely  remain  under 
way  all  night  under  ordinary  circumstances  of  weather. 

The  surveying  vessel  Nassau^  on  one  occasion,  was  caught  in  this  way 
by  the  nonexistence  of  an  anchorage,  and  continued  on  her  course  under 
easy  speed  all  night  without  any  danger  as  far  as  the  land  was  con- 
cerned, though  the  floating  ice  out  of  Eyre  sound  gave  the  ship  some 
severe  blows.  In  the  event  of  being  so  caught,  and  not  liking  to  con- 
tinue on  the  course,  it  is  advisable  to  send  a  party  on  shore  to  keep  a 
fire  burning  all  night,  and  the  sea  is  seldom  so  heavy  as  to  prevent 
boats  landing  on  one  shore  or  the  other  in  safety. 

A  moderate-sized  vessel  will  find  an  anchorage  every  few  miles 
throughout  the  entire  length  of  the  inner  or  recommended  route,  the 
longest  run  between  any  two  being  27  miles. 

After  leaving  Port  Ohurruca  or  Port  Tamar,  large  vessels  may 
anchor  in  Mayne  channel.  Isthmus  bay,  Puerto  Bueno,  Wide  bay, 
Molyneux  sound,  Henderson  inlet,  Senaret  harbor.  Port  Grappler, 
Eden  harbor  (for  English  narrows).  Gray  harbor  (for  English  narrows, 
bound  south),  Connor  cove,  and  at  the  anchorage  outside  Island  har- 
bor. The  longest  run  between  Isthmus  bay  and  Puerto  Bueno  is  77 
miles;  that  between  Senaret  harbor  or  Henderson  inlet  to  Port  Grap- 
pler is  51  miles;  no  other  distance  between  any  successive  anchorage 
exceeds  36  miles. 

Caution. — As  there  has  been  no  complete  survey  of  the  channels 
between  Magellan  strait  and  the  gulf  of  Peiias,  the  navigator  is  cau- 
tioned that,  although  the  charts  and  directions  may  be  considered 


118  PATAGONIAN  CHANKEL8 — BHOLL  BAY. 

sufficient  guides  by  daylight,  he  must  not  trust  too  implicitly  in  them 
during  thick  weather,  as  in  some  few  instances  the  bearings  from  head- 
land to  headland  are  not  strictly  accurate,  and  the  buoys  and  beacons 
are  not  to  be  depended  on. 

Wind  and  "weather. — Except  where  an  opening  occurs  the  true 
wind  is  rarely  felt,  and  is  forced  by  the  high  mountains  into  a  kind  of 
funnel,  up  or  down  which  it  always  blows.  The  prevailing  wind  is  from 
the  northward,  and  sometimes  blows  with  great  fury,  but  of  course  in 
so  confined  a  space  there  is  never  any  sea  sufficiently  high  to  be  danger- 
ous to  a  vessel,  or  even  to  a  boat.  The  principal  feature  in  the  weather 
here  is  not  in  the  strength  of  the  wind,  but  the  almost  peri)etual  rain. 

Day  after  day  there  is  this  steady  downfall,  unless  the  vessel  is  so 
fortunate  as  to  arrive  in  one  of  those  rare  breaks  of  lovely  weather 
which  sometimes  happen.  Then  it  will  seem  as  if  this  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  of  navigable  waters,  with  smooth  sea,  well-sheltered 
anchorages,  and  surrounded  by  the  most  glorious  scenery;  but  these 
occasions  are  extremely  rare. 

As  far  as  the  rain  is  concerned  one  season  is  as  bad  as  another,  but 
the  warmth  and  length  of  daylight  in  the  summer  render  that  season 
far  the  better  for  such  navigation. 

Supplies. — The  only  food  supply  that  can  be  depended  upon  with 
any  certainty  is  mussels.  These  are  to  be  obtained  everywhere  and  are 
very  good  of  their  kind.  In  the  summer  a  few  berries  may  be  picked 
up,  or  bought  from  the  Indians  when  they  are  met  with.  Fish  are 
in  abundance,  but  it  is  very  difficult  to  find  a  beach  on  which  to 
haul  the  seine.  With  a  trammel  net  they  may  be  taken  in  most  of 
the  quiet  coves. 

The  evergreen  and  antarctic  beeches  are  almost  the  only  kind  of  tree, 
covering  the  mountain  sides  everywhere  from  the  water's  edge  to  a  line 
several  hundred  feet  above.  Among  these  is  a  thick,  tangled  under- 
growth growing  from  a  soft,  spongy  moss,  treading  on  which  one  sinks 
to  the  knees.  For  steaming  purposes  the  wood  found  in  the  northern 
parts  of  these  channels  is  better  than  that  found  in  the  south. 

H.  O.  Chart  No.  446. 

Straggler  islands  are  a  cluster  of  small  islands  lying  in  the  north 
part  of  Beaufort  bay,  between  Tamar  island  and  the  entrance  to  Smyth 
channel,  in  steering  for  which  they  must  be  left  to  starboard.  The 
western  islands  are  low  and  small,  40  feet  being  the  height  of  Boston 
island,  the  northwestern  of  the  group,  and  off  which  rocks  and  kelp 
extend  |  mile. 

When  visible,  mount  Joy,  a  long  flat-shaped  hill  on  the  west  side  of 
Smyth  channel,  just  open  west  of  Fairway  island,  bearing  N.  22°  E. 
(Korth  mag.),  will  lead  to  the  entrance  of  Smyth  channel. 

Shell  bay,  under  the  NE.  side  of  cape  Phillip,  the  western  entrance 
point  of  Smyth  channel,  may  easily  be  recognized,  as  cape  Phillip 
and  St.  Annes  peak,  the  latter  rising  1,690  feet,  are  excellent  marks. 


SMYTH  CHANNEL.  119 

Although  in  this  bay  the  anchorage  is  confined  and  it  has  several  out- 
lying rocks,  vessels  are  secure  when  inside,  and  it  will  be  found  an 
advantageous  stopping  place  for  steamers  proceeding  through  Smyth 
channel. 

Nearly  f  mile  southeastward  of  point  Henry,  the  south  point  of  the 
bay,  is  Flat  rock,  5  feet  above  high  water,  but  this  will  not  be  distin- 
guished until  it  is  open  of  cape  Phillip.  As  the  shoal  water  off*  it  extends 
more  than  a  mile  to  the  southward,  care  should  be  taken  to  sight  the 
rock  before  closing  the  land  too  much. 

Northward  of  Flat  rock,  at  800  and  1,200  yards,  are  two  detached 
rocks  just  awash  at  high  water,  with  shoal  ground  J  mile  beyond  them  to 
the  northeastward,  and  one  mile  East  (N.  68°  E.  mag.)  of  Flat  rock  is 
a  4|-fathom  patch  named  Freycinet  reef.  Foul  ground  extends  J  mile 
SSE,  of  Freycinet  reef,  but  nothing  less  than  10  fathoms  was  found. 
Flat  rock  should  not  be  approached  within  1|  miles  on  its  eastern  or 
northern  side. 

Directions. — After  rounding  Tamar  island,  steer  North  (N.  22^  W. 
mag.)  for  4  or  5  miles  before  edging  away  to  the  northward,  as  with  the 
prevalent  strong  westerly  winds  a  vessel  is  liable  to  be  set  to  the  east- 
ward, then  steer  N.  22^  E.  (North  mag.)  until  St.  Annes  peak  is  distin- 
guished, when  keep  a  point  to  the  eastward  of  it  until  the  other  features 
of  the  land  can  be  made  out.  Off  Robert  i)oint  (the  north  point  of 
ShoU  bay)  is  a  group  of  small  rocky  islets,  which  may  be  steered  for  on 
a  N.  120  W.  (N.  340  W.  mag.)  bearing  until  within  J  mile  of  them,  when 
a  larger  islet  (Moss)  westward  of  Robert  point  will  appear;  then  keep 
close  along  the  shore  of  Moss  islet  until  its  western  extreme  bears  N. 
61°  E.  (N.  390  E.  mag.),  distant  300  yards,  which  is  the  best  anchorage 
for  a  large  vessel.  A  small  vessel  may  feel  her  way  farther  in.  There 
is  a  channel  into  the  bay  from  the  southward  inside  Flat  rock,  but  it 
has  not  been  examined.  In  calm  weather  it  would  be  necessary  to  moor 
here,  but  with  westerly  winds  single  anchor  with  a  long  scope  of  chain 
is  preferable. 

The  williwaws  over  the  land  blow  with  terrific  force,  but  the  water 
is  perfectly  smooth,  and  the  Nassau  rode  out  two  very  heavy  gales  in 
this  bay  at  single  anchor.  In  an  easterly  gale  vessels  should  not  go 
into  Sholl  bay,  as  it  is  perfectly  open,  but  should  either  run  out  of  the 
strait  before  it  or  stop  at  port  Ohurruca. 

Kelp  has  grown  up  in  Sholl  bay  since  the  Nassau's  survey,  and  it  is 
difficult  to  get  in  to  the  anchorage  without  passing  through  some  of  it. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Sholl  bay  at  llh.  45m.; 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

SMYTH  CHANNEL. 

Smyth  channel  extends  45  miles  in  a  general  northerly  direction  to 
Victory  pass  and  then  30  miles  northwesterly  into  Nelson  strait. 

Appearance  of  the  land. — On  the  western  shore  of  Smyth  channel, 
at  about  2}  miles  north  of  cape  Phillip,  is  St.  Annes  peak,  1,690  feet 


120  SMYTH   CHANNEL — ^I^ENOUARD  ISLAND. 

high,  termiDating  in  a  sharp  conical  point.  St.  Agnes  peak,  about  2 
miles  eastward  of  St.  Annes,  has  a  roanded  top  and  is  1,064  feet  high. 
Mount  Joy,  1,426  feet,  5^  miles  northeastward  of  the  latter  peak,  has  a 
flat  summit,  and  when  seen  from  abreast  Straggler  islands  appears 
divided  into  three  parts  by  two  small  notches,  the  western  side  of  the 
summit  appearing  a  little  higher  than  the  eastern. 

Fairway  islets  can  be  seen  in  clear  weather  a  distance  of  10  miles; 
the  largest  is  so  much  higher  than  the  others  that  they  only  show  when 
open  of  it.  There  are  four  peaks,  which  are  well  defined  when  either 
northward  or  southward,  the  highest  being  115  feet. 

Lynch  rock,  lying  a  little  more  than  600  yards  ft*om  the  north 
extreme  of  the  largest  Fairway  islet,  is  awash  at  low  water.  The  kelp 
extends  from  the  islands  almost  to  the  rock. 

Deep  harbor,  the  first  anchorage  on  the  western  shore  of  Smyth 
channel,  at  3  miles  northward  of  Fairway  islets,  is  of  very  little  service 
to  vessels  of  the  present  day.  The  entrance  is  J  mile  wide  and  the 
anchorage  about  ^  mile  within  the  first  head  off  the  entrance  of  a 
lagoon,  in  30  to  35  fathoms.  On  entering  there  is  a  kelp  patch  on  the 
starboard  hand,  and  the  shore  is  fronted  for  a  short  distance  by  rocks. 

Viel  islands  are  on  the  east  side  of  Smyth  channel,  3  miles  north- 
eastward of  Fairway  islands.  When  seen  from  the  southward  they 
appear  as  one  only,  high  at  the  north  extremity  and  terminating  in  a 
low  point  at  the  south;  when  abreast  Deep  harbor,  the  several  islands 
forming  the  group  can  be  distinguished. 

Three  Peaks  island,  on  the  western  shore,  abreast  the  center  of 
Viel  group,  is  small  but  remarkable,  showing  on  some  bearings  three 
distinct  peaks,  the  highest  of  which  is  60  feet. 

Burgoyne  bay,  4^  miles  northeastward  of  Deep  harbor,  and  on  the 
opposite  shore,  affords  anchorage,  though  it  can  not  be  called  good  on 
account  of  its  depth;  there  is  no  danger,  however,  which  either  does 
not  show,  or  is  marked  by  kelp.  The  bottom  is  very  uneven,  varying 
from  40  to  12  fathoms,  but  near  the  shore  in  some  parts  a  vessel  can 
anchor  and  secure  with  a  stern  hawser  to  a  tree,  as  it  is  perfectly  land- 
locked. Hugh  head,  a  barren  height,  200  or  300  feet  high,  over  the 
north  side  of  the  bay,  marks  its  entrance. 

Qreen  islands,  5  miles  northward  of  Deep  harbor,  may  be  recog- 
nized by  their  green  appearance  against  the  barren  background  of 
Benouard  island. 

Pylades  bay,  on  the  east  side  of  the  channel,  abreast  Green  islet, 
has  anchorage  on  the  southern  shore,  between  two  islands,  the  north- 
ern one  of  which  appears  as  a  promontory;  the  depth  is  16  fathoms, 
with  good  holding  ground.  The  head  of  the  bay  is  sheltered  from  all 
winds  except  those  from  the  west.  A  shoal  of  9  feet  extends  from  the 
southern  shore,  rendering  that  part  only  fit  for  small  vessels. 

Renouard  island,  about  a  mile  from  Green  islet,  is  high,  rugged, 
and  barren,  with  two  peaks  850  and  650  feiBt  high.  The  higher  or  west- 
ern peak  is  not  so  well  defined  as  the  eastern  one.    Prain  and  Buckley 


ANTOINE  BAY — ^ALERT  ROCK.  121 

points,  on  tne  east  side  of  the  island,  are  low,  but  show  out  well  against 
the  land  of  Sivel  promontory  and  Simpson  island,  north  of  it. 

Antoine  bay,  on  the  eastern  shore,  1 J  miles  north  of  Pylades  bay, 
has  no  danger  in  it,  but  there  is  no  room  for  anchoring  except  by  going 
to  the  head  of  the  bay  and  making  fast  to  the  shore. 

Sivel  promontory,  just  north  of  Antoine  bay,  appears  to  form  part 
of  the  islands  Renouard  and  Simpson  when  viewed  from  the  southward. 

Good  and  North  bays,  on  the  western  shore,  abreast  Eenouard 
islands,  are  both  unfit  for  long  vessels,  as  indeed  are  all  the  anchorages 
between  Sholl  and  Otter  bays,  and  a  vessel  going  northward  should  not 
pass  Tamar  or  Sholl  bay  without  being  sure  of  reaching  Otter  bay. 

Directions. — Renouard  island  may  be  passed  on  either  side,  but  the 
eastern  passage  is  preferable;  then  between  Shoal  island,  just  off  the 
extreme  of  Sivel  promontory,  and  Evans  group;  between  Richards  and 
Simpson  islands;  thence  N.  12^  W.  (N.  34^  W.  mag.),  leaving  Pearse 
and  Alert  rocks  and  Shearwater  islets  on  the  starboard  hand.  From 
cape  Colworth  until  Otter  islands  are  approached  there  is  no  danger. 
On  rounding  the  west  side  of  Shoal  islands  give  them  a  good  berth,  as 
the  tidal  currents  sometimes  set  strongly  toward  them. 

Beacon. — A  white  pyramidal  beacon,  surrounded  by  a  cage  painted 
red,  is  erected  on  the  highest  part  of  Shoal  island. 

Evans  group  are  midway  between  Renouard  and  Richards  islands, 
the  highest  being  60  feet.  They  are  barren  and  of  a  whitish  color,  with 
kelp  off  their  eastern  extremity,  outside  of  which  the  Avater  is  deep. 

Simpson  island,  on  the  eastern  shore,  north  of  Sivel  promontory, 
has  a  well-defined  peak  726  feet  high,  showing  above  the  range  of  hills 
extending  from  north  to  south  of  the  island.  Along  its  western  shore 
are  several  small  islets  or  rocks  surrounded  by  kelp. 

Isabel  island,  off  the  NW.  point  of  Simpson  island,  is  small  and  of 
a  whitish  or  gray  color;  it  has  a  fringe  of  kelp  along  its  western  side, 
with  several  small  islets  between  it  and  Simpson  island. 

Richards  island  has  several  small  rocks  along  its  eastern  side,  with 
a  remarkable  islet  close  to  cape  Henry.  It  is  rugged  and  barren,  and  of 
the  same  grayish  color  as  nearly  all  the  land  in  the  vicinity.  Approach- 
ing this  island  from  the  north,  the  two  hills  (349  and  435  feet)  near 
its  north  and  south  extremities  have  the  appearance  of  two  hummocks. 

Shearvcrater  islets,  about  one  mile  from  Richards  island,  consist  of 
five  small  islets,  with  several  rocks  between,  well  marked  by  kelp,  some 
awash  and  some  above  water.  These  islets,  apparently  not  over  30 
feet  high,  form  a  good  mark,  when  seen  from  the  north,  for  pointing 
out  the  position  of  Alert  and  Pearse  rocks.  Shearwater  islets  appear 
peaked  when  first  seen  from  abreast  of  the  Sparkes  islands  in  Retreat 
bay. 

Pearse  rock,  lying  600  yards  SW.  of  Shearwater  islets,  is  small  and 
awash,  surrounded  by  kelp,  and  sometimes  difficult  to  distinguish.  A 
good  berth  should  be  given  it  when  passing. 

Alert  rocky  lying  about  600  yards  NW.  of  Shearwater  islets,*  has 


122       PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — ^MAYNE  CHANNEL. 

tbree  heads  showing  above  water,  with  a  fringe  of  kelp  around  it,  and 
is  difficult  to  distinguish  when  approaching  from  the  north. 

If  the  weather  be  thick,  and  Alert  rock  has  not  been  made  out,  close 
the  land  north  of  cape  Oolworth,  or  stop  the  engines  until  the  weather 
clears. 

Retreat  bay,  on  the  western  shore,  at  about  3  miles  north  of  Bich- 
ards  island,  is  large  and  well  sheltered,  but  the  water  is  too  deep  for 
a  good  anchorage,  no  bottom  being  obtainable  at  30  fathoms  until  so 
close  to  the  shore  that  a  large  vessel  could  not  swing. 

Hose  harbor,  on  the  eastern  shore  abreast  Retreat  bay,  is  entered 
through  a  long  narrow  passage,  and  looked  most  tempting  at  first 
sight,  but  is  useless  on  account  of  its  depth. 

Tandy  bay,  on  the  eastern  shore,  3^  miles  north  of  Hose  harbor,  has 
anchorage  for  small  vessels  on  its  northern  side  in  the  kelp,  but  both 
it  and  Oake  bay  on  the  west  shore  abreast  Tandy  bay  are  so  near  the 
better  anchorage  of  Otter  bay  that  it  would  be  rarely  necessary  to 
make  use  of  them. 

Dashixrood  point  is  the  termination  of  a  high  range  of  hills  gradu- 
ally sloping  down  to  the  water  on  the  east  side  of  the  south  entrance 
to  Mayne  channel,  and  is  easily  recognized  when  approaching  it  from 
the  south.  A  rock  barely  awash  at  half  flood  lies  about  40  yards  from 
the  point. 

Conner  islets  are  nine  in  number,  the  largest  of  which  is  only  40 
feet  high  and  200  yards  across.  They  are  dark  colored,  and  from  the 
southward  look  like  several  small  haycocks.  These  islands  are  excel- 
lent marks  for  Otter  bay  and  the  channels. 

The  ridge,  with  depths  of  from  5  to  12  fathoms,  extends  from  Dash- 
wood  point  to  the  Otter  islands.  It  is  steep-to  on  either  side,  has  an 
average  breadth  of  about  400  yards,  and  affords  temporary  anchorage 
in  6^  fathoms  near  Dashwood  point;  also  in  6^  to  7  fathoms  about  h 
mile  south  of  Otter  islands. 

Otter  islands  consist  of  five  islands  and  several  small  islets  sepa- 
rating Mayne  and  Gray  channels  at  their  south  entrances.  The  largest 
is  Campbell  island,  190  feet  high  and  J  mile  long  north  and  south. 
Most  of  the  islands  are  covered  with  small  trees  of  stunted  growth. 

As  Otter  islands  are  neared  from  the  southward  Conner  islands  will 
show  on  the  port  hand  and  the  summit  of  Campell  island  will  be  seen 
over  the  lower  land  of  the  island  in  front  of  it. 

Mayne  channel,  about  8  miles  in  length,  leading  eastward  of  Otter 
and  Summer  islands,  though  shoaler  than  Gray  channel,  is  generally 
preferred  for  vessels  not  drawing  more  than  25  to  26  feet. 

Otter  bay,  formed  by  the  three  southernmost  Otter  islands,  has  very 
good  anchorage  in  6  to  7  fathoms,  well  sheltered,  but  confined  for  a 
large  vessel.  When  entering  the  bay  the  eastern  shore  of  Cunningham 
island  should  be  kept  aboard  until  well  inside,  then  two  or  three  small 
islets  will  open  on  the  starboard  hand,  and  the  boat  channel  to  the 


OTTER  BAY — SAN  JUAN  SHOAL.  123 

northward  between  Cunningham  and  Campbell  islands  will  also  open. 
As  soon  as  the  small  islets  are  seen  steer  for  them,  and  anchor  when 
the  SW.  and  NW.  extremes  of  Cunningham  and  Campbell  islands  are 
in  line. 

On  account  of  the  increased  growth  of  kelp  the  pilots  for  these 
channels  do  not  take  heavy  draft  Vessels  into  the  anchorage,  but 
anchor  them  on  the  ridge  under  Bedwell  island.  In  standing  in  for 
this  berth,  keep  the  west  i)oint  of  Bedwell  island  and  the  highest 
point  of  Campbell  island  in  range. 

There  is  no  ship  passage  between  Otter  and  Summer  island.  Most 
of  this  part  dries  at  low  water. 

The  western  shore  along  this  part  of  the  channel  is  high  and  steep, 
but  the  eastern  shore  is  very  low  as  far  as  the  base  of  mount  Burney, 
which  is  5,800  feet  high  and  always  covered  with  snow. 

Bradbury  rock,  about  6  feet  above  water,  lies  3  miles  within  the 
south  entrance  of  Mayne  channel  on  the  east  side  of  the  track ;  the  rock 
appears  when  seen  from  the  north,  wedge-shaped  and  dark,  the  high 
part  of  the  wedge  being  to  the  eastward.  There  is  also  a  small  rock 
awash  near  the  NW.  and  one  near  the  SE.  end;  kelp  extends  some 
distance  in  a  southerly  direction  from  the  latter. 

Suxnmer  island,  on  the  west  side  of  Mayne  channel,  is  120  feet  high, 
with  two  islets  about  200  yards  from  the  N  W.  shore  of  the  island.  From 
Henderson  point  kelp  extends  for  J  mile,  and  with  the  kelp  extending 
from  Long  island  on  the  opposite  shore  forms  the  narrowest  part  of  the 
channel;  the  deepest  water  is  near  the  Summer  island  kelp. 

Buoy. — A  red  buoy  is  moored  in  31  feet  water  on  the  edge  of  the 
ridge  which  extends  from  Summer  island  to  Long  island.  This  buoy 
lies  about  200  yards  westward  of  the  usual  track  for  vessels,  but  100 
yards  southward  of  a  4f -fathom  patch  marked  by  kelp. 

Caution. — The  buoys  and  beacons  in  the  Patagonian  channels  are 
not  to  be  depended  upon. 

Long  island,  on  the  east  side  of  Mayne  channel,  is  3^  miles  long  and 
f  mile  across  at  its  widest  part.  A  range  of  hills  of  a  red  color  extends 
from  the  SE.  point  to  about  f  mile  from  the  NW.  point;  the  highest 
hill,  532  feet  high,  is  near  the  southern  extremity.  The  island  is  bar- 
ren with  the  exception  of  Green  point  (NW.  point)  and  the  coast  close 
to  the  water's  edge,  where  there  are  a  few  stunted  trees  or  bushes. 
After  passing  Summer  island,  Long  island  should  not  be  approached 
nearer  than  |  mile. 

Hartwell  bay,  eastward  of  Long  island,  may  afford  anchorage 
among  its  numerous  islands,  but  it  is  out  of  the  way. 

San  Juan  shoal,  a  patch  of  13^  feet,  lies  with  the  south  extreme  of 
Baverstock  island  bearing  N.  79^  W.  (S.  79°  W.  mag.).  Green  point 
N.  690  E.  (N.  370  E.  mag.),  and  east  extreme  of  Cutler  island  K.  15o 
E.  (N.  70  W.  mag.).  A  red  conical  buoy,  surmounted  by  staff  and 
globe,  marks  its  western  edge. 


124  PATAGOKIAN  CHANNELS — ^BANNEN  AND  QRAT  CHANNELS. 

Bcumen  channel,  the  imssage  east  of  Long  island,  is  contracted 
nearly  in  midway  to  about  200  yards  wide  by  Alzerreca  bank,  which 
extends  from  the  eastern  shore. 

Abreast  a  narrow  projection  200  yards  BE.  firom  Green  point  and 
aboat  20  yards  from  the  shore  lies  a  reef  (dry  at  low  water)  having  a 
shoal  marked  by  kelp  extending  i  mile  in  a  northeasterly  direction. 
From  Peligrosa  point  a  shoal  marked  by  kelp  extends  in  a  south- 
westerly direction,  and  apparently  joins  the  shoal  extending  from  the 
reef  near  Long  island.  There  is,  however,  between  these  shoals  a 
channel  400  yards  wide,  with  10  fathoms  water  in  the  center  and  4f 
fathoms  on  either  side. 

Directions. — A  vessel  bound  northward  through  Mayne  channel  wUl 
first  obtain  soundings  on  the  ridge,  and  after  crossing  it  the  water 
deepens  until  the  bank  between  Summer  and  Long  islands  is  reached. 
The  channel  over  this  bank  lies  midway  between  the  two  islands  and 
has  in  it  5^  fathoms  water.  The  bank  appears  to  have  silted  up,  as  10 
fathoms  was  the  least  watermark  in  the  old  chart  by  Skyriug. 

As  Bedwell  island  is  passed  Bradbury  rock  will  show,  and  when 
passed  it  should  be  brought  right  astern,  bearing  S.  23<^  E.  (S.  45^  E. 
mag.),  and  the  ship  steered  N.  23°  W.  (N.  46°  W.  mag.)  until  the  shoal 
water  between  Summer  and  Long  islands  is  past,  or  keep  Bradbury 
rock  and  the  middle  and  highest  of  the  Francis  islets  in  line.  After 
passing  the  narrow  part  of  Mayne  channel,  to  avoid  the  shoal  grbund 
off  Long  island  steer  for  Baverstock  peak  until  the  summit  of  Cutler 
island  is  in  line  with  the  gap  in  the  hills  made  by  Isthmus  bay,  bearing 
N.  160  E.  (N.  6o  W.  mag.),  and  keep  the  mark  on  until  Green  point 
bears  S.  79°  E.  (N.  79^  E.  mag.).  Going  south  the  northernmost  of  the 
Francis  islets  off  Fortune  bay,  or  Boget  head  if  the  former  can  not  be 
seen,  should  be  brought  right  astern,  bearing  N.  23^  W.  (N.  46°  W. 
mag.),  and  a  S.  23^  E.  (S.  45^  E.  mag.)  course  steered  for  the  shoal 
water  until  within  about  a  mile  of  Bradbury  rock,  when  a  vessel  should 
haul  to  the  southward,  so  as  to  pass  midway  between  the  east  side  of 
Bedwell  island  and  Dashwood  point,  keeping  Bradbury  rock  in  line 
with  SE.  extreme  of  Long  island,  bearing  K  29^  E.  (N.  7^  E.  mag.). 

Anchorage  may  be  had  for  a  night  on  the  bank,  in  mid-channel, 
between  Summer  and  Long  islands  in  6  or  7  fathoms. 

Q-ray  channel,  leading  westward  of  the  Otter  and  Summer  islands, 
is  deeper  than  Mayne  channel,  but  narrower  and  more  intricate.  In 
fine  weather,  however,  a  vessel  may,  if  necessary,  pass  through  it  in 
safety  by  keeping  clear  of  the  kelp  by  which  all  the  dangers  are 
marked. 

Directions. — The  two  kelp  patches  off  Vereker  and  Foley  islands 
can  be  passed  on  either  side,  and  going  northward  the  left  extreme  of 
Hoskyn  islet  should  be  steered  for  until  within  600  or  800  yards;  then 
keep  for  the  right  extreme  of  Orlebar  island  until  the  narrow  is  passed. 
A  N.  330  E.  (K.  11°  E.  mag.)  course  will  then  lead  clear  of  Glitter  rock 
and  up  the  channel. 


FORTUNE  BAY — ^HAMPER  BAY.  125 

Fortune  bay,  on  the  SE.  side  of  Baverstock  island,  is  a  fair  anchor- 
age for  a  small  vessel,  bat  too  confined  for  a  large  one.  Keep  Low 
island  to  the  northward,  and  take  care,  both  on  entering  and  leaving, 
to  give  Adeona  rock  a  wide  berth,  as  the  kelp  extends  a  long  distance 
off  it. 

"Lovfr  Island  beacon. — ^A  small  beacon  has  been  erected  on  Low 
island,  Fortune  bay. 

.  Cutler  island,  248  feet  high,  has  very  high  conspicnous  land  rising 
in  a  conical  form  from  a  small  hammock  near  the  east  side  and  sloping 
to  a  point  at- the  KW.  extremity.  The  north  side  appears  well  wooded, 
while  that  of  the  west  is  barren  and  of  a  white  color. 

Sim  rock  lies  close  to  its  SE.  side,  and  two  islets  near  the  west. 

Cape  Palmer,  the  SE.  point  of  Eennell  island,  is  low,  covered  with 
small  trees,  and  has  several  flat- topped  islets  off  its  extremity  5  within 
the  low  point  forming  the  cape  the  land  rises  to  a  considerable  height. 

Isthmus  bay  is  one  of  the  best  anchorages  in  the  channels.  It  may 
be  known  on  approaching  it  from  the  northward  by  a  remarkable  white 
patch  on  the  land  about  J  mile  NW.  of  Selfe  point.  The  bay  is  perfectly 
safe  for  the  largest  vessels.  The  reefs  are  all  marked  by  kelp,  and 
Labouchere  rock  breaks  when  there  is  any  sea.  The  most  secure  berth 
is  in  the  inner  bay  in  14  to  16  fathoms,  bottom  of  sand. 

If  not  deemed  desirable  to  go  far  in,  a  ship  passing  300  yards  off 
Trivett  point  and  steering  N.  11°  E.  (N.  11°  W.  mag.)  for  J  mile  will 
find  good  anchorage  in  20  fathoms,  mud,  with  Selfe  point  bearing 
about  S.  790  W.  (S.  570  W.  mag.);  or  if  preferred  she  may  go  200  or 
400  yards  farther  in  on  nearly  the  same  course. 

Beacons. — A  beacon  33  feet  high,  consisting  of  iron  framework  pyr- 
amidal in  shape  and  surmounted  by  a  ball,  all  painted  white,  stands  a 
little  outside  of  ^elfe  point.  There  is  also  a  beacon  on  a  hill  60  feet 
high,  about  130  yards  east  of  the  point. 

Mallet  bay,  at  the  head  of  Isthmus  bay,  is  too  shoal  to  be  of  much 
service.    The  chart  must  be  the  guide  into  this  bay. 

The  same  applies  to  Welcome  bay,  and  port  Mardon,  its  inner  basin 
on  the  western  shore  of  the  channel. 

Sandy  bay,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  channel,  at  3  miles  north  of 
Isthmus  bay,  affords  anchorage  by  passing  southward  of  a  long  patch 
of  kelp,  with  4  fathoms  on  it,  which  extends  from  the  northern  point 
nearly  in  line  with  the  south  point.  Within  this  there  are  18  to  20 
fathoms,  but  for  a  large  vessel  it  is  not  ropommended. 

Inlet  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  the  channel  at  about  3  miles  north  of 
Welcome  bay,  also  affords  anchorage,  but  with  Isthmus  bay  so  near 
these  bays  are  hardly  required. 

Island  bay,  on  the  western  side  of  Hunter  island,  is  said  to  offer 
g6od  anchorage  both  to  the  northward  and  southward  of  some  islets 
which  lie  off  it. 

Hamper  bay,  at  the  SW.  end  of  Piazzi  island,  has  also  anchorage 
in  7  to  15  fathoms.    This  part  of  Smyth  channel  widens  to  3J  miles, 


126  PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — ^DIXON  COVE. 

but  at  6  miles  farther  on,  near  Geres  island,  it  narrows  to  2  miles; 
hence  to  the  mouth  of  the  channel,  where  strong  NW.  winds  send  in  a 
heavy  sea,  no  anchorage  is  known,  but  a  small  vessel  in  want  of  shel- 
ter would  no  doubt  find  some  by  sending  a  boat  in  search. 

Victory  pass,  separating  Zach  peninsula  from  Hunter  island,  con- 
nects Smyth  channel  with  Collingwood  strait  and  Sarmiento  channel 
on  the  north,  and  with  Union  sound  to  the  SE.  The  latter  leads  to 
the  Ancon  Sin  Salida  (or  No  Thoroughfare  cove)  of  Sarmiento,  and 
thence  through  Eirke  narrows  to  Obstruction  sound  and  Last  Hope 
inlet,  all  of  which  have  been  carefully  examined  in  the  hope  of  finding 
an  opening  into  Skyring  water. 

Brinkley  island  has  a  well-defined  peak  near  the  SE.  end,  sloping 
toward  the  !N  W.  The  island  is  of  a  brownish  color,  with  a  few  stunted 
trees  on  it. 

Bessel  rock,  about  10  feet  above  water,  lies  nearly  midway  between 
Zach  peninsula  and  Brinkley  island,  and  is  quite  out  of  the  channel. 

Cloyne  reef,  on  the  west  side  of  Victory  pass  abreast  Brinkley  island, 
is  a  circular  rocky  shoal,  just  awash  and  thickly  covered  with  kelp. 
With  strong  winds  the  sea  breaks  heavily  on  it,  but  in  thick  weather  it 
may  not  be  made  out  until  close  upon  it.  As  the  shore  of  Brinkley 
island  is  steep-to  a  vessel  should  steer  for  it  until  the  reef  is  made  out 
and  then  pass  between  it  and  the  island.  The  passage  between  it  and 
Hunter  island  is  only  600  yards  across,  but  when  the  reef  is  in  sight 
the  passage  is  safe,  and  with  a  low-powered  vessel,  if  the  wind  is  down 
the  channel,  it  is  advisable  to  keep  that  side  so  as  not  to  be  set  farther 
to  leeward  than  necessary. 

A  spindle  is  erected  on  Cloyne  reef  in  place  of  the  beacon  formerly 
marking  it. 

William  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  Hunter  island,  is  well  sheltered 
and  affords  a  good  stopping  place  for  boats,  but  there  is  not  room  in  it 
for  a  vessel  of  any  length. 

La  Place  islands,  off  the  SE.  point  of  Newton  island,  are  a  group 
of  low,  flat-topped  islands,  covered  with  bushes  and  trees.  The  largest, 
La  Place  island,  forms  the  eastern  side  of  the  north  channel  to  Bixon 
cove. 

Dizon  cove,  between  the  south  end  of  Newton  island  and  La  Place 
islands,  is  about  500  yards  in  extent,  and  has  a  passage  in  and  out  at 
either  end.  It  is  much  more  sheltered  than  Columbine  cove,  and  its  only 
objection  is  the  depth  of  water,  the  anchorage  being  in  24  fathoms,  but 
the  holding  ground  is  good,  consisting  of  clay,  sand,  and  mud.  Coming 
from  the  southward,  this  cove  opens  as  soon  as  Eoss  point  (Hunter 
island)  is  passed,  and  Catalina  island  may  be  passed  on  either  side; 
coming  from  the  northward,  follow  the  coast  of  Newton  island  for  the 
opening,  which  will  appear  between  it  and  the  largest  of  La  Place 
islands,  and  enter  the  cove  from  the  northward.  If  the  usual  northerly 
wind  be  blowing  with  any  force,  however,  it  will  be  better  to  pass  east- 
ward of  La  Place  group  altogether  and  enter  the  cove  from  the  south- 
ward, head  to  wind. 


COLUMBINE  COVE — OCCASION  COVE.  127 

Columbine  cove,  3  miles  northward  of  Dixon  cove,  is  the  next 
anchorage.  Ward  peninsula^  which  forms  the  north  side  of  the  cove,  is 
a  rocky  knob  joined  to  the  mainland  by  a  sandy  neck  covered  with 
trees.  It  is  fairly  sheltered,  but  at  times  the  williwaws  down  the  steep 
mountain  side  over  it  are  furious.  When  blowing  hard  a  vessel  should 
not  anchor  in  the  cove,  the  best  berth  being  in  15  to  16  fathoms  water, 
a  little  outside  a  line  joining  Powlett  and  Slader  points.  Excellent 
wood  for  steaming  purposes  may  be  obtained. 

Shingle  road,  on  the  north  side  of  Ward  peninsula,  affords  anchor- 
age under  the  northern  point  in  18  fathoms,  and  a  little  farther  out  in 
25  fathoms,  but  with  very  little  shelter. 

SARMIENTO   CHANNEL. 
(H.  O.  Charts  446  and  446a). 

This  channel  communicates  with  Smyth  channel  through  CoUing- 
wood  strait  and  Victory  pass,  and  stretches  70  miles  to  the  northward, 
between  Piazzi  island  and  Staines  peninsula,  thence  to  the  eastward  of 
Vancouver  and  Esperanza  island  to  the  entrance  of  Peel  inlet  on  the 
east  side  of  the  channel,  where  it  unites  with  Estevan  channel,  and 
both  merge  into  the  Inocentes  channel  through  Guia  narrows.  From 
Oollingwood  strait  to  Sarmiento  channel  the  passage  takes  a  sharp  turn 
to  the  westward  for  about  4  miles  between  Newton  and  Carrington 
islands,  but  as  St.  Bartelome  point,  the  south  extreme  of  Carrington 
island,  is  steep-to,  this  bend  need  not  be  necessarily  lengthened  by 
keeping  mid-channel. 

In  the  southern  end  of  Staines  peninsula  is  a  large  harbor,  but  the 
water  is  too  deep  for  anchorage. 

Occasion  cove,  on  the  Piazzi  island  east  shore  at  the  foot  of 
Alfredo  hill,  north  side  of  Lecky  retreat,  affords  anchorage  in  13 
fathoms,  stone  and  shell,  with  Eamillete  islet  bearing  East  (N.  69^  E. 
mag.). 

The  anchorage  is,  however,  only  fit  for  a  stopping  place  in  fine 
weather,  and  no  other  anchorage  could  be  found  in  Lecky  retreat. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  channel,  just  south  of  Lecky  retreat, 
there  are  two  openings,  but  they  appeared  full  of  rock  and  kelp,  with- 
out any  promise  of  anchorage 5  and  as  Skyring  says  that  he  and  Mr. 
Kirke  carefully  searched  that  part  for  anchorage,  it  is  to  be  presumed 
that  none  exists.  There  is  a  kelp  patch  off  the  northern  of  these  open- 
ings, which  must  be  avoided;  it  lies  about  S.  66^  W.  (S.  45°  W.  mag.), 
J  mile  from  the  KW.  point  of  the  inlet. 

Directions. — ^Vessels  proceeding  into  Occasion  cove  should,  when 
abreast  Lecky  retreat,  steer  to  pass  between  Titus  islets  and  Ohatas 
rocks,  which  extend  150  yards  from  the  north  side  of  entrance,  thence 
for  a  high  hill  at  the  head  of  Lecky  retreat,  bearing  S.  46^  W.  (S.  25° 
W.  mag.) ;  and  after  passing  Eamillete  islet,  steer  for  Alfredo  hill,  which 
will  lead  to  the  anchorage.  In  the  kelp  surrounding  Titus  islets,  4|  to 
7  fathoms  water  were  obtained. 


128  PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — 8ABMIENT0   CHANNEL. 

A  kelp  patch  is  in  midchannel  between  Titus  islets  and  Ghatas  rocks, 
upon  which  the  least  depth  found  was  6  fathoms. 

About  3  miles  north  of  Occasion  cove  is  a  well-sheltered  bay,  with 
anchorage  in  15  to  20  fathoms,  mud.  Two  islets  mark  its  entrance,  and 
there  is  a  large  kelp  patch  and  several  rocks  southward  of  it 

When  entering,  keep  the  northern  shore  aboard  to  avoid  a  small 
kelp  patch  nearly  in  the  middle,  and  when  in,  hard-a-port  and  anchor 
in  depth  as  above. 

Hamilton  point — About  7  miles  north  of  Lecky  retreat,  on  tbe 
north  side  of  Hamilton  point,  there  is  a  fairly  sheltered  bay  that  may 
be  used  as  a  stopping  place.  It  is,  however,  rather  confined  and  exposed 
to  the  northward,  but  afibrds  anchorage  in  7  to  9  fathoms,  mud. 

Between  Lecky  retreat  and  Hamilton  point  the  shore  is  fronted  by 
numerous  isl9.nds. 

Double  Peak  island,  midway  between  capes  San  Mateo  and  St. 
Vincent,  is  a  good  mark  for  determining  a  vessel's  position,  especially 
at  night,  as  it  shows  out  well  from  the  background.  The  two  peaks  lie 
in  a  NW.  and  SE.  direction.  The  NW.  peak,  960  feet  high,  is  the 
higher  of  the  two. 

Themis  inlet  is  on  the  east  side  of  Vancouver  island,  4  miles  north 
of  Don  Pedro  point.  Mr.  Hanham,  of  the  yacht  Themis^  anchored  in  this 
inlet  inside  the  islets  off  the  NE.  point  of  it.  He  says:  <*Go  south  of 
the  island  and  go  easy,  and  a  good  anchorage  will  be  found,  taking  care 
not  to  shut  in  the  rocks  south  of  the  western  point  of  the  entrance.'' 

Evans  Island  rocks. — On  the  east  side  of  the  channel,  2f  miles 
northward  of  cape  San  Mateo,  the  south  extreme  of  Evans  island,  there 
is  a  rock  that  covers  at  high  water  about  200  yards  offshore ;  also  another 
on  which  the  sea  breaks,  3^  miles  farther  northward,  about  200  yards 
offshore. 

Mayne  harbor,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  channel,  5  miles  KE. 
of  Themis  inlet,  has  an  inner  and  outer  anchorage,  of  which  the  inner 
one  is  preferable,  but  both  are  safe  and  landlocked.  The  entrance  is 
eastward  of  all  the  islands  off  its  mouth.  A  vessel  may  anchor  either 
in  13  or  14  fathoms  of  water  in  the  outer  bight,  or  go  on  to  the  inner  one 
and  select  a  berth  in  7  or  8  fathoms,  mud. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  entrance  to  this  port  lies  a  rock  having 
about  2  feet  of  water  over  it  and  3J  to  4J  fathoms  close  around.  From 
this  rock  the  SE.  point  of  Eclipse  island  bears  S.  30o  W.  (S.  9°  W. 
mag.),  distant  nearly  200  yards. 

A  shelf  with  13  feet  of  water  over  it,  sometimes  marked  by  kelp, 
extends  150  feet  off  Lecky  point,  on  the  east  side  of  the  entrance  to  the 
outer  anchorage.  Vessels  must  be  very  careful  to  preserve  a  mid-chan- 
nel course,  not  only  to  avoid  the  shelf,  but  also  some  detached  spots  off 
the  islands.    Wood  for  steaming  purposes  may  be  had  in  abundance. 

Anchorage  will  be  found  outside  the  harbor  between  Eclipse  island 
and  Eichard  point,  in  26  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  but  without  much 
shelter. 


SAN  MARCOS   POINT — LATITUDE   COVE.  129 

San  Marcos  point,  15  miles  northward  of  Mayne  harbor  and  4 
miles  SE,  of  Puerto  Bueno,  may  be  known  by  a  remarkable  round- 
topped  mountain  with  a  cascade  at  the  base,  a  little  north  of  the  point. 
The  land  between  this  point  and  cape  San  Antonio,  10  miles  farther  on, 
is  high  nearly  all  the  way. 

Delgada  point,  2i  miles  from  San  Marcos  point,  has  a  reef  with  3 
feet  least  water  and  16  to  22  fathoms  close- to  extending  about  50  yards 
from  it.    Kelp  is  said  to  show  at  low  water  on  this  reef. 

Puerto  Bueno,  2  miles  north  of  Delgada  point,  is  an  excellent  port, 
in  which  a  vessel  may  find  good  anchorage  in  8  to  9  fathoms  in  the 
middle  of  the  harbor  or  in  4  to  5  fathoms  nearer  the  shore.  It  has  an 
inner  and  outer  harbor,  both  safe,  the  former,  of  course,  most  sheltered. 

The  entrance  is  between  Pounds  island  and  Hankin  point.  A  small 
vessel  may  enter  between  Hoskins  and  Pounds  islands,  but  there  is 
little  to  be  gained  by  going  in  that  way.  Hecate  rock  occupies  an 
awkward  position  in  this  passage. 

There  is  a  large  fresh-water  lake  just  above  the  inner  harbor  which 
empties  itself  by  a  small  cascade  into  a  little  bight  at  its  head. 

Schooner  cove,  just  north  of  Hoskins  island,  is  adapted  for  boats 
or  very  small  vessels;  it  has  a  sandy  beach  at  its  head. 

Bonduca  island,  near  the  center  of  the  channel,  4  miles  north  of 
Puerto  Bueno,  is  low,  with  two  small  islets  off  its  north  end,  connected 
with  it  by  reefs  a  few  feet  under  water.  There  is  also  a  reef  off*  the 
south  end  of  this  island,  with  a  rock  above  water. 

Cape  Charles,  the  SW.  point  of  Chatham  island,  is  the  most  promi- 
nent of  the  many  headlands  in  that  vicinity.  The  cape  is  high,  rugged, 
and  barren.  From  abreast  the  cape  the  high  north  end  of  Esperanza 
island  will  appear  over  the  isle  de  dos  Ganales  on  the  west  side  of  the 
channel,  and  Cocked  Hat  island,  about  1,500  feet  high,  Goscheu  island, 
also  very  high,  on  the  east  side  abreast  the  isle  de  dos  Canales. 

Europa  point,  on  the  north  side  of  cape  Charles,  is  low,  but  steep. 

Reported  rock. — A  rock  was  originally  reported  to  lie  S.  63^  W. 
(S.  420  W.  mag.),  f  mile  from  Europa  poiut,  and  indications  of  shoal 
water  in  that  locality  were  again  reported.  This  rock  was  not  found 
by  vessels  which  made  a  close  examination  of  the  neighborhood. 

Latitude  cove,  in  latitude  50°  51'  S.,  on  the  west  side  of  Sarmiento 
channel,  is  nearly  200  yards  wide  at  its  entrance,  with  14  to  17  fathoms 
water.  About  J  mile  within  the  entrance  there  is  a  small  bay  in  which 
the  deepest  water  is  22  fathoms,  bottom  ooze.  At  the  head  of  this  bay 
there  is  a  beach,  but  the  shores  on  either  side  are  rocky  and  steep. 

Entering  Latitude  cove,  keep  toward  the  southeastern  shore,  where 
the  water  is  deepest,  and  to  avoid  the  rocks  off  Blanca  point  when 
within  the  entrance  steer  about  S.  44^  W.  (S.  23°  W,  mag.),  passing 
nearly  200  yards  west  of  Eliza  point.  On  nearing  this  point  a  remark- 
able cascade  will  be  seen  to  the  westward,  between  which  and  Eliza 
point,  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  18  to  20  fathoms  water, 
X943— No,  89 9 


130  PATAGONIAH   CHANNELS — ^INOCENTES   CHANNEL. 

Gnia  (Ouide)  narrows  are  between  Hanover  and  Chatham  islands, 
and  connect  Sarmiento  and  Inocentes  channels.  They  are  6  miles  long 
and  from  1  to  1^  miles  wide,  except  at  the  north  end,  between  Por- 
poise i)oint,  which  is  a  low  and  sharp  point  on  the  west  side,  and  Guard 
island  on  the  east,  where  the  breadth  is  about  400  yards,  but  there  is 
no  danger,  the  shores  being  steep-to  on  either  side.  Sometimes  the  tide 
sweeps  strongly  around  the  i)oint,  therefore  it  would  be  advisable  to 
keep  nearer  Guard  island  in  passing  through. 

Ladder  hill,  1,285  feet  high  at  the  SW.  entrance  to  Guia  narrows,  is 
conspicuous  when  approaching  the  narrows  from  either  eud,  having  the 
appearance  of  being  cut  in  large  steps. 

There  is  a  little  cove  under  the  hill  in  which  II.  M.  S.  Malacca  spent 
a  night,  but  it  is  quite  unfit  for  anything  but  a  schooner  or  gunboat, 
and  not  good  for  these. 

Unfit  bay  is  too  deep  for  anchorage,  but  in  fine  weather  a  vessel  can 
make  fast  to  the  shore  by  hawsers. 

Tides. — The  stream  of  the  flood  in  the  narrows  runs  to  the  eastward 
and  the  ebb  stream  to  the  westward  at  the  rate  of  2^  to  3^  knots  an 
hour  at  springs,  strong  overfalls  exist  on  the  ebb  stream  of  springs 
just  outside  the  western  entrance  of  the  narrows.  North  of  these 
narrows  the  flood  stream  sets  to  the  southward,  while  in  Sarmiento 
channel  it  sets  to  the  northward. 

INOCENTES  CHANNEL. 

'  This  channel  commences  at  the  Guia  narrows,  and  is  18  miles  long  to 
the  north  extreme  of  Inocentes  island,  where  it  joins  Conception  chan- 
nel. The  south  side  of  the  channel  is  formed  by  a  succession  of  high 
cones  sloping  to  the  NW.  and  ending  in  the  Clements  group.  On  the 
north  side  are  three  precipitous  headlands  with  deep  inlets  between; 
the  land  then  trends  to  the  northward,  and  the  foreground  consists  of 
islands  rising  to  about  400  feet  in  height. 

Rayo  cove,  immediately  southward  of  Porpoise  point,  is  a  small 
and  deep  cove.  When  entering  the  eastern  shore  must  be  kept  aboard 
to  allow  room  for  roundingto.  The  anchorage  is  in  from  27  to  33 
fathoms,  rocky  bottom,  and  can  not  be  recommended;  shoaler  water  of 
from  5J  to  13  fathoms,  sand  bottom,  will  be  found  on  the  western  side  of 
the  cove  close  eastward  of  some  islands,  but  there  is  not  room  to  swing. 

Port  Ochovario,  on  the  northern  shore  nearly  oi)posite  Eayo  cove, 
is  a  narrow  fiord  between  lofty  mountains,  useless  for  general  purposes. 
An  anchorage  in  22  fathoms,  coarse  sand,  can  be  obtained  at  its  head, 
off  a  conspicuous  bluff  on  the  southern  shore,  but  should  only  be  used 
in  case  of  absolute  necessity. 

Paroquet  cove,  on  the  north  shore  at  2f  miles  west  of  Port  Ocho- 
vario,  affords  anchorage  in  30  fathoms,  sand,  but  it  is  fit  only  for  small 
vessels.  The  entrance  may  be  recognized  by  three  small  islets  off  its 
eastern  entrance  point,  and  a  rounded  wooded  hill  at  the  head  of  the 
bay.    The  surrounding  land  is  low  and  wooded. 


JUAN   ISLAND INOCENTES   ISLAND.  131 

Juan  island,  on  the  north  side  of  the  chaouel  at  1^  miles  west  of 
Paroquet  cove,  will  be  immediately  recognized  as  a  double  island,  with 
a  long  low  depression  in  the  middle  and  forming  a  bluff  point  at  its 
southern  end. 

Wide  bay,  east  of  Juan  island,  is  deep  and  rocky,  but  well  sheltered 
and  useful  to  vessels  bound  north  meeting  with  a  stroug  head  gale  on 
roundiug  Juan  island.  To  enter  it,  the  coast  of  Juan  island  should  be 
kept  aboard  to  avoid  Eamses  rock,  lying  in  the  middle  of  the  bay  with 
5  feet  water  over  it.  When  near  the  head  the  water  shoals  quickly  from 
40  to  20  fathoms,  and  anchorage  will  be  found  with  Green  islet,  a  small 
rocky  islet  15  feet  high,  bearing  N.  21°  E.  (North  mag.),  and  a  low  hill 
on  the  NE.  part  of  Juan  island  N.  71°  W.  (S.  88o  W.  mag.).  There  is 
ample  room  in  this  bay  for  large  vessels,  but  the  bottom  is  rocky. 

Edixrards  rock,  on  the  north  side  of  the  channel  at  2^  miles  from 
Juan  island,  lies  in  a  direct  line  between  the  SW.  extreme  of  Juan 
island  and  Wheeler  islets.  Although  it  is  reported  as  being  awash  at 
low  water,  the  U.  S.  S.  Pintaj  in  1884,  passed  close  to  the  position  at  half 
tide,  and  although  a  very  heavy  sea  was  running  there  was  no  break- 
ing of  the  water  to  mark  it.    There  is  very  little  kelp  over  it. 

Robert  island,  at  2^  miles  NNW.  of  Juan  island,  is  double-peaked^ 
shaped  like  a  saddle,  and  very  conspicuous  when  seen  from  the  north- 
ward. The  southern  and  eastern  coasts  of  Robert  island  were  searched 
for  anchorage  without  success. 

Wheeler  islets  i'rom  the  northward  and  westward  appear  as  one  long 
islet  covered  with  small  trees.  They  are  useful  in  thick  weather  in  mark- 
ing the  entrauce  of  Inocentes  channel,  as  they  are  often  seen  when  the 
higher  land  is  hidden.    They  are  3^  miles  eastward  of  Inocentes  island. 

Artillery  bay,  4^  miles  ENE.  of  Inocentes  island,  is  of  no  impor- 
tance. Taylor  rock,  3  feet  high,  is  the  westernmost  of  several  islands 
in  the  entrance  to  the  bay. 

Inocentes  island  has  its  southern  extremity  very  low,  with  several 
low  islets  and  rocks  lying  off  it.  The  land  rises  gradually  from  the 
south  point  to  the  NW.  end,  forming  a  fiat  ridge.  Diana  hill  is  flat- 
topped,  and  is  easily  recognized  from  both  north  and  south. 

Captain  von  Gloeden,  commanding  the  German  surveying  vessel 
HydnCj  in  1880,  reports  that  small  vessels  may  find  anchorage  during 
northerly  winds  in  a  bay  at  the  south  end  of  this  island.  The  depths 
found  on  approaching  the  bay  were  from  6 J  to  14  fathqms.  The  Hydne 
anchored  in  14  fathoms,  sand  and  stones,  with  Hope  island  bearing 
N.  40  E.  (N.  170  W.  mag.),  and  the  SW.  point  of  Inocentes  island 
K.  740  W.  (S.  850  W.  mag.).  A  small  opening  was  found  between  the 
reefs,  about  50  yards  wide,  having  a  depth  of  13 J  fathoms;  some  of 
these  reefs  are  dry  at  low  water  and  all  are  covered  with  kelp.  There 
are  3 J  to  9 J  fathoms  water  in  the  bay. 

Vessels  should  pass  to  the  eastward  of  Inocentes  island,  as  Infernet 
rocks,  about  2  miles  westward  of  Inocentes  island,  are  very  difficult  to 
make  out  in  thick  weather. 


132  PATAOONIAN  CHANNEIi — CONCEPCION   CHANNEL. 

West  chcuinel,  at  7^  miles  westward  of  Inoceiites  island,  separates 
Duke  of  York  island  from  Madre  islands.  The  channel  is  narrow,  bat 
appears  wide,  owing  to  the  land  on  the  north  side  being  very  low. 
The  sealers  rei)ort  the  passage  fall  of  islets  and  rocks  and  anfit  for 
navigation.  At  3  miles  within  the  eastern  entrance  an  arm  extends  to 
the  northward  and  joins  Monteith  sound;  it  also  probably  commani- 
cates  with  a  passage  (Grove  soand)  which  was  traced  from  Molyneux 
sound  12  miles  in  a  SW.  direction. 

Caracciolo  bay,  on  the  north  side  of  West  channel,  5^  miles  west- 
ward of  Anunciada  point,  the  N£.  extreme  of  Duke  of  York  island, 
affords  anchorage  in  14  fathoms,  gravel  bottom,  in  the  center  of  the  bay, 
and  it  is  reported  to  be  a  safe*  refuge  in  bad  weather. 

CONCBPCION   CHANNEL. 

This  channel  separates  the  Ma<lre  islands  from  the  mainland.  It 
commences  at  Inocentes  island  and  terminates  at  Brassey  pass,  the 
junction  of  Trinidad  and  Wide  channels,  a  distance  of  30  miles,  with 
an  average  breadth  of  5  miles  in  the  southern  and  2^  miles  in  the  north- 
ern part.  On  its  west  side  are  many  inlets,  but  the  only  good  anchor- 
ages are  Molyneux  sound  and  Tom  bay.  The  Alert,  when  surveying, 
anchored  in  Port  Bermejo,  Monteith  sound,  and  in  Walker  bay,  and 
these  served  her  purpose,  but  can  not  be  recommended  as  good  anchor- 
ages. Indeed,  the  SE.  coast  of  Madre  islands  south  of  Molyneux  sound 
should  not  be  approached  within  a  mile,  except  in  case  of  necessity,  as 
the  soundings  are  very  irregular  and  the  coast  studded  with  rocks  and 
small  islets.  For  a  sealer  and  such  small  craft  there  ^re  many  useful 
berths  in  that  part. 

EASTERN  SHORE. 

Tapering  point,  about  4  miles  NE.  of  Inocentes  island,  is  a  long,  low, 
and  wooded  point,  with  a  depth  of  150  fathoms  ^  mile  west  of  it. 

A  patch  of  7  feet  marked  by  kelp  lies  N.  18°  W.  (N.  39o  W.  mag.), 
distant  IJ  miles  from  Tapering  point,  and  S.  5lio  W.  (S.  31^  W.  mag.), 
^  mile  from  the  western  Chance  island.  From  it  a  bank  having  15 
fathoms  least  depth  extends  one  mile  SW. 

Chance  islands,  If  miles  north  of  Tapering  point,  being  low  and 
wooded,  are  difficult  to  distinguish  when  seen  on  with  the  land  east- 
ward of  them.  Vessels  passing  through  Ooncepcion  channel  should 
not  approach  this  coast  within  a  distance  of  at  least  2  miles. 

Eardley  bay  is  a  deep  inlet,  at  1^  miles  north  of  Chance  islands. 
Kocky  islet,  3  feet  high,  with  a  clear  passage  NW.  of  it,  lies  in  the 
entrance.  At  the  head  of  the  bay  depths  of  23  fathoms,  rock,  were 
obtained,  but  in  an  exposed  and  confined  situation.  There  is  a  creek 
at  the  northern  part  of  Eardley  bay,  but  a  rock  bars  the  passage  to  all 
but  very  small  craft. 

Childers  bluff  is  easily  made  out  from  either  direction,  showing  out 
as  a  bold  headland.   The  summit  has  two  steps  and  is  thickly  wooded. 


HUGH  BAY — ^PORTLAND  BAY.  133 

At  the  base  of  cape  Ghilders  lie  two  wooded  islands  (Charles  islands), 
90  feet  high,  which  appear  from  the  southward  as  one  island.  Prom 
the  northward  they  look  like  a  wooded  bluff  with  a  rounded  top. 

Hugh  bay,  2^  miles  north  of  cape  Ghilders,  has  good  anchorage 
in  20  to  26  fathoms  water,  bottom  of  mud.  It  is  well  sheltered  from 
all  but  northwesterly  winds,  and  even  with  this  wind  no  sea  sets  in. 
The  entrance  is  obstructed  by  a  group  of  rocks  and  islets,  dividing  it 
into  two  passages.  It  can  be  entered  on  either  side  of  these  rocks 
and  islets,  but  the  northern  entrance  is  the  better.  Outlying  rocky 
patches,  marked  by  kelp,  must  be  guarded  against  by  keeping  close  to 
the  north  shore  if  using  the  northern  passage  or  the  south  shore 
aboard  if  the  southern  passage  is  used. 

Directions. — Stand  midway  between  South  Culling  island  and  Gull 
rock,  and  from  thence  to  the  eastward  of  Middle  inland.  The  wind 
being  generally  astern,  a  vessel  will  have  room  to  roundup  into  the 
anchorage.  As  there  are  no  good  leading  marks,  it  is  best  to  judge  the 
distance  by  the  eye.  When  using  the  southern  passage  keep  Stud 
island  close  aboard.  Bone  island  (a  low  rock),  touching  the  south  side 
of  Euff  rock,  bearing  S.  46^  E.  (S.  67^  E.  mag.),  clears  the  sunken  dan- 
ger S.  890  W.  (S.  680  W.  mag.)  of  Gull  rock.  The  Alert  anchored  in 
21  fathoms  water,  bottom  of  sand,  with  Wigwam  point  bearing  N.  12° 
W.  (N.  330  W.  mag.),  during  fresh  winds  from  the  NW.  to  SW.,  but 
suffered  no  inconvenience  from  wind  or  sea. 

Cape  San  Andres,  the  west  extreme  of  Canning  island  is  5  miles 
north  of  Hugh  bay.  The  cape  is  a  low  promontory,  with  a  flat-topped 
range  1,000  feet  high  IJ  miles  to  the  eastward  of  it.  It  forms  the 
northern  entrance  of  Andrew  sound,  which  has  not  been  examined. 
The  cape  may  be  passed  in  safety  at  a  distance  of  i  mile. 

Moraine  islands,  If  miles  north  of  cape  San  Andres,  are  two 
wooded  islands,  the  southern  and  larger  being  150  feet  high  and 
the  northern  one  52  feet.  At  J  mile  northward  and  eastward  from  the 
northern  island  is  a  bare  rock,  4  feet  high,  with  foul  ground  between 
them.  Vessels  should  not  pass  southward  of  these  islands.  Two  large 
kelp  patches  extend  some  distance  into  the  channel. 

Gteorge  island,  the  next  large  island  north  of  Canning,  is  distin- 
guishable from  the  southward  by  the  tall,  rounded  summit,  2,003  feet 
high,  near  its  eastern  end. 

Portland  bay,  formed  by  Portland  island,  104  feet  high,  and  the  SW. 
extreme  of  George  island,  affords  a  good  and  convenieut  anchorage  for 
vessels  of  moderate  size. 

Directions. — It  may  be  entered  from  either  the  SE.  or  NW.,  but  the 
former  is  preferable,  as  a  current  generally  sets  to  the  SE.  through 
the  bay.  Approaching  it  from  the  southward  a  small  islet,  Tall  Tree 
islet,  with  a  group  of  tall,  straight  trees  on  its  summit,  will  be  seen. 
Keep  this  islet  bearing  K.  44^  B.  (N.  23°  E.  mag.)  until  Green  point 
bears  N.  32°  W.  (N.  53o  W.  mag.),  then  change  course  to  N.  io  W.  (N. 


134  PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — MONTEITH   SOUND. 

220  W.  mag.),  passing  between  Entry  rock  and  Green  point  into  the 
anchorage.  Care  mast  be  taken  when  avoiding  the  shoal  off  Green 
point  that  the  current  does  not  take  the  x)ort  bow  and  set  the  vessel 
over  Entry  rock.  In  entering  from  the  NW.  when  the  passage  is  open, 
Tall  Tree  islet  will  be  seen  through,  bearing  8.52°  E.  (S.  73o  E.  mag.); 
then  steer  in  midway  between  Portland  and  George  islands  in  not  less 
than  6  fathoms. 

Anchorage. — A  good  berth  for  a  vessel  to  lie  at  single  anchor  is  in 
7  to  11  fathoms  stiff,  blue  clay,  with  Green  point  bearing  8.  32°  W.  (S. 
no  W.  mag.)  and  Entry  rocks  8.  46^  E.  (8.  67o  E.  mag.),  but  if  going 
to  remain  a  vessel  should  moor  in  a  berth  200  yards  farther  to  the 
westward.  A  group  of  small  islands  and  rocks  lie  one  mile  to  the 
eastward  of  this  bay,  fronting  a  deep  bay  in  George  island,  at  the  head 
of  which  a  vessel  may  moor  in  18  fathoms  water,  bottx)m  of  rock;  but 
being  foul  and  uneven,  this  place  is  not  recommended. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Portland  bay  at  noon; 
springs  rise  4  feet.  At  J  mile  west  of  Portland  island  the  current 
always  runs  to  the  southward. 

Cape  Clanricarde,  one  mile  north  of  George  island,  has  a  small 
islet  off  it,  and  hence  northward  to  Lecky  inlet  the  sliore  is  steep-to, 
with  no  anchorage  in  the  small  indentations  of  the  coast  line. 

Lecky  inlet  (in  Wide  channel)  is  marked  by  a  high  cone  over  Squire 
point,  the  north  entrance  point  of  the  inlet.  When  approaching  from 
the  northward,  this  cone  appears  as  a  long  hogback.  No  anchorage 
has  been  found  on  the  shores  of  the  inlet. 

Arthur  islands  lie  off  the  south  entrance  jwint  of  Lecky  inlet; 
between  them  and  the  shore  is  a  deep  passage  without  anchorage. 

WESTERN  SHORE. 

Port  Bermejo,  at  the  8E.  extreme  of  Madre  island,  is  a  small  anchor- 
age among  the  islands  north  of  cape  Cortes;  it  may  be  recognized  by 
a  bright  sandy  beach,  which  has  a  pool  of  fresh  water  inshore  of  it. 
The  Alert  found  this  anchorage  useful  in  a  heavy  gale  from  the  NW., 
but  it  is  only  fit  for  moderate-sized  vessels;  it  affords  but  indifferent 
protection. 

A  rock  with  only  6  feet  of  water  over  it,  and  not  marked  by  kelp, 
lies  in  the  fairway  of  the  southern  passage.  Vessels,  therefore,  should 
not  attempt  to  enter  south  of  8helter  island.  On  closing  the  coast 
three  small  wooded  islands  will  be  seen.  8teer  for  Eat  island  8. 89^  W. 
(8. 68°  W.  mag.),  and  pass  mid-channel  between  it  and  Cat  island;  then 
haul  to  the  southward,  and  anchor  in  9  to  13  fathoms,  bottom  of  sand, 
off  the  sand  beach. 

It  is  possible  this  may  be  the  harbor  mentioned  in  Sarmiento's 
narrative. 

Monteith  sound,  at  the  head  of  Landslip  sound,  has  good  anchor- 
age.   To  enter,  vessels  should  pass  400  yards  south  of  8nout  point,  and 


MOKTEITH  SOTIND — ^MOX^YNEUX  SOUND.  135 

Steer  North  (N.  21o  W.  mag.)  up  Landslip  sound.  A  reef  extends  half 
way  across  the  sound  from  the  eastern  shore  between  two  low  islands. 
Keep  the  west  island  close  aboard,  and  when  past  it  steer  for  Turn 
point,  gradually  hauling  into  the  sound,  keeping  the  north  shore 
aboard.  Anita  rock  and  two  kelp  patches  on  the  port  hand  just  west 
of  Turn  point  show  well. 

Anchorage. — Tlie  anchorage  is  in  15  to  20  fathoms,  mud,  with  Sun- 
day mountain  bearing  I^orth  (K  21°  W.  mag.),  distant  f  mile.  From 
the  anchorage  a  channel  leads  into  Passage  inlet,  but  it  is  only  fit  for 
boats.    Passjige  inlet  then  joins  West  channel. 

Caution. — ^The  passage  at  Turn  point  leading  north  of  Hocico  de 
Caiman  is  foul,  and  should  not  be  attempted. 

Hocico  de  Caiman  (Alligator's  snout)  island  is  mountainous,  the 
summit  forming  a  cone,  1 ,191  feet  high,  sloping  down  to  a  low  point  at 
f  mile  north  of  port  Bermejo.  When  seen  from  the  northward  a  small 
nipple  shows  about  half  way  down  on  the  east  face  of  the  cone,  which 
then  slopes  down  to  a  low  point.  Numerous  islands  lie  north  of  Hocico 
de  Caiman,  extending  to  Walker  bay.  Between  them  is  Snare  bay,  a 
foul  and  useless  bight.  Vessels  should  not  approach  within  one  mile 
of  this  portion  of  the  coast. 

Wake  island,  40  feet  high,  forms  the  south  entrance  point  of 
Walker  bay.  Anchorage  in  22  fathoms,  mud,  for  small  vessels  may  be 
found  in  Wilson  cove,  200  yards  westward  of  Wake  island;  it  is,  how- 
ever, exposed  to  northerly  winds,  and  can  not  be  recommended,  but 
might  prove  useful  on  occasion. 

Fox  point,  IJ  miles  north  of  Wake  island,  is  difficult  to  distinguish 
when  approaching  from  the  southward,  but  is  readily  recognized  from 
the  northward  by  Walker  step,  a  flat-topped  hill,  437  feet  high,  with  a 
steep  fall  on  the  eastern  side  near  the  summit,  which  then  slopes  down 
to  the  point. 

Mussel  rock,  which  dries  3  feet  at  low  water,  lies  J  mile  off  Fox 
point,  and  400  yards  northward  from  this  rock  there  is  a  shoal  patch 
marked  by  kelp  with  8  feet  water  on  it. 

Walker  bay,  between  Wake  island  and  Fox  point,  is  deep,  but 
anchorage  fit  only  for  very  small  vessels  can  be  obtained  on  the  north 
shore  under  a  conspicuous  cone,  1,884  feet  high.  The  best  anchorage 
is  in  the  north  part  of  the  bight  between  Lapis  and  Parker  points,  but 
the  water  deepens  rapidly  to  45  fathoms  400  yards  off  Parker  point. 
Fox  and  Lapis  points  may  be  passed  200  yards  distant  in  13  fathoms. 
Mussel  rock  and  the  patch  northward  of  it  are  steep-to,  and  vessels 
can  pass  on  either  side,  but  the  northern  entrance  will  be  found  most 
convenient. 

Coast. — The  coast  between  Walker  bay  and  Molyneux  sound  is  clear 
with  the  exception  of  a  rock,  awash  at  high  water,  resembling  a  boat, 
200  yards  off  Galeotilla  point. 

Molyneuz  sonnd,  4  miles  north  of  Walker  bay,  is  broad  and  exten- 
sive.   A  branch  named  Grove  sound,  leading  to  the  SW.,  probably 


136       PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — ^DON  PEDEO  INLET. 

• 

joins  WeAt  channel,  as  it  does  not  connect  with  Walker  bay.  The 
sound  is  connected  with  Temple  inlet  by  a  clear  channel  west  of  Dram- 
mond  Hay  island.  Off  the  north  shore,  nearly  one  mile  from  the 
entrance,  is  a  convenient  anchorage,  one  of  the  easiest  of  access  in  the 
channel.  The  serioas  objection  to  it  is  the  heavy  squalls  which  come 
down  the  extensive  sound  to  the  westward,  striking  a  vessel  with  full 
force.  The  U.  S.  S.  Pinta  rode  out  a  heavy  gale  with  two  anchors 
down,  wind  from  the  IfW.,  varying  in  force  from  4  to  11. 

Dangers. — ^A  rocky  patch  with  8  feet  water  on  it,  about  200  yards  in  j 

diameter,  lies  J  mile  south  from  Michael  point  (the  northern  point  of 
entrance  to  Molyneux  sound),  with  a  clear  passage  150  yards  wide 
between.  Another  patch  lies  J  mile  east  from  Michael  point,  having  12 
feet  water  on  it.  Vessels  on  entering  should  keep  to  the  southward 
of  these  patches,  which  are  both  marked  by  kelp,  but  do  not  show  well. 

Buoy. — On  the  southern  edge  of  this  rocky  patch  south  of  Michael 
point  a  buoy  is  moored  iu  24  feet  water.  The  buoy  is  cylindrical  in 
shape,  and  is  painted  red  and  white  in  vertical  stripes,  with  the  name 
Miguel  on  it  in  white  letters  upon  a  black  ground. 

Fawn  rock,  on  which  H.  M.  S.  Fawn  struck  in  1870,  lies  jS^.  47^  W. 
(N.  68°  W.  mag.),  distant  900  yards  from  Michael  point,  and  is  steep-to. 

Buoy. — On  the  SW.  side  of  this  rock  a  buoy,  cylindrical  (vertically) 
in  shape,  painted  red,  surmounted  by  a  tripod  and  framework  globe, 
painted  white,  is  moored  in  12  fathoms  water. 

Directions. — Vessels  on  entering  should  keep  to  the  southward  of 
the  shoal  patches  off  Michael  point,  which  are  marked  with  kelp,  but 
do  not  show  well.  If  the  buoy  is  in  place,  pass  well  south  of  it. 
Approaching  the  sound  the  high  hUl,  1,392  feet  high,  over  Eogers  point 
must  not  be  brought  southward  of  West  (S.  69^  W.  mag.)  until  Michael 
point  bears  North  (N.  21°  W.  mag.),  when  head  up  the  sound,  keeping 
the  south  shore  aboard;  and  when  Liomulo  island  bears  N.  7°  W.  (N. 
280  W.  mag.)  steer  for  it  on  this  bearing;  when  Fawn  rock  is  passed 
steer  N.  10°  E.  (N.  11°  W.  mag.)  for  the  anchorage.  A  small  rock,  with 
18  feet  water  over  it,  lies  150  yards  south  of  Eomulo  island. 

Dnimmond  Hay  island,  forming  the  north  shore  of  Molyneux  sound, 
is  high,  rising  to  a  cone  1,451  feet  high  in  its  south  part.  The  east  coast, 
is  clear  with  the  exception  of  the  shoals  oft*  Michael  point  previously  i 

mentioned.  " 

Temple  inlet,  between  Drummond  Hay  island  and  Ohaine  island  at 
i  mile  north  of  it,  affords  good  anchorage  in  15  fathoms,  on  a  bottom 
composed  of  mud  between  rocks,  on  the  north  shore  2J  miles  within 
the  entrance;  but  a  sharp  turn  to  the  northward,  over  a  rocky  ledge, 
between  two  islets,  is  against  its  general  usefulness.  The  eastern  islet 
will  be  readily  recognized  by  a  single  tree  and  a  few  bushes  on  it,  differ- 
ing in  this  respect  from  all  adjacent  islands.  The  chart  is  the  best 
guide. 

Don  Pedro  inlet,  north  of  Ohaine  island,  has  an  anchorage  in  27 
fathoms,  muddy  bottom,  one  mile  from  the  entrance;  it  communicates 
by  a  boat  passage  with  Temple  inlet. 


TOM   BAY — TIJZARD  ANCHORAGE.  137 

Tom  Bay  anchorages,  2  miles  north  of  Don  Pedro  inlet,  inclnde  Tom 
bay,  Senoret  harbor,  Tizard  anchorage,  and  Henderson  inlet.  These 
anchorages  are  a  short  distance  from  the  main  channel,  and  the  strong 
gales  from  seaward  through  Oaffin  pass  seldom  reach  them.  They  are 
therefore  freer  from  strong  winds  than  other  ports  near,  and,  having 
convenient  anchorages  for  vessels  of  all  sizes,  are  very  valuable. 

Tom  Bay. — From  the  southward  this  bay  is  not  easily  recognized 
from  the  numerous  openings  south  of  it.  The  navigator's  best  course 
in  thick  weather  is  to  run  the  distance  by  patent  log  from  Inocentes 
island,  and  when  nearing  Tom  bay,  David  islets,  50  feet  high,  showing 
as  two  round,  wooded  knobs,  will  be  seen.  In  clear  weather  mount 
Bromley,  1,110  feet  high,  marks  the  bay,  appearing  as  a  smooth,  round- 
topped  hill.  Clements  hill,  670  feet  high,  about  1^  miles  north  of  the 
anchorage,  is  also  a  good  mark,  showing  as  a  flat-topped  hill,  the  west- 
ern part  being  the  highest.  From  the  northward  there  is  no  difficulty 
in  making  out  the  bay.  This  anchorage  has  been  much  used  by  the 
steamers  of  the  Kosmos  company.  The  usual  anchorage,  between 
Center  Island  and  Station  patch,  is  very  irregular  and  rocky.  Station 
patch,  well  marked  by  kelp,  extends  about  300  yards  SE.  from  William 
point.    It  has  3  fathoms  over  it. 

Senoret  harbor,  opening  into  the  south  part  of  Tom  bay,  extends 
nearly  3  miles  in  a  westerly  direction,  with  an  average  width  of  600 
yards.  The  entrance  is  narrow,  and  in  heavy  weather  appears  to 
break  right  across.  Center  rock,  awash  at  high  water,  is  at  the  end  of 
the  spit  off  Center  island,  and  narrows  the  entrance  to  70  yards. 

Kingfisher  rock,  with  13  feet  of  water  over  it,  lies  at  the  head  of 
Senoret  harbor,  and  a  shoal  extending  northward  for  150  yards  from 
Yiel  point  contracts  the  channel  between  the  rock  and  point  to  100 
yards. 

Beacons. — There  are  two  temporary  beacons  on  the  north  shore  of 
Child  island,  just  west  of  Mather  island,  and  one  on  the  main,  about 
300  yards  farther  west,  to  act  as  a  leading  mark  for  entering.  Should 
the  beacons  be  down,  vessels  should  not  attempt  to  enter  without  first 
marking  the  edge  of  the  shoal  off  Center  rock. 

Directions. — If  the  beacons  are  up,  room  must  be  taken  outside  to 
bring  them  in  line  bearing  almost  west,  which  will  lead  in  mid-channel 
between  Mather  island  and  Center  rock.  If  the  beacons  are  down, 
mark  Center  rock  and  bring  the  north  extreme  of  Child  island  to  bear 
N.880  W.  (S.  710  W.  mag.),  then  a  mid-channel  course  between  Mather 
island  and  Center  rock,  in  not  less  than  7  fathoms;  when  Center  rock 
is  abeam,  change  course  to  IS".  60^  W.  (N.  81^  W.  mag.)  and  anchor  as 
convenient.  From  Kob  point  to  the  head  of  the  harbor  the  bottom  is 
stiff  mud ;  outside  of  Nob  point  it  is  rocky.  Perfectly  sheltered  anchor- 
age in  11  to  17  fathoms  will  be  found  at  the  head  of  the  harbor. 

Tizard  anchorage,  just  north  of  Tom  bay,  affords  excellent  shelter 
for  small  vessels  in  11  fathoms,  muddy  bottom,  secure  from  all  winds. 
The  entrance  is  between  Parry  island  on  the  south  and  Wingate  island 


-^   I 


138      PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — ^HENDEBSON  INLET. 

on  the  north,  from  which  Murray  patch  extends  150  yards  in  a  south- 
easterly direction.  Care  should  be  taken  not  to  mistake  the  rocky 
pass  between  Parry  island  and  Stratford  island,  just  south  of  it,  for  the 
passage  in. 

The  entrance  is  obstructed  by  a  rock,  with  16  feet  water  over  it  at 
low-water  springs,  lying  mid-channel  between  Rat  and  Maine  islands. 

Directions. — Having  closed  the  port,  steer  for  Wingate  island,  bear- 
ingN.69oW.  (West  mag.)  till  the  east  extreme  of  Stratford  island  bears 
S.  ICO  w.  (S,  50  K.  mag.),  then  close  the  north  shore  of  Parry  island  to 
avoid  Murray  i)atch,  which  is  well  marked  by  kelp.  Keep  the  kelp 
bordering  the  shores  of  Parry  and  Rat  island  tolerably  close  aboard, 
to  avoid  the  IG-foot  rock  in  mid-channel,  which  will  give  not  less  than 
4  fathoms  water.  When  abreast  the  west  extreme  of  Maine  island  steer 
for  the  anchorage. 

Anchorage  may  tie  obtained  in  16  fathoms,  mud,  with  the  south 
extreme  of  Wingate  island  bearing  If.  83^  E.  (N.  62°  E.  mag.),  and 
Datum  i^oint,  the  west  extreme  of  Stratford  island,  S.  10^  E.  (S.  31o  E. 
mag.). 

Inner  aoichorage. — If  intending  to  proceed  farther  up,  steer  K  74^  W. 
(S.  85°  W.  mag.)  between  Single  Tree  and  Unit  islands.  Pass  between 
Scot  island  and  a  rock  with  a  peculiar  bush  on  its  summit,  off  Bond 
point,  and  anchor  in  12  fathoms,  mud,  with  Bond  point  bearing  S.  80° 
E.  (N.  790  E.  mag.)  and  Observatory  islet  S.  40  E.  (S.  26o  E.  mag.).  A 
reef  extends  NW.  200  yards  from  Observatory  islet.  The  Alert  gener- 
ally used  this  anchorage  when  surveying  the  locality,  and  rode  securely 
during  several  strong  gales. 

Henderson  inlet,  the  northernmost  of  the  Tom  bay  anchorages,  has 
the  easiest  entry  and  is  strongly  recommended  for  vessels  requiring  to 
anchor  in  this  vicinity. 

Directions. — Close  Mehegan  point,  the  northern  entrance  point  of 
the  inlet,  which  is  steep-to,  and  bring  the  north  point  of  Fletcher  island 
to  bear  IIT.  58^  W.  (N.  79^  W.  mag.),  and  steer  for  it  on  that  bearing, 
leaving  all  the  islands  to  port.  Burnt  Forest  hill  in  line  with  Spero 
rock  K.  490  W.  (N.  70^  W.  mag.)  also  leads  in.  Pass  between  Capato 
point  and  Wingate  island,  taking  care  to  avoid  Murray  patch,  and  to 
keep  100  yards  north  of  Fletcher  island.  Anchor  in  15  fathoms,  sand 
and  rock,  with  the  west  point  of  Fletcher  island  bearing  S.  7°  E.  (S.  28^ 
B.  mag.)  and  White  cliff  S.  8O0  E.  (N.  79o  E.  mag.). 

Oaution.r— A  shoal  that  uncovers  at  low  water  lies  950  yards  west- 
ward of  the  White  cliff;  vessels  should  not,  therefore,  have  too  much 
way  on  when  passing  Fletcher  island. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Tom  bay  at  noon ;  springs 
rise  4  feet. 

On  Datum  point,  the  west  extreme  of  Stratford  island,  a  lead  plug, 
at  the  point  of  a  large  broad  arrow  mark,  was  let  into  the  south  side 
of  a  flat-topped  granite  rock  facing  Wigwam  point.    The  mean  level  of 


TRINIDAD  CHANNEL — ^REMARKS.  139 

the  sea  is  5  feet  6  inches  below  the  top  of  this  lead  plug.  The  rise  of 
tide  is  much  affected  by  the  wind,  a  SW.  wind  apparently  keeping  the 
water  in  Concepcion  channel.  In  Senoret  harbor  an  under  current  runs 
in  opposition  to  the  surface  current  to  a  depth  of  6  fathoms.  The  sur- 
face currents  in  the  inlets  never  exceed  J  knot  an  hour. 

Day  bay,  2  miles  north  of  Mehegan  point,  has  confined  anchorage 
in  18  fathoms. 

Brazo  Ancho,  the  NE.  point  of  Madre  islands,  is  low,  but  the  land 
at  the  back  rises  abruptly  to  a  height  of  1,215  feet,  formiug  a  conspic- 
uous object  when  seen  either  from  the  northward  or  southward 

TRINIDAD  CHANNEL. 
(H.  O.  Charts  Nos.  446a  and  447.) 

G-eneral  Remarks. — ^The  frequent  tempestuous  weather  and  heavy 
seas  experienced  off  the  western  entrance  to  Magellan  strait  render 
the  entrance  into  the  Pacific  by  that  route  at  times  difficult,  even  for 
vessels  of  great  steampower.  The  weather  and  the  sea  in  Trinidad 
channel  and  its  offing,  160  miles  north  of  Magellan  strait,  are  generally 
more  moderate,  and  hence  it  offers  a  favorable  route  for  vessels  pro- 
ceeding into  the  Pacific  ocean  when  4;hat  by  Magellan  strait  can  not 
be  advantageously  used.  It  is  also  an  excellent  channel  by  which  to 
pass  out  to  the  Pacific  from  the  Patagonian  channel,  when  the  delay 
occasioned  by  the  English  narrows  in  Messier  channel  will  be  avoided. 

The  channel  is  38  miles  long  from  the  eastern  entrance  of  Caffin  pass 
to  Primero  point,  the  south  extreme  of  Corso  peninsula;  clear,  with  deep 
water,  and  high  hills  along  the  southern  shore,  while  low  land  and  clus- 
ters of  islands  mark  the  northern  side. 

As  in  the  main  strait,  off  cape  Pillar,  the  water  at  the  western 
entrance  of  Trinidad  channel  is  shoal,  from  17  to  40  fathoms;  hence 
there  is  often  a  short  rough  sea  even  in  fine  weather.  Inside,  the 
water  is  deeper,  and  generally  the  swell  does  not  come  beyond  cape 
Candelaria. 

Although  the  water  in  Trinidad  channel  is  deep,  there  is  a  ridge 
across  the  channel  between  Arragon  island  (on  the  west  side  of  the 
entrance  to  port  Henry)  and  Oorso  peninsula,  on  which  the  least  water 
obtained  was  17  fathoms,  8  miles  westward  of  Seal  rocks,  but  the  aver- 
age depth  is  from  30  to  40  fathoms.  This  ridge  was  not  extensively 
examined;  it  is,  however,  probable  that  no  dangers  exist  beyond  those 
charted,  as  even  in  the  roughest  weather,  with  a  heavy  swell,  no  break- 
ers were  observed.  The  water  deepens  on  the  western  side  to  40 
fathoms. 

The  south  shore  is  broken  iiito  several  fiords,  most  of  which  are  deep. 
There  are  two  anchorages,  Puerto  del  Morro  and  port  Henry.  Port 
Eosario  is  a  small  and  indifferent  anchorage. 

The  north  shore  is  low  and  wooded,  but  high  hills  rise  at  the  distance 
of  1  or  2  miles  inland.    The  more  northern  ranges  are  snow  capped. 


140  PATAGONIAK  CHAKHELS — ^TRINIDAD  CHANNEL. 

The  anchorages  are  Port  Charraa  and  Kathleen  anchorage,  in  Brassey 
pass,  and  Alert  harbor.  On  the  south  side  the  characteristics  are  rag- 
ged pinnacles  and  hills,  gray  from  the  large  masses  of  limestone  exx>osed. 
At  first  sight  these  appear  snow  capped.  Horn  peak  is  readily  made 
oat.  Bugged  head  is  not  readily  distinguished.  .  Eastern  peaks  are 
very  conspicuous  and  appear  as  if  they  formed  the  southern  entrance 
of  the  channel;  they  are  crowned  by  three  pinnacles.  When  closer  the 
Organ  Pipes  can  be  distinguished;  when  north  of  Bugged  head  it  will 
be  known  by  a  pyramidal  mass  of  rock  off  it  and  a  x)eculiar  projection 
on  its  side. 

Though  recommended  as  a  safe  channel  to  pass  out  to  sea  by,  it  should 
not  be  entered  from  the  Pacific  in  the  dark  or  in  thick  weather  when 
the  high  land  of  Corso  on  one  hand  and  Three  peaks  and  Eastern 
peaks  on  the  other  can  not  be  made  out.  The  sea  sometimes  breaks  4 
miles  from  the  land,  and  in  thick  weather  a  vessel  would  be  among  the 
breakers  before  sighting  the  land.  In  fine  weather,  when  the  peaks  are 
visible,  there  need  be  no  hesitation  in  entering  this  channel. 

Most  dangers  are  marked  by  kelp,  but  this  must  not  be  depended 
upon,  as  the  kelp  is  sometimes  torn  off  in  a  heavy  sea. 

Wind. — The  wind  is  almost  constant  from  north  to  west  and  accom- 
panted  by  rain.  The  direction  of  the  wind  is,  however,  altered  in  the 
channels,  and  nearly  always  blows  down  them  from  the  northward. 
Gales  are  frequent  and  generally  come  with  squalls  and  thick  weather; 
breaks  of  fine  weather  occur  sometimes,  but  they  are  rare  and  short. 
Thunder  and  lightning  are  rare. 

Barometer. — The  barometer  is  a  usefal  guide,  but  its  changes  often 
accompany  rather  than  foretell  the  changes  of  weather.  A  steady 
barometer,  whether  high  or  low,  is  a  better  indicator  of  fine  weather 
than  a  high  unsteady  glass.  The  mean  barometer  for  seven  months 
was  29.79. 

Iris  island,  i  mile  SE,  of  Brazo  Ancho  point,  is  a  small  grassy  islet 
20  feet  high.  The  two  small  rocks  SW.  of  it  are  steep-to  and  may  be 
passed  200  yards  distant  on  either  hand.  The  passage  between  Iris 
and  Cecil  islands  is  clear  and  can  be  used  in  safety. 

Topar  island,  dividing  the  eastern  entrance  of  Trinidad  channel 
into  Caffin  and  Brassey  passes,  is  2,150  feet  high  and  wooded  about 
800  feet  up,  the  sammit  being  a  bare  rocky  table  top.  The  shores  are 
free  from  reefs  and  outlying  dangers,  but  afford  no  anchorage.  On  the 
west  side  is  Loveless  bay,  deep  and  open  to  the  prevailing  westerly 
winds.  Moreton  island,  lying  ^-niile  off*  the  SE.  shore,  is  about  40  feet 
high  and  wooded.  Some  rocks,  well  marked  by  kelp,  lie  J  mile  !NT^E. 
from  the  island,  but  are  out  of  the  track  of  navigation. 

SOUTHERN  SHORE. 

CaflEui  pass,  leading  from  Goncepcion  to  Trinidad  channel  south  of 
Topar  island,  is  IJ  miles  wide,  with  116  to  190  fathoms  near  the  center. 


GOET  ISLAND — ^PILOT  ISLAND.  141 

Gort  island,  90  feet  high,  400  yards  north  of  Brazo  Ancho  point,  is 
steep-to  and  can  be  passed  at  200  yards,  but  ve&sels  should  not  pass 
between  it  and  Brazo  Ancho  point. 

Brazo  peninsula. — From  Brazo  Ancho  point  to  Delgado  sound,  5 
miles  farther  !NW.,  there  is  no  anchorage.  Vessels  should  pass  to  the 
southward  of  both  Gunn  rock  and  Medio  island,  and  if  the  weather  be 
thick  and  misty  it  is  advisable  to  close  the  coast  of  Brazo  peninsula, 
which  is  steep-to  and  free  from  danger. 

Gunn  rock,  with  7  feet  water  over  it,  and  irregular  soundings  of  20 
to  100  fathoms  within  a  short  distance  around,  lies  nearly  |  mile 
S.  380  E.  (S.  590  E.  mag.)  from  the  SE.  extreme  of  Medio  island.  It  is 
the  only  danger  in  Oaffin  pass,  and  being  well  marked  by  thick  kelp 
is  easily  avoided. 

Medio  island,  in  the  western  part  of  Caffin  pass,  is  150  feet  high,  ^ 
mile  long  NW.  and  SE.,  and  thickly  wooded.  On  the  south  side  of  this 
island,  within  a  short  distance  of  its  SE.  extreme,  lie  two  rocks,  3  feet 
high,  with  70  fathoms  close- to.  The  island  may  be  passed  at  a  distance 
of  400  yards  on  either  side. 

Rice  rocks,  lying  1^  miles  westward  of  Medio  island,  are  always 
above  water.  When  the  swell  is  heavy  they  look  alarming,  seeming  to 
extend  a  long  distance  into  the  channel  and  breaking  heavily,  but 
being  in  a  line  with  islands  and  about  ^  mile  from  the  shore  they  are 
out  of  the  direct  track  of  vessels. 

Redbill  islands  are  a  group  of  low  islands  and  rocks  obstructing 
the  entrance  to  Delgado  sound.  The  space  between  the  islands  is 
rocky,  but  the  northern  or  channel  side  of  them  is  free  from  off-lying 
dangers  and  may  be  approached  to  within  i  mile. 

Webster  rock,  with  4  feet  water  over  it,  lies  about  f  mile  NW.  of 
Eedbill  islands.  It  lies  in  the  fairway  of  Delgado  sound,  and  being  but 
slightly  marked  with  kelp  it  is  dif&cult  to  make  out.  Cohen  rocks  lie 
about  midway  between  Webster  rock  and  Eedbill  islands. 

Delgado  sound  is  a  very  deep  inlet.  The  Pan  de  Azucar,  880  feet 
high,  is  a  remarkable  sugar-loaf  hill  marking  the  entrance.  The  head 
of  this  sound,  apparently  the  Puerto  Delgado  of  Sarmiento,  is  unfit  for 
vessels  of  the  present  day.  At  the  extreme  head  is  a  log  portage  used 
by  the  Indians  for  hauling  their  canoes  into  Tom  bay. 

ZSast  bay  is  a  narrow  inlet,  at  the  head  of  which,  under  mount 
Yereker,  is  Stowaway  cove,  a  very  snug  place,  where  the  Alert 
remained  quiet  during  a  week  of  very  bad  weather.  The  approach  is 
very  narrow,  and  the  anchorage  in  12  fathoms,  soft  mud,  is  confined; 
but  if  a  hawser  is  made  fast  to  the  shore,  to  prevent  swinging,  no  incon- 
venience will  be  felt. 

Ancon  del  Sudueste,  on  the  west  side  of  Delgado  sound,  is  a  deep, 
narrow  fiord,  ending  in  a  succession  of  lakes.  There  is  no  anchorage 
fit  for  any  but  the  smallest  craft. 

Pilot  island,  the  next  large  island  west  of  Goppinger  peninsula,  rises 


142  PATAGONUN  CHANNELS — I'EINIDAD  CHANNEL. 

to  a  height  of  1608  feet,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  objects  in 
the  channel.  Cape  Oaudelaria,  520  feet  high,  the  northern  extreme  of 
the  island,  appears,  when  seen  from  either  eastward  or  westward,  as  a 
conical  hill,  wooded  at  the  base  only. 

Division  islands. — ^Between  Dinwoodie  point  (the  NW.  extreme  of 
Coppinger  peninsula)  and  Pilot  island  is  an  opening  2  miles  wide,  hav- 
ing in  it  a  group  of  islands  (the  highest  382  feet  high),  apparently 
forming  two  sounds.  These  islands  are  named  the  Division  islands, 
and  terminate  at  Cook  point  in  a  bluff  which  is  steep-to,  and  can  be 
passed  at  a  distance  of  200  yards. 

Fairway  patch,  lying  midway  between  Cook  point  and  Carson 
point,  the  east  extreme  of  Pilot  island,  has  20  feet  water  on  it  and 
from  7  to  10  fathoms  close  around.  From  the  shoalest  part  of  this  patch 
the  west  extreme  of  Morgan  island  is  in  line  with  the  east  extreme  of 
Grant  island,  bearing  S.  41^  W.  (S.  20^  W.  mag.).  To  pass  between 
Cook  point  and  Fairway  patch  (the  route  recommended),  keep  Gordon 
hill  near  the  south  end  of  Pilot  island  open  west  of  Division  islands  S. 
460  W.  (S.  250  W.  mag.)  till  Cook  point  bears  S.  69o  E.  (East  mag.). 

Puerto  del  Monro,  formed  by  an  indentation  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  Pilot  island  and  Grant  island,  is  about  one  mile  in  extent  NE.  and 
SW.,  200  to  400  yards  wide,  having  in  it  depths  of  6  to  19  fathoms, 
bottom  chiefly  mud.  The  mountains  on  the  western  side  of  Puerto 
del  Morro  rise  from  the  shore  to  a  height  of  1,008  feet.  This  port,  the 
only  safe  anchorage  upon  the  south  shore  for  a  large  vessel  between  Tom 
bay  and  port  Henry,  although  convenient  in  fine  weather,  is  exposed 
to  williwaws,  which  blow  with  extreme  violence  in  bad  weather.  The 
most  sheltered  position  is  in  13  fathoms  sand  and  rock,  with  the  west 
extreme  of  Grant  island  bearing  S.  18°  E.  (S.  39^  E.  mag.)  and  the  NW. 
point  of  that  island  N.  68^  E.  (N.  37^  E.  mag.).  The  northern  channel 
between  Grant  island  and  Birch  islands,  though  only  100  yards  wide, 
is  the  best,  and  has  not  less  than  5  fathoms:  it  wiU  be  seen  open  when 
bearing  S.  77o  W.  (S.  56o  W.  mag.). 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Puerto  del  Morro  at 
llh.  45m. ;  springs  rise  5  feet,  and  no  stream  is  felt. 

Cockle  cove,  3  miles  south  of  cape  Gandelaria,  is  unfit  for  vessels 
drawing  more  than  15  feet  water  or  more  than  170  feet  long,  but  for 
vessels  of  that  size  it  affords  a  snug  retreat,  free  to  a  great  extent  from 
the  williwaws  experienced  at  Puerto  del  Morro.  The  cove  is,  however, 
a  long  way  out  of  the  main  channel,  and,  as  it  is  necessary  to  moor,  is 
of  little  use  as  a  stopping  place  for  a  single  night. 

Directions. — From  midway  between  Cook  point  and  Fairway  patch 
steer  S.  47o  W.  (S.  26^  W.  mag.)  one  mile,  then  S.  18©  W.  (S.  3o  E. 
mag.)  IJ  miles.  Avoid  the  reef  that  extends  from  Henby  islets  to  the 
southward  aud  the  eastward.  The  entry  is  between  two  wooded  islets 
40  feet  high.  Steer  in  between  these  islands,  named  North  and  South 
Gate,  and  pass  mid-channel  between  Center  island  and  the  north  shore. 


ANTON  BAY — ^POBT  ROSABIO.  143 

The  channel  has  a  depth  of  5  fathoms,  but  is  narrow,  and  requires 
careful  navigation.  Moor  in  6  fathoms,  soft  mud,  with  Observatory 
islet  shutout  by  Center  islet  N.  83o  E.  (N.  62©  E.  mag.);  36  fathoms  on 
the  starboard  anchor  to  the  NW.  and  25  fathoms  on  the  port  anchor  to 
the  SE.  will  be  found  quite  sufficient.  At  ^  mile  south  of  the  anchorage 
is  a  boat  passage  leading  into  Lamero  sound.  With  the  exception  of 
these  two  ports  there  is  no  fit  anchorage  around  the  Division  islands. 

Supplies. — Excellent  fish  may  be  netted  in  the  cove  at  the  mouth 
of  a  small  fresh- water  stream  a  short  distance  west  of  the  Gate  islands. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Cockle  cove  at  llh.  45m.  j 
springs  rise  5  feet,  and  no  stream  is  felt. 

Anton  bay,  on  the  north  coast  of  Pilot  island,  is  1^  miles  from  cape 
Candelaria.  Eastward. of  the  islands  forming  the  bay  the  ground  is 
foul,  and  has  uncharted  rocks  lying  among  depths  of  from  11  to  14 
fathoms. 

Hernando  islands,  in  the  entrance  of  Lamero  sound,  are  a  group 
of  islands  and  rocks.  The  largest,  540  feet  high,  has  a  remarkable 
square  cleft  in  the  summit  and  slopes  down  to  a  low,  projecting  point 
on  the  north  shore,  which  is  free  from  outlying  dangers.  There  is  no 
£^nchorage  among  these  islands. 

Lamero  sound  extends  to  the  SE.  for  7  miles,  and  then  appears  to 
end  iii  a  chain  of  lakes,  only  to  be  entered  by  boats  of  light  draft.  Odl 
the  west  side  near  the  NW.  entrance  are  two  conspicuous  peaks — 
mounts  Silvertop,  1,478,  and  Graham,  1,677  feet  high.  The  former  being 
of  white,  shining  limestone,  is  very  prominent.  Mount  Graham  has 
a  black  summit. 

.  Port  Rosario,  2  miles  west  of  Lamero  sound,  affords  but  a  very 
indifferent  anchorage;  iv.  is  about  J  mile  in  extent,  with  general  depths 
of  19  to  25  fathoms.  The  port  will  be  recognized  by  two  islands, 
respectively  300  and  500  feet  high,  and  wooded  to  their  summits,  which 
lie  to  the  northwestward  of  the  anchorage.  Oft'  the  northern  island  is 
a  small  bare  rock  10  feet  high,  against  which  the  swell  breaks  furiously. 
The  entrance,  300  yards  wide,  is  between  Baker  islet  and  Peach  rock, 
4  feet  high,  black  and  jagged,  with  a  patch  of  kelp  in  12  feet  water,  400 
yards  within. 

Directions. — Close  the  port  when  Peach  rock  bears  S.  4^  W.  (S.  17° 
E.  mag.)  and  steer  in  S.  10^  W.  (S.  11°  E.  mag.)  between  the  rock  and 
Baker  islands;  when  midway  between  them  alter  course  S.  7^  E. 
(S.  280  E.  mag.)  for  J  mile  to  avoid  the  shoal  patch  of  2  fathoms,  then 
N.  770  W.  (S.  820  W.  mag.)  for  the  mound  over  Short  point. 

Anchorage. — It  is  the  best  to  moor  in  18  fathoms,  sand  and  mud, 
with  Short  point  bearing  N.  61°  W.  (N.  82o  W.  mag.)  and  the  east 
extreme  of  Baker  islands  iN".  44^  E.  (N.  23°  E.  mag ).  The  space  here 
is  confined,  but  it  is  to  be  preferred  to  the  rocky  bottom  farther  out, 
and  shelter  is  obtained  from  the  furious  squalls  which  sweep  over  the 
g^ap  at  Buxrage  pass* 


144  PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS — TBINIDAD  CHANNEL. 

Cave  bay,  the  bight  south  of  Byatt  island,  has  not  been  examined. 
From  its  situation  it  would  be  exposed  to  the  full  strength  of  the  west- 
erly winds,  and  is  therefore  quite  unfit  for  anchorage.  It  is  connected 
with  port  Eosario  by  a  narrow  passage  named  Burrage  pass. 

Wolsey  sound,  4  miles  west  of  i)ort  Bosario,  is  a  deep  fiord  3  miles 
long  in  a  southerly  direction  and  about  ^  mile  wide.  East  of  Wolsey 
sound,  distant  1^  miles,  is  the  entrance  to  Granmer  sound.  These 
sounds  are  connected  on  the  south  side  of  Latimer  island  by  a  channel 
having  in  it  numerous  islets  and  rocks,  among  which  indifferent 
anchorages  can  be  obtained.  There  is  no  ship  passage  into  Granmer 
from  Wolsey  sound,  nor  anchorage  within  the  former  if  entered  from 
the  northward. 

Directions. — Enter  Wolsey  sound  midway  between  Fisher  island 
and  cape  Gardinal.  A  rocky  islet  lies  SE.  one  mile  from  the  entrance, 
in  the  middle  of  the  passage  joining  the  two  sounds;  pass  between  this 
islet  and  the  SW.  point  of  Latimer  island,  off  which  a  shelf  extends 
100  yards,  and  anchor  close  under  the  south  shore  of  Latimer  island  in 
9  to  17  fathoms,  rocky  bottom. 

The  coast  from  Wolsey  sound  trends  in  a  westerly  direction  for  2 
miles  to  the  Seymour  islands  at  the  east  side  of  entrance  toportHenry« 
The  \9rh0le  of  this  distance  is  fronted  by  numerous  rocks  and  breakers 
extending  nearly  J  mile  offshore. 

Eastern  peaks,  the  northern  one  of  which  is  Three  peaks,  2,310  feet 
high,  rise  abruptly  from  the  coast  and  are  wooded  nearly  to  the  sum- 
mit, which  is  of  dark  bare  rock  with  three  distant  peaks,  the  northern 
peak  being  lower  than  the  other  two.  These  peaks  are  clearly  dis- 
tinguishable from  cape  Oandelaria,  also  from  seaward,  and  being  con- 
spicuous they  are  an  excellent  mark  to  the  navigator. 

Port  Henry  is  a  valuable  but  somewhat  confined  anchorage,  fit  for 
vessels  wishing  to  anchor  for  a  night  when  the  weather  is  fine;  when 
stormy  the  williwaws  are  severe  and  a  heavy  swell  sets  into  the  bay. 

The  port  extends  in  a  southerly  direction  ^  mile  and  is  600  yards 
wide.  About  J  mile  within  the  entrance  a  point  projects  from  the 
western  shore  half  the  distance  across  the  port;  southward  of  this 
point  a  channel  leads  north  of  Jane  island  into  Aid  basin. 

The  entrance  is  easily  made  out  from  both  the  eastward  and  the 
westward.  From  the  former,  Seymour  islands,  a  group  of  low  wooded 
islets  and  rocks,  and  Arragon  island,  a  round  grassy  mound  120  feet 
high,  are  sufficient  guides;  from  the  latter,  it  maybe  known  by  its 
being  the  first  opening  east  of  Bugged  head.  The  white  sand  between 
Maple  and  Parr  points  is  also  conspicuous.  It  is  the  first  sand  beach 
on  the  south  shore  after  entering  the  channel,  having  a  low  sandy  cliff 
at  the  back,  and  a  round,  rocky,  and  wooded  mount  at  its  western  end. 
When  off  the  port  the  sharply  serrated  ridge  of  the  Organ  pipes,  2,329 
feet  high,  is  a  good  guide. 

Anne  l^reaker,  off  the  entrance  to  Port  Henry,  is  a  most  dangerous 


SENTRY   ISLET — AID   BASIN.  145 

rock,  nnmarked  by  kelp,  and  in  ordinary  weather  seldom  breaks.  A 
rook,  with  5  fathoms  water  over  it,  lies  200  yards  north  of  Anne 
breaker.  Engged  head,  seen  open  westward  of  Arragon  island,  bear- 
ing S.  440  W.  (S.  230  W.  mag.),  will  keep  a  vessel  to  the  northward  of 
these  dangers. 

Sentry  islet  is  a  bare  rock,  10  feet  high,  and  is  the  northern  islet 
upon  the  west  side  of  entrance.  Its  eastern  side  is  steep-to,  but  foul 
ground  extends  400  yards  to  the  northward  and  westward. 

Iiovr  island,  700  yards  SB.  of  Sentry  islet,  is  30  feet  high.  A  dan- 
gerous rock  lies  N.  I80  B.  (N.  3°  W.  mag.),  about  200  yards  from  it,  and 
another  S.  52o  B.  (S.  73^  E.  mag.),  distant  50  yards. 

Kelly  rock,  at  700  yards  NE.  of  Low  island,  has  7  feet  water  on  it, 
and  7  to  9  fathoms  close  around,  and  with  a  patch  of  coral,  having  4 
fathoms  water  on  it,  lying  N.  2°  W.  (N.  23o  W.  inag.),  200  yards  from 
the  rock,  form  the  oater  dangers  in  Howard  bay  on  the  eastern  side 
of  the  entrance.  Foul  ground  extends  over  the  whole  space  inshore  of 
them.       ' 

Anchorage. — The  best  berth  is  in  7  to  14  fathoms,  sand,  fair  holding 
ground,  with  Low  island  bearing  K  7°  E.  (N.  14^  W.  mag.).  Maple 
point  N.  6O0  E.  (N.  39o  E.  mag.),  and  Observatory  rock  N.  49°  W.  (N. 
70O  W.  mag.). 

Directions. — When  off  Port  Henry,  with  the  Organ  pipes  bearing 
S.  I60  W.  (S.  50  E.  mag.),  Harbor  peak,  a  cone  1,640  feet  high,  con- 
nected at  half  its  elevation  with  a  loftier  range,  will  be  seen ;  also  the 
sand  beach  before  mentioned.  Keep  Eugged  head  open  west  of  Arra- 
gon island,  bearing  S.  44°  W.  (S.  23^  W.  mag.),  until  Harbor  peak  is  in 
line  with  the  east  extreme  of  the  sand  beach  S.  I80  E.  (S.  39°  E.  mag.), 
which  leads  in  mid-channel  till  Low  island  bears  West  (S.  69^  W.  mag.), 
when  a  S.  32^  W.  (S.  11^  W.  mag.)  course  will  lead  into  the  anchorage. 

Aid  basin,  the  continuation  of  Port  Henry  to  the  southward,  is  a 
completely  landlocked  harbor,  with  anchorage  in  15  to  24  fathoms, 
soft  mud,  but  the  entrance  between  Jane  island  and  Bluff  peninsula 
is  only  60  yards  wide  5  a  ledge  with  4  fathoms  over  it  extends  across, 
and  on  the  northern  side  lie  two  sunken  rocks  nearly  200  yards  apart, 
the  eastern  rock  about  65  yards  and  the  western  rock  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  «hore.  None  but  a  small  vessel  could  use  this  channel 
and  nothing  is  to  be  gained  by  entering  Aid  basin,  as  it  is  impossible 
to  judge  of  the  weather  outside,  and  from  the  formation  of  the  land  it 
is  often  raining  heavily  in  the  basin  when  it  is  clear  and  fine  at  port 
Henry. 

There  is  a  lake  at  the  head  of  Aid  basin  and  wood  is  in  abundance. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  at  port  Henry  at  noon; 
springs  rise  5  feet,  and  the  stream  is  not  felt. 

Coast. — ^From  Arragon  island  the  coast  trends  2J  miles  SW.  to  Eug- 
ged head,  thence  SSE.  4J  miles  to  cape  Hawksworth.  The  whole  coast 
is  fronted  by  low  islets  and  rocks  at  some  distance  offshore.  Landing 
1943— No.  89 10 


146  PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS. 

is  impracticable  on  account  of  the  heavy  sarf,  and  the  coast  should  not 
be  approached  within  5  or  6  miles.    South  of  cape  Hawksworth  a  deep 
sound  extends  to  the  eastward,  on  the  south  shore  of  which  is  April  peak. 
Ragged  head. — See  page  172. 

NORTH  SHOBE. 

Brassay  pass,  north  of  Topar  island,  connects  Wide  and  Trinidad 
chaunels,  and  is  wide  and  free  from  danger.  Between  cape  Somerset, 
the  southeastern  cape  of  Wellington  island,  and  Camel  island,  3^  miles 
farther  west,  are  three  inlets,  named,  respectively,  Hastings  and  Wil- 
shere  fiords  and  Port  Gharrua,  the  two  former  having  no  anchorage 
with  them. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Brassey  pass  about 
noon.  At  spring  tides  the  streams  run  through  the  pass  1^  knots  per 
hour,  flood  to  the  eastward  and  ebb  to  the  westward. 

Port  Chamia,  in  the  western  arm  of  the  second  inlet,  2f  miles  west 
of  cape  Somerset,  affords  a  convenient  and  sheltered  anchorage,  in  7 
fathoms,  mud,  f  mile  within  the  entrance.  The  arm  extends  north  for 
1^  miles,  and  has  at  its  head  a  large  waterfall  434  feet  high,  near  which 
grow  some  large  trees  which  might  serve  for  spars.  The  west  shore  of 
the  port  is  formed  by  lofty  and  precipitous  mountains,  over  which  the 
squalls  pass  without  reaching  the  anchorage. 

Directions. — At  the  entrance  there  are  26  fathoms  water,  deepening 
inside  to  40  fathoms,  again  shoaling  to  26  fathoms  when  Celery  islet  is 
abeam.  Vessel  should  proceed  slowly,  as  the  next  cast  will  be  7  fath- 
oms. Anchor  with  the  east  side  of  the  cliff  in  line  with  Brown  point 
bearing  N.  IQo  E.  (N.  lio  W.  mag.),  Celery  islet  S.  63°  E.  (S.  84o  E. 
mag.),  and  the  small  beach  on  the  west  shore  S.  71^  W.  (S.  50°  W. 
mag.)  Two  rocks,  dry  at  low  water,  extend  from  the  east  shore  100 
yards  into  the  anchorage,  with  6  fathoms  close  off'  them. 

Kathleen  anchorage  is  5^  miles  from  cape  Somerset,  and  is  easily 
recognized  by  Camel  island,  1,380  feet  high,  which  forms  the  southern 
shore.  From  abreast  Emma  point,  the  east  extreme  of  Camel  island, 
the  inlet  extends  in  a  westerly  direction  with  deep  water,  till  Mabel 
islet  on  the  south  shore  is  abeam,  when  29  fathoms  will  be  obtained, 
shoaling  to  15  fathoms  2  miles  from  the  entrance,  abreast  an  opening 
into  Trinidad  channel,  through  which  Sentry  islet  will  be  seen.  Ves- 
sels should  not  proceed  above  Skua  islet.  The  best  berth  is  with  Skua 
islet  bearing  N.  74°  W.  (S.  85o  W.  mag.)  and  the  east  point  of  Seaward 
entry  S.  32°  W.  (S.  11^  W.  mag.),  in  15  fathoms  clay.  The  bottom  is 
composed  of  rocks,  with  stiff',  blue  clay  in  the  spaces  between.  The 
squalls  are  severe,  but  the  water  is  always  smooth.  In  the  middle  of 
the  anchorage  ground  is  a  rock  of  small  extent,  on  which  5  fathoms 
least  water  was  obtained.  From  the  anchorage,  the  state  of  the 
weather  and  sea  in  Trinidad  channel  can  be  conveniently  noted. 

On  the  west  shore,  2^  miles  from  the  anchorage,  are  a  few  acres  of 
good,  straight  trees,  with  but  little  or  no  undergrowth,  most  of  which 


SEAWARD   ENTRY — ^NEESHAM  INLET.  147 

would  make  a  topmast,  and  could  be  got  into  the  water  with  little 
trouble.  On  the  east  shore,  IJ  miles  from  the  berth,  good  large  wood, 
fit  for  steaming  purposes,  may  be  had. 

^  Seaward  entry  is  narrow  and  filled  with  kelp,  having  a  rocky  ledge 
with  24  fathoms  of  water  extending  across.  The  sharp  turn  at  Sentry 
islet  and  the  rush  of  tide  through  the  pass  forbid  its  use  even  by  small 
craft. 

Windward  bay,  on  the  SW.  side  of  Camel  island,  is  a  poor  place 
with  a  rocky  bottom  and  a  bad  holding  ground. 

Coast. — From  cape  Somerset  to  Cordova  point,  at  4f  miles  west  of 
it,  the  coast  is  broken  by  deep  fiords  between  rugged  and  snow-capped 
ranges  about  3,000  feet  high.  The  most  prominent  is  Double  peak,  or 
Notre  Dame  mountain,  formed  by  two  snow-capped  peaks  3,433  and 
3,610  feet  high,  connected  some  distance  below  their  summits  by  a  flat 
ridge.  Camel  island  is  very  conspicuous  from  the  westward,  showing 
as  a  solitary  square  lump,  with  two  mounds  upon  the  summit.  The 
southern  face  is  a  precipice  about  800  feet  high.  Mount  Bethune,  1,339 
feet  high,  on  the  north  shore  of  Kathleen  anchorage,  is  very  similar. 
That  port  forms  a  deep  gap  between  them,  which  shows  very  distinctly 
from  the  westward.  Cape  Somerset  and  mount  Ellen  falling  abruptly 
into  the  sea  form  prominent  capes,  and  are  both  steep-to. 

Surges  island,  at  one  mile  west  of  Camel  island,  is  about  25  feet 
high,  thickly  wooded,  and  has  no  ship  channel  north  of  it.  A  rock, 
always  above  water,  lies  i  mile  south  of  the  island. 

Petley  islands,  80  feet  high  and  wooded,  lie  nearly  one  mile  south 
of  Cordova  point.  Their  south  shores  are  steep-to,  and  may  be  passed 
at  J  mile  distant.  A  cluster  of  bare,  low  rocks  lies  J  mile  N.  by  W.  of 
the  western  island*^ 

Brazo  del  Norte,  at  7J  miles  north  of  Petley  islands,  is  about  3 
miles  wide  at  its  junction  with  Trinidad  channel;  thence  it  trends  in  a 
northerly  direction  for  33  miles,  where  it  terminates  in  several  deep 
fiords  of  no  use  for  navigation.  These  fiords  have  in  some,  instances 
an  indifferent  anchorage  at  the  head. 

The  eastern  shore  is  formed  by  lofty  mountains  with  deep  inlets 
between  them.  The  western  shore  is  lower,  and  has  numerous  indenta- 
tions and  inlets.  Cathedral  mountain  on  the  east  shore,  a  conspicuous 
peak,  3,836  feet  high,  resembling  at  a  distance  the  spire  and  roof  of  a 
church,  is  usually  hidden  by  clouds,  but  when  clear  is  visible  from  the 
gulf  of  Trinidad. 

Malaspina  islands  are  an  extensive  group  of  islands  and  rocks 
situated  at  the  western  entrance  of  Brazo  del  Norte.  The  south  shores 
are  free  from  danger,  and  may  be  closed  to  within  a  distance  of  J  mile. 
North  of  Meidel  islands  is  a  boat  passage,  with  a  small  bight  at  its 
eastern  entrance,  in  which  there  is  ancliorage  for  small  vessels  in  10 
fathoms,  bottom  of  sand  and  shell.  This  berth  is  sheltered  from  the 
northward  and  westward. 

Neesham  inlet,  2^  miles  NW.  of  Malaspina  islands,  is  very  small,  and 
the  bottom  is  too  rocky  to  be  of  use  as  an  anchorage.    The  entrance  to 


148  PATAGONIAN   CHANNELS. 

the  inlet  is  marked  by  Schweers  island,  lying  south  of  it.  The  inlet 
extends  3^  miles  northward,  ending  in  a  small  creek.  On  the  west 
shore  are  several  passages  into  Picton  channel,  but  all  are  unfitted  for 
navigation. 

Van  ifflnndft,  3  miles  west  of  Malaspina  islands,  form  two  distinct 
groups,  occupying  a  space  of  3  miles  east  and  west.  The  east  group  is 
the  higher  of  th§  two.  Peak  island,  90  feet  high,  having  a  pointed 
summit,  is  the  most  conspicuous  of  the  whole  group.  *  Coming  from  the 
eastward  it  is  the  first  Van  island  seen,  and  is  visible  about  12  miles. 
Between  the  two  groups  are  several  rocky  islets  and  sunken  dangers. 
The  western  group  is  low  and  wooded,  and  free  from  danger  on  the 
north  and  south  shores,  but  double  rock,  10  feet  high,  and  several  other 
rocks  over  which  the  sea  breaks  heavily  extend  f  mile  westward  from 
the  western  island.  Mount  Nares,  the  highest  land  over  Alert  harbor, 
bearing  K.  4o  W.  (N.  25°  W.  mag,),  leads  west  of  these  dangers  in  about 
96  fathoms. 

Picton  channaL — See  page  166. 

Rameses  islands,  at  the  south  point  of  Mornington  island,  are  low, 
with  several  small  peaks  about  150  feet  high. 

Danger. — The  channel  between  Eameses  and  Van  islands  has  much 
foul  ground;  extreme  caution  is  therefore  necessary  if  this  passage  is 
used,  and  the  navigator  is  recommended  to  keep  the  north  shore  of  Van 
islands,  not  more  than  f  mile  distant. 

Coast.^ — From  Eameses  islands  the  coast  trends  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  2 J  miles  to  Alert  harbor,  with  foul  ground  in  the  bight 
between.  In  clear  weather  the  summit  of  Pilot  island  (on  the  south 
shore),  in  line  with  the  east  extreme  of  the  West  Van  group,  bearing 
S.  350  E.  (S.  560  E.  mag.),  will  lead  westward  of'  all  dangers. 

Alert  harbor  is  easy  of  access,  with  good  anchorage  and  shelter. 
Being  so  close  to  the  entrance  of  Trinidad  channel,  it  is  especially 
valuable  to  a  vessel  in  distress,  and  it  is  at  all  times  to  be  preferred  to 
port  Henry. 

It  is  easily  distinguished  by  Castle  point,  a  steep  white  limestone 
cliff,  150  feet  high,  wooded  on  the  summit,  and  Knocker  and  Button 
islets  in  the  middle  of  the  entrance,  the  latter  showing  as  a  round, 
wooded  knob.  Cone  hill,  416  feet  high,  is  wooded  and  has  a  clear 
grassy  patch  on  its  eastern  slope;  the  latter  is  the  best  mark.  Fairway 
rock,  30  feet  high,  is  bare  and  rugged,  and  shows  well  at  a  distance  of 
5  miles.    Innes  point  is  a  cliffy  bluff*. 

Directions. — Approaching  this  harbor,Castle  point,  bearing  N.  10^  B. 
(N.  110  W.  mag,),  leads  eastward  of  the  Challenger  breakers  up  to  the 
entrance  between  Fairway  rock  and  the  rock  awash  west  of  Black  rock. 
To  avoid  this  danger  close  Fairway  rock,  taking  care  not  to  open  Cone 
hill  eastward  of  Knocker  island  until  Fairway  rock  bears  S.  66^  W. 
(S.  450  W.  mag.),  thence  steer  N.  12o  W.  (N.  33^  W.  mag.)  for  Fielden 
point  to  avoid  a  sunken  danger  which  lies  S.  46^  E.  (S.  67°  E.  mag.)  of 


ALEBT  HARBOR — ^BOSSI  BIGHT.  149 

Batton  island.  When  Innes  i>oint  is  passed  the  harbor  is  clear.  There 
is  no  passage  between  Castle  point  and  Spider  island,  just  south  of  it, 
nor  between  Fairway  rock  and  Aldrich  islands,  near  the  West  Entrance 
point. 

Anchorage. — There  is  good  anchorage  in  12  to  23  fathoms,  mud, 
between  Knocker  island  and  Currant  point,  nearly  2  miles  north  of  it, 
the  holding  ground  improving  toward  the  north  shore.  A  good  berth 
for  a  large  vessel  is  with  Fairway  rock,  seen  between  Knocker  and 
Button  island,  bearing  S.  18°  E.  (S.  39^  E.  mag.),  and  the  islet  north 
of  Fielden  point,  K  89^  E.  (K  680  E.  mag.). 

Mackerel  anchorage,  at  the  head  of  Alert  harbor,  is  a  secure 
retreat  for  small  vessels,  being  perfectly  landlocked,  with  good  hold- 
ing ground.    The  chart  will  be  the  best  "guide  to  this  anchorage. 

Large  quantities  of  mackerel  and  mullet  were  netted  at  the  entrance 
to  the  fresh- water  stream  at  the  head  of  the  inner  harbor  by  the  Alerfa 
crew.  They  also  were  very  successful  with  the  seine  on  the  sandy 
beach  SW.  of  May  islands. 

Directions. — When  off  Innes  point  the  entrance  to  the  channel 
leading  to  the  inner  anchorage  bears  N.  29°  W.  (N.  50°  W.  mag.),  dis- 
tant 2  miles,  and  Salient  point,  on  the  west  shore  of  the  entrance,  will 
be  distinguished.  Mid  rock,  12  feet  high,  near  the  middle  of  the  nar- 
rows, between  the  outer  harbor  and  Mackerel  anchorage,  with  foul 
ground  extending  the  whole  distance  to  the  east  shore,  will  be  seen 
when  off  Salient  point.  Pass  70  yards  west  of  Mid  rock,  150  yards  off 
Caution  point  and  100  yards  off  Turn  point,  thence  northward  to  the 
anchorage  in  15  fathoms,  mud. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fiill  and  change,  in  Alert  harbor  at  12h. 
15m.;  springs  rise  7  feet  5  no  stream  is  felt. 

Cape  Gamboa. — The  coast  from  Alert  harbor  to  cape  Gamboa,  4 
miles  westward,  is  much  broken,  and  rocks  under  water  extend  in  some 
places  for  one  mile  off  shore.  Step  hill,  150  feet  high,  is  shaped  like 
a  quoin ;  the  S W.  side,  being  steep  and  of  a  light  gray  color,  shows 
well  to  seaward.  A  long,  sandy  beach  lies  just  west  of  this  hill,  and  is 
the  only  prominent  one  in  the  neighborhood. 

Seal  rocks,  5  feet  high  and  about  6  miles  N.  84^  W.  (N.  75o  W. 
mag.)  of  Van  islands,  are  a  dangerous  cluster  of  rocks  J  mile  in  extent. 
Three  heads  show  above  water  and  always  break;  in  ordinary  weather 
the  breakers  can  be  seen  from  the  deck  at  a  distance  of  8  miles.  There 
are  two  sunken  dangers,  on  which  the  sea  usually  breaks,  lying  to  the 
eastward  of  the  Seal  rocks,  the  eastern  one  being  a  mile  distant  from 
them.  Vessels  can  pass  either  side  of  the  Seal  rocks,  but  the  southern 
passage  is  recommended. 

Bossi  bight,  between  cape  Gamboa  and  Primero  point,  13  miles 
farther  west,  is  apparently  shallow  and  full  of  rocks  and  small,  bare 
islets  through  which  no  passage  could  be  discovered.  In  southwesterly 
gales  the  breakers  extend  the  whole  distance  across  from  cape  Gamboa 


150  PATAQOKIAN  CHANNELS. 

to  Primero  point.  In  the  'KE.  part  of  the  bight  is  an  inlet,  apparently 
leading  toward  Payne  bay  in  Picton  channel.  On  the  shores  of  the 
bight  are  several  peculiar  hills,  like  huge  towers,  thickly  wooded. 

Corso  peninsula  forms  the  west  shore  of  Bossi  bight  and  the  north 
entrance  point  into  Trinidad  channel.  It  is  connected  with  Momingtou 
island  by  a  low  isthmus  intersected  with  lagoons,  and  with  no  apparent 
passage  even  for  a  boat  into  Spartan  bight. 

Mount  CorsG,  about  5  miles  north  of  Primero  point,  has  a  smooth, 
rounded  summit,  1,420  feet  high,  connected  by  a  wooded  range  with 
several  other  hills,  all  conical  in  form.  On  tbe  south  side  it  slopes  grad- 
ually down  to  a  plain  terminating  in  Primero  x>oint,  a  long,  low,  shelving 
point,  off  which  numerous  islets  and  rocks  extend  1^  miles  aud  breakers 
2^  miles  south.  This  vicinity  is  exceedingly  dangerous,  and  should  be 
studiously  avoided.  The  west  side  of  Corso  peninsula  is  fronted  by  a 
long  beach  having  numerous  Islets  off  it,  and  outlying  sunken  rocks. 
The  lead  gives  no  warning  of  these  dangers,  which  rise  almost  per- 
pendicular from  a  depth  of  30  to  40  fathoms.  They  are  unmarked  by 
kelp,  and,  unless  the  swell  be  heavy,  do  not  indicate  their  position  by 
breakers.  Mariners  must,  therefore,  be  very  careful  when  approaching 
this  dangerous  portion  of  the  coast. 

Cape  Fakenhaxn,  the  western  extreme  of  Mornington  island,  9^ 
miles  north  of  Primero  point,  is  a  low,  rocky  point  off  which  lies  a 
cluster  of  rocky  islets.  •  The  summit  of  the  cape,  Spartan  cone,  is  very 
conspicuous  from  seaward.  Breakers  were  observed  about  5  miles 
westward  of  cape  Pakenham. 

As  this  portion  of  the  coast  has  not  been  closely  examined,  strangers 
should  be  on  their  guard  when  approaching  the  channel  from  the  west- 
ward. Being,  however,  as  correctly  defined  as  the  approaches  to 
Magellan  strait  and  Messier  channel,  mariners  bound  to  the  southward 
and  arriving  off  the  gulf  of  Trinidad  in  fine  weather  should  not  hesi- 
tate to  take  advantage  of  the  favorable  opportunity  to  enter  the 
channel  and  continue  their  passage  in  smooth  water. 

PASSAGE   THROUGH   TRINIDAD   CHANNEL. 

From  the  eastward. — ^Vessels  must  steer  over  for  the  Madre  islands, 
passing  north  of  Inocentes  island.  In  thick  weather,  though  the  hill- 
tops are  obscured,  the  lower  land  can  often  be  made  out.  The  separa- 
tion of  two  cascades,  resembling  a  hayfork,  about  J  mile  south  of  Eogers 
point,  is  a  good  mark  to  steer  for.  The  slope  of  the  high  hill  over 
Rogers  point  also  shows  well  through  the  rain. 

The  channel,  being  wide  and  clear,  can  be  navigated  at  night  if 
required.  Having  passed  eastward  of  Iris  island  J  mile,  steer  K  1° 
W.  (N.  220  W.  mag.)  for  IJ  miles  for  the  entrance  of  Oaflan  pass;  steer 
thence  N.  53°  W.  (N.  74°  W.  mag.).  When  12§  miles  are  run  the  vessel 
is  off'  cape  Candelaria,  bearing  S.  2°  E.  (S.  23o  E.  mag.),  and  distant 
IJ  miles.    From  this  position  a  distance  of  13  miles  on  a  course  N.  80^ 


TRINIDAD   CHANNEL.  .151 

W.  (S.  790  W.  mag.)  will  place  the  vessel  between  Seal  rocks  and  port 
Henry;  thence  the  course  is  N.  86°  W.  (S.  73^  W.  mag.)  to  sea.  Three 
Peaks,  2,310  feet  high,  2  miles  east  of  port  Henry,  kept  northward  of 
S.  690  E.  (East  mag.),  will  lead  south  of  the  dangers  off  Primero  i)oint. 
It  is  advisable  to  make  a  good  offing  at  once.  As  the  west  coasts  of 
Momington  and  Oampana  islands  have  sunken  dangers  a  long  way  off- 
shore, the  navigator  must  not  be  in  a  hurry  to  haul  to  the  northward. 

From  the  ■wrestwrard. — The  land  should  not  be  closed  nearer  than 
the  meridian  of  76^  W.  until  latitude  49^  58'  S.  is  reached,  when  the 
channel  may  be  approached  on  that  parallel  until  either  Horn  or  East- 
ern peaks  are  made  out.  The  triple  summit  of  Eastern  peaks,  of  a 
black  color,  is  the  most  prominent  object  when  closing  with  the  chan- 
nel. Mount  Nares,  2,447  feet  high,  when  seen  from  the  westward  of 
Corso  peninsula,  bearing  S.  80^  E.  (N.  79°  E.  mag.),  appears  as  a  flat- 
topped,  conical  mountain.  From  the  same  position  cape  Gamboa  shows 
as  a  long  ridge  falling  steeply  into  the  sea,  consequent  on  the  lowland 
at  the  base  of  the  mountains  not  being  visible  from  that  distance.  If 
the  weather  is  clear  the  range  of  snowy  mountains  on  the  east  shore  of 
Brazo  del  Norte  will  be  seen,  conspicuous  among  them  Cathedral  moun- 
tain. Three  Peaks  bearing  S.  69^  E.  (East  mag.)  will  lead  into  the 
entrance  of  the  channel  in  40  fathoms,  sand.  When  mount  Gorso  bears 
K  100  E.  (N.  110  W.  mag.),  steer  S.  82o  E.  (N.  77^  E.  mag.)  for  11  miles, 
passing  between  Seal  rocks  and  Port  Henry.  The  water  will  shoal  to 
24  fathoms,  when  Eugged  head  bears  S.  249  E.  (S.  45^  E.  mag.) ;  it  then 
gradually  deepens  to  50  fathoms,  when  Seal  rocks  bear  N.  7°  W. 
(N.  28°  W.  mag.),  after  which  the  channel  is  deep  and  clear.  From 
abreast  Seal  rocks  steer  a  S.  77°  E.  (N.  82°  E.  mag.)  course  for  12 J  miles, 
when  cape  Gandelaria  will  bear  S.  2^  E.  (S.  23^  E.  mag.),  distant 
li  miles;  thence  steer  S.  63^  E.  (S.  74^  E.  mag.)  between  Medio  island 
and  Brazo  peninsula,  passing  eastward  of  Iris  island  at  |  mile  distant; 
thence  a  course  may  be  steered  through  Goncepcion  channel. 

Inocentes  island  appears  from  the  east  entrance  of  Trinidad  channel 
as  a  flat- topped  mound  with  low  land  on  either  side  of  it.  Both  shores 
of  Goncepcion  channel  are  mountainous,  the  most  remarkable  being 
Singular  peak,  on  Ghatham  island,  a  peculiar  mass  of  rock  on  the 
summit  of  a  mountain  3,060  feet  high.  Ghilders  bluff  is  also  readily 
recognized. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  in  Trinidad  channel  about 
noon  5  springs  rise  about  6  feet.  The  flood  stream  runs  to  the  eastward 
and  the  ebb  to  the  westward.  The  turn  of  the  stream  depends  on  the 
recent  winds.  Southwesterly  winds  hold  the  flood  up  in  both  Trinidad 
and  Goncepcion  channels.  The  stream  runs  about  J  knot  per  hour, 
except  in  Gaffin  and  Brassey  passes,  where  it  runs  1 J  knots  at  spring 
tides.    Off  cape  Somerset  there  are  tide  ripples. 

Supplies. — ^Like  all  other  parts  of  the  Patagonian  channels,  wood' 
and  water  are  everywhere  abundant.    Timber  for  spars  can  be  obtained 


152.  PATAOONIAN  CHANNELS. 

in  Fort  Gharrua  and  Notre  Dame  fiord.  Fish  were  netted  in  large 
quantities  at  most  of  the  ports  described.  The  method  adopted  with 
success  in  the  Alert  was  placing  a  trammel  net  across  the  entrance  of 
the  small  coves  into  which  ran  a  fresh-water  stream  at  high  water,  at 
which  time  the  fish  are  close  to  the  beach  feeding;  then  driving  the  fish 
into  the  net.  During  the  months  of  October  and  November  great  num- 
bers of  brent  geese  frequent  the  grassy  shores  of  the  x>orts,  and  are  fair 
eating.  Wild  celery  can  be  obtained  in  most  parts,  and  forms  an  agree- 
able addition  to  the  table  when  cooked  like  spinach.  It  was  found 
round  most  of  the  deserted  wigwams  in  great  profusion. 

The  natives  are  to  be  met  with  on  the  outer  coasts  in  great  numbers 
during  the  sealing  season  in  December  and  January.  Although  they 
are  harmless  and  inofiensive  while  in  the  vicinity  of  a  vessel  or  armed 
boats,  they  are  not  to  be  trusted. 

WIDE   CHANNEL. 
(H.  O.  Chart  No.  447.) 

Wide  channel  (Brazo  Ancho  of  Sarmiento)  commences  at  Brazo 
Ancho  point,  the  NE.  extreme  of  the  Madre  islands,  where  Trinidad 
and  Concepcion  channels  meet  Wide  channel,  and  extends  38  miles  to 
the  northward,  from  Topar  to  Saumarez  island,  with  a  breadth  varying 
from  1|  to  3J  miles. 

The  navigation  of  Wide  channel  is  often  impeded  by  drift  ice  from 
Eyre  sound;  numerous  large  pieces  of  ice  have  been  seen  in  this  chan- 
nel in  June. 

G>age  inlet,  about  12  miles  NNE.  of  cape  Somerset,  extends  2  miles 
NW.;  it  is  narrow  and  deep,  with  shores  rising  to  precipitous  moun- 
tains. At  one  mile  within  the  entrance  is  Medio  islet,  south  of  which 
the  i)assage  is  full  of  sunken  rocks.  At  400  yards  above  the  islet  the 
inlet  is  only  65  yards  wide,  and  there  the  tide  runs  strongly;  when 
through  the  narrows,  there  is  a  small  bay  on  the  north  shore,  having 
confined  anchorage  and  not  room  to  swing.  There  is  a  similar  anchor- 
age at  the  head  of  the  inlet.  Taking  into  consideration  the  intricate 
navigation.  Gage  inlet  should  be  avoided. 

Refuge  cove,  about  If  miles  northward  of  Gage  inlet,  is  adapted 
for  small  vessels  only,  having  anchorage  in  the  center  of  the  cove  in  6 
to  7  fathoms. 

Sandy  cove,  at  the  south  entrance  point  of  Antrim  inlet,  6J  miles 
north  of  Refuge  cove,  is  not  recommended,  the  bottom  being  rocky  and 
irregular,  and  the  anchorage  too  close  to  the  shore.  In  the  northern 
part  of  the  cove  is  a  rock  marked  by  kelp,  and  another  in  the  south- 
ern part  that  uncovers  at  low  water. 

There  is  anchorage  in  14  fathoms  in  the  center  of  the  cove,  but  the 
anchor  is  liable  to  drag  into  deep  water. 

Antrim  inlet  extends  nearly  4  miles  FW.  and  terminates  in  two 
large  basins,  connected  by  boat  passages,  in  which  are  whirlpools. 


WIDE  CHANNEL.  153 

Elena  cove  is  a  sheltered  anchorage  at  the  head  of  Antrim  inlet,  the 
channel  being  deep. 

A  rocky  ledge  extends  from  the  east  shore  of  the  cove  to  the  middle 
of  it,  and  vessels  should  not  pass  south  of  the  ledge,  but  anchor  between 
the  enia*ance  xK>ints  of  the  cove  in  14  fathoms. 

Ringdove  inlet,  on  the  east  side  of  Wide  channel,  abreast  Antrim 
inlet,  is  1 J  miles  wide  between  the  entrance  points ;  the  outer  part  of 
the  inlet  extends  KE.  4^  miles  to  Herminia  island^  on  either  side  of 
this  island  there  is  a  deep  channel,  200  yards  wide,  leading  to  the  inner 
part,  which  extends  about  6  miles  farther  inland. 

Good  anchorage  will  be  obtained  in  Eichmond  or  Chacabuco  coves, 
formed  by  Jones  islands  and  the  eastern  side  of  the  x)eninsula  termi- 
nating in  Hyacinth  point,  the  south  entrance  point  to  the  inlet. 

Wood  and  ixrater. — Water  can  be  obtained  on  the  east  side  of  Ring- 
dove inlet  from  the  cascades  of  mount  O^Higgins,  at  the  foot  of  which 
landing  may  be  effected.    Wood  can  be  obtained  from  Rosa  island. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Chacabuco  cove  at 
40m.;  springs  rise  5 J  feet. 

Saumarez  island. — Wide  channel,  divided  by  Saumarez  island,  com- 
municates with  Eyre  sound  to  the  NE.  There  is  a  passage  on  either 
side  of  Saumarez  island,  but  Grappler  reach,  the  eastern,  is  the  wider 
of  the  two,  passing  close  to  Bold  head,  an  immense  dark  mass  of  rock 
rising  abruptly  from  the  sea  to  the  height  of  1,000  feet ;  abreast  of  this 
head  is  the  entrance  to  Eyre  sound,  which  is  35  miles  long. 

Chasm  reach,  the  passage  west  of  Saumarez  island,  though  narrow 
is  perfectly  clear  and  deep.  The  southern  entrance  may  be  known  by 
a  remarkable  patch  on  the  face  of  the  rock  on  the  western  side,  which 
can  be  seen  as  soon  as  Button  island  is  passed.  The  distance  by  this 
passage  is  2  miles  shorter  than  by  the  other  way,  and  in  the  autumn, 
when  the  ice  comes  down,  its  navigation  is  safer  than  the  eastern  pas- 
sage; even  going  to  Port  Grappler  it  would  be  almost  as  short,  but 
except  for  avoiding  ice  it  has  no  advantage.  The  current  in  this  reach 
is  not  very  strong. 

Veto  inlet  appears  to  have  a  good  entrance  and  probably  fair 
anchorage. 

Shoals. — n.  M.  S.  Amethyst  struck  on  a  shoal  that  was  found  to 
extend  from  200  to  800  yards  from  the  north  point  of  Saumarez  island. 
The  shoal  has  two  rocky  heads  with  12  feet,  least  water.  The  kelp  in 
this  neighborhood  was  visible  only  a  short  distance. 

There  is  a  depth  of  14  fathoms  between  the  eastern  rocky  head  and 
Saumarez  island. 

A  small  kelp  patch  was  observed  from  H.  M.  S.  Gannet  in  a  cove  in 
Angle  island,  just  within  the  new  entrance  to  Chasm  reach,  about  60 
yards  from  the  shore. 

Tides. — The  flood  tide  in  the  vicinity  was  observed  to  set  NE.  and 
the  ebb  south,  toward  the  shoals. 


154  PATAGONIAN  CHANNELS. 

Port  Micaela,  on  the  NE.  shore  of  Saamarez  island,  may  be  recog- 
nized by  the  white  sand  beach  on  the  opposite  shore  bearing  N.  88^  E. 
(K  670  E.  mag.)  of  it. 

There  is  a  sunken  rock  in  the  south  part  of  the  port,  and  the  bottom 
is  irregular.  There  is  anchorage  in  the  center  in  17  to  20  fathoms,  but 
Port  Grappler  is  far  preferable. 

Port  G>rappler  is  an  excellent,  well-sheltered  harbor  in  the  Exmouth 
promontory,  opposite  the  KE.  side  of  Saumarez  island.  Clou^  island, 
in  its  entrance,  shows  so  distinctly  that  it  is  impossible  to  mistake  the 
position  of  this  harbor.  There  is  a  passage  on*  either  side  of  the  island, 
but  the  eastern  one  is  the  wider  and  better.  The  best  anchorage  for  a 
large  vessel  is  600  yards  inside  Glou6  island  in  8  to  9  fathoms,  mud; 
but  a  small  vessel  may  pass  Diamond  island  and  anchor  in  4  to  5 
fathoms  off  Allard  point.  The  holding  ground  all  over  the  harbor  is 
excellent,  but  above  Diamond  island  the  shoal  water  extends  farther 
from  the  shore  and  the  anchorage  ground  becomes  confined. 

Indian  reach. — The  southern  part  of  Messier  channel,  for  25  miles 
between  Saumarez  island  and  English  narrows,  is  named  Indian  reach, 
in  which  are  several  islets  and  straggling  rocks,  with  deep  water 
between. 

Caution. — The  buoys  and  beacons  in  Indian  reach  can  not  be 
depended  on  to  be  in  position. 

Port  Horacio,  on  the  west  shore  of  Indian  reach,  6  miles  north  of 
Saumarez  island,  has  not  been  surveyed,  and  although  affording  anchor- 
age for  small  vessels,  several  sunken  dangers  are  known  to  exist. 

Dolores  reef,  the  greater  part  of  which  covers  at  high  water,  lies 
nearly  350  yards  from  the  SE.  point  of  Elliott  peninsula  or  the  SW. 
entrance  point  to  Grau  cove.  It  is  about  65  yards  in  extent  and  joined 
to  the  peninsula  by  a  ledge  of  rocks,  having  from  6  to  12  feet  water 
over  it  and  15  to  19  fathoms  close  around. 

G>rau  cove,  on  the  SE.  side  of  Elliott  peninsula,  is  a  sheltered 
anchorage  nearly  600  yards  wide  at  its  entrance,  and  about  J  mile 
deep.  The  shores  of  the  cove  are  free  from  outlying  dangers,  and 
anchorage  may  be  taken  up  in  the  center  in  16  fathoms,  rocky  bottom. 

Fantome  island. — H.  M,  S.  Fantome  found  anchorage  for  a  night 
under  Fantome  island,  J  mile  SSE.  from  Crossover  island  on  the  west 
side  of  Indian  reach,  in  28  fathoms  sand,  shell,  and  rock,  with  the 
extremes  of  Fantome  island  bearing  K.  18^  W.  (N.  39°  W.  mag.)  and 
N.  160  E.  (N.  50  W.  mag.).  From  an  examination  it  was  found  that 
anchorage  may  be  obtained  nearer  Fantome  island. 

Covadonga  group  consists  of  several  small  islands,  situated  nearly 
in  mid-channel  between  Crossover  island  and  Port  Eiofrio.  They  are 
all  wooded  with  the  exception  of  South  rocks,  which  lie  1,800  yards 
north  from  Crossover  islands,  are  8  feet  above  high  water,  and  marked 
by  a  perch,  consisting  of  a  staff  and  barrel,  painted  in  red  and  white 
bands;  it  is  not  easily  made  out. 


ABTAO  ROCK — LACKAWANA  COVE.  155 

Abtao  rock  lies  250  yards  south  of  South  rocks.  It  has  12  feet  of 
water  over  it.  A  barrel  buoy,  painted  red  and  white  in  vertical  stripes, 
with  the  name  Abtao  on  it  in  white  letters  upon  a  black  ground,  is 
moored  in  14f  fathoms  water,  with  Perch  islet  bearing  IN".  2o  E.  (N.  19o 
W.  mag.),  distant  400  yards. 

Sister  islands  are  two  small  islands  25  feet  high,  eastward  of  the 
Covadonga  group,  having  a  safe  passage  between  them  and  the  shore 
of  Exmouth  promontory. 

Penguin  rock,  600  yards  N.  45°  B.  (N.  24°  E.  mag.)  of  Toro  island, 
uncovers  about  2  feet  at  low  water. 

Vaudreuil  rock,  1,500  yards  N.  4^  E.  (N.  17^  W.  mag.)  of  Toro  island, 
is  very  dangerous.  It  is  but  slightly  marked  by  kelp  and  difficult  to 
distinguish  at  all  times.  It  has  not  been  seen  to  uncover  at  low- water 
springs.  The  lead  is  no  guide,  there  being  a  great  depth  of  water  within 
a  distance  of  400  yards  of  it. 

A  perch  with  a  white  ball  and  black  vane  stands  on  the  rock;  it  is 
difficult  to  distingiiish. 

Port  Riofrio,  4  miles  north  of  Crossover  island,  is  a  useful  anchor- 
age for  a  vessel  unable  to  reach  Eden  harbor  before  dark.  Covadonga 
rock  lies  in  mid-channel  of  the  entrance,  but  lies  just  covered  at  high 
water. 

Directions. — Steer  between  Alvaro  point  and  Covadonga  rock  with 
the  cascade  bearing  N,  77°  W.  (S.  82^  W.  mag.).  After  passing  the 
rock,  haul  to  the  northward  and  anchor  300  yards  north  of  Harbor 
point  in  21  fathoms,  mud. 

There  is  no  passage  for  vessels  through  Manuel  passage  between 
Marta  island  and  the  west  shore. 

Supplies. — Fish  are  plentiful  in  the  bight  south  of  Yitalia  islands; 
also  south  of  Cascade  point. 

Oorgon  reef,  on  the  western  side  of  the  reach,  800  yards  off  shore 
and  If  miles  north  of  Alvaro  point,  covers  at  high  water.  Vessels 
should  keep  the  east  shore  aboard  when  passing  this  danger. 

A  triangular  beacon,  surmounted  by  a  tripod  and  cage,  all  painted 
white,  stands  on  Gorgon  reef. 

G>uia  islands  are  low  islets  close  off  Clarke  point.  A  beacon  is 
erected  upon  the  northernmost  islet,  which  will  be  useful  as  a  mark 
to  clear  Gorgon  reef. 

Directions. — The  eastern  channel  between  Sister  islands  and  Ex- 
mouth  promontory  is  to  be  preferred,  especially  in  thick  weather,  when 
it  is  difficult  to  judge  the  distance  from  South  rocks. 

If  using  the  West  channel,  care  must  be  exercised  in  rounding  South 
rocks,  as  the  ebb  stream  sets  directly  on  to  them  and  over  the  12-foot 
patch  lying  to  the  southward  of  them. 

Lacka'wana  cove,  just  south  of  Eden  harbor,  is  perfectly  sheltered, 
with  an  entrance  only  50  yards  across.  There  is  a  rock  with  2  fathoms 
of  water  over  it  in  the  middle. 


156  PATAQONIAN  CHANNELS. 

Eden  harbor  is  formed  by  a  groap  of  tliickly  wooded  islands  on 
the  western  shore  of  Indian  reach,  at  3^  miles  north  of  Port  Biofrio  and 
affords  good  anchorage  in  8  to  12  fathoms.  Vessels  from  the  northward 
m^j  enter  throngh  East  channel  between  Morton  and  Dalce  islands, 
but  the  better  entrance  is  throngh  South  channel,  midway  between 
Charles  island  and  Hammond  reef.  When  in  the  entrance,  Jenkins 
hill,  445  feet  high,  kept  in  line  with  the  west  extreme  of  Eden  island 
bearing  N.  16<^  W.  (N.  37°  W.  mag.),  leads  clear  of  both  Hammond  reef 
and  the  rocks  extending  from  Charles  island.  The  best  anchorage  is 
between  Eden  island  and  a  small  beach  NW.  of  it  in  12  to  14  fathoms, 
taking  care  not  to  get  too  close  to  Bare  rocks,  marked  by  a  beacon,  off 
Eden  island.  This  anchorage  is  available  for  large  vessels  awaiting 
slack  water  in  English  narrows.  Farther  in  is  Malacca  cove,  perfectly 
sheltered,  but  very  confined,  with  anchorage  in  7  fathoms,  mud. 

Hammond  Reef  buoy,  painted  red,  is  moored  eastward  of  Ham- 
mond reef,  in  a  depth  of  IG  fathoms,  with  Greville  point  bearing  N.  81<^ 
E.  (N.  60O  E.  mag.),  distant  500  yards. 

Charles  Inland  beacon  stands  on  the  summit  (153  feet  high)  of  the 
island.  It  is  33  ieet  high,  pyramidal  in  shape,  with  a  ball  on  top, 
the  whole  painted  white. 

Hermia  rock. — The  German  steamer  Hermia  struck  on  a  rock  with 
12  feet  of  water  over  it,  off  William  xK)int.  It  is  said  to  lie  335  yards 
south  of  the  point.  Vessels  using  this  channel  should  exercise  caution, 
as  the  rock  is  surrounded  by  deep  water. 

Wreck. — ^The  wreck  of  a  steamer,  apparently  recent,  with  bow  and 
masts  out  of  water  and  topmasts  standing,  was  noted  south  of  William 
point,  entrance  to  Eden  harbor,  apparently  on  the  rock  whereon  the 
German  steamer  Hermia  struck  (1894). 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Eden  harbor  at  15m.; 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

Level  bay,  opposite  Eden  harbor,  can  scarcely  be  called  an  anchor- 
age, and  certainly  does  not  deserve  the  name,  as  the  bottom  is  anything 
but  leveL    With  Eden  harbor  so  near  it  is  quite  useless. 

Duke  of  Edinburgh  sound,  east  of  the  southern  entrance  to  English 
narrows,  was  explored  by  the  officers  of  the  Chilean  vessel  of  war 
Magallanesj  and  is  said  to  be  free  from  dangers.  No  bottom  with  35 
fathoms  could  be  found  in  the  middle  of  the  sound,  or  any  anchorage 
ground  round  the  shores.  The  hills  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sound  rise  to 
about  700  and  1,000  feet,  except  at  the  northern  extremity,  where  the 
land  is  low. 

ENGLISH  NARROWS. 

Directions. — Excepf  when  passing  Mid  Channel  island  these  narrows 
present  no  difficulty,  and  even  in  the  narrowest  part,  200  yards  in 
width,  there  is  no  danger  unless  a  vessel  goes  through  with  wind  and 
tide,  which  should  never  be  attempted  if  the  wind  is  strong. 


ENGLISH  NARROWS.  157 

The  tides  run  6  knots  at  springs  in  this  part,  and  as  the  ohannel  is 
winding,  it  is,  daring  springs,  always  advisable  to  await  slack  water. 

After  passing  Memphis  shoal  and  Adam  island  in  the  southern 
entrance,  the  eastern  shore  should  be  kept  aboard.  Give  Kitt  island  a 
wide  berth,  as  there  is  a  small  rock  lying  about  200  yards  off  it,  and 
then  keep  about  300  yards  off  Chinnock  island  to  avoid  Lookout  shoal. 
After  passing  Chinnock  island  keep  over  toward  the  eastern  shore  to 
clear  the  rocky  patch  (Mindful  shoal)  off  Croft  island.  When  clear  of 
this  danger  the  vessel  should  cross  gradually  to  the  western  shore  and 
follow  it  around  while  passing  Mid  Channel  island.  Should  the  tidal 
current  be  setting  to  the  southward  care  must  be  taken  not  to  let  it 
cant  the  vessel's  head  inshore.  If  the  current  is  running  to  the  north- 
ward the  helm  must  be  ported  quickly  after  passing  the  island  so  as  not 
to  be  set  on  Caution  shoal.  If  the  eastern  channel  is  taken  the  island 
shore  must  be  kept  close  aboard,  as  Danger  shoal  extends  for  some 
distance  from  Cedar  point. 

After  Clio  islet  and  Cedar  point  are  passed  the  channel  is  perfectly 
clear  the  whole  way  to  the  gulf  of  Penas,  but  the  tidal  currents  have 
considerable  strength  until  Cavour  and  Lamarmora  islands  are  passed. 

From  the  northward. — In  making  the  narrows  from  the  northward 
the  same  care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  the  shoal  water  off  Olio  islet  and 
Cedar  point,  and,  as  stated  before,  the  passage  should  not  be  attempted 
with  the  wind  and  tide,  if  the  former  is  very  strong.  At  the  back  of 
Moat  island  there  is  a  remarkable  grayish  patch  resembling  a  castle, 
which,  if  yteered  for  after  passing  Direction  islands,  will  lead  to  the 
northern  entrance. 

Regulation  for  vessels  passing  through. — As  in  passing  through 
English  narrows  it  is  advisable  to  wait  for  slack  tide,  and  as,  conse- 
quently, vessels  bound  in  opposite  directions  (being  unable  to  see  each 
other)  might  meet  in  the  critical  part  of  the  channel,  it  has  been  arranged 
between  certain  companies,  whose  vessels  constantly  use  the  Inner 
Patagonian  route,  that  when  nearing  the  English  narrows  ships  should 
either  fire  a  gun  or  sound  their  steam  whistles;  and  that  should  ves- 
sels bound  north  meet  vessels  bound  in  the  opposite  direction,  the 
ships  bound  north  shall  wait  until  the  southward-bound  vessels  have 
cleared  the  Narrows. 

As  this  appears  to  be  a  prudent  course  to  adopt  in  view  of  the  difficult 
navigation  and  limited  time  of  slack  water,  all  mariners  should  regulate 
their  movements  in  accordance  with  it. 

A  note  to  the  above  effect  will  be  placed  on  the  Hydrographic  Office 
charts.  - 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  English  narrows  at 
15m.;  springs  rise  6  feet. 

The  streams  of  the  flood  and  ebb  are  considered  to  run  for  about  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  after  high  and  low  water  by  the  shore,  but  they 
have  much  greater  force  than  elsewhere  in  the  channels.    At  springs 


158  PATAQONUN   CHANNELS. 

the  Btream  has  a  velocity  of  6  knots  an  hoar  past  Mid  Channel  island. 
At  the  northern  entrance  the  flood  stream  sets  across  the  channel  from 
the  "KW,  point  of  Gavour  island.  Care  shoald  be  taken  to  avoid  being 
swept  on  the  shore  of  Lonely  island. 

Memphis  shoal,  on  the  eastern  side  at  the  south  entrance  to  English 
narrows,  is  an  isolated  shoal,  about  273  yards  in  length  by  164  yards 
in  width,  with  a  depth  over  it  varying  from  13  to  oO  feet,  gradually 
deepening  all  around.  The  shoal  is  surrounded  by  kelp,  which  is  only 
plainly  seen  at  change  of  tide.  It  lies  750  yards  N.  55^  E.  (S.  34°  E. 
mag.)  of  Eve  point  (Bishoi)p  island). 

Port  Simpson. — On  the  western  shore  of  English  narrows,  and  about 
8  miles  NNW.  of  Eden  harbor,  is  IJeauchamp  inlet,  IJ  miles  long  west 
and  east,  and  ^  mile  wide  at  its  entrance;  at  i  mile  within  the  entrance 
there  is  a  depth  of  40  fathoms  near  the  center,  and  0  to  11  fathoms,  mud 
bottom,  near  the  entrance  of  Port  Simpson,  which  lies  between  Henry 
and  Bobert  points  at  the  head  of  Beauchamp  inlet,  and  is  150  yards 
wide,  with  6  to  10  fathoms  water;  the  navigable  channel  is,  however, 
contracted  to  about  100  yards  by  the  rocky  shoal  extending  from  Robert 
point  on  the  north  side. 

Port  Simpson  affords  secure  anchorage  in  8  to  24  fathoms,  mud  bottom 
Just  inside  the  entrance,  and  about  midway  between  Stoddart  jwint  on 
the  south  and  a  remarkable  white  patch  on  the  face  of  a  cliff  on  the 
north  shore,  there  is  a  depth  of  24  fathoms,  decreasing  to  9  and  7  fathoms 
abreast  of  Hellen  point,  thence  9  to  4  fathoms  to  the  head  of  the  port, 
where  there  is  a  stream  from  which  good  water  can  be  obtained. 
Over  the  bar  of  this  stream  there  is  a  depth  of  about  7  feet  at  high  water. 

Wood  suitable  for  steaming  purposes  can  be  had,  that  of  the  best 
quality  just  eastward  of  Hellen  point.  ^ 

Florida  shoal  is  in  the  western  part  of  Beauchamp  inlet.  The  east- 
em  extreme  of  this  shoal  has  a  depth  of  12  feet  over  it  and  lies  750 
yards  N.  44o  E.  (N.  23°  E.  mag.)  of  Eobert  point.  About  100  yards 
northward  and  eastward  of  this  position  there  are  22  fathoms  or  more 
of  water,  but  immediately  to  the  westward  it  shoals  suddenly  to  3 
fathoms,  and  then  2  fathoms,  forming  an  extensive  detached  bank 
extending  to  the  shore  northward  and  westward.  The  spot  on  which 
the  Gulf  of  Florida  touched  is  on  the  edge  and  just  northward  of  the 
eastern  extremity  of  this  bank. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Port  Simpson  at  15m.; 
springs  rise  about  6  feet. 

Lucas  covOi  on  the  eastern  shore  opposite  Beauchamp  inlet,  is  a 
good  anchorage  for  any  but  very  large  vessels.  If  night  comes  on,  or 
too  strotfg  a  tide  current  and  wind  forbid  the  passage  of  the  Narrows, 
it  will  save  the  return  to  Eden  harbor.  The  entrance  is  south  of  Chin- 
nock  island,  which,  although  it  is  very  much  narrowed  by  the  kelp 
which  extends  off  the  south  point  of  the  island,  has  4  fathoms  in  the 
channel,  and  no  danger  if  the  southern  or  mainland  shore  is  kept  aboard. 


ENGLISH  NABROWIS.  159 

The  anchorage  is  in  the  center  in  10  to  11  fathoms  water,  bottom  of 
mud.    There  is  anchorage  outside  the  cove  in  about' 20  fatlioms  water. 

Lookout  Shoal  buoy,  cylindrical  in  shape,  painted  red  and  white 
in  vertical  stripes,  with  the  name  Lookout  in  white  letters  on  a  black 
ground,  lies  in  26  feet  water  on  Lookout  shoal. 

Mindful  Shoal  buoy,  cylindrical  in  shape,  painted  red  and  white  in 
vertical  stripes,  with  the  name  Mindful  in  white  letters  on  a  black 
ground,  has  been  moored  in  24  feet  water  on  Mindful  shoal. 

Zealous  Shoal  buoy,  conical  in  shape,  painted  red  and  white  in 
vertical  stripes,  with  the  name  Zealous  in  white  letters  on  a  black 
ground,  and  surmounted  by  staif  and  globe  painted  white,  lies  in  7  fath- 
oms water,  with  the  center  of  Zealous  islet  bearing  K.  61°  E.  (N.  40^  E. 
mag.),  distant  200  yards. 

Caution. — On  the  22d  of  December,  1872,  at  the  period  of  neap  tides, 
H.  M.  S.  Zealousy  on  her  passage  to  the  southward  tlirough  the  English 
narrows,  at  about  an  hour  before  low  water  by  the  shore,  was  swept  by 
the  ebb  tide  from  the  southward  onto  a  sunken  rock,  with  17  feet,  lying 
about  100  yards  to  the  southward  of  Zealous  islet,  off  the  eastern  shore. 
The  islet  lies  nearly  J  mile  south  of  Mid  Channel  island. 

Information  has  been  received  that  the  wreck  of  the  steamer  Roma 
(the  masts  of  which  do  not  show  even  at  low  water),  lying  northward 
of  Zealous  islet,  presents  a  danger  to  shipping  passing  through  English 
narrows.    The  exact  position  of  the  wreck  is  not  known. 

MajHners  are  therefore  recommended,  wlien  proceeding  through  this 
part  of  the  English  narrows,  to  keep  on  the  western  shore,  and  in 
steamers  to  regulate  their  speed,  in  order  to  have  the  vessel  fully  under 
command,  bearing  in  mind  that  the  ebb  tide  sets  strongly  on  to  Zealous 
islet  from  tte  opposite  side  of  the  channel. 

Large  vessels  waiting  the  tide  in  English  narrows  should  anchor 
in  Eden  harbor  if  from  the  southward  or  in  Gray  harbor  if  from  the 
northward. 

Mid  Channel  island. — Close  to  the  south  end  of  Mid-Channel  island 
are  detached  rocks  (Hall  rocks)  awash,  and  beyond  these  kelp  extends 
for  some  distance. 

The  channel  on  either  side  of  the  island  may  be  used,  but  a  large 
vessel  should  take  the  western,  which  is  the  wider  and  deeper  of  the 
two  and  the  least  affected  by  the  tide. 

Beacons. — Two  beacons  have  been  erected  on  Mid  Channel  island, 
one  on  the  north  point,  replacing  the  old  beacon,  and  the  other  on  the 
south  point  of  the  island. 

The  North  beacon,  about  11  feet  high,  consists  of  an  iron  tripod,  the 
north  face  covered  with  iron  plates,  and  the  two  corresponding  legs,  or 
supports,  being  prolonged,  forming  a  V  above  the  vertex. 

The  South  beacon,  about  14  feet  high,  is  similar  to  the  North  beacon, 
its  south  face  being  covered,  but  the  prolonged  legs  are  bent,  forming 
a  circle  above  the  vertex. 

Both  beacons  are  painted  white. 


160  PATAGONIAN   CHAIWELS. 

Caution  shoal,  having  13  feet  over  it  and  from  6  to  8  fathoms  close 
aroand,  lies  300  yards  S.  64^  E.  (B.  85^  E.  mag.)  from  Clio  island.  As 
this  depth  could  not  be  found,  although  close  examination  of  the  locality 
has  been  made,  its  existence  in  that  position  may  be  considered  doabtfuL 

ShoaL — A  shoal,  with  a  depth  of  15  feet,  was  found  about  150  yards 
SE.  of  the  south  extreme  of  Patagonia  island,  where  4|  fathoms  has 
heretofore  been  shown.  The  kelp  on  this  shoal  does  not  always  show, 
owing  to  the  strength  of  the  tides. 

Buoy. — A  buoy,  conical  in  shape,  painted  red  and  white  in  vertical 
stripes,  with  the  name  Caution  in  white  letters  on  a  black  ground  and 
surmounted  by  a  staff  and  globe  painte<l  white,  lies  in  11  fathoms 
water,  with  the  north  extreme  of  Olio  islet  N.  69^  W.  (West  mag.), 
distant  about  275  yards. 

Cavour  island. — The  beacon  on  the  summit  of  Cavour  island  is 
painted  in  red  and  white  bands;  the  framework  globe  above  it  is  white. 
This  beacon  is  intended  for  a  refuge  beacon.  It  may  be  seen  in  clear 
weather  from  the  northward  for  a  distance  of  about  20  miles. 

Caution. — The  buoys  in  the  Patagonian  channels  are  frequently  out 
of  place  or  missing,  and  reliance  should  not  be  placed  upon  them,  nor 
upon  the  beacons. 

•  

Hoskyn  cove,  on  the  west  side  of  the  northern  entrance  of  English 
narrows,  would  answer  tlie  same  purpose  to  the  southward  bound  ves- 
sel as  Lucas  cove  does  to  those  northward  bound.  It  is  formed  by 
Lamarmora  island,  joined  to  the  mainland  at  low  water;  a  remarkable 
round  islet  (Loney  islet)  showing  as  the  extreme  on  the  west  side  afber 
passing  the  narrows,  marks  its  entrance  unmistakably.  The  best 
anchorage  is  in  the  middle  of  the  cove  in  13  fathoms,  mud,  or  when 
Loney  islet  is  shut  in  by  John  point,  where,  though  a  considerable  tide 
is  felt  when  near  the  time  of  high  water,  a  vessel  may  lie  in  safety. 
Care  must  be  taken  when  entering  or  leaving,  as  the  tide  sweeps  rap- 
idly past  Loney  islet,  and  catches  the  vessel's  bow  or  stem,  while  her 
other  end  is  in  the  dead  water  occasioned  by  the  island. 

At  300  yards  East  (N.  69o  E.  mag.)  from  Elizabeth  point,  the  south 
entrance  point  of  Hoskyn  cove,  is  a  rocky  patch,  on  which  the  least 
water  found  was  9  fathoms,  with  kelp  extending  about  100  yards 
beyond  it.  John  point  on  the  northern  shore  is  steep-to.  The  only 
drawback  to  Hoskyn  cove  is  the  very  strong  tide  which  sweeps  past  its 
entrance,  but  for  a  moderate  sized  vessel  it  is  far  preferable  to  Halt 
bay.  Just  outside  the  cove  the  channel  is  only  300  yards  wide,  but 
both  shores  are  steep-to,  and  after  passing  this  narrow  part  Messier 
channel  opens  out. 

MESSIER   CHANNEL. 
(H.  O.  Charts  Nob.  447  and  447a. ) 

Remarks. — From  the  north  entrance  of  English  narrows  to  the  out- 
let of  Messier  channel  at  Taru  bay  in  the  gulf  of  Peiias,  a  distance  of 
75  miles,  the  land  on  both  sides  of  this  channel  is  mountainous,  with 


f 


MESSIER  CHANNEL.  161 

lofty  snow-capped  peaks.  It  is  quite  open,  has  several  bold  headlands, 
indentations,  and  islands,  but  free  from  all  impediments. 

The  navigation  is  perfectly  easy  in  moderately  fine  weather;  the  real 
difficulty  of  it  consists  in  the  almost  perpetual  rain,  thick  weather,  and 
strong  gales,  with  very  heavy  williwaws,  which  come  down  the  steep 
mountain  sides  with  a  force  which  must  be  felt  to  be  believed. 

Entrance  rock  is  low  and  flat,  on  the  north  side  of  the  entrance  to 
Magenta  bay,  and  1,400  yards  ESE.  of  Thomas  island.  From  the  prom- 
inent position  of  the  rock  it  is  a  good  mark  for  pointing  out  the  direction 
of  the  north  entrance  to  the  English  narrows. 

Thomas  island  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  south  entrance  to  Messier 
ch^.nnel;  the  island,  when  seen  from  the  north,  may  be  known  by  a 
well-defined  peak  near  the  center,  terminating  in  a  low  point  near  the 
eastern  extremity. 

Moat  island,  about  600  yards  NW.  of  Thomas  island,  has  three 
peaks  lying  in  a  north  and  south  direction  j  the  center  one  is  the  highest 
(380  feet). 

Halt  bay,  on  the  eastern  shore,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Messier 
channel,  has  been  much  used  by  ships  passing  through;  but  the  water 
is  very  deep  and  the  space  confined,  so  that  Gray  harbor  and  Hoskyn 
cove  should  entirely  supersede  it. 

G-ray  harbor  affords  excellent  anchorage  at  the  head  of  Liberta 
bay,  2  miles  SB.  of  Halt  bay,  where  a  vessel  may  lie  in  security  in  16 
to  17  fathoms,  with  a  bottom  of  stiff  mud.    Large  vessels  must  moor. 

Coming  from  the  southward  the  Armingen  islands  may  be  rounded 
close-to  and  the  KE.  part  of  Liberta  bay  steered  for  until  the  entrance 
to  the  harbor  opens.  Erom  the  northward  the  eastern  shore  should  be 
followed  past  Halt  bay  into  the  harbor.  Julia  island  and  Green  islet, 
on  the  south  side  of  Liberta  bay,  must  not  be  approached  too  closely, 
as  there  are  rocks  lying  about  200  yards  off  each  of  them.  At  the 
head  of  Gray  harbor  is  a  large  lagoon  which  may  be  entered  by  a  boat 
at  high  water. 

Beacon. — On  a  rock  about  150  yards  WKW.  of  Green  islet  stands 
a  red  beacon  surmounted  by  a  globe. 

Buoy. — Talisman  rock,  nearly  J  mile  within  the  entrance  of  the 
harbor,  is  marked  by  a  buoy,  cylindrical  in  shape,  and  painted  red  and 
white  in  vertical  stripes,  with  the  name  Talisman  on  it  in  white  letters 
upon  a  black  ground.  This  buoy  is  moored  in  a  depth  of  3^  fathoms, 
with  the  southeastern  point  at  the  head  of  the  harbor  bearing  S.  38^ 
E.  (S.  590  E.  mag.),  distant  350  yards. 

SOUTH   REACH. 

Seymour  inlet,  on  the  western  shore,  nearly  3  miles  I^W.  of  Moat 
island,  is  about  J  mile  wide  at  the  entrance,  with  two  islets  just  inside 
the  south  point. 

Daly  island,  nearly  J  mile  north  of  Seymour  inlet,  is  175  feet  high, 
1943— No.  89 11 


162  PATAGONIAK  CHANNELS. 

and  when  seen  from  the  north  its  ontline  appears  to  be  rounded  near 
the  center,  and  the  east  and  west  extremities  bluff  points. 

Ommanney  point,  on  the  eastern  shore,  2^  miles  NE.  of  Daly  island, 
is  low,  rocky,  and  wooded. 

BCarcQS  island  is  a  small  flat-topped  island  05  feet  high,  with  some 
stanted1t>ushes  on  it,  4  miles  north  of  Daly  island. 

Cotopazi  rock,  near  the  middle  of  the  Beach,  at  3^  miles  north  of 
Marcus  island,  has  19  feet  on  it  at  high  water,  is  100  yards  long  and  50 
yards  broad;  kelp  above  water  is  perceptible  only  when  the  water  is 
smooth.  Midge  island,  its  breadth  open  eastward  of  Direction  island, 
leads  clear  of  Gotopaxi  rock. 

Buoy. — ^A  buoy,  cylindrical  in  shape,  painted  red  and  white  in  ver- 
tical stripes,  with  the  name  Gotopaxi  in  white  letters  on  a  black 
ground,  lies  in  5^  fathoms  water  with  the  SW.  point  of  Williams  island 
bearing  8.  79°  E.  (N.  80°  E.  mag.),  distant  about  1|  miles.  Vessels 
should  pass  between  the  buoy  (if  in  position)  and  Williams  island. 

Direction  islet,  118  feet  high,  small  and  thickly  wooded,  lies  nearly 
in  mid-channel  15  miles  north  of  English  narrows.  A  ledge,  with  from 
13  to  23  feet  over  it,  extends  400  yards  in  a  northerly  direction  from 
this  islet. 

Latorre  (Adalbert)  channel  is  a  continuation  of  what  was  formerly 
known  as  Search  inlet.  It  trends  westwardly  18  miles,  and  joins  Fallos 
channel.  At  12  miles  from  its  eastern  entrance  the  channel  is  divided 
by  Eiquelme  (Ejiorr)  island,  the  southern  arm  being  named  Albatross 
(Erhardt)  channel,  which  is  not  recommended,  having  in  its  narrower 
part  rocks  and  islets. 

Estero  Ultimo  empties  into  Latorre  channel  and  can  be  navigated 
by  any  sized  vessel,  but  is  otherwise  unimportant. 

Schroeder  ground,  2^  miles  south  of  Search  inlet,  at  the  entrance  of 
Estero  ultimo,  affords  anchorage  in  about  10  fathoms  water. 

Port  Albatross  (Kaiser  harbor),  on  the  east  side  of  Albatross 
(Erhardt)  channel,  at  2  miles  SW.  of  the  east  extreme  of  Biquelme 
island,  has  anchorage  at  its  head  in  about  10  fathoms,  but  is  too  con- 
fined for  large  vessels. 

Heinrichs  fiord,  on  the  north  side  of  Latorre  channel,  just  within 
the  western  entrance,  affords  anchorage  in  16  fathoms  mud,  about  If 
miles  within  the  entrance;  anchorage  may  also  be  obtained  in  about 
20  fathoms  about  f  mile  within. 

Thornton  peninsula  has  a  bold,  rocky  appearance,  with  a  table- 
topped  mountain  in  the  center,  wooded  to  the  summit,  upon  which  is  a 
straggling  line  of  trees.  A  rock  that  dries  2  feet  lies  about  400  yards 
from  its  NW.  point. 

VThite  Kelp  cove,  10  miles  north  of  Direction  islet,  on  the  north 
side  of  and  about  one  mile  within  Lion  bay,  is  very  confined,  and  not 
nearly  so  good  as  Connor  cove,  which  is  close  by.  No  other  anchorage 
could  be  found  in  Lion  bay. 


CONNOR  COVE — ^ISLAND  HARBOR.  163 

Connor  cove,  on  the  same  shore,  2  miles  north  of  Lion  bay,  is  a  con- 
venient anchorage,  apparently  without  danger.  The  anchorage  is  in 
the  middle  in  13  fathoms,  stiff  mud.  A  large  vessel  would  have  to 
moor  to  have  swinging  room. 

Boyle  rock,  which  lies  rather  more  than  a  mile  off  Connor  cove,  is 
awash  at  low  water,  and  is  well  marked  by  kelp. 

Middle  island  has  two  peaks,  the  northern  about  2,200  feet  high 
and  the  southern  about  2,100,  very  conspicuous  from  the  northward, 
being  visible  as  soon  as  a  vessel  enters  Messier  channel.  Its  shores  are 
steep-to,  and  it  can  be  passed  on  either  side. 

V7aterfall  bay,  11  miles  north  of  Middle  island,  lies  at  the  entrance 
of  Yandermeulen  inlet  on  the  east  side  of  the  channel.  It  affords  very 
indifferent  anchorage,  with  scarcely  any  shelter.  Time  should  be  so 
arranged  that  a  vessel  might  reach  Island  harbor  or  Connor  cove, 
which  are  preferable  anchorages. 

Cockshead,  the  west  entrance  point  of  Waterfall  bay,  appears  as  a 
steep  cliff  with  a  smooth  top  when  seen  from  the  southward. 

Island  harbor,  on  the  eastern  shore,  12  miles  northward  of  Cocks- 
head, is  a  small  but  landlocked  anchorage,  and  convenient  for  vessels 
entering  or  leaving  Messier  channel.  There  is  good  holding  ground, 
plenty  of  wood  and  water  close  at  hand,  and  at  times  abundance  of  fish. 
Its  position  is  marked  by  Lizard  island,  a  short  mile  to  the  southward, 
and  near  the  entrance  are  two  small  islands  named  Brown  and  Phipps 
islands.  A  bank  or  bar  of  rocky  ground  stretches  across  from  Phipps 
island  to  the  main  on  each  side,  having  8  fathoms  on  it  in  mid-channel, 
and  shoaling  gradually  to  3  or  4  fathoms  on  eitUer  side  close  to  the 
rocks. 

The  island  may  be  passed  on  either  side,  but  the  north  passage  is  the 
straighter.  There  is  a  patch  with  2J  fathoms  on  it  about  100  yards 
south  of  Phipps  island,  and  a  group  of  rocky  islands  surrounded  by 
kelp  off  the  south  point  of  the  main. 

The  anchorage  is  in  19  fathoms,  rather  more  than  100  yards  north  of 
Phipps  island.  A  small  vessel  may  go  into  the  inner  basin  and  anchor 
in  10  fathoms  close  to  the  large  waterfall  at  the  head  of  the  bight,  but 
her  stern  must  be  secured  to  the  trees,  as  there  is  not  room  to  swing. 
There  is  an  anchorage  outside  of  the  harbor  in  15  fathoms  of  water, 
with  Fleuriais  point  bearing  N.  7^  W.  (N.  28^  W.  mag.)  and  the  south 
point  of  Phipps  island  N.  60o  E.  {^.  39o  E.  mag.). 

The  commanding  officer  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Finta  (in  1884)  reports  that 
Island  harbor  is  a  bad  anchorage  in  bad  weather  and  is  difficult  to  get 
out  of  owing  to  a  torrent,  and  the  wind  always  causing  the  vessel  to 
ride  with  head  up  the  harbor;  there  is  scant  room  to  turn  without  a 
spring.  The  land  is  low  to  the  northward  and  westward  and  very 
high  in  the  opposite  direction;  therefore  there  is  little  protection  from 
prevailing  gales.  They  rode  out  two  gales  there,  force  5  to  12,  dragged 
two  anchors,  and  had  to  steam  up  to  them  most  of  one  day  and  all  of 


164  PATAOONIAN  CHANNELS. 

one  night.    They  lighted  the  harbor  with  ^<  mnning  lights.''   The  water 
was  smooth  enough,  but  some  of  the  sqnalls  were  terrific. 

Cortes  Ojea  (Albatross)  channel  joins  Tore  and  Fallos  channels. 
It  runs  for  about  12  miles  in  a  soathwesterly  direction,  and  is  through- 
out  wide  and  deep,  its  navigation  offering  no  difficulty  whatever. 

Toro  channel  connects  Hornby  sound  with  Cortes  Ojea  channel. 
It  is  deep  throughout,  and  without  anchorage.  In  its  northern  part  the 
width  is  between  one  and  2  miles  and  diminishes  gradually  toward  the 
Deutsche  narrows  at  its  southern  end.  Toro  and  Cortes  Ojea  channels 
separate  the  two  large  islands  named  Prat  and  Serrano,  resi)ectively. 

Deutsche  (German)  narrows,  at  13  miles  south  of  the  entrance  to 
Hornby  sound,  are  only  200  yards  wide  from  shore  to  shore,  through 
which  the  streams  were  found  to  run  2  knots,  and  to  turn  irregularly. 
The  channel  eastward  of  Guia  (Pommer)  island,  in  the  south  entrance 
of  the  ]S'arrows,  was  observed  to  be  full  of  kelp,  so  that  vessels  must 
keep  the  western  shore  aboard  after  passing  through  to  the  southward. 

Dreising  bay,  about  3  miles  westward  of  Deutsche  narrows,  affords 
anchorage  in  16  to  18  fathoms  water,  about  one  m41e  within  the  entrance. 

In  Schlucht  pass,  at  2  miles  west  of  the  northern  entrance  to  Alba- 
tross channel,  anchorage  was  obtained  in  14  fathoms,  at  300  yards  east 
of  Bachem  point. 

Estero  Enganoso  (Otto  fiord)  empties  into  Hornby  sound.  It  runs 
in  a  northwesterly  direction  and  its  first  8  miles  are  navigable  for  any 
draft,  but  farther  on  it  becomes  too  narrow  for  handling  a  ship  of  even 
small  size.    It  is  of  no  importance  to  navigation. 

Barbarossa  channel  is  the  channel  northward  of  Prat  (Prince 
Heinrich)  island,  joining  Hornby  sound,  with  Fallos  channel  near  its 
north  end  and  southward  of  Ursula  island. 

Millar  island,  on  the  west  side  of  the  channel,  and  about  6  miles 
inside  the  north  entrance,  has  a  range  of  mountains  extending  from 
end  to  end.  The  highest,  2,400  feet,  is  very  conspicuous  when 
approaching  from  the  north. 

Fatal  bay,  on  the  western  shore  of  Messier  channel,  about  10  miles 
north  of  Hornby  sound,  being  quite  unsheltered,  with  25  fathoms  close 
to  the  rocks,  does  not  deserve  the  name  of  an  anchorage.  Immediately 
inside  Fatal  bay  is  a  small  cove  with  a  narrow  entrance,  and  deep 
water  inside. 

Baker  islands,  consisting  of  three  large  and  several  smaller  islands, 
are  on  the  east  side  of  the  northern  entrance  to  Messier  channel. 
Zealous  island,  the  northwestern  of  the  group,  is  about  3,000  feet  high; 
the  western  shore  of  this  island  is  fronted  by  several  small  islands. 

Hale  cove,  on  the  west  side  of  Orlebar  island,  has  sheltered  anchor- 
age in  16  to  17  fathoms,  mud,  and  is  marked  by  two  small  islets  off  its 
entrance.  Passing  inside  the  outer  islands,  which  lie  about  a  mile  from 
it,  the  two  small  islets  will  be  seen,  and  as  they  are  passed  the  entrance 
to  this  harbor  will  open  out.  Anchorage  may  be  had  outside  the  cove, 
but  it  is  not  well  sheltered  »nd  the  bottom  is  rocky. 


SCOUT   CHANNEL — GUAINECO   ISLANDS.  165 

Marks. — In  Hale  cove  are  three  patches  of  gray  bare  rock  on  the 
side  of  mount  Orlebar,  nearly  abreast  of  the  auchorage,  but  farther  in 
over  the  head  of  the  cove  and  higher  up  is  one  remarkable,  vertical, 
long,  white  stripe.  This  single  stripe  is  the  most  noticeable  mark  in 
the  harbor,  and  is  seen  from  the  southward  before  the  entrance  was 
opened. 

Scout  channel,  off  Hale  cove  and  between  Scylla  and  Scout  islands, 
is  a  safe  passage,  with  a  width  of  50  yards  and  the  shores  quite  steep-to. 
It  may  be  useful  for  a  vessel  much  pressed  for  time  when  coming  from 
the  northward,  as  she  would  save  about  1^  miles. 

Penguin  island,  on  the  west  side  of  the  entrance  to  Messier  channel, 
has  a  flat  top  about  the  same  height  as  the  foreshore  of  Wellington 
island,  and  appears  from  seaward  to  form  apart  of  the  lowland  extend- 
ing from  it. 

Vessels  using  the  Southwest  pass  should  keep  the  Wager  island 
aboard. 

Sombrero  island,  on  the  east  side  of  entrance  to  Messier  channel,  is 
1,345  feet  high  and  has  a  remarkable  rounded  appearance  when  seen 
from  seaward.  On  approaching  it  a  low  and  regular  foreshore  will  be 
seen. 

Tarn  bay,  in  which  the  channels  from  Magellan  strait  open  into  the 
Gulf  of  Penas,  is  about  15  miles  wide,  having  the  Ayautau  islands  on 
its  eastern  side  5  miles  from  the  mainland.  On  the  coast  abreast 
the  islands  there  is  a  port  called  by  the  missionary  voyagers  San  Poli- 
carpo,  but  it  is  exposed  to  the  westward. 

Ayautau  islands,  the  largest  of  which  is  about  570  feet  high,  serve 
as  an  excellent  mark  to  steer  for  in  making  the  Messier  channel  from 
the  gulf  of  Penas,  all  the  small  islands  of  the  western  point  of  entrance 
being  low,  while  the  eastern  shore  shows  an  abrupt  mountainous  out- 
line. Directly  the  entrance  is  passed  both  shores  are  of  the  same  high 
rugged  character,  with  numerous  peaks  and  capes,  but  all  alike  in  char- 
acter, and  succeeding  each  other  so  rapidly  that  it  would  not  be  easy 
to  distinguish  them  separately,  nor,  indeed,  is  it  necessary,  so  perfectly 
clear  is  the  channel  at  this  part.  The  space  between  the  islands  and 
the  mainland  appears  to  be  foul. 

Ouaineco  islands,  off  the  north  end  of  Wellington  island,  are  20 
miles  in  extent,  and  consist  of  two  principal  and  many  smaller  ones. 
The  westernmost  is  called  Byron  island  and  the  easternmost  Wager 
island.  They  are  separated  by  Bundle  pass,  at  the  north  of  which  is 
Speedwell  bay.  Bundle  pass  is  only  J  mile  wide,  bilt  clear  in  the 
whole  extent  of  its  channel,  excepting  the  northern  entrance,  where  it 
is  guarded  by  many  detached  rocks,  which  render  the  entrance  to 
Speedwell  bay  rather  difficult. 

Wager  and  Byron  islands  are  both  high,  and,  with  the  Ayautau 
islands,  mark  the  entrance  to  the  channel  well.  Wager  island  may  be 
recognized  by  motint  Anson,  1,230  feet  high  and  conical,  and  Wager 
mountain^  1,700  feet  high,  with  a  fl^t  top,  about  2  miles  south  of  mount 


166  PATAGONIAK  CHANNELS. 

Anson.  Both  are  easily  made  oat  from  the  westward  at  a  distance  of 
30  or  40  miles. 

Port  Ballenas. — If  after  reaching  Tarn  bay  the  vessel  should  be 
met  by  a  strong  foul  wind,  or  the  still  more  common  occnrrence  of  a 
heavy  westerly  sea  into  the  galf  of  Penas,  and  she  has  not  time  to  reach 
port  Otway,  a  fairly  good  anchorage  may  be  had  under  the  lee  of  Wager 
island,  in  what  is  believed  to  be  the  Puerto  Ballenas  of  Machado,  who 
was  a  i»lot  in  the  days  when  Ohile  was  a  Spanish  colony.  This  anchor- 
age is  the  first  deep  indentation  on  the  SK.  side  of  Wager  island.  The 
space  is  confined  and  the  bottom  uneven  and  rocky,  but  it  is  quite 
sheltered  by  the  island  from  all  northerly  and  northwesterly  winds,  and 
no  sea  can  get  up  there.  A  depth  of  11  fathoms  may  be  had  on  the 
west  side  oft*  a  small  islet,  with  just  room  to  swing. 

Puerto  Chico,  2  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  SE.  point  of  Wager 
island,  is  a  cove  600  yards  deep  and  about  as  wide,  in  which  small 
craft  can  find  shelter.  The  head  of  the  cove  is  full  of  kelp.  Probably 
port  Ballenas  and  Puerto  Ghico  are  identical. 

Tides. — In  the  northern  part  of  Messier  channel  the  tides  are  regu- 
lar, running  6^  hours  each  way.  The  flood  stream  sets  northward  and 
the  ebb  southward,  but  their  strength  is  so  small  as  not  to  aftect 
navigation. 

G-nlf  of  Peftas.— See  page  173. 

THE    OUTER    ROUTE,    EASTWARD    OP    MORNINQTON    AND    CAM- 

PANA  ISLANDS. 

(H.  O.  Charts  447  and  447a.) 

From  an  exploration  by  the  Imperial  German  vessel  AlbatrosSj  in 
1883-84,  as  an  alternative  to  the  route  by  Wide  channel,  English  nar- 
nows,  and  Messier  channel,  it  was  proved  that  ships  can  gain  the  gulf 
of  Penas  by  Trinidad,  Picton,  Stosch,  and  Fallos  channels.  The  latter 
route  is  slightly  longer  than  that  hitherto  adopted.  Captain  Pludde- 
man,  who  explored  this  route,  states  that  it  is  preferable  for  large  ves- 
sels. This  opinion  from  the  officer  who  has  made  a  survey  of  it  must 
be  considered  with  respect,  and  no  doubt  in  moderate  weather  is  amply 
justified,  but  an  examination  of  the  chart  shows  that  the  bar  across  the 
northern  end  of  Picton  channel  has  a  greatest  depth  of  34  feet  in  a 
pass,  350  yards  wide  at  the  most,  which  is  bounded  on  either  side  by 
much  shoaler  water,  and  has  no  prominent  leading  mark. 

Seeing  that  this  bar  is  inadequately  protected  from  the  heavy  sea 
setting  on  the  coast  in  ISW.  gales,  it  would  appear  that  the  report  previ- 
ously made  by  the  officers  of  H.  M.  S.  Alert,  "that  the  heavy  sea  would 
break  on  the  bar  in  bad  weather/'  can  not  be  disregarded,  and  the 
possibility  of  difficulties  and  delays  at  this  spot  points  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  inner  route  is  on  the  whole  preferable. 

channel,  with  an  average  breadth  of  1^  miles,  extends  to  the 


THE  OUTER  ROUTB.  167 

northward  and  westward  for  about  20  miles,  with  bold  shores  inter- 
sected by  inlets  on  either  side,  and  deep  water  in  mid-channel.  Morn- 
ington  island,  the  western  shore,  then  becomes  low  and  dips  gradually 
to  the  northward  till  it  ends  36  miles  from  Trinidad  channel  in  an 
extensive  area  of  rocks,  islets,  and  disconnected  breakers,  with  no 
prominent  islets  fit  for  leading  marks  to  guide  a  vessel  through  the 
channels  to  the  sea. 

The  seaward  face  of  the  land  consists  of  numerous  reefs  and  rocks 
extending  the  whole  distance  from  cape  Pakenham  to  Vorposton  island 
at  20  miles  farther  north,  where  there  is  an  apparent  break  of  6  to  7 
miles.  The  reefs  commence  again  at  cape  Montague  and  extend  thence 
apparently  to  Western  rock.  Picton  channel,  which  has  at  its  southern 
end  a  depth  of  145  fathoms,  shoals  toward  its  northern  end  to  the  bar 
above  mentioned. 

Payne  bay  is  on  the  west  shore,  15  miles  from  the  south  entrance. 
The  Alert  rode  out  a  heavy  gale  for  two  days  here  in  9  fathoms,  sand. 
SW.  of  Payne  bay  a  narrow  opening,  having  2  fathoms  water  in  mid 
channel,  leads  into  an  extensive  lagoon,  apparently  extending  to  Bossi 
bight. 

Clara  bay,  at  the  northern  entrance  to  Seaview  channel,  on  the 
northern  shore  of  Mornington  island,  has  extensive  anchoring  ground 
in  6  to  16  fathoms  on  a  bank  extending  southward  and  eastward  from 
Emma  island;  also  on  that  extending  NW.  from  Gerd  island.  'No 
anchorage  could  be  found  either  in  Eversfield  or  Cohen  fiords,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  channel. 

Flotten  (Fleet)  harbor  is  formed  by  islands  and  shoals,  just  south 
of  the  bar  at  the  northern  end  of  Picton  channel,  f  mile  SW.  of  Latitude 
island;  the  anchoring  ground  is  about  one  mile  north  and  south,  by  i 
mile  wide,  with  general  depths  of  8  or  9  fathoms,  fine  sandy  bottom. 

The  passage  in  is  close  south  of  Latitude  island;  shoal  ground, 
marked  by  kelp,  extends  ^  mile  from  Tang  island  on  the  south  side  of 
the  passage  in. 

Bar. — Shoal  ground  extends  quite  a  mile  northward,  and  ^  mile 
northeastward  of  Latitude  island;  the  deepest  part  over  the  bar  is  34 
feet  on  the  west  side,  the  limit  of  the  safe  passage  being  well  marked 
by  kelp.  The  passage  having  the  above  depth  is  at  the  most  350  feet 
wide,  having  shallower  water  on  either  side.  The  swell  is  heavy  and 
would  probably  break  in  bad  weather. 

Spengler  bight,  4^  miles  northward  of  Latitude  island,  has  an 
anchorage  in  5  fathoms,  just  inside  of  some  rocks  at  the  entrance.  At 
the  head  of  the  bight  is  a  portage  used  by  Indians  to  transport  their 
canoes  into  Klippen  fiord. 

Stortebecker  breaker  is  the  northern  known  danger  on  the  west- 
em  side  of  Picton  channel. 

Iiadrillero  (Stosch)  channel,  north  of  Picton  channel  and  on  the 
west  of  Wellington  island,  is  a  continuation  of  the  route  by  way  of 


168  PATAOONIAN   CHANHEL8. 

Picton  channel.    It  is  the  lower  part  of  Fallos  channel,  and  extends  to 
the  Knick,  a  distance  of  aboat  25  miles,  and  has  several  arms  or  fiords. 

Estero  Desengano  (Falscher  arm)  is  the  last  of  the  esteros  which 
empty  into  Ladrillero  channel  before  the  junction  of  the  latter  with  the 
ocean.  It  extends  for  about  15  miles  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  and 
terminates  with  an  anchorage  in  about  16  fathoms,  mud  bottom,  with 
good  holding  ground.  On  its  east  side  are  the  esteros  Chico,  Roberto, 
Maldonado,  and  Adelaida,  all  of  which  are  without  anchorage  and  unim- 
portant to  navigation.  On  the  west  side,  near  its  entrance,  is  estero 
Pedregoso  (Rocky  fiord),  a  narrow  inlet  with  many  islets,  and  rocks 
awash,  which  make  it  very  dangerous.  On  the  same  side  farther  south 
are  four  small  esteros  in  which  vessels  of  any  size  can  find  anchorage. 
The  best  of  these  is  Port  Seguro,  nearly  opposite  to  the  estero  Adelaida. 
It  is  perfectly  sheltered  and  has  good  holding  ground  in  16  fathoms  of 
waiter,  mud  bottom. 

Labyrinth  channeL — The  esteros  Inutil,  Dona  Ana,  and  Solitario 
empty  into  Labyrinth  channel,  which  is  otherwise  unimportant.  On 
the  eastern  shore  of  Dona  Ana  estero  is  Puerto  Bueno,  well  protected, 
with  good  holding  ground  in  about  7  fathoms  water,  but  it  is  of  very 
limited  dimensions. 

Heman  Gallego  channel  connects  Machado  and  Ladrillero  channels 
and  separates  Angamos  island  from  Singular  peninsula.  It  runs  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  and  is  easy  to  navigate,  except  near  its  junction 
with  the  Machado,  where  several  islands  cut  up  the  channel  into 
passes  of  200  to  400  yards  in  width.  The  channel  is  deep  throughout 
and  offers  no  anchorage. 

Kosmos  harbor,  at  the  southern  end  of  Staude  island,  10^  miles 
from  the  seaward  entrance  to  Ladrillero  (Stosch)  channel,  affords 
anchorage  in  from  11  to  17  fathoms,  but  the  space  is  confined. 

Outlying  rocks  are  found  300  yards  off  either  point  of  entrance,  and 
the  soundings  over  the  harbor  appear  irregular. 

A  small  anchorage  was  found  by  the  Albatross  in  Wilcke  fiord,  but 
none  could  be  discovered  around  Stubbenkammer  island. 

Fallos  channel  was  explored  from  the  northern  entrance  for  30 
miles  by  Mr.  Kirke,  of  H.  M.  S.  Beagle,  who  says  '4ts  average  breadth 
is  from  1^  to  2  miles,  deep  and  clear  of  rocks,  and  abounding  in 
anchorages  for  small  vessels." 

From  the  Knick,  where  Ladrillero  (Stosch)  channel  terminates,  Fal- 
los channel  trends  in  a  northerly  direction  for  65  miles,  where  it  joins 
the  gulf  of  Penas.  It  has  the  great  disadvantage  of  having  no 
anchorage  for  large  vessels  near  the  entrance  from  that  gulf,  in  case  of 
meeting  a  NW.  gale. 

The  esteros  of  San  Jos6,  Artigas,  Sofia,  Corto,  and  Triple  have  their 
mouths  in  Fallos  channel.  They  are  navigable  for  any  class  of  ships, 
but  near  their  heads  narrow  down  so  as  to  make  the  working  of  a  ship 
difficult.    They  are  unimportant  to  navigation,  having  no  practicable 


THE   OUTER  ROUTE.  169. 

anchorage.  Doiia  Elvira  bay,  in  Don  Jose  estero,  is  spacious  and  per- 
fectly sheltered  against  the  winds,  but  so  deep  that  it  can  not  be  used 
as  an  anchorage.  The  Chilean  steamer  Toro  found  no  bottom  at  40 
fathoms  in  the  center  of  the  bay. 

Preussische  bay  is  on  the  western  shore  of  the  Knick,  and  is  divided 
into  three  arms,  named,  respectively,  Konigs  harbor,  Bachem  bight,  and 
Tiefe  bay.  The  Albatross  steamed  up  Bachem  bight,  which  was  found 
obstructed  by  rocks. 

Konigs  harbor,  the  southwestern  arm  of  Preussische  bay,  is  one  mile 
long  in  a  westerly  direction  and  J  mile  wide  in  the  widest  part.  There 
is  well- sheltered  anchorage  in  about  16  fathoms.  When  steering  up 
Preussische  bay  for  Konigs  harbor,  care  must  be  taken  in  vessels  of 
heavy  draft  to  avoid  Preussische  bank,  having  26  feet  over  it  and  lying 
in  the  middle  of  the  fairway,  1,200  yards  eastward  of  the  harbor  entrance. 

Port  Choros  is  2  miles  inside  the  estero  Molnscos  (Havana  inlet)  or 
Eiguelme  (Knorr)  island.  It  is  sheltered  against  all  winds  excepting 
those  from  the  southeastward,  but  it  has  no  good  holding  ground.  It 
is  recommended  for  smaller  craft  only. 

Puerto  G-rande  is  on  the  west  side  of  Fallos  channel,  obliquely 
opposite  the  entrance  to  Cortes  Ojea  channel,  and  is  spacious  enough 
for  the  largest  vessel.  In  its  center  there  is  29  fathoms  of  water  over 
-a  bed  of  mud,  but  anchorage  can  be  obtained  in  19  fathoms  nearer  the 
northwestern  shore.  The  port  is  preferably  entered  by  the  pass  north 
of  Goicolea  island,  in  which  there  is  7^  to  11  fathoms  of  water.  In  the 
pass  south  of  the  island  there  is  much  kelp,  and  it  does  not  appear  to 
be  clear. 

Three  deep  ravines  converge  at  this  port  which,  in  bad  weather,  give 
passage  to  strong  winds,  making  the  anchorage  insecure.  For  this 
reason  the  port  can  be  recommended  only  in  good  weather. 

Castillos  channel  (Hesserman  fiord)  is  less  than  a  mile  wide  where 
it  connects  with  Fallos  channel,  but  afterwards  widens  out  to  2  miles 
and  more.  About  10  miles  from  its  junction  with  Fallos  channel  it 
connects  with  a  small  gulf  in  which  are  the  mouths  of  various  channels 
running  in  a  southerly  direction,  among  them  Sotomayor  channel. 

Sotomayor  channel  (Pawelsz  fiord)  was  entered,  and  as  far  as  the 
vessel  went  up  it  was  found  deep  and  clear.  According  to  Machado,  it 
connects  with  Dyneley  bay,  and  through  Castillo  channel  and  Bastian 
fiord  with  Fallos  channel. 

Machado  channel  branches  from  Fallos  channel  near  the  Knick 
and  separates  Angamos  island  from  the  continent.  It  runs  in  a  south- 
erly direction  for  nearly  30  miles,  diminishing  in  width  as  it  reaches 
farther  south.  In  its  narrow  part  it  is  perfectly  straight  and  not  diffi- 
cult to  navigate.  The  five  esteros  emptying  on  its  east  side  are  unim- 
portant and  without  anchorage.  On  the  western  side  of  its  southern 
end  is  port  Abrigado,  with  excellent  anchorage  in  about  10  fathoms, 
muddy  bottom,  and  good  holding  ground. 


170  I^ATAGONIA — ^WEST  COAST. 

Albatross  harbor,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Fallos  channel^  at  22 
miles  SE.  from  cape  Byiioe  and  6  miles  nortli  of  Albatross  channel, 
was  used  by  the  Albatross.  The  outer  harbor  was  found  to  be  too  deep 
for  anchorage,  but  there  is  g^od  anchorage  in  the  inner  harbor. 

Jungfemgnmd  anchorage  is  describe<l  as  a  temporary  anchorage 
at  the  mouth  of  a  channel  between  innumerable  islands,  situated  3 
miles  east  of  cape  Bynoe.  It  is  not  recommended,  and  no  other  safe 
anchorage  could  be  found  in  the  neighborhood. 

OnlfofPtfaa.    See  page  173. 

The  outer  coast  from  Magellan  strait  to  the  gulf  of  Penas  will  now  be 
described. 

PATAGONIA— WEST  COAST. 


and  "weather. — The  climate  of  the  coast  of  Chile  between 
Magellan  strait  and  the  gulf  of  Penas  is  cold,  damp,  and  tempestuous. 
The  prevailing  wind  is  from  !NW, ;  but  if  it  blows  hard  from  that  quar- 
ter the  wind  is  very  liable  to  shift  suddenly  round  to  the  westward, 
and  blow  still  heavier,  raising  a  mountainous  and  often  a  cross  sea. 
These  westerly  gales,  however,  do  not  generally  last  long,  but  shift 
round  to  the  southward,  when  the  weather,  if  the  barometer  rises,  will 
probably  clear  up.  Should  they,  however,  fly  back  to  the  NW.  again, 
and  the  barometer  remain  low,  or  oscillate,  the  weather  will  doubtless 
be  worse.  Easterly  winds  are  of  rare  occurrence,  and,  like  winds  from 
the  southward,  are  accompanied  with  fine,  clear  weather;  whereas  west- 
erly winds  bring  with  them  a  constant  fall  of  rain  and  a  quick  succession 
of  hard  squalls  and  showers. 

Should  a  vessel  be  near  the  coast  during  these  northwesterly  gales, 
it  would  be  advisable  to  make  an  offing  as  quickly  as  possible,  in  order 
to  guard  against  that  sudden  shift  to  the  westward  which  is  almost 
certain  to  ensue.  A  knowledge,  however,  of  the  anchorages  in  Trini- 
dad channel,  Port  Barbara  (for  small  vessels),  Port  Otway,  and  St. 
Quentin  sound  has  very  much  reduced  the  dangers  of  the  lee  shore, 
and  a  refuge  in  either  of  them  will  often  be  preferable  to  passing  a  night 
on  this  coast  during  a  severe  gale. 

The  barometer  falls  with  northerly  and  westerly  winds,  but  rises  with 
southerly.  It  is  at  its  minimum  height  with  NW.  winds  and  at  its 
maximum  when  the  wind  is  SE.  The  temperature  is  rarely  so  low  as 
40^,  excepting  in  the  winter  months.  At  Port  Otway,  in  the  gulf  of 
Penas,  the  maximum  and  minimum  for  nineteen  days  in  the  month 
of  June  (winter)  were,  respectively,  51^  and  27°. 

Tides.— High  water  on  most  parts  of  this  coast  takes  place  within 
half  an  hour  on  either  side  of  noon,  at  full  and  change.  The  stream  is 
inconsiderable,  and  the  rise  and  fall  rarely  more  than  6  feet. 

(H.O.  Chart  No.  446.) 

The  coast  between  cape  Victory,  the  NW.  entrance  point  of  Magel- 
lan strait  and  ]^elson  strait,  a  distance  of  about  30  miles,  is  much 


LECKY  MOIOJMENT — SCOUT  BOCKS.  I7l 

broken  and  intersected  by  cbaunels  leading  between  the  islands  of 
Qnecm  Adelaide  archipelago.  At  6^  miles  NNE.  of  cape  Victory  there 
is  a  remarkable  pyramidal  hill  named  Diaua  peak,  3,350  feet  high, 
which  in  clear  weather  is  visible  from  the  entrance  of  Magellan  strait. 
Between  cape  Victory  and  cape  Isabel,  at  27  miles  NNW.  of  it,  there 
are  several  dangerous  rocks.  The  westernmost  of  these  rocks,  on  which 
the  sea  breaks,  is  reported  to  lie  S.  45^  W.  (S.  23^  W.  mag.),  7J  miles 
from  Beagle  island. 

Lecky  monument,  about  II  miles  KKE.  from  cape  Victory,  is  a 
remarkable  isolated,  pillar-shaped  mountain,  3,600  feet  high,  forming  a 
conspicuous  landmark  when  approaching  Magellan  strait  from  the 
northward. 

Cape  Isabel,  in  latitnde  51^  50'  S.,  longitude  75^  9'  W.  (approxi- 
mate), the  western  cape  of  Queen  Adelaide  archipelago,  is  a  steep, 
rocky  promontory  of  great  height,  with  a  peaked  summit  and  a  sharply 
serrated  ridge,  having  two  detached  columnar  masses  of  rock. 

Beagle  island,  about  450  feet  high  and  about  4^  miles  south  of  cape 
Isabel,  is  precipitous. 

Cape  George,  1,000  feet  high,  the  southwestern  extreme  of  Cam- 
bridge island,  is  a  bluff. point,  with  a  number  of  detached  rocks  off  its 
south  and  southeast  shores. 

Between  capes  George  and  Isabel  is  ifelson  strait. 

Lecky  Lookout,  on  Cambridge  island,  is  about  3,800  feet  high,  and, 
from  its  superior  height  to  that  of  any  other  mountain  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, is  an  excellent  mark  for  determining  the  vessel's  position. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  446a.) 

Cape  Santa  Lucia,  the  western  point  of  Cambridge  island,  is  high 
and  precipitous,  with  an  islet  about  3  miles  to  the  southward. 

San  Bias  channel.  Duck  and  Duncan  harbors,  and  the  rocks, 
reefs,  and  part  of  the  coast  line  are  laid  down  on  the  charts  from  the 
oral  information  received  from  masters  of  sailing  vessels  and  from 
distant  observations  on  board  of  H.  M.  S.  Beagle. 

Dangers. — ^Two  dangers  have  been  reported  as  lying  nearly  in  line 
between  cape  Santa  Lucia  and  cape  Santiago :  A  sunken  rock,  which 
breaks  occasionally  in  a  high  sea  in  (approximate)  latitude  51^  11'  S., 
longitude  75°  28^'  W.;  Cordillera  reef,  just  awash,  on  which  the  sea 
breaks  heavily,  in  (approximate)  latitude  50^  58'  S.,  longitude  75°  33'  W. 

Duncan  rock  is  in  latitude  51o  10'  S.,  longitude  75o  27'  W. 

A  conical  islet  is  southeastward  of  Duncan  rock,  in  latitude  51^  13'  10" 
S.  and  longitude  75o  25'  W. 

•V7hite  Horse  island  is  in  latitude  51°  7'  S.,  longitude  75o  10'  W. 

Scout  rocks,  SW.  of  Duke  of  York  island,  and  about  10  feet  high, 
are  reported  to  be  identical  with  Virago  rocks,  shown  on  charts  in  lati- 
tude 60O  46'  45"  S.,  longitude  75°  32'  W.,  and  that  the  true  position  is 
between  the  two  and  nearer  to  that  given  for  Virago  rock. 


172  PATAGONIA — ^WEST  COAST. 

Caution. — Navigators  are  cautioned  that  the  coast  and  the  off  lying 
dangers  between  Magellan  strait  and  the  gulf  of  Peiias  have  not  been 
closely  examined,  and  that  therefore  the  charts  are  necessarily  imper- 
fect. Too  close  an  approach  to  this  dangerous  and  inhospitable  shore 
18  not  advisable. 

Cape  Santiago  lies  nearly  48  miles  NNW.  of  cape  Sunta  Lucia, 
and  is  the  southwestern  extremity  of  Duke  of  York  island,  which  is 
separated  from  Hanover  and  Madre  islands  by  Concepcion  strait  and 
the  West  channel. 

The  channels  separating  Duke  of  York,  Hanover,  and  Madre  islands 
comumnicate  with  the  inshore  channels  at  Inocentes  island,  but  very 
little  is  known  about  either. 

Madre  island. — The  general  direction  of  the  coast  line  of  this  island 
is  north  and  south,  with  low  islands  and  rocks  from  5  to  G  miles  off- 
shore until  just  north  of  April  peak,  where  a  deep  sound  extends  to 
the  eastward.  Horn  peak,  about  2,500  feet  high,  is  a  very  conspicuous 
object  when  seen  from  the  northward.  All  this  part  of  the  coast  has 
a  different  appearance  from  the  shores  of  Trinidad  channel,  beiug 
nearly  clear  of  vegetation  and  of  a  light-gray  color.  This  is  remark- 
able from  seaward,  and  is  a  good  guide  when  closing  the  land  from  the 
westward. 

Trinidad  channel    See  page  139. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  447.) 

Rugged  head  (cape  Three  Peaks  of  the  old  charts)  is  a  detached 
mass  of  rock  of  a  pyramidal  form  lying  at  the  base  of  the  Tudor  range. 
It  is  not  easily  made  out  when  seen  from  the  westward,  but  from  the 
north  or  south  it  appears  as  a  round-topped  island,  and  may  be  further 
recognized  by  a  peculiar  mass  of  rock  resembling  a  shoe  on  the  slope 
of  the  range. 

The  remarks  about  the  precautions  necessary  in  approaching  the 
coast  south  of  the  gulf  of  Trinidad  are  equally  applicable  to  that  north 
of  it. 

The  seaward  face  of  the  land  consists  of  numerous  reefs  and  rocks 
extending  the  whole  distance  from  cape  Pakenham  to  Vorpaston  island, 
where  there  is  an  apparent  break  of  from  6  to  7  miles.  The  reefs  com- 
mence again  at  cape  Montague.  Off  cape  Montague  a  low,  rocky  reef 
extends  for  more  than  6  miles. 

The  coast  north  of  cape  Montague  is  broken  in  many  places.  There 
are  many  rocks,  several  being  at  least  10  miles  distant,  with  deep  water 
around  them;  many  are  dry,  some  awash,  and  others  show  only  by  the 
breaking  of  the  sea. 

Cape  Dyer  is  the  NW.  cape  of  Campana  island. 

Reported  danger. — A  sunken  danger,  upon  which  the  sea  was  seen 
breaking,  was  reported  from  the  steamship  Cotopaxi  in  1875  to  be 
approximately  in  latitude  49o  31'  S.,  longitude  76o  46'  W. 


PORT  BARBARA GULP  OF  PENAS.  173 

VTestem  rock,  in  latitude  49^  5'  S.,  longitude  75°  50'  W.,  is  a  conical- 
shaped  rock,  about  9  miles  NW.  of  cape  Montague,  the  SW.  extreme  of 
Gampana  island.  At  3^  miles  north  of  this  rock,  in  latitude  49^  V  S., 
longitude  75^  60'  W.,  there  is  a  reef  on  which  the  sea  breaks  heavily. 

Dundee  rock  is  an  islet  5^  miles  west  of  cape  Dyer.  One  mile 
northward  of  this  rock  there  are  24  fathoms  of  water,  and  the  depth 
gradually  decreases  on  approaching  the  shore.  This  rock  is  an  excel- 
lent mark  for  making  Port  Barbara,  bearing  from  its  entrance  S.  66^ 
W.  (S.  450  W.  mag.),  distant  8^  miles. 

Rock. — A  rock  upon  which  the  sea  almost  always  breaks  lies  mid- 
way between  Dundee  rock  and  the  shore,  approximately  in  latitude 
480  5|'  S.,  longitude  75°  34'  W. 

Port  Barbara  is  south  of  Breaksea  island,  by  which  it  is  sheltered. 
Between  it  and  the  anchorage  ground  are  depths  of  3J  to  4f  fathoms. 
It  is  only  adapted  to  small  vessels. 

Anchorage  is  found  both  in  Sand  bay  and  Mud  bay,  but  the  outer 
part  of  Sand  bay  is  occupied  by  a  sandy  and  shallow  flat,  so  that  only 
very  small  vessels  can  get  far  enough  in  to  obtain  shelter  from  the  swell. 

Mud  bay,  the  eastern  of  the  two,  has  21  feet  of  water  at  the  entrance, 
but  400  yards  farther  south  has  anchorage  in  16  fathoms,  mud. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Port  Barbara  at  28m.; 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

Directions. — When  standing  in  for  this  port  from  the  southward  and 
westward,  as  soon  as  cape  Dyer  bears  S.  23°  W.  (S.  2^  W.  mag.)  the 
vessel  will  be  close  to  some  rocks,  which  must  be  left  on  the  port  hand. 
The  depth  will  be  11  fathoms  when  passing  them  at  a  distance  of  J 
mile.  Here  the  channel  is  one  mile  wide,  gradually  narrowing  as  Break- 
sea  island  is  neared,  until  at  Wreck  point,  round  which  the  port  opens, 
the  breadth  is  not  much  more  than  200  yards.  There  are  several  rocks 
in  this  passage,  but  the  anchor  may  be  dropped  and  the  vessel  warped 
clear  of  them  in  case  of  being  becalmed. 

Flixm  sound,  a  deep  opening  2^  miles  eastward  of  Port  Barbara, 
trends  4J  miles  in  a  southerly  direction. 

Bynoe  point,  with  the  Bynoe  islands  extending  2  miles  from  it,  forms 
the  western  head  of  the  Fallos  channel.  There  is  a  clear  j^assage  between 
the  point  and  the  islands,  bounded  on  either  hand  by  rocks  and  breakers. 

Southwest  pass. — The  Guaianeco  islands  {see  page  165)  are  sepa- 
rated from  Wellington  islands  by  a  clear,  but  in  some  parts  narrow, 
passage,  the  width  of  which  at  its  SW.  end  is  contracted  by  rocks  to 
IJ  miles,  and  at  the  south  extreme  of  Byron  island  it  is  scarcely  one 
mile.  The  north  point  of  Wellington  islands  is  cape  San  Roman,  round 
which  the  Messier  channel  trends  away  to  the  southeastward. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  447a.) 

Gulf  of  Peflas,  between  Guaianeco  islands  and  Tres  Montes  penin- 
jsula,  is  about  45  miles  across,  and,  from  a  line  joining  the  two,  extends 


174  PATAQONIA — ^WEBT  COAST. 

eastward  the  same  distance.  There  are  many  inlets  and  soands  in  the 
galf,  bat  a  large  x>ortion  of  its  shores  are  unsorveyed.  The  Patagonian 
channels  open  into  the  southern  part  of  the  gnlf. 

Boca  de  Canales,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  gnlf  of  Penas,  as  well 
as  all  this  part  of  the  coast,  is  from  Machado's  account.  It  nms  in  a 
SE.  direction  for  11  miles  and  then  divides  into  two  arms,  one  turning 
to  the  eastward  for  15  miles  and  the  other  II  miles  to  the  south  ward, 
where  they  terminate.  They  are  merely  deep  and  narrow  arms  of  the 
sea,  running  between  steep  sided  ranges  of  mountains.  The  shores 
are  rocky,  afibrding  neither  coves  nor  bights,  not  even  shelter  for  a 
boat,  and  are  entirely  unproductive. 

Two  miles  off  cape  Machado  there  are  two  rocks  which  the  pilot  care- 
fully and  correctly  describes,  as  he  also  does  the  rocks  and  breakers 
that  extend  from  the  south  head  for  nearly  3  miles.  The  Beagle  twice 
occupied  an  anchorage  under  the  Hazard  islands,  and  on  both  occasions 
was  detained  many  days  by  bad  weather. 

Excepting  this  very  bad  and  exposed  anchorage  there  is  no  other  in 
this  channel,  and  Captain  Stokes,  commanding  H.  M.  S.  Beagle^  describes 
it  as  being  extremely  perilous.  He  says:  '^The  anchors  were  in  23 
fathoms,  on  a  bad  bottom,  sand  and  coral.  The  squalls  were  terrifically 
violent.  Astern,  at  the  distance  of  100  yards,  were  low  rocks  and 
islets,  upon  which  a  furious  surf  raged,  and  on  which  the  ship  must 
have  been  inevitably  driven  if  the  anchors,  of  which  three  were  down, 
had  started." 

Jesuit  sound. — Between  the  Boca  de  Ganales  and  Jesuit  sound  the 
coast  is  more  unbroken,  and  lower  than  usual.  In  latitude  47°  17'  S.  lie 
some  reefs,  which  project  2  miles  to  seaward;  but  behind  them  there 
was  an  appearance  of  a  bight  which  might,  perhaps,  afford  anchorage. 
Jesuit  sound  is  unfit  to  be  entered  by  any  ship.  It  terminates  in  two 
inlets,  Benito  and  Julian.  The  former  is  bounded  on  either  side  by 
high  mountains,  and  terminates  in  low  land,  with  a  rivulet  that  origi- 
nates in  a  large  glacier;  the  latter  ends  in  high  mountainous  laud,  with 
streams  of  water  between  the  hills;  one  part  of  it  is  cliffy,  and  it  has 
on  the  SW.  side  a  long  sandy  beach.  In  its  entrance  a  large  island 
makes  the  passage  on  either  side  very  narrow,  and  both  of  them  are 
rendered  still  more  so  by  rocks  and  islets. 

Xavier  island,  which  is  separated  by  Gheape  channel  from  the  main 
and  the  entrance  to  Jesuit  sound,  is  11  miles  long,  in  a  northeasterly 
and  southwesterly  direction,  4  miles  wide,  high,  and  thickly  wooded 
with  lofty  trees. 

Anchorages. — The  only  two  anchorages  which  it  affords  are  on  the 
eastern  side.  They  are  noticed  and  named  by  Machado,  the  northern 
one  port  Xavier*  the  southern  Ignacio  bay.  Port  Xavier  is  by  far  the 
better  place,  being  secure  from  the  prevailing  winds,  with  17  fathoms 
at  800  yards  from  the  shore.  The  south  end  of  the  i)ort  is  a  sandy 
beach,  backed  by  tall  beech  trees.    The  shore  to  the  south  of  the  port, 


KELLY   HARBOR — SAN   EttTEVAN   GULF.  175 

for  the  jfirst  4  or  5  miles,  consists  of  a  higb,  steep,  clay  cliff,  with  a  nar- 
row stony  beach  at  its  base,  rising  into  mountains  of  1,200  to  1,400 
feet  high,  which  are  covered  by  large  and  straight-stemmed  trees. 
The  remainder  of  the  coast  to  Ignacio  bay  is  low  and  slightly  wooded 
with  stunted  trees,  and  its  whole  extent  is  lashed  with  a  fiirious  surf 
that  totally  prevents  boats  from  landing.  Ignacio  bay  affords  anchor- 
age in  9  fathoms.  The  western  coast  of  the  island  is  lined  by  reefs 
extending  2  miles  off,  upon  which  the  sea  breaks  high. 

Kelly  harbor,  in  the  NE.  corner  of  the  gulf  of  Pefias,  between 
Cheape  channel  and  San  Bstevan  gulf,  takes  a  northeasterly  direction 
for  8  miles,  and  the  land  about  it  is  high,  rugged,  and  rocky,  a  peak  on 
the  south  side  being  1,540  feet  high,  but  by  no  means  destitute  of  ver- 
dure. The  interior  shows  many  lofty  peaked  and  craggy  ranges  of 
snow-covered  mountains.  The  points  of  entrance  are  2  miles  apart, 
and  are  thickly  wooded  and  low  compared  with  the  adjacent  land. 
Between  them  the  channel  is  from  35  to  40  fathoms  deep,  over  a  mud 
bottom,  and  to  within  200  yards  of  the  rocky  islets  that  fringe  the  shore 
for  the  breadth  of  J  mile. 

On  approaching  the  harbor  the  very  muddy  appearance  of  the  water 
is  somewhat  startling.  This  discoloration  is  due  to  the  streams  pro- 
duced from  an  extensive  glacier  that  stretches  many  miles  inland. 

For  standing  in  the  course  is  S.  47°  E.  (S.  67°  E.  mag.)  until  on  the 
line  between  the  inner  north  point  and  an  islet  off  the  south  shore 
fronted  by  several  wooded  islets,  then  haul  up  along  the  north  shore, 
keeping  it  close  aboard,  and  anchor  in  20  fathoms  with  the  two  points 
of  entrance  shut  in  with  each  other,  and  when  within  300  yards  of  the 
sand  spit  which  extends  off*  the  western  end  of  a  high  and  thickly 
wooded  island. 

The  holding  ground  is  excellent.  Shelter,  wood,  and  water  are  the 
only  advantages  offered  by  the  harbor.  Environed  by  lofty  mountains 
and  ice  filled  valleys  and  ravines,  it  is  chill,  damp,  and  dreary.  A  few 
birds  and  a  small  number  of  hair  seals  were  the  only  living  animals 
seen  by  the  Beagle. 

The  glacier  is  a  good  leading  mark  for  this  harbor,  being  a  large 
mass  of  ice  lying  on  the  low  ground  to  the  northward.  When  in  the 
fairway  of  the  port  the  Sugarloaf  in  Holloway  sound  will  be  seen  in 
line  with  the  extremity  of  the  land  to  the  northward  of  Purcell  island 
bearing  nearly  ]S^.  70^  W.  (West  mag.). 

San  Estevan  gulf. — The  entrance  to  this  gulf  is  10  miles  northward 
of  the  I^E.  extreme  of  Xavier  island,  between  Oirujauo  island  and  a 
long  sandy  beach  on  which  a  furious  surf  breaks,  curving  round  to  the 
NW.  toward  the  entrance  of  San  Tadeo  river.  Dead  Tree  islet  lies  in 
the  center  of  the  entrance. 

Anchorage.— The  gulf  is  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the  coast,  being 
easy  of  access  and  with  moderate  depths  of  water,  good  holding 
ground,  and  a  clean  bottom,    The  best  berth  is  about  2  miles  N.  3§o 


176  PATAGONIA — ^WEST   COAST. 

W.  (N.  560  W.  mag.)  from  Dead  Tree  islet,  in  from  4  to  6  fitthoms, 
sandy  bottom. 

Cinqano  peninsnla  is  connected  with  Forelins  peninsula  by  an  isth- 
mus covered  with  small  trees.  On  the  northern  side  of  the  isthmus  is 
a  shallow  bay  of  no  service  to  ships.  The  missionary  priests  describe 
a  port  on  the  peninsula  called  San  Tomas. 

San  Qnentin  sound. — San  Estevan  gulf  divides  into  two  branches— 
San  Quentin  sound,  which  extends  for  10  miles  westward  between  the 
main  and  Forelins  peninsula,  and  Aldunate  inlet,  which  runs  in  8  miles 
to  the  FW.  San  Quentin  sound  terminates  in  continuous  lowland, 
with  patches  of  sandy  beach,  over  which,  among  other  lofty  mountains 
one  named  the  Dome  of  St.  Paul  is  seen.  The  shores  are  thickly 
wooded  with  shapely  and  well-grown  trees;  the  land  near  the  beach 
for  the  most  part,  is  low,  but  rises  into  mountainous  peaks,  some  of 
which,  in  the  interior,  are  1,600  feet  high,  but  not  craggy. 

San  Tadeo  river.— The  mouth  of  this  river  is  easily  distinguished, 
on  entering  San  Estevan  gulf,  by  the  sand  hills  on  each  side  of  its 
entrance  and  by  the  eastern  trend  of  Cirujano  peninsula,  bearing  S. 
40O  W.  (S.  20O  W.  mag.).  A  sandy  beach  extends  east  and  west  of  it 
for  many  miles,  the  land  being  low  and  marshy  and  covered  with 
stumps  of  dead  trees.  The  river  has  a  bar  entrance,  much  of  which 
must  be  nearly  dry  at  spring  tides.  A  heavy  swell  breaks  upon  it  for 
its  whole  length,  so  that  no  opening  or  swatch  way  is  left,  and,  except 
in  very  fine  weather,  it  is  extremely  hazardous  to  cross.  At  the  mouth 
the  breadth  is  not  more  than  J  mile,  but  within  the  entrance  it  opens 
to  a  basin  of  some  extent,  and  at  3  miles  up  it  is  300  yards  wide  after 
which  it  gradually  narrows. 

About  7  miles  witbin  the  entrance  the  stream  is  divided  into  two 
arms;  the  northern  arm,  or  Black  river,  takes  a  northerly  and  the 
other  an  easterly  direction.  The  former  is  a  strong  and  rapid  stream 
quite  uninfluenced  by  the  tide,  which,  however,  is  found  for  a  short 
distance  up  the  eastern  arm,  but  beyond  that  the  current  down  becomes 
generally  as  strong  as  in  Black  river.  Its  banks  are  comparatively 
barren  to  those  of  Black  river,  where  the  wood  is  very  thick.  The 
courses  of  both  arms  are  very  tortuous,  and  the  bed  of  the  river  was 
so  choked  with  trunks  and  branches  of  trees  as  to  prevent  it  being 
properly  explored,  as  well  as  the  discovery  of  the  Desecho,  the  place 
where  the  Indians  carry  their  canoes  across  the  isthmus  of  Ofqui. 

With  reference  to  a  supposed  passage  through  from  San  Estevan 
gulf  to  Ohonos  sea,  the  result  of  a  Chilean  expedition  entirely  dis- 
proves its  existence. 

Forelius  peninsula  is  a  strip  of  land  10  miles  long  by  3  miles  wide, 
forming  the  southern  shore  of  San  Quentin  sound.  It  terminates  in 
an  isthmus  of  low,  sandy  land  scarcely  a  mile  wide. 

Purcell  islands  consist  of  one  large  and  five  small  islands.  The 
large  island  is  moderately  high,  thickly  wooded,  and  about  6  miles  m 


TRES   MONTES   GULP — ^PORT  OTWAY.  177 

circuit.  These  islands  are  separated  from  the  SW.  part  of  Forelius 
peninsula  by  a  good  channel,  2  miles  wide.  About  mid-channel,  and 
nearly  abreast  the  east  end  of  the  island,  there  is  a  rock  only  a  few 
feet  above  water. 

Bad  bay,  8  miles  N W.  of  Purcell  islands,  is  open  to  the  8W.  and  to  a 
heavy  rolling  sea.  In  clear  weather  cape  Tres  Montes  can  be  seen 
from  the  mouth  of  this  bay. 

Tres  Montes  gulf,  westward  of  Bad  bay,  is  16  miles  by  12,  and 
includes  the  Marine  islands,  one  of  which,  the  Sugarloaf,  a  mountain 
1,840  feet  high,  is  very  conspicuous.  Upon  the  maiu,  about  6  miles 
north  from  the  Sugarloaf,  is  another  equally  remarkable  mountain,  2,284 
feet  high,  which  was  named  by  Byron  the  Dome  of  St.  Paul. 

At  the  K W.  part  of  the  gulf  is  Hoppner  sound,  about  5  miles  across, 
and  a  deep  inlet  penetrates  7  miles  to  the  SW.,  reaching  to  within  2 
miles  of  the  exterior  coast,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  an  isthmus 
of  low  and  thickly  wooded  land.  The  Marine  islands  leave  but  little 
room  for  entering  the  sound,  but  the  southern  channel,  though  narrow, 
has  plenty  of  water.  On  the  SW.  side  of  Marine  islands  is  Holloway 
sound,  leading  to  Port  Otway,  an  inlet  extending  5  miles  inland  in  a 
southwest  direction. 

Neuman  inlet,  at  the  northeast  part  of  Tres  Montes  gulf,  extends  17 
miles  inland,  where  it  terminates,  being  separated  from  Puelma  inlet 
by  an  isthmus  about  one  mile  wide.  It  is  unserviceable,  as  the  water 
is  too  deep  for  anchorage. 

Port  Otway. — The  entrance  of  Port  Otway  is  on  the  south  side  of 
Holloway  sound,  about  15  miles  northeastward  of  cape  Tres  Montes, 
and  may  be  readily  known  by  its  being  the  first  opening  after  passing 
cape  Stokes,  which  forms  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  peninsula  of 
Tres  Montes.  Off  the  mouth  are  the  Entrance  isles,  the  easternmost 
of  which  is  Logan  rock,  having  a  resemblance  to  the  celebrated  rock 
near  the  Lands  End  in  Cornwall,  the  name  of  which  it  bears.  It  is 
broad  and  flat  at  the  top,  decreasing  to  its  base,  which  is  very  small, 
and  connected  to  the  rock  upon  which  it  seems  to  rest. 

Immediately  within  the  entrance  of  Port  Otway  on  the  western  shore 
there  is  a  sandy  beach,  over  which  a  rivulet  discharges  itself  into  the 
bay,  and  just  off  that  beach  anchorage  may  be  had  in  9  or  10  fathoms, 
the  most  convenient  berth  that  the  port  affords,  well  sheltered,  but  the 
bottom  is  stony. 

It  is  reported,  1884,  that  there  is  shoaler  water  than  formerly  in  the 
above-mentioned  bay,  soundings  of  3  fathoms  having  been  obtained  by 
H.  M.  S.  Kingfisher. 

Two  miles  within  the  entrance  the  port  opens  into  a  large,  deep  inlet, 
with  two  arms  extending  southwest  and  southeast  respectively.  This 
inlet  contains  anchorages  all  over  it,  but  they  are  inconvenient  on 
account  of  the  great  depth  of  water.  An  island  also  lies  in  the  mouth, 
with  a  narrow  passage  about  200  yards  broad  on  each  side  of  it.    The 

1943— No.  89 12 


178  PATAGONIA — ^WEST   COAST. 

eckstem  one  is  shoal.    There  appears  to  be  an  anchorage  in  a  small  bay 
outside  and  south  of  the  harbor. 

As  a  place  of  refuge,  or  for  any  maritime  purpose  not  requiring  very 
dry  weather,  few  ports  on  any  uninhabited  coast  can  be  better  adapted 
than  Port  Otway,  its  situation  making  it  very  valuable  for  vessels 
bound  either  way. 

Of  this  harbor  Lieutenant-Commander  Tanner,  United  States  Navy, 
says:  ^^  Port  Otway  is  by  far  the  best  harbor  for  all  classes  of  vessels 
that  we  found  in  the  straits  or  western  Patagonian  channels,  and  the 
facilities  for  obtaining  wood  and  water  are  unsurpassed." 

Directions. — In  this  latitude,  where  changes  are  so  sudden,  it  will 
frequently  happen  that  a  vessel  quitting  the  Messier  channel  in  the 
morning  finds  herself  caught  in  a  westerly  gale,  or  with  a  very  threat- 
ening night  coming  on  before  she  can  clear  the  gulf  of  Peitas.  In  this 
case  Port  Otway  is  a  safe  harbor,  which  may  be  made  in  the  heaviest 
weather  without  fear,  the  shores  of  the  mainland  as  well  as  of  the 
islands  being  steep-to. 

Vessels  bound  to  the  southward  in  the  thick  tempestuous  weather, 
which  is  the  normal  state  in  these  regions,  may  reach  this  port  when  it 
would  be  very  imprudent  to  run  for  the  lee  shore  on  the  south  side  of 
the  gulf.  Under  these  circumstances  the  vessel  should  try  and  make 
the  land  about  cape  Tres  Montes,  and  after  sighting  it  follow  the  coast 
round  to  the  first  opening  which  presents  itself;  but  in  doing  this  do 
not  pass  too  closely  to  cape  Stokes  and  the  next  point  to  the  southward 
of  it,  as  there  are  some  rocks  ofi'  them.  Wood  and  water  are  plentiful 
here  as  everywhere  throughout  the  channels  to  the  southward. 

The  rock  off  the  cape  next  west  of  cape  Stokes  is  about  60  feet  high, 
and  the  outer  rock,  which  lies  about  i  mile  northeastward  of  cape 
Stokes,  is  rugged  and  of  a  dark  color. 

Cape  Stokes  should  not  be  approached  very  closely  in  thick  weather, 

as  the  outer  rocks  off  it  are  low ;  the  cape  is  about  500  to  600  feet  high. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Otway  at  llh.  37m.  j 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

Cape  Stokes  anchorage  is  about  1^  miles  to  the  northward  of  cape 
Stokes,  and  during  westerly  winds  good  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in 
about  12  fathoms,  with  the  outer  rock  bearing  S.  4°  W.  (S.  16°  E.  mag.), 
cape  Stokes  S.  32^  W.  (S.  12^  W.  mag.),  and  a  gully  next  north  of  cape 
Stokes  N.  330  W.  (N.  53°  W.  mag.). 

Cape  Tres  Montes  is  the  southern  extremity  of  a  peninsula  of  the 
same  name.  It  is  a  bold  and  remarkable  headland,  rising  from  the  sea 
to  the  height  of  1,500  feet,  with  no  apparent  dangers  beyond  a  distance 
of  400  yards  from  the  shore. 

Off  the  point  between  cape  Tres  Montes  and  cape  Stokes  there  is  a 
singular,  high  rock,  which  when  seen  from  the  SE.  looks  like  a  brigan- 
tine  under  sail. 

The  tops  of  the  hills  in  the  vicinity  of  cape  Tres  Montes  are  often 


CAPE   TRES   MONTES.  179 

hidden  by  clouds  or  thick  squalls,  when  the  lower  land  can  be  seen 
from  a  distance  of  2  miles  or  more. 

The  peninsula  of  Tres  Montes  is  separated  from  that  of  Tatao  by  a 
remarkable  cut,  which  is  a  good  landmark  when  the  summits  of  the 
hills  are  obscured. 

Easterly  current. — Instances  have  occurred  of  ships  being  placed 
in  great  danger  from  a  strong  easterly  current  in  the  neighborhood  of 
cape  Tres  Montes  5  great  vigilance  must  therefore  be  exercised  when 
making  this  landfall. 

From  cape  Tres  Montes  to  Chiloe  mariners  should  also  be  on  their 
guard  against  a  strong  set  toward  the  land,  which  frequently  occurs. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

COAST  OF  CHILE-CAPE  TRES  MONIES  TO  CHACAO  NARROWS-CHONAS 

ARCHIPELAGO  AND  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

The  winds  of  the  coast  of  Valdivia  and  of  the  archipelago  to  the 
south  are  usually  from  the  NW.  and  SW.  quadrants.  Northeasterly 
winds  are  damp,  and  precede  bad  weather,  whereas  those  from  the 
southward  and  the  eastward  are  dry  and  bring  good  weather.  They 
are  not  strong,  however,  and  are  of  short  duration,  though  cases  have 
been  recorded  in  which  they  blew  with  considerable  violence.  The 
winds  from  the  south  to  the  west  prevail  in  the  summer,  and  those 
from  the  north  to  the  west  during  the  winter. 

From  the  beginning  of  spring,  that  is,  the  end  of  March,  until  Sep- 
tember, the  winds  rise  in  the  NE.,  blowing  gently  at  first,  but  freshen- 
ing as  they  veer  to  the  northward;  they  increase  rapidly  to  a  gale, 
especially  when  they  pass  quickly  to  N W. ;  the  atmosphere  becomes 
damp  and  disagreeable.  Sometimes  the  wind  oscillates  at  first  between 
north  and  NE.  From  NW.  the  wind  passes  to  SW.,  sometimes  by 
degrees,  at  others  with  a  sudden  shift;  very  often  it  changes  forward 
and  backward  between  NW.  and  SW.,  and  backs  to  north  for  several 
days,  but  during  such  change  it  never  goes  back  to  the  eastward  of 
north.  When  it  goes  back  from  SW.  or  WSW.  to  NW.,  bad  weather 
must  be  expected.  In  this  case  it  generally  comes  again  from  the  S  W. 
at  sunset,  and  the  change  is  then  so  violent  and  unexpected  as  to 
endanger  the  masts  of  vessels. 

Before  the  shifts  from  N  W.  to  SW.  a  clearing  in  the  sky  is  generally 
observed  between  west  and  SW.,  or  a  simple  rent  in  the  clouds  to 
the  SW.  This  is  a  sure  sign  and  mariners  should  be  warned  by  it. 
This  phenomenon  resembles  the  bull's  eye  of  the  cyclonists,  and  was 
called  by  the  Spaniards  el  cjo  de  torro.  When  the  wind  from  the  NW. 
is  very  fresh  and  it  rains  very  hard  at  the  same  time,  a  sudden  change 
may  be  expected  to  the  west  and  SW.  This  usually  takes  place  about 
sunset.  It  may  happen  that  the  shift  occurs  during  a  heavy  rain,  or  so 
quickly  after  its  announcement  that  there  is  no  time  for  preparation, 
but  this  is  rare. 

From  S  W.  the  wind  passes  to  south  without  any  diminution  of  its 
force;  then  to  SE.,  where  it  also  often  retains  its  strength,  especially 
on  the  coast,  during  the  months  of  June,  July,  and  August;  it  dies  out 
between  SE.  and  east  and  rises  again  in  the  NE.,  after  a  calm  of  more 
or  less  duration.    During  these  changes  the  barometer  stands  high. 

180 


WINDS.  181 

The  winds  from  the  NE.  are  very  seldom  fresh,  and  do  not  increase 
much  until  after  passing  the  north  or  NNW.  x>oints.  When  the  winds 
blow  from  the  north  or  NE.  the  vessels  of  the  archipelago  of  Ohiloe  do 
not  leave  their  anchorages,  as  the  mariners  know  that  the  strongest 
squalls  and  the  heaviest  rains  come  from  those  points. 

From  September  to  March  the  winds  from  the  SW.  quadrant  pre- 
dominate. They  sometimes  blow  heavily,  but  with  a  clear  sky  and 
fine  atmosphere.  When  the  wind  blows  from  the  south  and  SE.  it 
becomes  cold  and  the  weather  fine.  The  wind  dies  out  at  SE.,  and 
after  a  calm,  with  a  clear  sky,  the  wind  springs  up  light  from  the  JSE.; 
it  then  becomes  cloudy  and  rain  commences  to  fall  heavily.  This  gen- 
erally lasts  for  two  days,  sometimes  longer,  until  the  winds  change 
slowly  against  the  sun  to  the  southward  of  west,  after  which  the  fine 
weather  sets  in  again. 

During  the  spring  and  summer  lightning  is  an  indication  of  strong 
wind,  and  it  often  precedes  a  sudden  shift.  During  the  winter  light- 
ning is  also  common,  and  indicates  changes  of  the  wind. 

When  the  change  of  weather  takes  place  during  the  night  sparks  of 
electricity  are  seen  in  the  atmosphere  toward  the  horizon,  and  reports 
similar  to  those  of  a  rifle  are  heard.  Thunder  is  rarely  heard  at  sea, 
but  it  is  frequently  over  the  thick  forests  of  Ghiloe  and  on  the  con- 
tinent. Certain  physical,  thermometric,  and  barometric  phenomena 
accompany  the  changes  of  the  wind.  After  calms  of  short  duration, 
which  are  accompanied  by  a  high  barometer  and  clear  sky,  the  atmos- 
phere between  north  and  east  becomes  very  clear,  and  a  bluish  or 
light-green  tint  is  observed  in  the  sky  in  those  directions.  The  mer- 
cury then  commences  to  fall  slowly  and  the  temperature  rises  a  little, 
according  to  the  season.  These  phenomena  together  are  a  sure  indi- 
cation of  a  blow  from  the  north  to  west  in  a  few  hours.  A  dark  band 
rises  to  the  northward,  the  sky  becomes  covered  with  a  thick  mantle 
of  clouds,  and  the  KE.  breeze  freshens  as  it  changes  toward  the  north. 
At  this  point  the  wind  has  almost  reached  its  full  force,  as  it  only 
increases  a  little  when  passing  the  NW.  point.  It  generally  remains 
variable  between  WNW.  and  NW.  for  a  little  while  before  it  shifts 
gradually  or  suddenly  toward  west,  WSW.,  and  SW.  During  the 
greatest  force  of  the  squall  it  does  not  rain,  but  sometimes  drizzles 
lightly.  The  atmosphere  is  very  hazy,  and  the  clouds ^pass  from  north 
to  south.  As  soon  as  the  rain  commences  it  becomes  necessary  to 
watch  the  horizon  in  the  west  and  SW.,  in  order  not  to  be  surprised 
by  a  sudden  shift  of  wind. 

As  long  as  the  barometer  falls  the  weather  remains  bad  and  the  wind 
continues  steady  from  the  NW.  If,  however,  the  barometer  remains  at 
a  stand  during  the  time  that  the  wind  is  strongest,  double  attention 
must  be  paid,  as  the  change  of  wind  is  near.  Sometimes  this  is 
announced  by  a  sudden  rise  of  the  mercury,  but  this  latter  phenome- 
non ordinarily  happens  simultaneously  with  the  shift  of  wind. 


182  COAST  OP  CHILE. 

With  FE.  and  'SW.  winds  the  barometer  sometimes  falls  as  low  as 
28.27  daring  the  strongest  part  of  the  gale.  In  an  ordinary  gale  the 
barometer  does  not  fall  below  28.78.  In  case  the  shifb  of  wind  is  only 
momentary,  the  barometer  rises  a  little,  then  remains  fixed  for  a  short 
time,  and  afterwards,  when  the  wind  has  jumped  back  to  NW.,  it  again 
falls  rapidly. 

It  happens  sometimes  that  during  a  fresh  SW.  wind  the  barometer 
falls  slowly.  In  that  case  it  is  certain  that  the  wind  will  shift  in  a 
squall  to  N  W.  and  lO  W.,  and  that  it  will  rain  heavily  when  the  wind 
is  about  to  jump  bacK  to  SW.  or  west.  During  these  squalls  the  tem- 
perature is  notably  lower  than  during  those  which  begin  at  the  NE. 
and  north,  from  which  circumstance  it  can  be  supposed  that  they  have 
a  different  origin  from  the  former.  These  blows  are  fresh  and  short, 
and  generally  die  out  in  the  west  or  south  toward  sunset.  The  dura- 
tion of  the  gales  commencing  from  l^E.  is  uncertain;  ordinarily  they 
do  not  last  longer  than  twenty-four  hours,  but  they  have  continued 
two,  three,  four,  and  even  ten  days. 

It  is,  therefore,  evident  that  the  gales  on  this  part  of  the  coast  of 
Ohile  follow  the  same  laws  as  those  of  high  southern  latitudes.  The 
sudden  shifts  which  occur  from  NNW.,  NW.,  and  WNW.  to  west, 
WSW.,  and  SW.  prove  that  these  gales  come  generally  from  the  west- 
ward or  some  point  farther  to  the  north.  If  the  wind,  after  shifting  to 
SW.,  jumps  back  to  NW.,  the  vessel  must  have  drifted  to  the  center 
of  a  cyclone  of  small  velocity,  or  two  cyclones  must  be  following  each 
other  closely;  but  in  all  cases  navigators  should  never  lose  sight  of 
the  fact  that  they  are  in  a  revolving  gale,  in  which  the  wind  turns 
with  the  sun  and  varies  to  the  observer  in  the  opposite  direction. 

Between  Concepcion  and  Oopiap6,  during  the  spring  season  of  the 
year,  the  weather  is  usually  fine  and  the  winds  generally  vary  between 
SSE.  and  WSW.  They  sometimes  alternate  with  winds  between  NI^W. 
and  west.  In  the  summer  the  breezes  are  from  south  to  SW.,  and  are 
accompanied  by  fine  and  dry  weather.  In  the  fall  the  north  wind  is 
most  frequent,  but  after  a  calm  it  frequently  blows  from  KW.  It  is 
during  the  winter,  from  the  end  of  May  to  September,  that  rain  and 
northerly  gales  are  most  frequent;  when  the  south  wind  sets  in  the 
weather  becomes  fine.    Thunder  and  lightning  are  very  rare. 

It  can  be  generally  stated  that  there  are  two  sets  of  winds  on  this 
coast;  both  are  well  defined,  but  are  of  unequal  duration.  The  winds 
from  the  north  and  NE.  are  frequent  in  the  winter,  from  the  end  of 
May  to  the  middle  of  September.  From  September  to  the  end  of  May, 
however,  the  southerly  winds  predominate,  and  they  often  blow  with 
great  violence.  These  winds  sometimes  blow  from  a  little  to  the  west- 
ward and  sometimes  from  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  south. 

During  the  three  months  of  the  bad  season  frequent  calms  and  light 
and  variable  breezes  from  the  west  to  SW.  are  experienced.  These 
alternate  with  gales  from  the  north,  which  cause  heavy  rains,  not  only 
on  the  coast,  but  also  a  considerable  distance  to  seaward. 


WINDS.  183 

During  the  fine  season,  while  the  south  winds  prevail,  the  sky  is  gen- 
erally clear,  and  there  is  but  little  rain  even  in  the  summer;  however, 
there  are  at  times  strong  northerly  winds,  accompanied  by  heavy  rains, 
that  last  for  two  or  three  days.  These  exceptions  are  more  rare  to  the 
northward  of  Coquimbo  than  to  the  southward. 

During  this  season  of  the  year  the  south  wind  sets  in  about  11  a.  m., 
sometimes  later.  It  freshens  rapidly,  and  often  renders  the  anchoring 
of  sailing  vessels  difficult.  It  is  called  the  sea  breeze,  although  it 
actually  blows  along  the  coast.  It  generally  dies  out  toward  sunset, 
though  sometimes  it  lasts  until  midnight.  At  sea,  between  25^  and 
350  S.,  this  breeze  sometimes  obliges  vessels  to  take  two  reefs  in  their 
topsails.  It  is  less  strong  than  near  the  land,  but  it  does  not  die  out 
during  the  night.  It  will  be  observed  that  as  the  land  is  approached 
the  breeze  is  stronger  during  the  day  and  lighter  during  the  night;  or, 
when  very  near  the  land,  that  it  falls  calm  during  the  night,  then  a  light 
land  breeze  springs  up  from  the  eastward.  This  comes  from  the  Cordil- 
lera, and  only  lasts  a  few  hours.  It  is  almost  always  accompanied  by  a 
clear  sky.  If  during  this  breeze  the  sky  becomes  cloudy,  it  is  a  sure 
sign  that  the  breeze  at  sea  is  very  light  or  that  it  is  calm.  It  is  also  an 
indication  of  rain.  A  cloudy  sky  in  the  winter  is  a  sign  of  an  approach- 
ing wind  accompanied  by  rain. 

The  shifts  of  wind  generally  take  place  against  the  sun,  as  on  the 
southern  portion  of  the  coast,  the  most  violent  coming  from  a  i)oint 
between  north  and  west.  It  is  well,  then,  for  vessels  to  seek  shelter 
behind  the  rocks  or  land  which  make  out  to  the  westward.  During  the 
summer  it  is  best  to  anchor  near  the  land,  so  as  not  to  be  driven  to  sea 
by  the  squalls  from  the  southward.  In  winter  it  is  best  to  anchor 
farther  out  on  account  of  the  northerly  winds. 

In  the  region  under  discussion  the  approach  of  north  winds  is  very 
well  marked.  The  sky  is  overcast,  and  there  is  little  or  no  wind,  unless 
it  may  be  from  the  eastward;  the  swell  sets  from  the  northward  and 
the  tide  is  stronger  than  usual;  the  distant  land  is  remarkably  distinct 
and  elevated  by  refraction,  and  the  barometer  falls.  All  northerly 
winds  are  by  no  means  gales,  and  sometimes  a  whole  winter  may  pass 
without  a  northerly  wind  which  merits  that  name;  at  other  times  they 
are  of  frequent  occurrence.  The  northerly  gales  never  last  longer  than 
one  day  and  one  night,  and  ordinarily  not  so  long.  They  shift  to  the 
westward,  with  the  weather  still  cloudy  and  with  the  strength  of  the 
wind  undiminished,  and  moderate  as  it  hauls  to  the  southward.  It  is 
very  difficult  to  fix  the  northern  limit  of  these  winds.  It  is  certain, 
however,  that  they  are  much  less  dangerous  at  Coquimbo,  although 
strong  northerly  winds  and  heavy  seas  have  been  known  at  Huasco 
and  at  Copiapo.  The  English  ship  Conway  experienced  a  heavy  north- 
erly gale  in  25^  S.  latitude  and  90^  W.  longitude. 

At  Valparaiso  these  winds  do  not  set  in  until  the  middle  of  May,  and 
they  continne  until  September,  decreasing  continually  in  intensity. 
They  have  occurred,  however,  in  April. 


184  COAST  OP   CHILE. 

The  foregoing  remarks  apply  to  a  belt  extending  from  180  to  240  miles 
to  seaward. 

Proceeding  to  the  northward  from  Valparaiso  the  intensity  of  the 
rains  diminishes,  and  the  harvests  depend  upon  ttie  humidity  of  the 
year.  The  southerly  winds,  which  predominate  during  nine  months  of 
the  year,  are  dry  and  fatal  to  the  cultivation  exposed  to  their  influence. 
When  the  year  is  unusually  moist  the  grass  is  abundant  and  the  cereals 
yield  forty  and  even  seventy  fold,  but  when  it  is  dry  the  cattle  even 
have  to  be  taken  to  the  Cordillera.  In  certain  localities,  as  in  the 
vicinity  of  Valparaiso,  the  nightly  dews  moisten  the  ground  and  favor 
vegetation. 

The  bai'ometer  in  summer  varies  between  29.92  inches  and  30.32 
inches;  in  the  fall  between  29.53  inches  and  30.04  inches;  in  the  winter 
it  falls  as  low  as  29.14  inches.  As  in  the  preceding  region,  it  falls  with 
north  and  rises  with  south  winds. 

Currents. — The  waters  of  the  South  Pacific  ocean,  in  a  belt  of  which 
the  mean  latitude  is  about  50^,  run  in  an  oblique  direction  KE.  toward 
the  west  coast  of  South  America;  thence  as  a  cold  river  along  Ghiloe 
to  the  Galapagos  islands,  while  another  branch,  separating  opposite 
the  gulf  of  Peiias,  forms  the  Cape  Horn  current. 

The  northern  branch  of  this  current  is  called  the  *'  Humboldt  cur- 
rent, or  the  current  of  Peru."  It  runs  to  the  NE.  to  about  the  latitude 
of  the  island  of  Mocha,  and  then  continues  to  the  northward. 

This  direction  (NE.)  drifts  vessels  toward  the  coast,  and  when  they  are 
but  a  short  distance  from  the  land  they  should  take  this  current  into 
account,  as  it  has  caused  several  shipwrecks.  Its  change  of  direction 
from  the  iN'E.  to  north  takes  place  about  180  to  240  miles  from  the  coast. 

From  the  island  of  Mocha  the  current  follows  the  trend  of  the  coast; 
that  is,  a  direction  between  north  and  NNE.  Its  direction  varies  a  little 
with  the  wind;  its  diameter  is  about  120  miles  abreast  of  Valparaiso, 
and  it  increases  gradually.  This  current,  aided  by  the  wind,  carries 
enormous  masses  of  sand  along  the  coast  of  Araucania  and  as  far 
north  as  Valparaiso.  This  is  deposited  at  all  capes  projecting  to  the 
westward  and  in  all  the  bays  and  harbors  penetrating  to  the  eastward. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  in  the  Humboldt  current  is  39^  in 
470  S.  latitude,  and  this  increases  farther  to  the  northward.  In  the 
latitude  of  Valparaiso  it  is  52°;  in  that  of  Coquimbo,  57^;  of  Cobija 
and  of  Arica,  64o.  The  observations  of  Dupetit-Thouars  have  proven, 
however,  that  these  numbers  are  means,  as  the  temperature  of  the 
current  follows  the  variations  of  that  of  the  surface.  The  velocity  of 
this  current  varies  greatly  on  the  coast  of  Chile  and  Peru;  it  is  gen- 
erally greater  near  the  land  than  at  sea.  Between  Valparaiso  and 
Cobija  it  runs  at  the  rate  of  26  miles  per  day;  15  miles  per  day  is 
about  the  average  velocity.  The  current  is  sometimes  altogether 
arrested  and  sometimes  reversed.  Lartigue,  and  afterwards  Fitz-Roy, 
observed  the  current  to  run  south  in  different  latitudes  after  strong 


CUBRENTS — ^TIDES — WEATHER.  1 86 

northerly  wind;  but,  according  to  Fitz-Roy,  this  does  not  prove  any- 
thing definitely.  The  Enssian  Admiral  Litke  observed  no  currents  to 
the  northward  until  north  of  Ooncepcion,  and  then  very  feeble,  although 
he  kept  near  the  shore,  the  Avinds  being  light  and  variable  from  NE.  to 
NW.  During  one  day  he  had  the  current  running  to  the  southward. 
Between  Cape  Pillar  and  Valparaiso  Admiral  Fleuriot  de  Langle 
observed  a  NE.  current  in  the  spring,  a  WSW.  current  during  tiie  sum- 
mer, E.  J  N.  during  the  fall,  and  WN  W.  during  the  winter.  From  this 
we  conclude  that  the  southerly  current  is  rare,  the  northerly  ones  much 
more  frequent,  and  that  the  latter  run  alternately  to  the  eastward  and 
westward  of  this  point.  The  last-mentioned  observer  speaks  of  strong 
and  frequent  currents  to  the  westward  during  the  summer. 

Tides. — To  the  northward  of  Chiloe  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  tide  is 
never  more  than  6  feet,  the  general  limit  being  4.9  feet.  Is  is  not,  how- 
ever, the  same  for  the  archipelago  of  Ohiloe  and  Chonos.  When  the 
flood  tide  sets  in  it  runs  around  both  the  north  and  south  end  of  Ohiloe 
at  the  same  time.  The  former  runs  with  great  force  through  the  Straits 
of  Chacao  into  the  Gulf  of  Ancud,  where  it  produces  violent  eddies. 
After  running  around  the  Gulf  of  Reloncavi  and  around  the  archipelago 
of  Calbuco  its  general  course  is  south.  During  this  time  the  otlier 
branch,  in  running  to  the  northward,  passes  through  the  channel  which 
separates  the  Guaitecas  from  Chiloe.  These  two  tides  meet  in  the  lati- 
tude of  the  Desertores  and  Cbaulinec  islands,  and  counteract  each 
other.  The  ebb  tide  runs  to  the  northward  in  the  Gulf  of  Ancud  and 
to  the  southward  in  the  Gulf  of  Corcovado. 

It  will  be  readily  understood  that  at  certain  points  near  the  limit  of 
the  two  floods  there  are  very  high  tides.  At  the  Carelmapu  islands, 
opposite  San  Carlos  de  Ancud,  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  spring  tides 
amount  to  10  feet;  in  the  Straits  of  Chacao  it  is  14  feet;  in  the  Cove 
of  Oscuro,  22  feet,  and  at  Huildad,  16  feet.  If,  in  addition  to  this,  the 
influence  of  the  wind  is  considered,  the  irregularity  of  the  tides  on 
the  east  coast  of  Chiloe  is  not  astonishing. 

Weather. — Snowstorms  are  unknown  on  the  seacoast;  hailstorms 
are  only  of  short  duration,  and  the  hailstones  small.  They  occur  mostly 
in  the  spring,  and,  contrary  to  the  ordinary  rule,  during  the'night.  Hail- 
storms never  occur  with  north  winds,  or  at  least  not  until  the  wind  is 
on  the  point  of  changing  to  the  west  or  southward  of  west. 

Frost  occurs  frequently  during  the  spring,  but  never  on  the  coast. 
It  is  only  observed  in  the  interior  of  the  mainland  or  on  the  large 
island  of  Chiloe. 

Waterspouts  are  often  seen  along  the  coast  of  Chiloe  and  Valdivia 
when  a  calm  sets  in  after  a  squall  from  the  NW.,  and  also  when  the 
wind  is  about  to  change  to  the  west. 

The  geographical  position  of  Chile  causes  the  greatest  variety  of 
climate;  rainy  and  stormy  in  the  south,  in  the  north  it  is  subject  to 
calms,  the  sky  is  clear,  the  country  dry,  with  a  great  want  of  water. 


186  COASt  OF  CHILfi. 

Passages. — ^There  are  bat  two  ways  to  make  passages  on  the  coast 
of  Chile.  When  going  to  the  northward  steer  direct  to  the  place,  or  as 
nearly  so  as  is  consistent  with  making  use  of  the  steady  winds  which 
prevail  in  the  offing;  and  if  bound  to  the  southward,  steer  also  direct 
to  the  place,  if  fortunate  enough  to  have  a  wind  which  admits  of  it,  but 
if  not,  stand  out  to  sea  by  the  wind,  keeping  every  sail  clean  full,  the 
object  being  to  get  through  the  adverse  southerly  winds  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  to  reach  a  latitude  from  which  the  ship  will  be  sure  of  reach- 
ing her  port  on  a  direct  course.  Every  experienced  seaman  knows  that 
in  the  regions  of  periodic  winds  no  method  is  more  inconsistent  with 
quick  passages  than  that  of  hugging  the  wind. 

Ships  bound  southward  from  Peru  during  the  Northers  should  be 
careful  not  to  get  to  the  southward  of  their  port.  Those  standing  in  for 
the  shore  during  the  summer  months,  when  about  100  miles  from  the 
coast,  will  often  find  the  wind  heading  them,  in  which  case  they  need 
not  tack  as  the  wind  will  haul  to  the  westward  on  approaching  the  land. 

Signals. — The  following  are  the  signals  used  on  the  coast  of  Chile  by 
vessels  requiring  the  services  of  a  pilot,  also  those  to  be  used  by  ves- 
sels in  distress  and  requiring  assistance. 

Pilot  signals. — By  day. — A  flag  with  a  white  border,  flying  from 
the  masthead,  or  the  signal  PT  of  the  international  code. 

By  night — Burning  a  blue  light  every  quarter  of  an  hour,  or  show- 
ing a  white  light  at  short  intervals,  such  light  being  shown  alwve  the 
upper  works  for  the  space  of  one  minute  each  time. 

Note. — Any  shipmaster  permitting  any  of  the  above  signals  to  be 
shown,  such  signal  not  being  intended  as  a  pilot  signal,  or  shall  use 
other  signals  for  this  purpose,  is  liable  to  a  penalty. 

Distress  signals. — By  day. — A  gun  fired  at  intervals  of  one  minute, 
or  the  signal  N  C  of  the  international  code. 

In  imminent  danger:  A  checkered  flag  with  a  ball  or  shape  either 
above  or  below  it  should  be  shown. 

By  night. — A  gun  fired  at  intervals  of  one  minute,  or  a  flare  or 
flashes  shown  at  short  intervals,  or  the  firing  of  signal  rockets. 

Note. — Any  shipmaster  permitting  any  one  of  these  signals  to  be 
made  other  than  for  the  purpose  of  calling  for  assistance  in  distress  is 
liable  to  pay  indemnification  for  all  trouble,  risk,  and  loss  sustained  in 
sending  such  assistance. 

Port  charges. — Hospital  dues. — Ten  cents  per  registered  ton  on 
aU  vessels,  loaded  or  in  ballast,  payable  once  in  each  calendar  year. 

Light  dues. — Ten  cents  per  registered  ton,  incurred  by  vessels  dis- 
charging cargo,  and  payable  on  discharge  of  same.  If  only  25  tons  or 
packages  are  discharged,  the  charge  is  25  cents  on  each  package  or  ton, 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1315.) 

Gulf  of  Peiias. — See  page  173. 

Cape  Raper. — Cape  Elena  is  about  6  J  miles  NW.  of  cape  Tres  Montes, 
and  cape  Eaper,  about  the  same  distance  NNW.  of  cape  Elena,  is 


SAN  ANDBES  BAY — PORT  SAN  ESTEVAN.  187 

higher  than  cape  Tres  Montes.  The  side  toward  the  sea  is  barren  and 
ends  almost  perpendicularly.  The  three  sand  beaches  between  these 
two  capes  can  not  be  approached,  owing  to  the  constant  heavy  swell 
and  breakers.  The  rock  lying  IJ  miles  to  the  northward  of  the  cape  is 
light  gray,  and  stands  out  well  from  the  dark  background  of  the  main- 
land. On  the  reef  lying  one  mile  to  the  westward  of  the  rock  the  sea 
has  been  seen  to  break. 

San  Andres  bay. — Gape  Gallegos,  15  miles  northward  of  cape 
Raper,  is  a  bold  promontory,  barren  to  seaward,  and  rising  abruptly 
from  the  water,  and  eastward  of  it  is  San  Andres  bay,  containing  no 
good  place  for  large  ships,  but  it  has  secure  anchorage  for  small  vessels 
in  Christmas  cove,  which  is  not  ^  mile  across,  but  is  sheltered  from  all 
winds  except  those  from  the  northward.  Though  apparently  much 
exposed  to  this  quarter,  the  danger  from  such  winds  is  more  apparent 
than  real,  as  they  do  not  become  very  strong  till  they  are  some  points 
to  the  westward  of  north,  and  much  sea  would  not  be  raised  until  then. 

Between  Christmas  cove  and  Cone  inlet,  at  2  miles  farther  east,  seal- 
ers report  a  perfectly  sheltered  anchorage  in  4f  fathoms,  suitable  for 
vessels  of  less  than  300  tons,  opposite  the  islands  fronting  Cone  inlet. 

Cone  inlet  extends  in  a  southeasterly  direction  about  3  miles  to  the 
foot  of  a  remarkable  cone  1,300  feet  high.  It  is  quite  sheltered,  and  not 
a  bad  stopping  place  for  a  steamer  inside  the  islet  in  its  entrance  with 
her  stern  secured  to  the  shore,  but  there  is  no  room  to  swing;  for  a 
sailing  vessel  it  is  so  narrow  as  to  be  difficult  of  access  and  still  more 
difficult  to  quit.  Even  with  a  NW.  wind  no  swell  penetrates  the 
interior  of  the  inlet,  and  there  is  a  natural  dock  at  the  inner  part  on  the 
NE.  side.  On  the  northern  side  of  San  Andres  bay,  at  the  head  of  a 
deep  bight,  there  is  a  large  basin  named  Useless  cove,  being  unfit  for 
any  kind  of  craft. 

Pringle  point,  at  5  miles  NNE.  from  cape  Gallegos,  forms  the  north 
side  of  San  Andres  bay,  and  between  it  and  Eescue  point,  18  miles  to 
the  KE.,  the  land  is  considerably  lower.  There  may  be  anchorage  in 
Stewart  bay,  at  6  miles  ENE.  of  Pringle  point,  but  it  was  not  examined. 

Cliff  cove,  locally  known  as  Barranco  cove,  forms  an  excellent  port, 
capable  of  sheltering  a  large  number  of  vessels  in  4|  to  20  fathoms, 
mud  bottom. 

OflF  the  southern  entrance  point  is  a  small  islet,  with  rocks  upon 
which  the  sea  always  breaks,  extending  200  yards  from  it. 

Port  San  Estevan,  20  miles  NE.  from  Pringle  point,  has  very  good 
anchorage  in  10  fathoms  water  under  Eescue  point.  Fresh  water  may 
be  easily  obtained  in  the  stream  at  the  head  of  the  inlet,  or  from  runs 
near  the  anchorage.  Dark  hill,  2,150  feet  above  the  sea,  at  about  5 
miles  east  of  Eescue  point,  is  a  good  object  for  recognizing  this  port. 
There  is  no  hidden  danger,  provided  the  rocks  at  the  point  have  a 
berth  of  200  yards  given  them.  A  vessel  should  anchor  close  to  the 
west  shore,  under  shelter  of  the  reef  oif  Eescue  point. 

Cat  cove,  about  2  miles  east  of  port  San  Estevan,  is  said  to  form  a 


188  COAST  OF  CHILE. 

good  harbor.    Enteriug  this  cove,  pass  south  of  all  the  islands  at  the 
entrance. 

TJaboma  ialanclii, — There  is  fairly  sheltered  anchorage  in  5  to  6  fath- 
oms, sand,  good  holding  ground,  off  the  northeastern  one  of  these  islands. 

Hellyer  rocks  are  a  cluster  of  outlying  dangers  scarcely  above  water, 
on  which  the  sea  breaks,  lying  almost  north  of  Rescue  point  and  6  miles 
from  the  nearest  land,  Duende  island. 

Cape  Taitao  is  25  miles  north  of  Port  Estevan,  the  intervening  coast 
being  broken  and  rugged.  The  cape  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
promontories  on  this  coast;  it  makes  like  a  large  island,  pointed  at  the 
summit;  is  nearly  3,000  feet  high,  rugged,  barren,  and  steep,  and  has 
several  rocks  above  water  around  it;  none,  however,  more  than  one  mile 
offshore. 

Anna  Pink  bay. — About  5  miles  eastward  round  cape  Taitao  is  An  na 
Pink  bay,  within  a  cove  of  which  one  of  Lord  Anson's  squadron,  the 
Anna  Pinky  took  refuge  from  westerly  gales.  She  anchored  under  Inch- 
emo  island,  but  drove  from  thence  across  the  bay,  and  after  slipping  or 
cutting  her  cables  brought  up  in  Port  Refuge,  in  the  SE.  part  of  the 
bay,  where  she  lay  for  some  time  in  security  refitting. 

Probably  the  Amia  PinJc  did  not  in  the  first  instance  go  near  enough 
to  Inchemo  island,  for  there  is  good  holding  ground  in  15  or  20  fathoms 
on  its  east  side,  with  Penguin  islet  bearing  N.  20°  E.  (North  mag.)  and 
highest  part  of  Inchemo  island  S.  68o  W.  (S.  48^  W.  mag.). 

On  Inchemo  island  a  number  of  goats  were  found. 

Canaveral  cove,  on  the  south  side  of  entrance  to  Port  Refuge,  though 
small,  is  very  convenient  for  refitting  or  for  executing  any  repairs. 

Patch  cove,  to  the  SW.  of  Oailaveral  cove,  is  small  and  unfit  for 
vessels  exceeding  200  tons. 

About  6  miles  N.  68o  E.  (N.  48^  E.  mag.)  of  Inchemo  are  the  Inchin 
or  San  Fernando  islands,  and  next  to  them,  to  the  northward,  are  the 
Tenquehuen,  Menchuan,  and  Puyo  islands,  among  which,  no  doubt,  there 
are  many  good  anchorages  and  abundance  of  fresh  water,  wood,  wild 
herbs,  and  fish  usually  found  on  these  coasts.  The  western  extremity 
of  Menchuan  island  is  low,  and,  having  several  rocks  near  it,  a  good 
berth  should  be  allowed  in  passing. 

The  archipelago  of  Chonos  and  Quaitecas  consists  of  a  multi- 
tude of  islands  extending  from  Wickham,  or  Pulluche  channel,  on  the 
south,  which  is  the  northern  boundary  of  the  peninsula  of  Taitao,  to 
the  Gulf  of  Oorcovado  on  the  north.  These  islands,  lying  in  groups 
of  from  twenty  to  fifty,  are  of  various  forms  and  sizes,  some  having  a 
circumference  of  70  miles,  others  of  only  a  few  yards.  The  largest  is 
Magdalena.  It  contains  mountains  and  volcanoes  covered  with  snow. 
Melchor,  Traiguen,  and  Rivero  are  among  the  largest  of  the  islands. 
The  three  principal  channels,  which  run  nearly  east  and  west,  are 
Kinualaca  channel,  to  the  north  of  Melchor  island;  Darwin  channel, 
to  the  northward  of  Rivero  and  Traiguen  islands;  and  Wickham,  or 


CHONOS  ARCHIPELAGO — WINDS.  189 

PuUuche  channel,  the  southern  boundary  of  the  archipelago.  These 
connect  with  the  Moraleda  channel  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  archi- 
pelago, which  runs  nearly  north  and  south,  and  with  the  channels 
Errazuriz  and  Costa,  which  are  to  the  westward  and  eastward  of  Trai- 
guen  island.  On  the  coast  of  Taitao,  as  also  throughout  the  archi- 
pelago, there  are  numerous  bays  and  coves  where  vessels  of  heavy 
.tonnage  can  find  refuge.  The  depth  of  water  varies,  but  in  general 
the  water  is  deep  well  up  to  the  land.  The  general  aspect  of  the 
islands,  which  seem  to  rise  suddenly  out  of  the  water,  is  abrupt,  moun- 
tainous, and  rugged.  To  the  south  some  resemble  a  sugar  loaf;  to  the 
north  they  are  in  the  form  of  plateaus  or  elevated  table-lands.  The 
peaks  of  Ouptana,  2,950  feet,  are  constantly  covered  with  snow,  and  in 
their  vicinity  are  mineral  waters. 

Population. — There  is  no  fixed  population.  During  the  spring  and 
summer  the  woodcutters  visit  these  islands  to  cut  wood  and  hunt  the 
seal.  They  discovered  in  the  caves  which  are  not  reached  by  the  high 
tides  large  deposits  of  guano,  which  is  now  being  exported. 

Climate. — The  climate  is  severe,  especially  in  the  winter;  the  changes 
in  the  temperature  are  very  abrupt;  showers  mixed  with  hail,  accom- 
panied by  furious  squalls,  occur  frequently,  as  do  also  heavy  snow- 
storms, which  render  the  navigation  of  the  narrow  channels  dangerous. 
Earthquakes  are  rare.  In  the  summer  there  are  some  beautiful  days, 
and  the  sun  even  dries  up  the  brooks,  causing  a  want  of  fresh  water; 
but  this  is  rare. 

It  is  estimated  that  from  156  to  192  inches  of  rain  fall  annually.  On 
an  average  day  it  is  rare  to  see  the  horizon  farther  than  5  miles,  the 
atmosphere  is  so  thick  and  saturated.  The  climate  is  not  unhealthy; 
local  diseases  are  rare,  and  epidemics  unknown. 

Winds. — ^During  the  summer  and  spring  the  winds  from  the  NE. 
and  the  SB.  quadrants  are  very  rare,  the  winds  generally  blowing  from 
the  NNW.,  WSW.,  and  south.  The  winds  generally  die  out  during  the 
evening,  especially  those  from  the  north  and  south;  the  winds  from 
the  SW.,  on  the  contrary,  freshen,  or  at  least  keep  their  force,  in  the 
evening.  The  shifts  to  the  SW.  generally  take  place  about  sunset. 
During  the  morning  the  NW.  winds  predominate.  Generally  speak- 
ing, the  winds  from  the  NNW.,  WSW.,  and  south  are  about  equally 
divided.  Calms  are  also  as  common  during  the  morning  and  at  noon 
as  any  of  these  winds;  during  the  evening  they  are  about  twice  as 
frequent;  in  other  words,  the  calms  occur  one  day  out  of  six  in  the 
forenoon,  one  day  out  of  seven  during  the  day,  and  one  day  out  of 
three  during  the  evening. 

The  NW.  and  the  SW.  winds  deposit  all  the  evaporation  of  the 
Pacific  ocean  on  the  cordillera,  which  causes  the  frequent  rains.  In 
the  estuaries,  as  that  of  the  Eio  Aysen,  it  rains  less,  though  11  inches 
has  fallen  there  during  one  night.  The  calms  and  the  NE.  or  NW. 
winds  bring  the  heaviest  rains.    There  are  only  passing  showers  with 


190  CHONOS  ARCHIPELAGO. 

the  west  or  SW.  winds,  but  it  invariably  rains  in  torrents  daring  SE. 
winds. 

Vessels  at  anchor  must  keep  a  good  lookout  for  the  shifts  from  'SW. 
toSW. 

Sometimes  the  wiud  after  shifting  suddenly  from  NW.  to  west  returns 
to  NW.,  as  it  does  more  to  the  northward,  when  it  blows  with  more 
violence  than  before;  in  fact,  there  are  two  gales  following  close  to  each 
other. 

During  the  winter  the  gales  are  accompanied  by  thunderstorms,  and 
the  traces  of  the  passage  of  the  lightning  are  frequent  on  the  declivities 
of  the  mountains. 

Kelp. — In  the  different  channels  of  the  Chonos  archipelago  the 
dangers  are  generally  marked  by  kelp,  and  in  the  quiet  bays  it  will 
frequently  be  found  growing  in  deep  water,  where  the  bottom  is  rocky. 
A  good  lookout  should  be  kept  from  aloft,  as  strong  currents  frequently 
draw  the  kelp  under  water. 

Tides."— In  the  channels  which  have  an  east  and  west  direction  the 
flood  sets  to  the  eastward  and  ebb  to  the  westward.  In  those  having 
a  north  and  south  direction  the  flood  generally  sets  to  the  northward 
and  ebb  to  the  southward. 

Outside  this  archipelago  the  currents  are  weak;  inside  they  attain 
great  velocity,  which  varies  much  with  the  direction  of  the  wind,  the 
age  of  the  moon,  and  the  tidal  hour. 

Gheneral  instructions. — The  following  general  instructions  will  be 
an  assistance  in  the  navigation  of  the  channels  of  the  archipelago: 

1.  Every  dangerous  submarine  rock  is  marked  by  seaweed,  or  is 
visible  from  aloft;  strong  currents,  however,  submerge  the  seaweed. 

2.  The  seaweed,  in  smooth  bays,  commences  generally  in  7  fathoms 
of  water  where  the  bottom  is  of  large  rocks,  and  in  3  fathoms  where 
the  bottom  is  of  small  stones  or  pebbles;  it  does  not  grow  on  sandy  or 
shell  bottom,  or  on  leeward  points  which  are  washed  by  a  heavy  sea. 

3.  In  the  channels  transverse  to  the  coast  the  flood  tide  runs  to  the 
eastward,  the  ebb  to  the  westward,  and  those  parallel  to  the  coast 
trending  to  the  northward  and  southward;  the  flood  in  general  runs  to 
the  north  and  the  ebb  to  the  south.  In  the  large  channels  border- 
ing the  Cordillera  the  tides  increase  in  velocity  as  the  cordillera  is 
approached. 

4.  It  is  recommended  to  the  navigator  coming  from  seaward  to 
anchor  or  tie  up  as  soon  as  possible  after  entering  the  channel,  pre- 
ferring the  northern  shore,  and  send  boats  to  seek  pilots  acquainted 
with  the  channels.  These  are  readily  found  during  the  summer.  Too 
much  confidence  should  not,  however,  be  placed  in  them;  they  are 
generally  unacquainted  with  the  soundings,  and  are  only  useful  in 
indicating  the  channel.  With  experienced  lookouts  and  the  usual 
precautions  there  is  much  less  risk  in  this  navigation  than  is  usually 
supposed. 


WICKHAM  CHANNEL — DARWIN  CHANNEL.         191 

KoTE. — The  following  descriptions  of  the  various  ports  and  waters 
of  the  Ohonos  archipelago  and  the  island  of  Chiloe  are  taken,  for  the 
most  part,  from  old  accounts  and  surveys,  and  should  not  be  implicitly 
relied  upon. 

Wickham  or  FuUuche  channeL — This  arm  of  the  sea  separates 
the  peninsula  of  Taitao  from  the  Ohonos  archipelago,  and  is  the  south- 
ernmost entrance  to  the  archipelago.  It  opens  to  the  eastward  of  the 
Bay  of  Anna  Pink,  between  Inchemo  and  the  Skyring  islands  on  the 
south  and  the  Inchin  and  Tenquehuen  islands  on  the  north.  It  con- 
nects with  the  several  channels  running  to  the  northward  through  the 
Archipelago. 

The  Wickham  entrance  is  shown  distinctly  on  the  chart.  After  pass- 
ing the  islands  Black  and  Bister,  which  leave  to  starboard,  steer  for 
Clemente  island,  bear  toward  it  and  steer  to  the  southward  and  east- 
ward. On  arriving  to  the  east  of  Clemente  island  be  careful  not  to  take 
the  Williams  channel,  which  runs  to  the  NE.  and  has  a  group  of  islands 
at  its  entrance.  Farther  on,  after  passing  between  the  island  of  Guer- 
rero and  the  small  island  of  Eicardo,  is  the  entrance  of  the  Pulluche 
channel.  After  doubling  a  rock,  on  the  summit  of  which  are  several 
dead  trees,  an  anchorage  will  be  found  from  whence  pilots  can  be 
sought.  Farther  within  the  channel  the  tides  run  with  considerable 
velocity;  with  a  favorable  current  it  is  desirable  to  keep  in  mid-channel. 

After  passing  the  Utarupa  channel  and  the  SW.  point  of  Humos 
island,  the  Pulluche  takes  the  name  of  Ohacabuco  channel,  which  it 
keeps  to  the  Costa  channel.  .«» 

Harchy  bay  is  on  the  north  shore  of  the  Chacabuco  channel,  near 
its  intersection  with  the  Errazuriz  channel,  at  the  SE.  end  of  Humos 
island.  The  anchorage  is  exposed  to  SW.  winds,  but  is  somewhat  pro- 
tected by  a  line  of  shoals  having  on  them  from  1^  to  4J  fathoms  of 
water.  The  two  small  islets  called  Observatory  cays  are  a  part  of 
these.  It  is  better  to  anchor  in  the  western  part  of  the  cove  in  10  fath- 
oms, about  the  same  distance  from  the  shore.  Wood  and  water  can 
be  obtained  here. 

ShoaL — The  local  pilots  report  a  shoal,  consisting  of  bowlders,  awash 
at  low  water  spring  tides,  in  the  southern  part  of  Errazuriz  channel, 
between  Humos  and  Bojas  islands. 

Analao  islet,  130  feet  high,  in  the  middle  of  Darwin  bay,  off  the 
entrance  to  Darwin  channel,  is  flat  topped  and  steep. 

Danvin  channel  is  considered  the  best  passage,  as  it  is  less  tortuous 
than  the  others,  and  has  a  good  anchorage  at  each  end,  viz,  Yallenar 
road  outside  and  Port  Lagunas  inside.  Neither  from  out  nor  in  can 
the  channel  be  mistaken;  from  outside  no  great  error  can  be  made  in 
the  distance  from  cape  Tres  Montes,  and  as  the  land  is  closed  Vallenar 
and  Analao  islands  will  be  distinguished,  and  the  entrance  itself  shows 
clear  and  bold,  with  high  rocky  sides,  but  without  rocks  or  islets. 

Port  7ates. — On  the  south  side  of  Darwin  channel,  and  about  3 


192  CHONOS  ARCHIPELAGO. 

miles  east  of  Isabel  point,  is  the  entrance  to  William  channel,  which  is 
about  i  mile  wide  and  trends  soath  for  3  miles  to  Port  Yates,  where 
anchorage  may  be  had  in  12  or  14  fathoms,  sandy  bottom. 

Tides. — In  Darwin  channel  the  flood  tide  is  east  and  the  ebb,  the 
west-going  stream,  runs  about  1^  miles  an  hour  at  springs;  the  strong- 
est tide  and  overfalls  are  felt  in  that  part  of  the  channel  between 
Marcacci  island  and  Macchia  Lunga  point,  where  at  times  it  runs  3^ 
miles  an  hour. 

It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Port  Yates  at  38m.;  springs  rise 
10  feet. 

Directions. — Proceeding  to  the  eastward,  the  channel  trends  in  a 
SE.  by  E.  direction  for  about  8  miles,  whence  it  turns  a  little  to  the 
northward.  A  white  rocky  islet  (10  feet  high )  will  then  be  seen  standing 
well  out  in  the  channel.  This  islet  must  be  left  on  the  starboard  hand. 
The  channel  then  turns  to  the  ENE.  for  about  8  miles,  and  a  deep 
indentation,  with  several  islets  in  it  and  leading  north,  will  be  opened. 
This  must  be  passed,  and  the  coast  will  now  trend  about  ESE.  J  E. 
until  another  large  island  is  passed,  and  then  the  principal  channel 
northward  will  be  opened,  the  distance  from  the  entrance  being  about 
30  miles. 

Proceeding  through  Darwin  channel  to  the  westward,  keep  the 
southern  shore  aboard  till  the  channel  seems  trending  to  the  WSW., 
when  cross  to  the  north  shore,  and  the  white  islet  will  show  up  nearly 
in  mid-channel.  Leaving  this  on  the  port  hand  and  keeping  to  the 
westward,  the  swell  from  the  Sea  will  soon  be  felt. 

Proceeding  northward  from  the  eastern  end  of  the  channel  there  are 
several  anchorages  known  to  the  sealers  and  whalers,  who  frequently 
run  in  for  shelter.  The  whole  space  has  not  been  thoroughly  surveyed, 
and  the  islands  are  so  numerous  that  it  is  impossible  to  give  such 
descriptions  as  would  guide  to  the  principal  anchorages. 

Port  Italiano  is  an  anchorage  on  the  northern  shore  of  Darwin 
channel,  15  miles  eastward  of  Alfred  point.  The  port  is  formed  by 
Schiaffino  islets,  about  40  feet  high,  which  shelter  the  anchorage  from 
the  prevailing  westerly  winds;  at  the  same  time  there  are  none  of  the 
violent  squalls  so  common  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  anchorage  is  in  from  27  to  33  fathoms,  over  a  mud  bottom,  and 
is  the  only  anchorage  between  Port  Yates  and  Port  Lagunas. 

Erraziiriz  channel. — There  is  temporary  anchorage  in  15  fathoms, 
rocky  bottom,  at  600  yards  southward  of  Eaimapu  islets. 

Zilefantes  inlet. — Port  Traiguen,  at  the  eastern  entrance  to  Aldunate 
(Tuahuencayec)  channel,  is  said  to  form  a  well-sheltered  and  spacious 
anchorage  in  8  fathoms,  sand,  suitable  for  all  class  of  vessels.  When 
approaching  from  the  southward,  the  best  anchorage  will  be  found 
immediately  the  remarkable  cascade  on  Sisquelan  peninsula  has  been 
passed,  and  opposite  to  a  sandy  beach. 

Elefantes  gulf. — Between  Iclai  inlet  and  Garrao  point  the  anchor 


COSTA   CHANNEL — GUAMBLJN   ISLAND.  193 

may  be  dropped  iu  4  to  10  fathoms,  when  within  a  distance  of  one  mile 
fiom  the  land. 

Costa  channeL — ^A  rocky  shelf,  with  18  feet  water  over  it  and 
marked  by  kelp,  lies  in  the  northern  part  of  Costa  channel,  in  lat 
itnde  45^  24J'  S.,  longitude  73o  393'  W-  (approximate).    Another  rock, 
22  yards  in  diameter,  with  8  feet  over  it,  lies  in  latitude  45°  40'  S., 
longitude  73°  37^'  W.  (approximate). 

Moraleda  Channel  rock.  —A  dangerous  rock,  with  13  feet  over  it, 
lies  about  midway  between  Genova  point  and  Barba  island;  it  is  not 
marked  by  k^lp. 

Fort  Lagonas,  on  the  west  side  of  the  south  entrance  to  Moraleda 
channel,  is  described  as  good,  spacious,  and  well  sheltered,  and  adapted 
for  large  vessels.  The  Veitor  Fisani  anchored  in  12  fathoms,  sand  and 
shell.  No  inhabitants  were  seen,  but  good  water  and  wood  for  steam- 
ing purposes  were  obtained.  Fish  are  plentiful.  When  bound  for  Port 
Lagunas  through  Darwin  channel  vessels  should  pass  eastward  of 
Barba,  Pescetto,  and  Santa  Maria  islands.  A  large  white  beacon  is 
erected  on  the  last-named  island  as  a  guide  to  the  port. 

Tide& — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Port  Lagunas  at  Ih. 
10m.;  springs  rise  7  feet. 

Vallenar  road,  eastward  of  Yallenar  islands,  on  the  north  side  o^ 
Darwin  bay,  is  pointed  out  by  the  mountain  of  Isquiliac,  3,200  feet  high, 
which  is  rugged  and  triple  peaked.  It  is  an  excellent  roadstead,  easy 
of  access  and  egress.  The  best  anchorage  is  iu  about  12  fathoms,  near 
the  observation  spot,  a  small  islet  lying  off  the  southeast  extreme  of 
Three  Finger  island. 

Angamos  rock  consists  of  an  isolated  rocky  patch,  having  its  great- 
est length  in  a  !N1TW.-SSE.  direction,  with  a  least  depth  found  on  it 
of  9  feet  of  water.  The  depth  increases  more  rapidly  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  rock  than  on  its  western  side.  The  rock  lies  on  the  follow- 
ing bearings: 

The  most  easterly  of  the  Three  Finger  islets,  K.  60^  W.  (N.  SO'^  W. 
mag.);  eastern  extreme  of  Vallenar  island,  S.  31°  W.  (S.  11°  W.  mag.) ; 
the  most  westerly  of  the  Isquiliac  islets,  S.  14°  B.  (S.  34°  E.  mag.). 

A  buoy  has  been  placed  to  mark  this  danger,  which  is  not  indicated 
by  the  presence  of  kelp.    Tbe  buoy  is  not  to  be  depended  upon. 

Tides. — It  is- high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Vallenar  road  at  18m.; 
springs  rise  5  feet. 

Onamblin,  or  Socorro  island,  about  30  miles  northwestward  of  the 
Yallenar  islands,  has  good  anchorage  under  the  eastern  side.  It  is  9^ 
miles  long,  from  400  to  700  feet  iu  height,  comparatively  level,  and 
thickly  wooded.  Generally  its  shores  are  sloping  and  covered  with 
verdure.  There  are  some  remarkable  cliffy  breaks,  which  show  dis- 
tinctly against  the  dark  woodland. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  GuambUn  island  at  12h. 

J943— jS^o.  89 ^13 


194  CHONOS  ARCHIPELAGO. 

Advertnre  bay,  to  the  eastward  of  Ouainblin  island,  is  about  35 
imileB  across  the  entrance.  It  is  encumbered  by  dangerous  outlying 
rocks,  and  offers  no  good  anchorage  that  is  easily  accessible.  Paz  and 
Liebre  islands,  in  the  middle  of  the  bay,  lying  8  miles  offshore,  are 
remarkable  from  their  conical  form,  but  they  afford  no  shelter. 

Narborough  oh  Ipun  island,  15  miles  FE.  of  Guamblin  island, 
resembles  it  in  character,  and  differs  totally  from  the  neighboring 
islands,  which  are  high,  rugged,  and  generally  barren  to  seaward,  while 
Guamblin  and  Narborough  are  comparatively  low,  level,  and  fertile. 
An  abundance  of  vegetables  and  live  stock  might  be  raised  on  them  for 
the  supply  of  shipping.  They  are  both  easy  to  approach  or  leave,  and 
the  rocks  which  lie  around  their  more  exposed  points  are  all  distin- 
guished by  the  sea  always  breaking  on  them,  and  may,  therefore,  be 
easily  avoided. 

Scotch'well  harbor,  at  the  SE.  part  of  Karborough  island,  is  not 
only  a  valuable  place  of  refuge,  but  a  secure  and  agreeable  place  for 
wooding,  watering,  or  refitting.  This  harbor  should  be  approached 
from  the  northward.  Although  the  passage  south  of  it  was  examined 
and  appeared  to  have  no  hidden  dangers,  it  is  narrow,  and  there  may 
be  undiscovered  rocks.  In  a  bay  just  north  of  Scotch  well  harbor  there 
is  good  anchorage  in  12  to  16  fathoms,  over  clay  and  sand.  A  consid- 
erable number  of  seals  were  seen  both  on  Karborough  and  Guamblin 
islands. 

Ninualaca  channel  is  one  of  the  principal  ones  leading  into  the 
Archipelago  from  seaward.  It  opens  between  the  islands  James  and 
Melchor.  On  James  island  are  three  peaks  called  Sullivan,  4,167  feet 
high.  The  peaks  can  be  seen  a  long  distance.  There  is  a  small  inlet 
at  their  foot  on  the  south  side. 

Port  Concha  is  to  the  westward  of  the  channel,  near  the  open  sea. 
It  is  formed  to  the  westward  by  a  small  detached  island  and  to  the 
northwest  by  a  contracted  channel.  This  port  is  narrow  for  ships,  and 
in  its  northern  part  there  is  but  little  water  j  it  terminates  in  a  beach 
of  white  sand  and  low,  swampy  country.  The  tide  is  very  strong  around 
the  island. 

After  leaving  Port  Concha  there  is  no  anchorage  for  a  considerable 
distance  on  the  north  coast  of  the  Kinualaca  channel.  Six  miles  from 
the  entrance  of  Ninualaca  channel  is  an  island  which  divides  it  into 
two  equal  parts.  It  stops  the  sea,  but  increases  the  current  on  either 
side.  The  island  is  clean,  there  being  over  50  fathoms  of  water  within 
250  yards  of  it.  The  same  is  the  case  near  the  land  on  the  sides  of  the. 
channel.  The  island  must  not  be  approached  nearer,  however,  as  a 
shoal  surrounds  it  which  is  covered  by  only  2  to  3  fathoms  of  water. 
Opposite  this,  on  the  north  side  of  the  channel,  is  a  spacious  bay,  in 
which  the  water  is  too  deep  for  anchorage.  Boats  only  can  land  in  the 
small  inlets. 

Gatos  inlet  is  half  way  between  the  ocean  and  Moraleda  channel. 


CISNES  ESTUART — ^PORT  MELINKA.  195 

This  is  the  first  anchorage  on  the  north  coast  of  Ninnalaca  channel. 
Three  miles  before  reaching  this,  opposite  a  white  spot  on  the  north 
coast,  there  is  a  rock  in  the  center  of  the  channel,  which  is  only  covered 
during  very  high  tides.  There  is  very  little  kelp  on  it;  vessels  can  i)ass 
safely  within  250  yards  of  it;  at  that  distance  there  are  12  fathoms  of 
water. 

Cisnes  estuary  is  ^  mile  to  the  eastward  of  Gates  inlet.  There  is 
a  good  anchorage,  in  12  to  15  fathoms  of  water,  on  the  ]SW.  side  of  its 
entrance  about  250  yards  from  the  land,  but  it  is  not  well  to  get  too 
near  the  visible  reef.  On  entering  this  estuary,  which  is  5  miles  long, 
hug  the  eastern  point,  where  there  is  8  or  9  fathoms  of  water,  which 
depth  continues  to  its  end;  near  the  reef  the  depth  is  much  less. 

Quaitecas  islands. — ^The  cluster  of  islands  between  Karborough  or 
Ypun  island  and  the  Guaitecas  islands  offer  no  anchorages  so  easy  of 
access  to  a  stranger  as  those  previously  mentioned.  Coves  fit  for  small 
craft  abound,  but  to  notice  each  of  them  would  tend  to  confuse  the 
reader.  The  four  northern  isles  of  this  cluster  are  high,  about  6  miles 
in  length  each,  are  separated  by  nearly  equal  spaces,  and  preserve  a 
remarkable  parallelism  in  an  east  and  west  direction. 

Port  Lo^7  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  northern  and  largest  of  the 
Guaitecas  islands,  and  is  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the  coast,  in  which 
a  number  of  large  ships  might  lie  conveniently  in  from  7  to  13  fathoms. 

Approaching  Port  Low  from  the  westward,  the  Guaitecas  islands 
will  appear  in  a  hummocky  ridge.  At  the  KE.  point  there  is  a  remark- 
able flat-topped  island,  and  the  8W.  part  diminishes  into  low  land. 
When  seen  from  a  considerable  distance  the  flat-topped  island  and 
the  hummocky  ridge  are  still  conspicuous.  This  hummocky  ridge 
appears  to  be  the  middle  of  a  group  of  islands.  On  the  left,  looking 
to  the  SE.,  there  is  a  high,  single-knobbed  hill  inland,  which  looks  as 
if  quite  insulated;  and  as  far  again  to  the  left  is  the  flat-topped  island 
mentioned  above,  beyond  which  there  appears  to  be  an  opening;  the 
low  land  to  the  westward  makes  like  many  islands. 

On  nearing  the  port  a  good  berth  must  be  given  to  the  numerous 
rocks  that  lie  along  the  north  and  KW.  shores  of  the  Guaitecas  islands, 
and  allowances  made  for  the  stream  of  tide  which  is  felt  off  the  Guaca- 
nec  islands,  and  causes  a  race  off  Ghayalime  point.  The  farthest  out- 
lying rock  is  to  be  guarded  against  in  approaching  the  port  from  the 
southwestward;  but  the  sea  always  breaks  on  it,  and  as  a  precaution 
against  being  drifted  too  near  in  light  winds,  it  is  advisable  to  keep  to 
the  northward  of  a  line  drawn  N.  70°  W.  (West  mag.)  from  the  north 
point  of  Guacanec  island. 

Supplies. — Port  Low  furnishes  the  usual  supples;  water  of  excellent 
quality,  wood,  fish,  shellfish,  wild  herbs,  and  a  few  potatoes. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Port  Low  at  40m. ; 
springs  rise  7  feet. 

Port  Melinka,  so  called  by  the  Chilean  Government,  but  Puerto 


196  CHONOB  ABCHIFBLAGO. 

Arena  by  the  sealers,  is  on  the  SE.  side  of  Guaiteea  Grande  island, 
and  runs  up  close  to  Port  Low.  There  is  a  small  establishment  for 
sealing,  also  for  cutting  railway  sleepers.  The  north  entrance  lies 
between  the  SE.  point  of  Ascunsion  island  and  Westhof  island,  on  a 
course  of  about  S.  20^  W.  (South  mag.)  until  a  few  houses  on  the  north 
side  of  the  bay  come  in  sight,  when  haul  up  for  them  and  anchor  in 
from  15  to  7  fathoms,  stony  bottom,  with  Meliuka  i>oiut  bearing  !N^.  76<^ 
E.  (N.  560  E.  mag.)  The  holding  ground  is  said  to  be  better  farther 
out  iu  20  ^thorns.  The  anchorage  in  the  weatern  part  of  the  harbor 
is  preferable;  the  depth  is  16  fathoms,  over  a  bottom  of  sand  and  mud; 
the  space  is,  however,  somewhat  limited.  The  x>ort  is  completely  shel- 
tered. 

Port  BaUena. — On  leaving  Melinka  to  enter  the  Moraleda  channel 
the  first  anchorage  is  Port  Ballena.  This  port,  on  the  island  of  Mul- 
chey,  is  an  excellent  harbor,  sheltered  from  all  winds,  and  the  sea  never 
rises  iu  it.  Its  entrance  is  free  from  danger,  all  the  rocks  being  visible; 
the  shore  can  be  passed  within  100  yards.    Oysters  are  found  here. 

Port  Nassau. — On  the  western  shore,  under  the  SE.  point  of  Fran- 
cisco island,  protected  to  the  southward  and  to  the  westward  by  small 
islands,  is  Port  l^assau,  with  a  depth  of  1^  to  31  fathoms  on  a  sandy 
bottom.    The  bottom  of  the  western  portion  of  the  anchorage  is  rock. 

Port  Frances. — Passing  outside  of  Gayo  Blanco  and  the  group  of 
islets  extending  from  it  to  t)ie  southward  and  westward.  Port  Frances, 
or  Espineira,  lies  west,  the  best  anchorage  being  as  near  as  the  sound- 
ings will  admit  to  Transito  island.  A  good  anchorage  is  about  ^  mile 
from  the  island,  in  about  15  fathoms,  bottom  mud,  outside  the  small 
island,  which  here  protects  the  anchorage  to  the  northwaord.  Inside 
the  entrance,  and  a  little  to  the  southward  of  mid-channel,  is  Janequeo 
rock,  usually  submerged.  It  lies  about  J  mile  from  the  NE.  point  of 
the  island,  which  forms  the  southern  protection  of  the  anchorage.  By 
keeping  well  over  to  the  northern  .side,  near  the  islet,  the  rock  is 
avoided. 

Port  Tangbac  or  Americano. — To  the  southward  of  the  entrance 
to  Mnualaca  channel,  with  its  oi)ening  on  the  southern  end  of  the  island 
of  Tangbac,  is  Port  Tangbac  or  Americano.  Passing  to  the  southward 
of  the  islets  off  the  southeastern  point  of  the  island,  large  vessels  should 
anchor  at  the  foot  of  the  Americano  mountain  in  from  15  to  19  fieithoms 
of  water,  bottom  sand;  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  channel  the  bottom 
is  rock.  There  is  anchorage  here  for  but  two  or  three  vessels,  as  the 
bank  is  very  steep.  Farther  in  there  is  a  well-protected  basin,  called 
La  Darseua,  with  from  6  to  8  fathoms  of  water,  but  across  its  entrance 
there  is  but  15  feet.  There  are  some  apple  trees  here,  and  fish  and 
shellfish  are  abundant. 

Port  Perez  lies  in  the  ISTW.  angle  of  a  spacious  bay  comprised 
between  the  northern  i)art  of  the  estuary  Aysen  and  the  five  islets 
called  Five  Brothers     The  anchorage  is  in  from  20  to  30  fathoms, 


PORT  CHACABUCO — CHILOE   ISLAND.  197 

sandy  bottom.  Yessels  slioald  moor  upon  indications  of  bad  weather, 
us  the  anchorage  is  exposed  to  strong  winds,  though  protected  from 
the  sea. 

Port  Chacabuco,  at  the  eastern  end  of  Aysen  estaary,  is  perfectly 
sheltered,  but  is  subject  to  heavy  squalls  from  the  mountain  gorges. 

Traigaen  island  is  situated  between  Darwin  and  Pulluche  channels, 
and  forms  the  western  side  of  Costa  channel.  It  is  one  of  the  largest 
islands  of  the  archipelago.  A  rocky  shelf  lies  in  the  northern  part  of 
Costa  channel  off  the  island. 

There  are  numerous  other  islands,  channels,  anchorages,  etc.,  south 
of  Traiguen  island;  they  are  of  no  special  importance  to  navigators. 

Quafo  or  Nomans  island,  westward  of  the  Guaitecas  islands,  dis- 
tant about  20  miles,  and  the  same  distance  southwestward  of  Chiloe 
island,  is  without  a  harbor,  except  for  boats;  the  highest  part.  Weather 
point,  or  the  KW.  head,  is  800  feet  above  the  sea.  Beefs  extend  3  miles 
seaward  to  the  north  and  west.  The  island  is  comi)osed  of  indurated 
clay  (tosea),  which  may  be  cut  with  a  knife  like  chocolate.  It  is  low  in 
the  middle  and  high  again  at  the  east  extremity,  is  well  wooded  and 
formerly  had  many  sheep  on  it.  Bmall  and  Sheep  coves  are  two  laud- 
ing places  on  its  eastern  shore. 

Shoal. — ^Local  pilots  report  a  shoal,  over  which  the  sea  breaks,  about 
midway  between  the  SB.  point  of  Guafo  island  and  Quilan  island. 

Chiloe  island. — This  large  and  fertile  island  (also  called  Grande 
island),  does  not  jiresent  to  the  eye  the  wild  and  rugged  features  which 
mark  the  great  islands  along  the  western  coast  of  Patagonia,  and  up 
to  the  Chonos  archipelago.  Lower  land,  softer  outline,  and  continued 
forest  of  the  thickest  description  characterize  Chiloe  island,  but  the 
coast  of  the  mainland  opposite,  including  the  cordillera,  is  as  steep 
and  Tugged  as  that  to  the  southward,  and  in  height  it  exceeds  them 
considerably,  though  more  thickly  wooded.  In  Chiloe  island  no  land 
exceeds  3,000  feet  in  ii eight,  while  its  average  elevation  is  not  above 
500  feet.  The  adjacent  island  of  San  Pedro,  off  its  SE.  end,  rises  to 
3,200  feet. 

'  Chiloe  island,  with  the  archipelago,  of  which  it  fbrms  the  principal 
part,  and  the  smaller  islands  in  the  Gulf  of  Ancud,  are  divided  from 
the  continent  to  the  eastward  by  Corcovado  and  Ancud  gulfs.  The 
island  extends  about  100  miles  north  and  south,  and  its  greatest  breadth 
east  and  west  is  38  miles.  The  northern  extremity  of  the  island  is 
separated  from  the  mainland  by  Chacao  narrows.  The  whole  island 
is  clothed  with  wood,  durable,  and  affording  excellent  timber,  which  is 
largely  exported.  Ancud,  at  the  north  end  of  the  island,  is  the  capital 
of  the  province,  and  it  is  the  only  place  deserving  the  name  of  "town^ 
in  the  province. 

Aiiiong  the  numerous  islands  between  Chiloe  and  the  main,  and  along 
the  eastern  coast  of  Chiloe  island,  except  at  its  southern  end,  there  are 
many  excellent  harbors,  where  supplies  of  provisions  may  be  found. 


198  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

Oysters,  poaltry,  and  an  abundance  of  good  x>otatoe8  can  be  obtained 
cheap  at  the  small  villages,  but  since  a  regular  packet  and  trade  has 
been  established  at  San  Oarlos  such  supplies  are  little,  if  any,  cheaper 
than  at  Valparaiso. 

General  remarks  on  the  route  inside  of  Chiloe. — ^The  passage  of 
the  frigate  Numancia  has  proved  that  the  route  inside  of  Chiloe  is  x)er- 
iectly  practicable.  It  should  not,  however,  be  attempted,  except  with 
the  object  of  avoiding  violent  north  winds. 

The  inhabitants  of  Ohiloe  and  the  islands  in  its  vicinity  have  but 
two  occupations,  woodcutting  and  fishing.  Woodcutting  is  the  usual 
occupation  of  the  men,  and  fishing  that  of  the  women  and  children. 

As  the  tide  rises  and  falls  some  10  feet,  it  leaves  large  tracks  of  beach 
and  banks  uncovered,  which  abound  with  masses  of  shellfish;  placing 
these  in  reservoirs  washed  by  the  tide,  they  are  kept  for  winter  pro- 
vision.   The  curanto,  a  dish  peculiar  to  this  island,  is  made  of  them. 

The  quantity  of  shellfish  is  diminishing  around  the  inhabited  islands. 

Caution. — Great  care  is  necessary  when  navigating  between  Chiloe 
island  and  the  mainland,  and  reliance  should  not  be  placed  on  the 
charts,  as  the  locality  has  not  been  surveyed. 

Pilotage. — The  price  of  pilotage  does  not  vary  with  the  distance.  For 
a  vessel  drawing  6  feet  or  less,  $40;  from  6  to  10  feet>  $50;  from  10  to  15 
feet,  $70;  from  15  to  20  feet,  $90;  from  20  to  23  feet,  $110;  23  feet  and 
over,  $130.     (1871.) 

Directions. — With  strong  northerly  winds,  a  vessel  having  rounded 
cape  Tres  Montes,  and  intending  to  pass  inside  Chiloe  island,  should 
steer  a  course  to  pass  outside  Guamblin  island,  and  then  for  Guafo 
island,  which  latter  should  be  closed  to  within  5  miles  before  keeping 
away  into  the  chamiel.  If  this  be  not  done  she  will  be  liable  to  be  set 
down  by  the  strong  tides  (which  at  times  are  said  to  run  from  3  to  4 
knots  between  Guafo  and  the  Guaitecas  islands)  on  to  the  dangerous 
lee  shore  of  the  latter  group;  whereas,  by  keeping  well  under  the 
southern  shore  of  Chiloe  island,  she  can  haul  close  round  for  port  San 
Pedro  after  passing  Canoitad  rocks. 

Port  San  Pedro. — San  Pedro  island,  off  the  SE.  end  of  Chiloe  island, 
is  the  highest  land  in  the  archipelago,  pyramidal  shaped  and  wooded  to 
the  summit.  It  is  separated  from  Chiloe  island  by  Port  San  Pedro  on 
the  north  and  by  Guamlad  passage  on  the  west.  Port  San  Pedro  is  a 
small  but  secure  harbor,  which  may  be  known  by  a  white  rock  lying  near 
the  NE.  point  of  entrance.  When  entering  or  leaving,  if  the  tide  be  low, 
care  should  be  taken  to  avoid  the  3-fathom  bank  extending  two-thirds 
across  the  entrance  from  the  south  shore. 

Leading  mark. — A  promontory  on  the  north  shore  of  the  harbor,  in 
line  with  the  next  point  to  the  westward  of  it,  bearing  N.  81^  W.  (S.  80^ 
W.  mag.),  leads  between  White  rock  and  the  shoal  off  the  south  side  of 
the  harbor. 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  is  off  a  sandy  beach  on  the  north 


CANOITAD   ROCKS — CAPE   QUILAN.  199 

shore,  nearly  one  mile  west  of  White  rock,  in  7  to  10  fathoms,  sand, 
with  the  south  point  of  entrance  bearing  S.  31°  E.  (S.  50°  B.  mag.), 
White  rock  bearing  N.  81o  E.  (N.  62^  E.  mag.)  and  the  leading  mark  on. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  at  Port  San  Pedro  at 
30m. ;  springs  rise  9  feet. 

Cudaguapiand  Canoitad  rocks. — Off  the  soathern  shores  of  Chiloe 
island  there  are  many  outlying  rocks,  and  it  is  therefore  a  coast  to  be 
avoided.  Abreast  of  Olleta  point,  and  to  the  southward  of  San  Pedro 
island,  are  the  Gudagnapi  and  Canoitad  rocks.  The  latter,  about  40 
feet  high,  are  distant  4J  miles  from  the  nearest  part  of  Chiloe  island, 
and  as  the  tide  sets  toward  them  they  are  dangerous  in  the  night  or 
during  calms.  The  sea  will  generally  be  seen  breaking  on  them  from  a 
distance  of  7  or  8  miles. 

Bound  northward  from  Port  San  Pedro,  a  vessel  should  keep  out 
9  or  10  miles  N.  87o  E.  (S.  6S^  B.  mag.)  before  hauling  to  the  northward, 
as  Laitec  shoal,  with  only  2|  fathoms  water  on  it,  extends  from  3  to  4 
miles  SE.  from  Laitec  island. 

Great  caution  must  be  used  when  rounding  Centinela  point  and  the 
dangers  off  it.  Vessels  may  pass  between  Chaulinec  and  Quehui  islands, 
and  there  is  anchorage  southward  of  the  latter  island.  Pass  westward 
of  Quenac  island,  giving  its  SW.  point,  off  which  there  is  a  kelp  patch 
with  3  fathoms  in  it,  a  berth  of  at  least  J  mile,  then  steer  to  pass  to  the 
eastward  of  Idenna  island  and  between  Linlin  island  and  the  shoal 
patches  with  IJ  and  2  fathoms  nearly  midway  between  Linlin  and 
Meulin  islands ;  from  thence  steer  for  Tenaun  point,  southward  of  which 
is  another  anchorage  close  off  a  small  village  with  a  church. 

Leaving  Tenaun  point,  the  passage  west  of  Chauquis  islands  can  be 
taken,  and  thence  all  is  clear  till  Chacao  narrows  are  entered.  If  it  be 
deemed  desirable  to  anchor  in  port  Huite,  the  passage  inside  Caucahue 
island  is  deep  and  clear,  and  excellent  anchorage  will  be  found  inside 
the  port.  There  is  also  anchorage  southeastward  of  Tres  Cruces  pointy 
the  NE.  extremity  of  Chiloe  island. 

The  passage  above  given  is  safe  for  any  sized  vessel,  and  the  advan- 
tage it  possesses  over  the  wider  one  eastward  is  that  much  of  the 
strength  of  a  northerly  wind  is  avoided  by  keeping  so  much  under  the 
lee  of  the  islands,  as  well  as  a  disagreeable  chopping  sea  which  gets  up 
in  the  wider  part. 

Quilan  island,  off  the  south  of  Chiloe,  has  a  long  hill  at  either  end. 
The  roadstead  to  the  eastward  of  the  island  is  unsafe.  The  south  coast 
of  Chiloe,  being,  as  before  mentioned,  full  of  rocks,  must  be  avoided 
and  passed  at  distances  varying  from  4  to  8  miles.  There  are  many 
submarine  rocks  around  the  island  Yencouma,  and  to  the  eastward  of 
the  southern  extremity  of  Quilan  the  sea  breaks  over  them  with  great 
violence.    San  Pedro  and  Quilan  islands  are  not  inhabited. 

Cape  Quilan,  the  SW.  point  of  Chiloe,  is  wooded.  In  its  vicinity 
are  cliffs  of  a  light-yellowish  color,  about  300  feet  high.    Although 


200  CHILOE   ISLAND. 

theie  are  many  trees,  the  adjoining  land  is  less  wooded  than  the  east- 
ern and  more  sheltered  parts  of  the  island.  The  pro€le  of  the  land  is 
rounded,  without  rapid  descents,  and  lies  very  often  horizontally;  it  is 
an  undulating  country  formed  of  hills  and  valleys.  The  cliffs  at  the 
edge  of  the  sea  are  irregular,  and  do  not  extend  very  far.  Prom  cape 
Quilan  to  Pirutil  head,  34  miles  north,  the  coast  maintains  the  same 
aspect.  Between  these  there  is  no  anchorage  of  any  kind;  there  is 
hardly  a  x)lace  sufficiently  sheltered  for  landing  a  whaleboat. 

Cucao  bay,  5  miles  northward  of  Pirutil  head,  is  bounded  by  a  low 
beach,  always  lashed  by  a  heavy  surf.  Cucao  heights  are  the  highest 
land  in  the  island,;  they  are  wooded  to  their  summits,  and  are  from 
2,000  to  3,00C  feet  high. 

Cape  Matalqui,  about  34  miles  northward  of  Pirutil  head,  has  a 
remarkable  appearance  from  8e«award;  the  heights  over  it  rise  about 
2,650  feet,  and  make  in  three  summits;  or,  from  the  south  westward,  as 
two  paps,  forming  an  excellent  mark.  Off  all  this  coast,  from  cape 
Quilan  northward,  there  are  no  outlying  or  hidden  dangers. 

Sealers  state  that  there  is  a  small  cove  with  good  landing  at  all  times, 
eastward  of  Matalqui  islets,  3  miles  l!JJ".  65^  E.  (N.  46^  E.  mag.)  of  the 
point  of  the  same  name. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  off  cape  Matalqui  at  12h.; 
springr>  rise  G  feet. 

Appearance  of  land. — From  cape  Matalqui,  about  15  miles  north- 
ward, is  Cocotue  head;  between  them  is  Chepu  inlet,  behind  which 
low  land  alone  is  visible,  so  that  the  Cocotue  heights,  elevated  about 
1,000  feet,  and  the  Matalqui  paps  appear  as  islands  from  seaward. 

Bay  of  Cocotiie. — The  heights  which  end  in  Oocottie  head  give  the 
name  to  a  bay  to  the  northward,  between  them  and  the  peninsula  of 
Lacui.  This  bay  is  dangerous  and  always  exposed  to  the  prevailing 
winds;  in  its  center  are  two  groups  of  islands  and  sunken  rocks,  while 
its  shores  north  and  south  are  rugged  and  full  of  visible  and  hidden 
dangers. 

The  east  coast  of  the  bay  is  low,  foul,  and  sandy,  and  backed  by  low 
hills,  at  the  foot  of  which  are  swamps  and  small  la.goons.  It  offers  no 
shelter  to  vessels,  though  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  during  calms, 
some  of  the  small  coves  to  the  north  and  south  can  be  used  by  fishing 
boats. 

The  swell  from  NW.  causes  a  slight  current,  which  sets  toward  the 
shore,  and  which  might  become  dangerous  to  vessels  near  the  shore 
during  calms  or  in  light  winds. 

North  shore. — Lacui  peninsula. — Between  Cocotue  and  Cauca- 
gaupi  heads  a  low  isthmus  joins  Lacui  peninsula  to  the  rest  of  Chiloe 
island.  This  part  of  Chiloe  has  been  thought  to  have  some  resemblance 
to  the  Isle  of  Wight.  Caucaguapi  head,  the  west  extreme  of  Lacui 
peninsula,  cape  Guabun,  at  3  miles  farther  north,  and  Huechucucui 
head,  the  NW.  extreme  of  the  peninsula,  are  bold,  cliffy  promontories; 


GUAPACHO  SHOAL — CORONA  HEAD.  201 

the  latter  is  a  high,  steep,  and  barren  bluff.  The  above  three  head- 
lands are  the  first  seen  when  making  the  land  near  the  port  of  San 
Carlos. 

Eastward  of  Huechncueni  head  is  the  bay  of  the  same  name,  in 
which  the  depths  are  ft*om  7  to  11  fathoms,  decreasing  to  4  fathoms 
near  Pedehuin  point.  Between  this  latter  point  and  the  head  is 
Qnilquiab  bight,  affording  wood  and  water,  also  landing  in  moderate 
weather. 

Guapacho  shoaL — In  the  NE.  part  of  Iluechucucui  bay  is  Guapa- 
cho  shoal,  a  circular  extent  of  rocky  reefs  J  mile  in  diameter,  whose 
center  is  3  miles  N.  80^  E.  (N.  62o  E.  mag.)  of  Huechucucui  head  and 
IJ  miles  S.  87o  W.  (S.  69o  W.  mag.)  of  Guapacho  point.  This  reef 
must  be  avoided,  especially  during  the  night,  as  the  land  back  of  it  is 
low  and  can  not  be  distinguished. 

Caution. — The  tide  rips  are  very  strong  oft'  the  end  of  the  shoal,  and 
a  ship,  unless  she  be  very  carefully  handled  and  well  under  command, 
is  liable  to  sheer  about  in  a  manner  that  becomes  dangerous  with  a 
strong  NW.  wind;  whereas  by  giving  the  point  a  berth  of  1  or  IJ  miles 
this  will  be  avoided. 

Osorio  rock  is  N.  69^  W.  (N.  87°  W.  mag.)  of  Guapacho  point,  dis- 
tant 1,1S0  yards  from  the  point,  with  2^  fathoms  of  water  over  it; 
between  it  and  Guapacho  shoal  the  deptli  varies  from  6  to  10  fathoms; 
between  it  and  Guapacho  point  the  depth  is  but  6  fathoms.  It  should 
be  avoided  by  sailing  vessels  going  out  of  Ancud  or  Chacao  channel  with 
light  winds,  as  the  current  may  set  in  the  direction  of  the  rock  at  the 
rate  of  3  to  4  miles  per  hour,  according  to  the  state  of  the  sea. 

Guapacho  point  is  a  light-yellow,  rounded  cliff,  barren  on  top  and 
broken  toward  the  sea.  The  low  west  extremity  of  Guapacho  is  some- 
times called  Tenui;  it  probably  advances -farther  to  seaward  than  it 
formerly  did.  Vessels  passing  must  take  into  account  the  tides,  as 
they  run  very  strong  in  this  vicinity,  and  should  give  Guapacho  point 
a  berth  of  IJ  miles. 

Corona  head  is  1^  miles  from  Gilapacho  point;  the  coast  between  is 
rocky  and  rises  in  perpendicular  cliffs.  Rocks  extend  200  yards  sea- 
ward from  the  head,  with  from  16  to  20  fathoms  close  to  them.  There 
is  a  signal  station  on  the  head,  from  which  messages  are  transmitted 
to  Ancud.  Ingles  bay,  southward  of  Corona  head,  is  the  quarantine 
ground. 

Light. — ^A  fixed  white  light,  varied  every  two  minutes  by  a  flash,  is 
exhibited  from  the  lighthouse  on  Corona  head.  From  the  lighthouse 
Huechucucui  head,  seen  over  Guapacho  point,  bears  N.  83°  W.  (S.  79° 
W.  mag.).  The  light  is  elevated  224  feet  above  high  water,  and  is 
visible  in  clear  weather  from  a  distance  of  about  12  miles.  The  light- 
tower  is  32  feet  high,  circular,  and  painted  white. 

Caution. — The  mariner  will  observe  that  the  above  bearing,  N.  83^ 
W.  (S.  790  W.  mag.),  of  Huechucucui  head  from  the  light  passes  to  the 


202  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

southward  of  Guapaclio  point.  Vessels,  therefore,  approaching  Port 
San  Carlos  from  the  southward,  after  rounding  Huechucucui  head,  at 
least  a  mile  off,  should  steer  N.  63^  E.  (N.  45^  E.  mag.)  to  avoid  Osorio 
rock  and  Guapacho  shoal,  until  the  light  bears  S.  27^  E.  (S.  45^  E.  mag.) 
or  abeam,  when  they  can  haul  to  the  southeastward,  and  act  according 
to  circumstances. 

Port  San  Carlos  de  Ancnd. — ^Agoi  point  is  3  miles  SSE.  from 
Corona  head.  'There  is  a  forjb  on  the  hill  above  the  point  and  a  signal 
staff. 

A  rock,  the  position  of  which  is  doubtftd,  is  said  to  exist  §  mile  N. 
440  W.  (K  620  W.  mag.)  from  Agui  point. 

Light. — A  fixed  white  light,  visible  about  2  miles,  is  exhibited  from 
the  signal  staff  on  Agui  point,  and  is  useful  as  a  guide  to  the  anchorage. 

Pilots. — There  are  several  pilots  at  Ancud,  who  board  vessels  on 
the  usual  signal  being  made,  weather  permitting. 

Nuiiez  bank. — A  red  buoy,  surmounted  by  a  white  flag,  is  moored  in 
3^  fathoms  on  the  northeastern  edge  of  the  rocky  bank  that  extends 
between  Agui  and  Balcacura  x>oints.  Vessels  should  on  no  account 
pass  westward  of  the  buoy. 

San  Antonio  bank. — A  bell  buoy,  painted  black,  is  moored  in  11 
fathoms  at  low  water  near  the  NW.  edge  of  San  Antonio  bank. 

Cochinos  islet,  200  feet  high,  has  two  peaks  on  it  and  a  shoal  of  2 
fathoms  extends  one  mile  off  its  east  point.  A  sunken  rock  lies  400 
yards  westward  of  the  north  point  of  the  island  and  sometimes  breaks. 

Mutico  pointy  2  miles  southeastward  from  Cochinos,  has  a  patch  of 
rocks,  Mutico  patch,  lying  NNIV.  of  it  about  a  mile.  All  the  bottom  in 
that  vicinity  is  irregular;  patches  of  kelp  are  seen  frequently,  but  they 
seem  to  be  attached  to  large  stones  as  well  as  rocks. 

From  Pihuin  point,  3  miles  I^E.  of  Mutico,  a  rocky  patch  extends 
about  i  mile  and  forms  the  termination  of  a  bank  extending  from  the 
shore  between  it  and  Mutico  point,  and  is  connected  with  Ingles  bank. 

The  port. is  on  the  SE.  side  of  Lacui  peninsula;  its  entrance,  between 
Cochinos  island  and  Agui  point,  is  about  2  miles  across,  and  from 
Cochinos  island  the  port  extends  to  Arena  point  westward,  with  an 
average  breadth  of  one  mile. 

Westward  of  Arena  point,  Quetalmahue  inlet  extends  5  miles. 

Ancud  was  named  by  the  Spaniards  successively  Port  Ingles  and  San 
Carlos;  the  Chileans  gave  it  its  present  name  in  1834.  It  is  built  on 
two  small  elevations,  separated  by  a  narrow  gorge  containing  a  brook, 
which  empties  near  the  mole.  The  houses  are  small  and  of  wood.  The 
plaza,  on  which  there  is  a  flagstaff,  is  on  the  southern  hill.  There  is 
telegraphic  communication  with  Valparaiso  by  way  of  Port  Montt.  On 
the  cliffs  over  the  sea  near  Ancud  very  thin  veins  of  coal  have  been 
traced. 

At  Arena  point  there  is  a  strong,  well-built  stone  storehouse,  and 
opposite  to  it  is  the  church,  also  of  stone. 


PORT  SAK  CABL08.  203 

Light — ^A  Bmall  fixed  red  light  is  shown  on  the  large  mole  at  Ancnd. 

Anchorage. — The  anchorage  off  the  town  of  Ancnd  is  not  safe,  but 
a  vessel  of  not  more  than  12  feet  draft  may  stop  there  for  a  time  in  fine 
weather.  In  this  case  the  best  berth  is  in  3  fathoms  water,  sand  and 
mud,  at  800  yards  NW.  of  the  pier. 

The  best  anchorage  for  a  large  vessel,  especially  during  the  Norther 
season,  is  off  Balcacura  point,  in  7  or  8  fathoms,  sand  or  mud,  with 
Agui  point  bearing  N.  18°  E.  (North  mag.),  and  point  Arena  S.  76°  W. 
(S.  570  W.  mag.). 

The  most  frequented  anchorage  is  1,000  yards  SE.  of  Arena  point,  in 
from  6  to  9  fathoms,  bottom  fine  sand;  it  is,  however,  an  uncomfortable 
berth  when  the  wind  and  tide  are  opposed,  and  northerly  winds  throw 
in  a  swell. 

A  2-fathom  patch  is  said  to  exist  off  Arena  point,  but  could  not  be 
found.    The  pilot  stated  that  it  had  been  frequently  dragged  for  in  vain. 

The  anchorage  of  El  Dique,  situated  one  mile  westward  of  Arena 
I)oint,  is  the  most  secure;  the  depths  are  from  3^  to  5  fathoms. 

Supplies. — Fresh  beef  is  plentiful;  sheep  and  pigs  can  be  obtained 
in  small  numbers.  Poultry  is  abundant,  and  moderate  in  price.  Vege- 
tables and  dry  provisions  are  scarce  and  dear.    Oysters  are  plentiful. 

Goal  for  steamers  can  only  be  obtained  occasionally,  and  then  in 
small  quantities. 

Artificers  can  be  employed  for  repairs,  but  the  prices  are  very  high, 
both  for  labor  and  material. 

Landingi  etc. — On  a  small  point  to  SW.  of  the  town  is  a  government 
mole.  The  dock  alongside  of  it  is  partially  obstructed  by  sand  and 
rocks.  It  is  not  well  to  try  to  land  here  after  half  tide  or  before  half 
food,  as  the  sea  breaks  between  these  two  limits.  Boats  can  land  with 
safety  behind  the  small  mole,  but  during  low  tide  they  can  only  laud 
outside,  where  there  is  always  a  sea  with  west  winds.  The  shores  are 
well  peopled,  the  fields  are  well  cultivated,  and  a  short  distance  in  the 
interior  there  is  wood  valuable  for  construction. 

Dofia  Sebastiana  islet,  174  feet  high,  lies  NE.  4  miles  from  Guapacho 
point.  From  the  islet  a  bank  named  Achilles  bank  extends  4  or  5  miles 
westward,  over  which  there  is  considerably  disturbed  water,  rippling 
and  swelling  during  a  calm,  but  during  a  gale  breaking  in  high  short 
seas.  This  bank  or  ridge  extends  westward  with  Ohocoi  head  in  line 
with  the  islet.  There  are  6  fathoms  at  low  water  on  it,  at  3J  miles  from 
the  islet,  and  4  fathoms  at  2  miles.  The  vicinity  of  both  Sebastiana 
and  Oarelmapu  islets  to  the  northward  must  be  given  a  wide  berth,  as 
the  tide  sets  strongly  near  them — at  times  in  races. 

Carelxuapu  islets  form  a  rocky  chain  about  2  miles  long,  lying  2^ 
miles  northward  of  Sebastiana  islet;  the  ]N^W.  islet  is  140  feet  high. 
These  islets  should  never  be  approached  from  the  westward  within  4 
miles. 

Ingles  bank. — ^The  western  end  of  this  bank  lies  about  2  miles  south 


204  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

of  Sebastiana  islet.  It  is  a  very  dangeroas  shoal,  with  only  a  tew  feet 
of  water  over  some  x)arts,  the  bottom  being  sand,  or  sandstone,  or  of 
hard  tosca,  over  which  the  tide  runs  with  great  strength. 

The  bank  extends  5  miles  in  an  easterly  and  opposite  direction,  and 
is  connected  with  Ghiloe  island,  between  Mutico  and  Pihnin  points,  by 
Huicha  bank. 

Ooronel  point,  open  north  of  San  Gallan  i)oint,  leads  northward  of 
Ingles  bank,  and  the  SE.  Carelmapn  islet,  open  west  of  Doiia  Sebas- 
tiana,  leads  to  the  westward. 

Chocoi  heady  at  If  miles  eastward  of  Dotia  Sebastiana  islet,  is  steep. 
Vessels  should  not  use  the  channel  between  except  under  great  neces- 
sity, or  without  the  aid  of  a  local  pilot. 

Cami)ana  bank,  drying  at  low  water,  lies  ^  mile  eastward  of  Dona 
Sebastiana  islet. 

Near  Oareliiiapu  point  the  passage  appears  free  from  danger,  but  the 
water  is  deep,  and  to  the  eastward  of  the  point  a  long  shoal  extends 
nearly  J  mile  from  the  shore. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water^  full  and  change,  in  Port  San  Oarlos  at 
14m.;  springs  rise  6  feet. 

Directions. — Vessels  bound  to  Port  San  Oarlos  from  the  westwaM 
should  steer  for  Guapacho  point,  keeping  it  to  the  southward  of  S.  60^ 
E.  (S.  780  E.  mag.)  until  the  lighthouse  bears  S.  37°  E.  (8. 65°  E.  mag.), 
to  avoid  Osorio  rock  and  Guapacho  shoal,  and  thence  along  shore  to 
an  anchorage  near  Arena  point  under  Balcacura  heights,  rounding 
Corona  head  and  Agui  point  at  about  }  mile  distant,  to  avoid  Achilles 
and  Ingles  banks. 

Agui  point  and  Balcacura  head  are  foul  600  yards  off,  and  a  shoal,  on 
which  the  Nunez  bank  stands,  extends  from  point  to  point  at  the  dis- 
tance of  i  mile  from  the  shore.  Cochinos  islet,  kept  midway  between 
Huihuen  heights  and  Mutico  point,  bearing  8.  37^  E.  (8.  55^  E.  mag.), 
forms  a  good  mark  from  Guapacho  point  to  the  entrance  of  the  port. 

Chacao  narro^^s  are  entered  from  the  westward  after  passing  Ingles 
bank.  They  are  about  11  miles  long  and  from  one  to  2J  miles  wide.  On 
their  north  side,  that  of  the  mainland,  are  Carelmapu  i>oint  and  Chocoi 
head,  steep  cliffs,  in  front  of  which  runs  a  powerful  stream  of  tide. 
The  state  of  the  tide,  which  runs  with  great  velocity,  and  there  being 
sufl&cient  wind  to  keep  a  vessel  under  command,  are  the  principal  points 
to  consider  when  about  to  pass  these  narrows.  A  temporary  anchorage 
may  be  had  on  the  south  side  between  Peguenum  and  Quintraquin 
points,  off'  Lacao  island,  and  also  on  the  east  side  of  Quintraquin  point; 
and,  on  the  whole,  as  the  tide,  strong  as  it  is,  sets  to  each  side  of  rather 
than  toward  the  Petucara  rocks,  the  passage  is  not  so  formidable  as  it 
appears  to  the  Chiloe  boatmen. 

There  are  two  channels  into  these  narrows,  one  on  each  side  of  Ingles 
bank.  The  northern  one  is  the  better;  the  southern,  which  leads  from 
Port  San  Carlos,  is  a  dangerous  passage  for  a  stranger  to  tak^  unless 
with  the  assistance  of  a  local  pilot. 


i  CHACAO   NARROWS.  205 

Entering  Chacao  narrows  from  the  eastward. — Tres  Graces 
point  may  be  roundel  at  i  mile  distant  and  a  course  steered  for  Eemo- 
liuos  point,  edging  out  as  it  is  approached,  and  on  to  San  Gallan  point. 
From  abreast  San  Gallan  point  steer  for  Gareliuapu  point,  bearing  in 
mind  that  the  ebb  tide  sets  strongly  round  Peguenum  point  to  the 
south  westward.  Cardmapu  point  may  be  passed  at  i  mile  distant,  when 
a  West  (8.720  W.  mag.)  course  until  midway  between  Dona  Sebastiana 
islet  and  Goronsb  head  will  clear  every  known  danger  j  and  Port  San 
Garlos,  or  anchorage,  may  be  steered  for,  as  before  directed. 

From  the  westward. — After  passing  Garelmapu  bay,  keep  along 
the  north  shore  until  Tres  Gruces  point  bears  S.  20°  E.  (S.  38^  E.  mag.), 
to  pass  east  of  Seluian  rock,  when,  if  going  to  the  southward,  a  course 
may  be  sh.aped. 

Peguenum  pointy  the  SW.  point  of  Ghacao  narrows,  is  low,  with 
yellow  sand  dunes  backed  by  wooded  land. 

Amazonas  shoal.— About  2  miles  S.  60o  W.  (S.  42°  W.  mag.)  of 
Gareliuapu  point  there  exists  a  reef  of  rocks  and  gravel  extending 
about  one  mile  in  the  direction  NW.-SE.  At  the  center  of  the  reef 
there  is  a  depth  of  5  fathoms,  but  it  is  presumed  that  there  is  even  less 
water  on  the  reef,  as  it  is  known  that  the  steamer  Amazonas  touched 
on  some  part  of  this  shoal. 

Topaze  rock. — ^At  the  entrance  of  the  l^arrows,  H.  M.  S.  TopazCj 

drawing  22 J  feet,  touched  at  half  ebb.    The  shoal  is  one  mile  8. 29^  W. 

,(S.  11^  W.  mag.)  of  Garelmapu  point,  with  Ghocoi  head  bearing  N.  57^ 

W.  (N.  75°  W.  mag.).    At  the  moment  the  vessel  touched  no  bottom 

was  obtained  with  10  fathoms  of  line. 

This  rock  is  reported  to  lie  one  mile  farther  south  and  to  join  MuUer 
and  GuiJlerma  rocks. 

San  Gallan  point,  opcM  southward  of  Goronel  point,  leads  between 
Topaze  and  Guillermo  rocks,  but  if  overlapping  they  lead  on  the  Guil- 
lermo  rock. 

The  south  extreme  of  Ghocoi  head,  in  line  with  the  northern  extreme 
of  D.oua  Sebastiana  islet,  bearing  N.  66^  W.  {N.  84°  W,  mag.),  leads 
north  of  Topaze  rock. 

Esmeralda  rock,  with  not  more  than  2  fathoms  over  it  at  low  water, 
is  situated  upon  the  I^W.  extremity  of  Huicha  bank. 

Buoy.. — A  red  conical  buoy,  surmounted  by  a  white  cone,  is  moored 
in  15  feet  water  close  to  this  rock. 

Guillermo  rock  is  stated  to  have  9  feet  water  over  it  and  to  be  on 
a  bank,  of  3f  fathoms,  named  Knoll  bank,  and  lying  2  miles  westward 
from  Peguenum  point. 

Buoy. — ^A  red  spherical  buoy,  surmounted  by  a  white  ball,  moored 
m  3lS  feet  of  water  clo^e  northward  of  the  rock.  There  is  a  depth  of  8 
fathoms  of  water  1X0  yards  northward  of  this  buoy.  The  buoy  is  liable 
to  drift. 

lAuUer  rock,  with  12  feet  water,  lies  2  miles  S.  26°  W.  (S.  8°  W, 
mag.)  of  Garelmapu  point. 


206  GUILOE  ISLAND. 

Peguenum  rocks,  nearly  f  mile  from  Pegaenom  point,  consists  of 
a  rock  which  is  uncovered  at  low  water,  and  another  lying  directly  to 
the  westward  of  it. 

The  easternmost  rock  uncovers  an  hour  or  two  before  low  water;  it 
is  part  of  a  reef  which  runs  NE.  and  SW.  for  about  400  yards.  The 
western  extremity  of  the  reef  rises  in  two  jioints,  which  are  2  feet  above 
the  water  at  low  tide.  Close  to  this  rock  on  the  NW.  and  8E.  sides 
are  9  fathoms  of  water,  whereas  in  the  direction  of  the  reef  there  are 
only  4^  fathoms  at  a  distance  of  05  feet  from  it. 

At  400  yards  to.  the  westward  of  the  former  is  the  other  reef  men- 
tioued;  it  is  about  200  yards  long  in  an  east  and  west  direction.  On 
its  lowest  part,  the  eastern  extremity,  there  are  but  3  feet  of  water  at 
low  tide.  On  the  western  extremity  is  another  rock,  which  has  6  feet 
of  water  over  it.  Both  of  these  rocks  are  covered  with  seaweed,  which 
can  only  be  seen  at  slack  water,  as  the  currents  are  too  strong  at  other 
times. 

According  to  the  last  Chilean  researches,  these  shoals  are  connected 
by  a  chain  of  rocks  of  very  irregular  shape.  During  the  strong  flood 
(4  to  C  knots)  very  violent  eddies  are  produced  off  Pegueiium  i)oint, 
from  the  irregularity  of  the  bottom.  Between  the  point  and  the  chain 
of  rocks  shoal  water  extends  about  one-third  of  the  distance. 

•Wreck  rock.— About  one  mile  S.  70o  W.  (S.  52o  W.  mag.)  of  the 
western  Peguenum  rock  is  a  rock  covered  by  9  feet  of  water.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  the  steamer  Prince  of  Wales  was  lost  on  this  rock.  Its 
bearings  are  Peguenum  and  Quintraquin  points  in  line  and  the  !NW. 
extremity  of  the  heights  of  Huihuen  shut  in  by  the  eastern  extremity 
of  Cochinos  island. 

Valparaiso  bank. — It  is  stated  by  the  local  pilots  that  a  bank  of 
shingle,  upon  which  breakers  are  seen  at  low  water,  lies  2f  miles  S.  86^ 
W.  (S.  GSo  W.  mag.)  off  Peguenum  point. 

"  Lacao  bay. — Eastward  of  Peguenum  point,  between  it  and  Quin- 
traquin point,  is  the  island  and  the  shoal  bay  of  Lacao.  Quintraquin 
point  is  a  bold,  cliffy  point,  steep-to;  to  the  eastward  of  it  there  is  good 
anchorage  in  from  9  to  11  fathoms,  sand  and  shell,  J  mile  offshore. 

Anchorage. — The  local  pilots  anchor  vessels,  waiting  tide,  in  from 
3J  to  4f  fathoms  good  holding  ground  and  out  of  the  strength  of  the 
stream,  at  400  yards  ENE.  of  the  north  point  of  Lacao  island,  but 
strangers  should  not  shut  San  Gallan  point  in  by  Quintraquin  point, 
as  the  water  shoals  suddenly  and  a  reef,  which  dries  at  low-water 
springs,  extends  nearly  800  yards  from  the  north  end  of  Lacao  island. 
The  berth  used  by  H.  M.  S.  Nassau  was  with  San  Gallan  point  just  open 
and  north  point  of  Lacao  island  S.  53°  W.  (S.  35^  W.  mag.). 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  tidal  streams  turn  from  one-half 
to  three-quarters  of  an  hour  later  at  the  first-mentioned  anchorage  than 
in  mid-channel  of  the  narrows. 

Supplies. — Sheep,  potatoes,  butter,  and  milk  can  be  obtained  from 
Lacao  island. 


SAN   GALLAN   POINT CHILEN  BLUFF.  207 

San  G-allan  point  is  steep,  with  a  remarkable  clump  of  bnshes  on 
its  summit.  The  north  shore  opposite  is  low,  except  near  Ooronel 
point,  where  there  are  cliffs  about  100  feet  in  height,  behind  which  the 
land  rises  to  about  200  feet,  and  is  thickly  wooded.  Between  San 
Gallan  and  Santa  Teresa  points  the  distance  across  the  narrows  is  just 
one  mile  in  a  N.  30^  E.  (K.  12^  E.  mag.)  direction  j  it  is  the  narrowest 
part  from  shore  to  shore,  and  J  mile  farther  eastward  the  Petucura  and 
Seluian  rocks  divide  the  channel  into  two  narrow  passages,  either  of 
which  may  be  used.    A  light  is  proposed  for  this  point. 

Petucura  rock. — Excepting  the  great  strength  of  the  tide,  which 
may  prevent  a  sailing  ship  from  being  under  command,  the  only  dan- 
gers to  be  encountered  in  the  eastern  part  of  Chacao  narrows  are 
Petucura  and  Seluian  rocks.  Petucura  rock,  awash  at  half  tide,  lies  in 
mid-channel;  a  line  drawn  from  the  extremity  of  Ooronel  point  to  the 
^extreme  of  San  Gallan  point,  and  a  line  between  the  summit  of  Santa 
Teresa  point  and  the  summit  of  Chacao  head,  cross  each  other  at  the 
southern  part  of  the  rock. 

Seluian  rock,  more  dangerous  to  large  ships  than  the  Petucura 
rock,  lies  S.  65o  B.  (S.  83^  E.  mag.)  from  it,  distant  J  mile.  There  is  12 
feet  on  the  rock  at  low  water.  Eound  this  rock,  as  well  as  round  the 
Petucura,  there  is  deep  water,  except  to  the  eastward,  in  which  direc- 
tion a  rocky  ridge  extends  J  mile.  The  stream  runs  very  strongly  over 
and  past  these  rocks  during  the  ebb  as  well  as  the  flood  tide. 

Tres  Cruces  point,  bearing  S.  20^  E.  (S  38o  E.  mag.),  leads  eastward 
of  the  Seluian  rock. 

Chacao  bay. — At  the  eastern  entrance  of  the  Chacao  narrows, 
between  Coronel  and  Tres  Cruces  points,  the  depth  is  about  60  fath- 
oms, but  in  Chacao  bay,  on  the  south  side  of  the  entrance,  there  is 
anchorage  in  about  10  fathoms  J  mile  NE.  of  Chacao  head,  with  Tres 
Cruces  point  bearing  S.  72o  E.  (East  mag.).  The  holding  ground  is  not 
good;  being  of  gravel  and  pebbles,  vessels  are  liable  to  drag.  When 
entering  or  leaving  the  bay  care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  the  reef  extend- 
ing 600  yards  northward  from  the  shore  of  Chacao  blufl:;  the  reef  dries 
at  low  spring  tides. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Chacao  narrows  at 
50m. :  springs  rise  16  feet,  neaps  7  feet.  The  strength  of  the  streams 
between  Guapacho  and  Doiia  Sebastiana  islet  is  from  3  to  4  knots,  and 
gradually  increases  in  rate  until  the  maximum  of  9  knots  at  springs  is 
attained  off  Remolinos  point.    There  is  no  slack  water  in  the  narrows. 

In  Chacao  bay  an  eddy  sets  in  a  contrary  direction  to  the  stream  in 
the  narrows,  at  from  1  to  3  knots;  the  line  of  separation  is  that 
drawn  from  Tres  Cruces  point  to  Remolinos  point. 

Western  shore. — El  Anela  is  the  name  given  to  the  anchorage  3 
miles  southward  of  Tres  Cruces  point;  the  depths  are  from  11  to  16 
fathoms  about  f  mile  offshore. 

Chilen  bluff,  the  east  extreme  of  a  peninsula  which  projects  from 
the  south  side  of  Manao  bay,  at  5  miles  south  of  Tres  Cruces  point. 


208  CHILOE   ISLAND. 

rises  suddeiily  to  about  150  feet.  A  sboal  of  sand  and  pebbles  extends 
i(  mile  eastwai-d  from  the  bluflf.  At  J  mile  XW.  of  Cliilen  bluli'  there 
is  auotber  bluff  of  tbe  same  height,  with  a  rocky  point  projecting,  and 
between  this  aud  the  latter  bluff  boats  may  find  a  good  cove. 

Heavy  overfalls  are  souietimes  felt  about  one  mile  off  Chilen  bluff, 
which  is  about  the  southeastern  limit  of  the  Narrows'  tide.  To  the 
northward  of  the  bluft'  the  Chacao  narrows  and  Ancud  gulf  tides  usually 
meet. 

Ancla  de  Manao,  on  the  southern  shore  of  Manao  bay,  affords  tem- 
porary anchorage  in  11  to  10  fathoms,  water.  Wood  and  fresh  water 
can  be  easily  obtained  at  this  anchorage. 

Hueihuc  port,  on  the  south  side  of  Chilen  bluff,  affords  anchorage  in 
13  to  16  fathoms,  sand. 

Port  Linao,  at  2^  miles  SW.  of  Chilen  bluff,  has  good  anchorage  in 
from  6  to  8  fathoms  at  the  head  and  abreast  the  Chapel.  Gueldan 
cove,  at  the  NW.  part  of  the  port,  is  said  to  be  the  best  anchorage 
during  winter.  A  reef  of  rocks  exteuds  above  a  mile  off  the  NE. 
point  of  Guapilinao  head,  on  the  south  side  of  entrance.  Deeper  water 
is  reported  in  the  harbor. 

MEaipo  bank. —This  rocky  bank,  with  4.j  fathoms,  is  said  to  lie  about 
5  miles  north  of  Queiiiao  point  and  about  4  miles  SE.  of  Chilen  bluff. 
It  was  unsuccessfully  searched  for  in  1893. 

Queiuao  point. — About  4  miles  from  Guapilinao  head  is  the  small 
village  of  Lliuco.  The  land  between  is  about  200  feet  high,  with  steep, 
wooded  cliffs;  to  the  eastward  of  the  village  it  is  low,  aud  continues  so 
until  near  Queiiiao  point,  when  it  rises  to  about  200  feet.  This  point  is 
low  and  stony,  with  shoal  water  extending  fully  a  mile  off. 

Between  Guapilinao  and  Queniao  point,  about  G  miles  SE.,  there  is  a 
projecting  stony  beach,  which  at  low  water  dries  out  nearly  a  mile  from 
shore. 

The  3  fathom  shoal  off  Queniao  point,  indicated  on  the  chart  as  a 
detached  shoal,  is  connected  with  that  i)oint,  the  depths  between  being 
very  shallow.  Vessels  when  passing  should  not  approach  the  x>oint 
nearer  than  2  miles. 

Pido  rock,  position  doubtful,  is  just  above  water,  and  lies  about  f 
mile  NNE.  i  E.  from  Lliuco  chuch.  It  is  dark,  and  can  be  seen  for  a 
long  distance. 

Fort  Huite  is  also  called  Oscuro  cove.  At  1^  miles  southwestward 
of  Queniao  point  there  is  a  sandy  spit  with  12  feet  water  on  it  about  J 
mile  from  the  shore,  when  it  deepens  suddenly  to  8  and  12  fathoms 
nesur  the  shingle  spit  which  forms  this  small  but  valuable  port,  protected 
from  the  southeastward  by  Caucahue  island,  distant  about  one  mile. 
This  port  may  become  of  great  use,  as  the  rise  of  the  tide  is  large;  the 
water  is  deep  close  to  the  shore  and  there  is  no  swell.  Any  similar 
place  on  the  west  coast  of  South  America  is  not  at  present  known.  The 
entrance  is  about  600  yards  wide,  and  the  point  of  the  spit  steep-to,  but 


PORT  TUBILDAD QUICAVI  LAGOON.  209 

the  west  side  of  entrance  is  a  rocky  point,  with  stones  lying  100  yards 
off  it.  The  length  of  the  port  is  f  mile  and  its  breadth  GOO  yards ;  there 
are  7  fathoms  Water  within  50  3rards  of  low- water  mark,  and  from  12  to 
16  fathoms  in  the  middle,  over  a  bottom  of  mad  and  sand. 

Vessels  entering  should  keep  close  to  the  south  side,  under  Lobos 
head,  a  steep  bluff  about  250  feet  high,  forming  the  north  point  of 
Gaucahtte  island,  behind  which  the  land  falls  suddenly,  and  is  very  low 
for  a  short  distance,  after  which  it  rises  again.  In  this  port  a  ship  may 
be  laid  ashore,  hove  down,  or  thoroughly  repaired  with  safety  and  ease. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Huite  at  55m. ; 
springs  rise  20  feet,  neaps  13  feet.  The  flood  tide  off  the  port  sets  to 
the  northward,  and  strongly  at  springs. 

Fort  Tubildad,  at  2  miles  SW.  of  Unite,  affords  commodious  and 
well-sheltered  anchorage  in  16  to  27  fathoms. 

Port  QuenchOi  situated  at  about  3  miles  south  of  Tubildad,  affords 
an  excellent  beach  for  r^airiug  vessels.  Carpenters,  but  no  other 
workmen,  can  be  engaged  here.  Spring  tides  rise  21  feet.  Sheep, 
poultry,  and  vegetables  can  be  procured  in  small  quantities;  potatoes 
and  fresh  water  plentiful. 

Caucahue  strait. — Ohogon  point,  the  south  entrance  point  of 
Gaucahue  strait,  is  a  bluff  about  200  feet  in  height,  and  has  a  shoal 
which  shows  at  low  water,  extending  ^  mile  seaward.  It  is  a  long  mile 
to  the  southward  of  Quintergen  point,  the  south  extreme  of  Gaucahue 
island,  which  last  is  low  and  stony,  with  a  shoal  spit  of  about  ^  mile  in 
length.  Between  them  lies  Gaucahue  strait,  and  in  the  entrance  there 
is  no  bottom  with  50  fathoms.  Vessels  bound  to  Port  Huite  from  the 
southward  may  pass  inside  Gaucahue  island. 

Shoal. — In  the  fairway  of  the  south  entrance  to  Gaucahue  strait  lies 
a  shoal  almost  circular  in  shape  and  about  130  yards  across.  The  least 
depth  found  was  1|  fathoms. 

It  is  stated  locally  that  vessels  should  pass  southward  of  this  danger. 

Qtticavi  bluff.— Between  Ghogon  point  and  Quicavi  bluff,  the  next 
point  to  the  southward,  the  coast  recedes,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  bight 
is  the  entrance  of  the  Golu  river,  which  appears  too  small  for  anything 
but  boats  to  enter.  A  flat  extends  about  ^  mile  off  the  latter  point, 
and  near  its  extreme  there  is  Lilecura  rock,  which  shows  at  half  tide. 
There  is  a  tide  race  between  the  Ghauquis  islands  and  Quicavi  bluff. 

Lilecura  Rock  beacon. — A  beacon,  painted  red  Uiid  white,  in  hori- 
zontal stripes  and  visible  about  2  miles,  has  been  erected  on  Lilecura 
rock. 

Quicavi  lagoon. — About  one  mile  to  the  southward  of  Quicavi  bluff 
is  Quicavi  lagoon ;  boats  entering  after  the  flrst  quarter  of  the  flood  can 
remain  afloat  in  some  parts  of  it  even  at  low  tide.  This  lagoon  can  be 
recognized  by  a  narrow  border  of  pebbles,  on  which  there  is  a  grove  of 
trees,  and  from  which  a  reef  runs  out  to  the  eastward  of  Quicavi  hill. 
Behind  it  the  land,  thickly  wooded,  rises  to  an  elevation  of  250  feet. 

1943— No.  89 14 


210  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

The  rise  and  fall  of  tide  is  20  feet;  in  the  lagoon  the  channel  leading 
to  it  has  that  depth,  and  at  low  water  is  almost  dry. 

Chauquis  islandB. — Eastward  of  Qaicavi  blnff  are  the  six  islands 
forming  the  Chauquis  group,  divided  by  a  deep  channel,  running  nearly 
north  and  south,  and  1^  miles  wide  in  its  narrowest  part.  The  western 
island,  350  feet  high,  is  the  highest;  the  HE.  island  has  a  round  hill 
upon  it,  and  the  other  parts  are  much  lower.  The  islands  are  inhabited 
by  Indians. 

Beefs  extend  from  the  NW.  points  of  both  the  eastern  and  western 
islands;  the  latter  to  the  distance  of  1^  miles,  and  at  its  extreme  end 
there  are  10  fathoms  water,  with  the  west  bluff  of  Meulin  island  a  little 
open  of  the  low  point  under  the  bluff  of  the  western  Chauquis.  Fool 
ground  extends  about  a  mile  from  the  S£.  side  of  the  easternmost 
island  of  the  group.  A  small  island  named  Tao  and  the  Dugoab  reef 
lie  southward  of  these  islands. 

Good  anchorage  is  reported  off  the  SE.  coast  of  Tac  island.  Dugoab 
reef  extends  farther  eastward  than  formerly  charted.  The  passage 
between  the  reef  and  islands  should  not  be  attempted. 

Between  Quicavi  bluff'  and  the  Chauquis  islands  a  ship  may  navigate 
safely  if  a  mid-channel  course  be  preserved. 

Rock. — A  rock,  awash  at  low  water  springs,  has  been  reported  as 
lying  in  the  fairway  SE.  of  Tac  island  with  Chumeline  x>oint  bearing 
approximately  S.  72^  E.  (East  mag.),  distant  5  miles. 

Fiimulinan  reef  lies  4  miles  north  of  the  western  Chauquis  and  ex- 
tends i  mile  in  a  l^W.  and  SE.  direction.  Bocks  show  at  low  water,  and 
at  high  water  with  light  winds  they  do  not  break  and  are  not  easily  seen. 

Tenaun  point — From  Quicavi  bluff  to  Teuaun  point  the  coast  is  flat 
for  J  mile  from  the  beach.  A  reef  dries  at  low  water  more  than  J 
mile  from  the  shore,  and  it  is  shallow  for  nearly  i  mile,  then  deepens 
suddenly  to  10  fathoms.  The  reef  does  not  run  off  the  extreme  pointy 
but  from  a  bluff  a  little  to  the  northward  of  it. 

The  point  is  low  and  thickly  wooded  for  about  J  mile,  when  it  rises 
suddenly  to  a  range  about  200  feet  high. 

Anchorage. — There  is  good  anchorage  with  northerly  winds  off  the 
village  on  the  south  side  of  Tenaun  point,  a  good  mark  for  which  is  the 
lai'ge  church.  Coming  from  the  northward  a  ship  should  proceed  down 
the  channel  until  the  church  bears  K.  66°  W.  (K.  83°  W.  mag.),  then 
haul  in  to  S.  87°  W.  (S.  69°  W.  mag.)  until  the  church  bears  N.  4o  W. 
(K.  220  W.  mag.),  when  it  may  be  steered  for,  and  by  carefully  sound- 
ing a  good  berth  may  be  had  in  from  15  to  10  fathoms. 

H.  M.  S.  Nassau  anchored  with  the  extreme  of  Tenaun  point  in  line 
with  the  south  extreme  of  Chauquis  island.  With  the  church  bearing 
K.  40  W.  (N.  220  W.  mag.),  distant  f  mile,  there  are  10  fathoms. 

Tides. — The  flood  tide  sets  close  round  Tenaun  point,  and  then  across 
the  channel  toward  the  Chauquis  islands;  the  ebb  runs  to  the  SW.  close 
round  the  point,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  springs  its  rate  is  2  knots. 


PORT  CALEN — CHAULINEC  ISLAND.  211 

L — ^A  vessel  proceeding  to  the  southward  from  Tenann 
Point  anchorage  should  keep  well  on  the  west  side  of  the  channel  to 
avoid  an  extensive  shoal  with  8  feet  on  it,  nearly  midway  between  Lin- 
lin  and  Meulin  islands.  By  keeping  the  west  point  of  Ohaulinec  island 
well  open  of  the  west  point  of  Quena^  island,  this  shoal  would  proba- 
bly be  avoided  5  also  one  off  the  west  side  of  Quenac  island  that  is 
marked  by  kelp,  on  which  the  Nassau  obtained  2J  fathoms  and  17  fg,th- 
oms  close-to. 

The  shoalest  part  of  this  shoal  is  i  mile  offshore,  y^ith  the  southern 
part  of  Quenac  island  bearing  S.  83o  E.  (N,  79^  B.  mag.). 

Caution. — ^At  the  middle  of  Ihe  narrow  channel  separating  this 
island  from  Chiloe  island,  and  northeastward  of  the  north  extreme  of 
Linlin  island,  there  is  a  shoal  of  stones  and  gravel  on  which  several 
vessels  have  touched. 

The  local  authorities  do  not  consider  that  the  soundings  are  correct 
as  indicated  on  the  chart  between  Linlin  island  and  Meulin  island. 
They  also  state  that  the  three  shoals  indicated  in  that  locality  are  not 
correctly  placed  on  the  chart,  and  caution  mariners  accordingly. 

Ports  Calen  and  Quetalco. — Five  mUes  to  the  westward  of  Tenaun 
point  is  Port  Calen,  which  is  sheltered  from  the  prevailing  winds. 
Two  miles  farther  is  Quetalco,  which  has  capacity  for  a  large  number 
of  vessels  with  a  moderate  depth  throughout.  It  is  perfectly  sheltered 
from  the  north  and  west  winds,  which  are  so  frequent  in  these  localities 
during  the  entire  year.  Vessels  can  await  in  these  ports  until  a  storm 
subsides;  or,  if  bound  to  the  southward  through  Dalcahue  channel, 
await  high  water. 

Linlin  island'  is  low  in  the  center,  gradually  rising  to  a  round  hill 
terminated  by  a  bluff  both  to  the  northward  and  southward;  but  off 
all  the  points  there  are  spits  of  shingle.  To  the  southward  of  Linlin 
is  the  smaller  island  of  Idenua;  both  these  islands  are  inhabited  and 
well  cultivated,  but  there  is  no  anchorage  for  ships. 

Quenac,  Meulin,  and  Caguache  islands. — On  Oaguache  island 
there  is  a  round  hill  250  feet  high,  which  commands  a  good  view  of  the 
neighboring  islands.  The  north  side  of  the  island  is  low;  the  south 
side  slopes  suddenly  to  the  beach,  and  off'  the  iNTE.  point  is  Tenquelil 
isle,  joined  to  Gaguache  island  by  a  reef  on  which  there  is  only  suffi- 
cient depth  for  a  boat  at  low  water.  All  these  islands  are  inhabited 
and  cultivated.  The  town  of  Quenac  is  on  the  north  coast  of  that 
island;  it  was  formerly  the  principal  one  of  the  district,  and  has  a 
church,  schools,  post-office,  etc.,  but  the  anchorage  is  indifferent. 

Tiquia  reef,  lying  2  miles  east  of  Oaguache  island,  is  about  1^  miles 
WW.  and  SE.,  J  mile  broad,  and  dries  at  low  water.  There  is  a  deep 
passage  between  it  and  the  neighboring  islands. 

Chelin,  Quehui,  Alao,  Apiao,  and  Chaulinec  islands. — Between 
Quinchao  and  Lemui  islands  lie  the  islands  Ohelin  and  Quehui;  the 
IsE.  extremity  of  the  latter  is  named  Imel,  and  is  connected  with  it 


212  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

only  by  a  narrow  isthmns.  Off  line!  tliere  is  a  shingle  bank  that  dries 
at  low  water,  and  which  considerably  narrows  the  channel  between 
Imel  and  Chaolinec. 

Besides  Chanlinec  there  are  two  smaller  islands  named  Alao  and 
Apiao,  and  reefs  extend  off  the  north  ends  of  each  of  them,  from  the 
latter  as  £ftr  as  2^  miles.  At  the  8  W.  end  of  Alao  island,  close  to  the 
entrance  of  the  channel,  between  it  and  Chanlinec  island,  there  is  a 
small  harbor  or  cove,  formed  by  a  low  i>oint,  suitable  for  coasters  or 
for  a  vessel  drawing  not  more  l^n  L3  feet;  the  point  is  sto^to  and 
the  cban^el  on  that  side  clear. 

There  is  good  anchorage  off  the  south  side  of  Qnehoi  ii^nd^  in  7  to 
10  fathoms,  sand,  about  i  mile  off  shore,  with  the  extremes  of  QnAni 
island  bearing  N.  19o  B.  (North  mag.)  and  8.  75°  W.  {8,  66o  W.  mag.) 
and  the  west  point  of  Chanlinec  island  N.  70^  E.  (N.  51^  E.  mag.)* 
There  is  also  a  well- sheltered  place  for  small  craft  on  the  "KW.  side  of 
the  island. 

Dangerous  shoals.— About  i  mile  8.  26<^  E.  (8.  45^  E.  mag.)  of 
Chaulinec  island  there  is  a  reef  that  breaks  occasionally  at  low  water. 

A  shoal  on  which  there  is  a  depth  of  2|  fathoms,  soft  bottom,  lies 
with  the  west  extreme  of  Chaulinec  island  bearing  N.  2°  E.  (N.  17°  W. 
mag.),  distant  3  mites,  and  the  center  of  Imel  island  bearing  1^.  23^  W. 
(N.  420  W.  mag.). 

A  dangerous  shoal  lies  with  the  eastern  point  of  Chaulinec  island 
bearing  K.  19^  E.  (^orth  mag.),  distant  about  Of  miles.  As  no  par- 
ticulars of  this  shoal  are  given,  mariners  should  exercise  the  greatest 
caution  when  navigating  near  its  reported  vicinity.  Position  as  given, 
latitude  42o  47'  8*,  longitude  73o  18'  W. 

Desertores  islands  lie  5^  miles  SE.  of  Chaulinec  island,  and  in  mid- 
channel  between  them  and  Chaulinec  there  are  95  fathoms,  coral  and 
broken  shell.  Talcan,  the  largest  of  these  islands,  is  9  mUes  long  and  4 
miles  broad  and  has  a  deep  inlet  at  its  SE.  end. 

The  smaller  islands,  Chulin,  Chuil  (Chiut),  Nituel,  Imerqnina^  and 
Kayahue,  do  not  afford  any  shelter  for  vessels  except  at  the  northern 
end  of  the  latter,  which  is  divided  by  a  narrow  channel,  with  from  2  to 
10  fathoms  in  it,  but  useless  except  for  boats;  some  rocks  lie  i  mile  off 
the  SB.  point. 

Driver  rock  lies  one  mile  eastward  firom  Chuil  island;  this  rock  is 
small  and  dries  at  low  water. 

A  reef,  which  is  probably  awash  at  low  water,  is  reported  to  lie  about 
2  miles  8 W.  of  Chuil  island;  the  reef  is  said  to  be  nearly  200  yiurds  loi]^ 
in  an  east  and  west  direction  and  about  30  yards  broad. 

Many  rocks  lie  scattered  off  the  8  W.  and  southern  part  of  Talcan  to 
the  distance  of  a  mile,  and  off  its  north  point  a  shoal  extends  as  far  as 
1^  miles,  with  4  to  6  fathoms  on  it.  At  2  miles  from  this  point  there  is 
a  rock  about  10  feet  above  the  sea,  ^quented  by  seals. 

Vessels  seeking  anchorage  among  these  islands  should  be  cantious  in 
approaching  them,  in  consequence  of  these  rocks. 


TALCAN  INLET — QUINCHAO   CHANNEL.  213 

Shoalfi, — between  GhuUu  and  Talcciu  islands  there  are  two  sboals 
not  indicated  on  the  charts.  One,  a  rock,  lies  1,200  yards  K.  SIP  W. 
(S,  74P  W.  mag.)  from  Lobos  roek.  The  other ^  a  patch  of  rocks  marked 
by  kelp,  lies  midway  between  Lobos  rock  and  the  south  point  of  Chalin 
islajid. 

Lobos  rock  is  one  shown  on  the  charts  as  a  rock  awash  in  latitude 
420  40'  S.,  longitude  73°  W. 

The  south  x>oint  of  Ohulin- island  extends  in  a  SE.  direction  1,093 
yards  farther  than  shown  on  the  charts,  and  the  channel  between  it 
and  the  rocky  patch  described  above  is  very  narrow  and  not  to  be 
recommended.  About  2  miles  west  from  the  north  point  of  Ohiut  island 
there  is  a  jock  with  13  to. 16  feet  of  water  over  it  at  low  water. 

Talcan  inlet,  at  the  SE.  of  Talcan  island,  haa  a  varying  depth  of  12 
to  7  fathoms,  and  for  2  miles  within  the  entrance  either  shore  may  be 
approached  to  about  200  yards;  the  land  on  both  sides  rises  gradually 
to  about  200  feet,  and  is  thickly  wooded;  at  the  head  it  is  low,  and  the 
shore  flat  aud  muddy. 

Just  outside  the  entrance  of  Talcan  inlet,  between  the  points,  there 
are  several  patches  of  kelp,  and  about  ^  mile  beyond  the  line  of  the 
points  there  is  a  reef  of  rocks  which  dries  at  Ic^w  water;  a  small  channel 
leads  to  the  northward  of  the^  into  the  bay,  with  9  and  7  fathoms  water 
until  near  the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  which  is  almost  blocked  up  by 
kelp.  The  deepest  water,  at  200  yards  outside  the  entrance,  is  3  fathoms. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Talcan  island  at  Ih.  3m.; 
springs  rise  15  feet. 

The  streams  run  about  4  knots,  at  springs  through  the  channel  at  the 
entrance  to  Talcan  inlet. 

Solitario  reef, — This  dangerous  reef^  which  uncovers  at  low  water, 
lies  5i  miles  8.  62©  W.  (S.  43°  W.  mag.)  from  the  NW.  point  of  Nayahue 
island,  or  nearly  in  mid-channel  between  Ghiloe  and  Desertores  islands. 

Quinchao  chaxmel  and  Dateahue  pass. — Quinchao  island,  the 
largest  of  the  group  lying  in  the  bay  south  of  Tenaun  point,  on  the 
shore  of  Ghiloe,  is  about  17  miles  SE.  and  NW. 

Quinchao  channel  narrows  gradually  to  the  westward  as  far  as  the 
NW.  point  of  the  island;  it  then  turns  suddenly  to  the  SW.  into  Dal- 
cahue  pass,  and  is  not  more  than  a  mile  wide.  On  the  Ghiloe  shore  is 
the  small  village  of  Dalcahue. 

To  the  east  of  the  turn  in  the  channel,  about  ^  mile,  there  are  sound- 
iligs right  across  in  from  4  to  10  fathoms,  mud;  but  the  north  shore  is 
shallow  and  should  not  be  apx>roached  nearer  than  one^hird  of  the 
breadth  of  the  channel;  the  shoal  which  commences  there  runs  round 
the  bay  abreast  of  the  village  of  Dalcahue,  and,  off  the  sawmills  of 
that  place,  extends  halfway  across  the  channel.  The  deepest  water 
is  4  fathoms,  and  runs  close  to  the  shore  of  Quinchao.  The  tide  runs 
through  the  channel  about  4  knots  at  springs. 

Shoals. — A  rocky  shoal,  marked  with  kelp,  extends  about  one  mile 
eastward  from  Gheguian  point,  the  south  point  of  Quinchao  island. 


214  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

A  rocky  Bhoal,  aboat  2  miles  in  extent,  with  10  feet  of  water  over  it, 
lies  about  2  miles  fi*om  the  northwest  ix>int  of  Alao  island,  on  its  align- 
ment with  the  western  side  of  Qaenac,  and  about  2  miles  from  the  most 
eastern  point  of  Quinchao. 

Rilau  cove. — ^The  Dalcahue  pass  opens  to  the  southward  into  a 
broad  bay  named  Eilau.  On  the  Ohiloe  side  is  the  small  cove  and  vil- 
lage of  the  same  name.  In  the  cove  there  is  anchorage  in  from  11  to 
18  fathoms.  As  far  as  its  eastern  point  the  shore  is  steep- to,,  but  a  flat 
named  Aguantao  there  commences.  It  is  of  shingle  and  large  stones, 
and  dries  at  low  water  from  |  to  ^  mile  off,  continuing  to  the  eastward 
as  far  as  the  low  shingle  point,  where  it  ends  in  a  spit  extending  above 
a  mile  to  the  SE.  The  KE.  side  of  the  spit  is  shoal  to  some  distance, 
but  on  the  SW.  side  it  deepens  suddenly  to  3  fathoms. 

Tides. — The  ebb  stream  sets  strongly  across  Aguantao  reef  to  the 
SE.  toward  the  channel  between  the  islands  of  Lemui  and  Chelin. 
Between  Lemui  and  the  main  the  stream  was  scarcely  perceptibie; 
what  little  was  found  appeared  to  set  to  the  eastward.  Spring  tides 
rise  18  feet. 

Castro  inlet — From  Aguantao  reef  to  the  entrance  of  Castro  inlet, 
9  miles  in  a  W8W.  direction,  the  channel  is  from  2  to  3  miles  wide;  in 
the  middle  of  the  channel  there  are  42  fathoms  of  water,  muddy  bot- 
tom. The  eastern  point  of  the  inlet  is  low  and  stony,  but  it  can  be 
passed  within  J  mile  in  12  fathoms.  The  western  side  of  the  entrance 
is  formed  by  Lintinao  islet,  which  is  united  to  Chiloe  by  a  sand  spit 
which  is  dry  at  low  water;  from  the  exterior  of  this  islet  a  stony  point 
runs  out  to  the  eastward  200  yards;  the  southern  portion  of  this  point 
is  steep-to. 

To  the  southward  of  Lintinao  islet  is  the  small  harbor  Quinched, 
where  a  vessel  bound  to  Castro  can  await  a  favorable  time  to  run  up, 
in  case  she  found  the  wind  baffling  in  the  first  two  reaches;  this  is  gen- 
erally the  case  with  north  winds,  though  they  may  be  strong  outside; 
and  no  anchorage  can  be  found  in  either  of  these  reaches  until  too  near 
the  shore  for  safety.  The  depths  in  the  fairway  to  Castro  are  reported 
to  have  decreased  considerably. 

Quinched. — The  village  of  Quinched  is  about  3  miles  to  the  west- 
ward of  the  entrance  to  Castro  inlet.  The  country  is  well  cultivated 
and  thickly  peopled  for  3  or  4  miles  on  either  side  of  the  inlet. 

Directions. — At  J  mile  above  the  second  reach  of  Castro  inlet  the 
east  coast  can  be  approached  within  100  yards,  but  the  other  side  is  flat 
and  shoal  to  within  ^  mile  of  the  beach,  and  the  soundings  decrease 
too  rapidly  to  admit  of  navigating  by  the  lead. 

Going  up  or  down,  the  eastern  shore  should  be  kept,  not  leaving  it 
more  than  two-thirds  the  width  of  the  channel. 

The  eastern  shore  is  composed  of  steep  wooded  slopes,  rising  to  about 
160  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  western  shore  rises  gradually, 
forming  several  level  steps,  which  increase  in  height  to  400  or  600  feet. 


CASTRO  HAKBOR — ^DETIF  HEADLAND.  215 

Behind  them,  at  a  distance  of  5  miles  from  the  beach,  there  is  a  range 
of  hills  about  1,000  feet  high  and  thickly  wooded. 

Anchorage. — About  2  miles  below  Castro  is  a  small  cove,  on  the 
east  shore,  in  which  a  vessel  can  anchor  in  case  of  necessity.  There 
are  20  fathoms  between  the  points,  but  it  shoals  suddenly  as  soon  as 
the  line  connecting  these  points  is  passed.  Castro  point  is  a  level 
plateau,  about  98  feet  above  the  sea  level,  and  separates  the  small  har- 
bor in  the  north  from  the  Gamboa  river  to  the  south.  It  is  terminated 
by  a  low,  pebbly  point,  steep-to  on  the  north  side,  but  on  its  southern 
side  a  bank  commences,  which  follows  the  western  shore  of  this  part  of 
the  inlet. 

Harbor. — The  .small  harbor  of  Castro,  to  the  northward  of  Castro 
point,  is  i  mile  long  and  ^  mile  wide.  Between  the  points  are  7  fath- 
oms, but  this  depth  decreases  gradually  to  3  fathoms  ^  mile  inside. 
The  best  anchorage  is  very  near  the  south  port.  The  northern  side  is 
shoal  100  yards  from  shore.  In  steering  for  the  harbor  a  vessel  must 
keep  along  the  east  shore  until  off  the  port,  and  then  steer  a  course 
perpendicular  to  the  entrance.  By  this  the  bank  to  the  southward  of 
Castro  point,  which  extends  i  mile  out,  will  be  avoided. 

The  town  of  Castro  is  near  the  exterior  part  of  Castro  point.  It  con- 
sists of  several  small  streets  with  wooden  houses.  The  few  inhabitants 
are  poor.  Fresh  provisions  can  be  obtained.  San  Carlos  de  Ancud  and 
Castro,  38  miles  apart  in  a  straight  line,  are  connected  by  a  road 
through  the  forests.    It  can  only  be  used  in  dry  weather. 

Lemui  island  forms  the  southern  side  of  the  channel  leading  to 
Castro  inlet.  Puqueldon,  the  principal  village,  stands  on  the  north 
shore  of  the  island  and  on  the  east  bank  of  a  narrow  creek  not  deep 
enough  to  afford  shelter  for  a  vessel.  There  is,  however,  anchorage  off 
Puqueldon  for  two  moderate-sized  vessels.    It  is  open  to  the  northward. 

Supplies. — Sheep,  fowls,  eggs,  and  vegetables  can  be  obtained  at 
Puqueldon. 

Ichuac  cove  is  at  the  west  part  of  Lemui  island,  near  which  the 
shore  is  rocky  and  steep- to.  At  the  entrance  to  the  cove  there  is  no 
bottom  with  20  fathoms,  but  halfway  up  it  there  is  good  anchorage  for 
a  small  vessel  in  from  10  to  7  fathoms,  mud.  There  is  a  small  village 
and  chapel  here.  A  seam  of  coal  has  been  found,  but  has  not  been 
examined.  It  is  difficult  to  land.  At  high  tide  the  water  rises  to  the 
trees;  at  low  water  it  leaves  a  muddy  beach. 

Detif  headland,  the  southeastern  extremity  of  Lemui  island,  termi- 
nates in  a  perpendicular  cliff  to  the  westward,  about  150  feet  above  the 
sea,  surmounted  by  a  round  hill  250  feet  high,  which  falls  gradually  to 
a  low  neck  of  land  about  J  mile  long,  and  again  rises  to  the  same 
height.  A  stony  flat  extends  f  mile  off  the  point.  It  is  steep-to  on  the 
western  side,  but  extends  eastward  to  the  next  point,  about  IJ  miles  off. 
At  100  yards  from  the  end  of  the  shoal  there  are  7  fathoms,  and  at  400 
yards  no  bottom  with  30  fathoms. 


216  CHILOE  I8LAKD. 

Apabon  reof. — From  Apabon  point,  the  north  extreme  of  Detif 
headland,  a  reef  extendi}  3^  miles  to  the  eastward.  Near  its  oater  end 
there  is  a  rock  6  feet  above  high  water,  and  generally  visible  from  the 
anchorage  under  Quehui  island.  At  low  water  the  reef  uncovers  for 
about  ^  mile  on  each  side  of  it  From  this  rock  a  reef  (locally  known 
as  Inche  rock)  extends  4  miles  in  a  southerly  direction  toward  Lelbon 
point,  considerably  contracting  the  channel  to  Lemui.  The  reef  is  com- 
prised of  sand  and  rock,  is  marked  by  kelp,  and  has  variable  depths 
over  it.    Xear  its  southern  extreme  there  are  9  feet  at  low  water. 

Caution. — No  vessel  should  attempt  to  cross  the  Apabon  reef,  al- 
-  though  there  are  depths  of  6  to  9  feet  at  low  water  between  the  dry  rock 
and  the  shore,  because  the  tide  sets  over  it  strongly  and  irregularly. 

Tal  point. — Outside  of  Yal  point  are  two  low  shingle  islands,  which 
are  connected  by  a  spit  covered  at  low  water. 

Off  the  NE.  extremity  of  the  exterior  island  a  dangerous  ridge  ex- 
tends about  ^  mile  in  2  fathoms  of  water;  its  extreme  x>oint  seems  to 
extend  about  J  mile  farther  out. 

Tal  bay  and  cove. — One  mile  south  of  Tal  x>oint  is  a  steep  hill, 
which  forms  the  southern  point  of  Yal  cove,  and  a  little  in  the  interior 
from  this  point  is  a  flat  hillock  covered  with  trees. 

The  entrance  to  Yal  cove  is  to  the  northward  of  the  steep  hill.  Both 
poinds  of  this  small  harbor  are  steep-to,  and  there  is  no  bottom  with  20 
fathoms  in  the  middle  of  the  channel  between  them,  but  halfway  in 
good  anchorage  will  be  found  in  5  to  12  fathoms,  muddy  bottom. 

The  steep  hill  forms  also  the  north  point  of  Yal  bay.  Between  the 
points  of  this  bay,  which  is  2  miles  wide,  there  is  no  bottom  with  64 
fathoms.  There  is  no  anchorage  in  the  outer  bay  of  Yal  until  within  J 
mile  of  the  hill,  where  there  are  23  fathoms;  the  depth  thence  decreases 
to  low-water  mark.  It  is  not  a  good  anchorage,  however,  and  vessels 
should  only  use  it  in  cases  of  necessity.  On  the  west  side  there  is  a 
hillock  resembling  that  to  the  eastward,  but  less  elevated;  when  com- 
ing from  the  south  both  will  be  recognized,  and  they  form  excellent 
landmarks  for  the  cove.  The  land  behind  them  is  low  and  thickly 
wooded.  Terao  point,  the  southern  extremity  of  the  bay,  is  low  but 
steep-to;  a  little  to  the  southward  of  it  the  shore  is  flat  J  mile  off. 

Tides. — The  ebb  tide  at  springs  sets  SE.  about  2  knots  off  Aboni 
point. 

Cape  Aitai,  about  3  miles  to  the  SE.  of  Lelbun  point,  is  low  and 
rocky.  Some  rocks  on  a  reef  which  extends  from  it  to  the  southeast- 
ward dry  at  about  2  miles  from  the  shore,  but  there  is  a  x>assage  for 
boats  between  and  inside  them.  About  209  yards  outside  the  outer 
rock  there  is  5  fathoms,  and  from  thence  the  reef  before  mentioned 
trends  in  toward  a  sandy  point  with  a  clump  of  bushes,  about  3  miles 
to  the  northward  of  Queilen  point. 

Shoals. — A  shoal  reported  in  1882,  with  12  feet  water,  and  about  one 
mile  in  extent  north  and  south,  lies  with  Lelbun  point  bearing  S.  78^ 


QUEILEN  POINT — ^TRANQUI   ISLAND.  217 

W.  (S.  59^  W.  mag.)  and  fclie  center  of  Imel  island  bearing  N.  i^  \^, 
(N.  230  W.  mag.). 

At  4  miles  S.  68<=>  E.  (S.  87o  E.  mag.)  from  this  shoal  a  roek  was 
reported  in  1889. 

The  Chilean  Government  has  given  notice  of  the  reiK)rted  existence 
of  a  shoal,  apparently  of  some  extent,  and  marked  by  kelp,  lying  in  the 
northern  part  of  Oorcovado  gulf,  with  Oentinela  point  bearing  South 
(S.  190  E.  mag.)  and  cape  Altai  West  (S.  71o  W.  mag.),  distant  about  6J 
miles.  A  depth  of  9  fathoms  was  obtained,  but  there  appeared  to  be 
very  little  water  on  other  parts  of  the  shoal. 

Queilen  point  is  a  long,  narrow  strip  of  land,  very  low,  and  covered 
with  tr^es,  except  in  one  spot  about  200  yards  wide,  J  mile  from  the 
point,  where  the  sand  extends  across.  The  beach  on  the  SE.  side  slopes 
gradually,  and  at  J  mile  off  there  is  2  fathoms  water;  off  the  point 
there  is  7  fathoms  within  100  yards.  At  3  miles  eastward  of  the  point 
the  small  island  of  Acui  rises  from  its  low  SW.  point  to  a  cliff,  200  feet 
high  on  the  KE.  side,  from  which  some  rocks  stretch  off  nearly  2  miles; 
but  the  whole  island  is  surrounded  by  a  shoal  of  rock  and  shingle  with 
kelp,  part  of  it  drying  at  low  water,  and  extending  off  the  west  point 
about  one  mile.  The  channel  between  Queilen  point  and  Tranqui  island 
is  about  one  mile  wide,  and  the  ebb  sets  through  it  to  the  westward 
about  2  knots  at  neap  tides. 

Tranqm  island,  13  miles  long,  in  an  ESB.  and  WNW.  direction,  and 
about  3  miles  broad,  lies  south  of  Queilen  point,  and  protects  Queilen 
cove  and  Compu  inlet.  A  ridge  of  hills  traverses  the  island ;  it  is  about 
300  feet  high  in  the  highest  part,  which  is  nearest  the  NW.  end,  and 
^om  thence  it  slopes  gradually  toward  the  east,  and  terminates  in  a 
low  point  named  Oentinela.  The  north  shore  slopes  gradually,  and  is 
well  wooded;  the  island  is  thinly  inhabited.  There  is  a  small  bay 
named  Ohauco  at  the  NW.  point  of  the  island,  where  the  channel  turns 
suddenly  to  the  southward,  and  off  the  bay  is  an  islet.  This  bay  affords 
anchorage  in  15  fathoms. 

Niunancia  reef,  on  which  the  sea  breaks,  is  reported  to  lie  with  Oen- 
tinela point  bearing  S.  56^  W.  (S.  37°  W.  mag.),  distant  2J  milea.  Large 
vessels  and  strangers  should  not  navigate  between  this  rock  and  Oen- 
tinela point,  from  which  a  depth  of  16  feet  was  found  over  a  rocky 
bottom. 

A  large  patch  of  kelp  has  been  seen  at  5  miles  NNE.  of  Numancia 
reef.  In  this  position  a  rocky  shoal  is  sSiid  to  exist,  which  partially 
uncovers  at  low  water. 

Bien  Conocido  shoaL— This  shoal,  composed  of  sand  and  gravel, 
with  a  least  depth  of  8  feet  on  it  and  49  fathoms  around,  extends  about 
one  mile  in  an  east  and  west  direction,  and  lies  with  Oentinela  point 
bearing  S.  58o  W.  (S.  39^  W.  mag.)  and  Oorcovado  peak  8. 40°  E.  (S.  59o 
E.  mag.).  This  shoal  is  stated  to  be  connected  with  Oentinela  point  by 
foul  ground  covered  with  weeds. 


218  CHILOE  ISLAND. 

The  commaBder  of  the  Chilean  steamer  Toro  reports  seeing^  a  rock, 
showing  1^  feet  at  low  water,  near  the  position  assigned  to  Bien  Gono- 
cido  bank. 

The  rock  lies  on  the  following  bearings:  Gorcovado  volcano  S. 50^  E« 
(S.  690  E.  mag.) ;  Gentinela  point  8. 62°  W.  (8. 43°  W.  mag.). 
-  Queilen  channel. — After  rounding  Queilen  x>oint,  by  keeping  along 
the  inside  of  the  spit  it  will  lead  to  the  small  harbor  or  cove  of  Queilen, 
the  entrance  to  which  is  about  ^  mile  wide;  but  the  shores  on  either 
side  should  not  be  approached  within  200  yards,  at  which  distance 
there  are  3  fathoms,  and  13  fathoms  in  raid-channel. 

The  cove  is  about  %  mile  long  and  equally  broad,  but  the  west  side  is 
shallow  for  ^  mile.  There  is  good  anchorage  in  from  13  to  14  fathoms, 
with  the  chapel  bearing  8.  73o  E.  (N.  88^  E.  mag.)  and  about  700  yards 
offshore. 

Fresh  provisions  and  good  water  can  be  obtained  at  Queilen. 

On  the  north  shore,  about  one  mile  westward  of  the  cove,  there  is  a 
small  cove  named  Deticu,  1,200  yards  long,  with  an  island  off  it  named 
Ghagualin.  This  cove  affords  anchorage  for  a  vessel  in  from  10  to  13 
fathoms.  The  island  may  be  approached  to  within  200  yards,  where  it 
shoals  suddenly  from  10  to  3  fathoms. 

The  flood  tide  runs  close  round  the  points,  and  then  strikes  across 
toward  the  north  shore,  outside  the  small  island,  within  which  there  is 
very  little  tide.  In  the  narrow  channel  it  runs  at  least  4  knots  at  neap 
tides,  sweeping  round  the  rocky  points. 

At  one  mile  west  of  Deticu  cove,  and  separated  from  it  by  a  head- 
land, is  a  similar  cove  named  Quetu,  affording  anchorage  in  from  9  to 
12  fathoms,  sand.  Pailad  inlet,  at  one  mile  west  of  Quetu  cove,  extends 
2  miles  in  a  NNW.  direction.  The  shore  is  steep  and  rocky,  and,  except 
at  the  entrance,  has  not  depth  of  water  suf&cic  nt  for  other  than  small 
coasters. 

Compu  inlet,  at  the  west  end  of  Queilen  channel,  is  5  miles  long 
and  affords  good  anchorage  for  vessels  of  all  sizes.  From  Yeculinao 
point,  the  south  point  of  the  inlet,  a  rocky  shoal  extends  one-third  of 
the  distance  to  Tranqui  island,  but  the  passage  is  deep  near  the  island 
side. 

Cuello  point  is  on  the  Ghiloe  shore,  at  the  entrance  of  the  SW. 
channel,  which  runs  between  it  and  Tranqui  island. 

One  mile  SE.  from  this  point  there  is  a  stony  reef  named  Ghagua, 
extending  in  a  NW.  and  SE.  direction  about  J  mile.  Part  of  this  reef 
dries  at  spring  tides.  The  shallow  part  has  kelp  on  it,  but  the  shoal 
extends  beyond  the  kelp  about  200  yards  each  way.  Inside,  at  the 
distance  of  J  mile,  there  are  4  fathoms,  which  deepens  to  12  fathoms 
about  J  mile  from  the  shore. 

Chaulin  island,  4}  miles  SE.  of  Guello  point,  is  low.  A  dangerous, 
rocky  shoal  extends  5J  miles  from  the  east  extreme  of  this  island,  on 
which  the  rocks  are  visible  when  the  swell  is  running. 


HUILDAD  INLET — CHILIN  ISLAND.  219 

inlet. — Its  entrance,  5  miles  SSE.  of  Cnello  point,  is  bat 
460  feet  wide.  Inside  of  the  ridge,  which  makes  out  from  the  north 
shore,  it  widens  to  about  J  mile.  One  mile  from  the  entrance  it  con- 
tracts again  to  400  yards,  when  it  opens  into  a  large  basin  one  to  2 
miles  wide  and  4  miles  long.  In  the  outer  harbor  is  a  good  anchorage 
in  5  to  8  fathoms.  The  shores  are  steep- to,  excepting  along  the  inden- 
tation, which  is  behind  the  ridge  of  pebbles,  and  where  there  is  shoal 
water  300  yards  from  the  beach.  In  the  strait  between  the  two  harbors 
there  is  4^  fathoms,  40  yards  from  either  shore,  and  20  fathoms  in  mid- 
channel.  On  the  south  shore  is  a  church  with  several  houses.  The 
other  buildings  are  scattered  along  the  shores  of  the  harbor,  but  prin- 
cipally on  the  southern  shore.  The  land  around  them  is  cleared.  If 
it  is  desirable  to  await  a  change  in  the  wind  or  weather  at  Huildad, 
the  outer  harbor  is  preferable,  as  the  i^W.  squalls  are  very  heavy  in 
the  inner  one,  while  the  outer  is  entirely  sheltered. 

Tides. — At  the  entrance  of  the  inlet  the  ebb  tides  run  nearly  4  knots 
during  the  springs,  but  slacken  considerably  inside.  In  the  strait  the 
tides  are  almost  as  strong  as  at  the  entrance. 

Huildad  shoal,  lying  to  the  southward  of  the  entrance  to  Huildad 
inlet,  between  it  and  Chaiguao  point,  extends  over  one  mile  from  the 
shore,  and  is  nearly  covered  with  kelp ;  the  tide  at  its  outer  edge  runs 
about  IJ  knots  at  springs.  The  shoal  terminates  to  the  southward  in 
a  long  stony  reef,  which  commences  J  mile  inside  Chaiguao  point  and 
extends  SB. ;  some  of  the  stones  are  dry  at  low  water  about  one  mile 
from  the  point,  and  at  spring  tides  the  whole  of  the  reef  is  dry  as  far 
as  the  outer  stones.  There  is  a  channel  between  the  south  end  of  the 
reef  and  the  N"E.  side  of  Cailin  island,  with  deep  water  close  to  the 
reef. 

Tides. — In  this  channel  the  flood  sets  to  the  eastward  across  the 
reef  at  least  3  knots  at  springs;  after  passing  the  reef  it  meets  the 
outside  tide  coming  from  the  southward. 

Cailin  island. — Between  Chaiguao  point  and  San  Pedro  passage 
there  is  a  deep  bay  fronted  by  Cailin,  Laitec,  and  Colita  islands,  with 
the  small  cove  of  Yalad,  NW.  of  the  latter. 

Cailin  is  5  miles  long  NW.  and  SE.,  and  about  4  miles  broad.  The 
northern  coast  is  steep-to.  After  rounding  the  north  point  of 
the  island,  a  low  point  of  pebbles,  there  is  an  inlet  which  runs  into 
the  land  about  4  miles  SE.,  and  terminates  in  three  small  coves.  This 
inlet  affords  good  anchorage,  in  from  13  to  16  fathoms,  especially  on 
the  K'W.  side;  near  the  head  the  water  shoals  suddenly.  The  SB. 
coast  of  the  island  is  composed  of  cliffs  about  100  feet  high.  At  their 
foot  is  a  beach  of  pebbles.  A  reef  with  4  fathoms  at  its  edge  extends 
1 J  miles  from  the  beach. 

Strangers  should  not  attempt  to  use  the  channel  between  Cailin 
island  and  Chaiguao  point.  The  soundings  as  indicated  on  the  chart 
are  misleading. 


220  ANCUD  OULF. 

Ree£ — A  reef  extendn  aoathward  from  Gailiii  island,  Darrowfaig 
greatly  the  chaunel  between  the  island  and  Laitec  or  Liligoapi  island. 
Besides  this,  the  chaunel  is  very  dangerous. 

Fort  QoAllon,  on  the  Ghiioe  shore,  2^  miles  west  of  the  north 
extreme  of  Oailin,  is  sheltered  from  the  SB.  by  Lua  point.  It  afifords 
good  anchorage  in  moderate  depths,  and  is  an  important  place  iji  the 
export  of  timber.  Yalad  cove,  at  4  miles  WSW.  of  Lua  point,  also 
afiords  good  anchorage  in  from  10  to  14  fathoms.  Vessels  must  pass 
west  of  the  small  island  of  Linagua,  in  the  entrance;  the  passage  east 
of  the  island  is  fit  only  for  boats. 

Snppliea — Oxen,  sheep,  poultry,  and  eggs  can  be  obtained  at  Quel- 
Ion;  the  venders  prefer  to  barter  provisions  for  articles  of  clothing 
rather  than  for  money. 

Tidttft. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  port  QueUon  at  12h. 
40m. ;  springs  rise  14J  feet. 

Laitec  island  is  0  miles  long  NW.  and  SE.,  and  about  3  miles  in 
breadth,  and  is  separated  from  Oailin  island  by  a  channel  2  miles 
across,  at  the  southern  entrance  of  which  there  are  20  fiikthoms  water, 
but  within  the  ground  is  foul;  off  its  SB.  end  there  are  a  few  rocks, 
but  no  danger  was  visible  beyond  i  mile,  where  4  &thoms  was  found. 

Laitec  shoal. — A.  dangerous  shoal,  on  which  the  least  water  found 
by  H.  M.  S.  Nassau  was  2f  fathoms,  and  where  the  sea  breaks  heavily 
with  SW.  gales,  lies  2^  miles  off  Laitec  island.  From  the  shoalest 
part  found  the  SE.  extreme  of  Laitec  island  bears  K.  38^  W.  (IS.  67<^ 
W.  mag.),  and  White  rock,  at  the  entrance  of  port  San  Pedro,  bears  S* 
710  W.  (S.  620  W.  mag.). 

Colita  island  i^  low  and  thickly  wooded,  about  4  miles  long  and  1^ 
miles  broad.  The  channel  between  it  and  Chiloe  is  very  narrow,,  and 
is  not  fit  for  a  ship.  Tbe  land  behind  rises  gradually  from  the  coast 
and  forms  a  range  of  hills  above  1,000  feet  high.  Between  Golita  and 
Laitec  islands  the  passage  is  1^  miles  broad.  The  tide  sets  about  one 
knot  through  the  channel  north  of  the  is]ands.  Port  San  PediQ  is 
described  at  page  198. 

Oulfs  of  Ancud  and  Corcovado. — The  coasts  of  the  continent  in 
the  gulfs  of  Ancud  and  Corcovado,  together  with  the  shores  of  the 
interior  sounds  of  the  Ghonos  archipelago,  have  only  been  partially 
surveyed.  They  were  explored  by  Moraleda  in  1795,  from  whose  charts, 
as  also  from  the  Chilean  surveys  and  other  authorities,  the  coast  line 
has  been  laid  down  on  existing  charts. 

Pama  bay,  to  the  eastward  of  Coronel  point,  is  entirely  open  to  the 
southward,  but  sheltered  against  KW.  winds;  it  should  therefore  be 
used  only  by  vessels  waiting  for  a  favorable  opportunity  to  pass  through 
the  strait  of  Chacao.  Kear  Tique  point  the  breakers  extend  i  mile 
from  the  beach,  and  the  shoal  continues  along  the  shore  to  the  southern 
part  of  Auque  point.  At  that  point  a  dangerous  spit,  |  mile  long, 
makes  to  the  SE.  into  the  Abtao  channel.  The  eddies  seen  between 
Ohilen  bluff  and  Tique  point  are  called  the  Raya  de  Tique. 


ABTAO   ISLAN1>— QUIHUA   ISLAND.  221 

Abtao  isl^md  forms  a  narrow  ridge  about  3  miled  long  and  766  yards 
extreme  width.  The  NW.  part  is  the  highest,  154  feet  high,  and  ends 
in  Pilqaeu  hill.  This  is  the  only  spot  on  the  island  where  fresh  water 
can  be  found.  In  the  SW.  the  island  terminates  in  a  long,  low,  and 
very  narrow  tongue  of  land,  named  Quilque  point,  with  a  spit  extend- 
ing 1,200  yards  west  from  it.  From  the  'NW.  point  some  rocks  make 
out  about  400  yards,  close  to  which  there  are  12  fathoms;  banks  make 
out  from  the  East  and  SE.  extremities  of  Abtao,  called  Huenugnapi  and 
Nahuelguapi;  the  latter  projects  about  one  mile  and  is  covered  with 
weeds;  at  its  edge  there  is  5  fathoms. 

Abtao  channel  is  narrow  and  winding,  but  deep  and  navigable  by 
any  vessel.  Sailing  vessels,  however,  should  not  use  the  channel  unless 
with  a  fair  wind.  The  island  shore  should  be  kept  aboard  when  clear 
of  the  spit  off  Quilque  point.  There  is  anchorage  anywhere  in  the 
channel.  At  high  water,  when  the  banks  are  covered,  it  would  be  v6ry 
difficult  to  enter  without  a  pilot;  but  at  low  water  the  passage  shows 
distinctly,  and  with  proper  precautions  might  be  used  without  a  pilot. 

Port  Abtao  or  Chayahue. — The  Abtao  channel  at  its  northern  part 
is  about  i  mile  across,  and  on  the  western  shore  is  a  small  bay  named 
Port  Abtao,  which  affords  anchorage  in  from  10  to  20  fethotids. 

The  port  id  sheltered  from  all  winds  except  easterly,  has  good  holding 
ground,  and  can  accommodate  several  ships. 

Iidgartija  island,  1^  miles  ISB.  of  Abtao  Island,  is  a  round  hummock, 
about  100  yards  in  extent,  surrounded  by  a  bed  of  shingle,  which  is 
covered  at  hi^  water  except  at  the  north  point,  where  a  narrow  spit 
remains  dry  tor  300  yards.  A  shoal  extends  2  miles  off  its  SE.  end, 
drying  for  a  distance  of  one  mile  from  the  island  at  low  water.  The 
southern  extreme,  with  1^  fathoms  on  it,  is  named  Cola  bank. 

Lami  banks. — ^Between  Lagartija  island  and  Quenu  island,  at  5| 
miles  farther  east,  lie  the  Lami  banks,  dry  in  several  places  at  low 
watOT;  the  northern  edge  of  these  banks  is  parallel  to  the  shore  at  the 
distance  of  about  1^  miles;  in  mid-channel  there  is  35  fathoms. 

Vessels  should  not  attempt  to  navigate  between  the  several  shoals 
denominated  the  Lami  banks. 

Z^gattya  channel  lies  between  the  shoals  south  of  Lagartija  island 
and  the  shoal  extending  to  the  SE.  of  Abtao  island.  The  narrowest 
part  of  the  channel  is  J  mile  wide,  and  it  is  the  passage  used  by  all 
large  vessels  bound  to  port  Montt. 

Buojrs. — ^A  black  conical  buoy  is  moored  in  18  feet  water  on  the  SB. 
extremity  of  the  sunken  ridges  extending  SE.  of  Abtao  islandi 

Abreast  this  buoy  on  the  east  side  of  the  chahnel  lies  South  bank, 
with  2  fathoms  least  water  on  it. 

A  red  xjan  buoy  is  moored  in  13  feet  at  low  water  on  the  west  side  of 
Middle  bank. 

Quihua  is  a  large  and  rugged  island,  separated  from  the  continent 
by  a  lotig,  sinuous,  and  narrow  branch  of  the  sea  called  San  Antonio 
channel.     It  is  deep  at  the  entrance,  having  about  14J  fathoms;  the 


222  ANCUD  GULF. 

channel  is  dry  for  ^  mile  at  nearly  all  tides,  and  is  only  navigable 
for  boats  daring  high  water.  The  tides  enter  at  both  ends  and  lose 
themselves  in  the  numerous  estuaries. 

Tabon  island,  at  the  western  entrance  to  Beloncavi  sound,  is  very 
irregular,  and  formed  of  a  series  of  detached  peaks,  connected  by  small 
ridges  of  pebbles,  several  of  which  are  covered  at  high  water,  when 
three  separate  islands  are  formed.  From  its  western  extremity  a  stony 
reef  extends  NW.,  and  is  dry  at  low  water  |  mile  from  the  shore. 
Another  reef  extends  one  mile  southwestward  from  the  west  extreme 
of  the  island.  Half  a  mile  southward  of  the  east  point  of  Tabon  there 
is  anchorage  in  15  fathoms,  named  Lin  anchorage.  The  inhabitants 
are  occupied  in  agriculture  and  cutting  timber.    Firewood  is  scarce, 

Tabon  shoal,  of  sand,  shell,  and  pebble,  about  one  mile  long  and 
steep-to,  is  said  to  dry  at  low  spring  tides  and  to  be  situated  about 
midway  between  Tabon  and  Ohidguapi  islands. 

Amnistia  or  Shearwater  bank,  about  3  miles  to  the  southward  of 
Tabon,  is  a  bank  of  rocks  and  stones,  covered  by  11  feet  of  water.  It 
was  reported  by  H.  M.  S.  Shearwater ^  and  has  a  diameter  of  about  one 
mile. 

Bank. — About  10  miles  to  the  southward  of  the  east  point  of  Tabon 
and  15  miles  east  of  Queniao  the  charts  show  a  large  bank  of  about  4 
miles  diameter,  which  uncovers  at  low  water. 

Quenu  is  a  small  island  110  feet  high,  of  the  same  character  as  Tabon. 
A  reef  of  rocks  makes  out  to  the  westward  from  Pinto,  the  northwest- 
ern point  of  the  island,  for  ^  mile,  and  terminates  in  three  rocks,  which 
only  uncover  at  low  water;  the  bank  uncovers  almost  entirely.  Eight 
hundred  and  seventy  yards  from  this  point  there  is  only  3  fathoms  of 
water.  Between  this  bank  and  Lami  banks  the  channel  is  one  mile 
wide,  with  35  fathoms  of  water,  muddy  bottom. 

The  passage  between  Quenu  and  Galbuco  islands  is  clear.  Vessels 
pai^sing  through  it  must  keep  in  mid-channel,  steering  due  east.  Martin 
point  is  cleaner  than  the  southern  points  of  Galbuco,  but  it  must  on  no 
account  be  brought  to  bear  to  the  northward  of  east. 

The  eastern  and  southeastern  points  of  Quenu  are  foul  to  a  distance 
of  330  yards ;  from  there  the  water  is  very  deep.  On  the  southern  point, 
Eumen,  there  is  a  small  chapel. 

Quenu  is  a  small,  picturesque,  and  fertile  island.  It  produces  pota- 
toes, apples,  grain,  strawberries,  and  cattle;  but  the  island  is  poor,  as  it 
is  badly  cultivated.  It  is  entirely  cleared  of  wood ;  firewood  is  imported, 
and  dear. 

Galbuco  is  a  small,  highly  cultivated  island,  and  has  the  same  aspect 
as  the  preceding  ones.  In  connection  with  the  island  Quihua  and 
the  continent  it  forms  Caicaen  channel.  The  banks  off  the  town  and 
the  point  reduce  the  navigable  portion  to  225  yards  in  width.  The  NE. 
shore  of  the  island,  called  Pecuta,  where  the  town  is  built,  uncovers 
for  a  distance  of  200  yards.    Olose  outside  of  this  low- water  mark  there 


CHIDGUAPI  ISLAND— HUITO  INLET.  223 

is  6  fathoms  of  water,  and  beyond  the  depths  increase  to  17  and  24 
fathoms. 

■ 

Anchorage. — Vessels  anchor  ^  mile  NE.  of  the  town  of  Galbnco,  with 
the  entrance  of  Hnito  inlet  nearly  shut  in,  in  15  fathoms  of  water; 
bottom  fine  sand  mixed  with  mud. 

The  town  of  Oalbuco  has  deteriorated  considerably  since  the  founda- 
tion of  the  colony  at  Port  Montt.  It  is  about  26  to  30  feet  above  the 
sea,  and  built  on  very  uneven  ground.  Mail  steamers  to  and  from  Port 
Montt  call  at  Galbuco. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Galbuco  at  Ih.  22m. ; 
sxiiings  rise  from  15  to  20  feet. 

Chidguapi  island  is  low  and  almost  entirely  under  cultivation 
Between  its  western  part  and  Quenu  the  average  depth  is  30  fathoms. 
The  island  is  from  80  to  100  feet  high  and  is  divided  into  two  parts. 
The  ground  is  very  much  cut  up  and  the  shores  are  alternately  low 
and  high;  there  are  isolated  rocks  440  yards  from  its  western  point. 
The  island  has  been  cleared  of  wood  and  no  cattle  are  raised  on  it. 

Fulnqni  island  is  the  largest  and  most  eastern  of  the  islands  between 
the  Ghacao  narrows  and  Beloncavi  sound.  It  is  thickly  wooded;  on 
the  eastern  side  the  patches  of  clear  land  are  very  few,  but  on  the  other 
side,  where  the  land  is  lower  and  swampy,  they  are  more  numerous. 
The  south  point  is  low  and  rises  gradually  to  a  ridge  300  feet  high, 
which  traverses  the  island  from  north  to  south  near  the  eastern  shore. 

There  are  four  bays  on  the  western  coast  of  the  island :  Ghope  bay, 
the  southern  one,  has  anchorage  in  the  entrance  with  good  holding 
ground.  Ghauquiar  bay,  about  J  mile  north  of  Ghope  bay,  has  14  fath- 
oms at  the  entrance  and  10  fathoms,  mud,  at  the  head  of  it.  Quinched 
bay,  east  of  Ghaullin  island,  and  Puluqui  bay,  just  north  of  it,  are 
blocked  by  shoals.  The  inhabitants  of  Puluqui  are  occupied  in  fishing, 
in  cuttiDg  wood,  and  in  cultivating  potatoes,  wheat,  flax,  and  grass. 
The  island  is  thickly  wooded,  the  inhabitants  are  scattered  over  it,  and 
there  is  no  center  of  population.  The  agent  of  the  government  lives  at 
Ghechil. 

Chaullin  is  a  small  island  opposite  the  estuary  of  Huito  and  about 
one  mile  to  the  NE.  of  the  town  of  Galbuco.  It  is  low,  scantily  wooded, 
and  abounds  in  shellfish.  The  want  of  fresh  water  prevents  the  culti- 
vation of  this  fertile  island. 

Huito  inlet  is  about  800  yards  wide  at  the  entrance,  and  extends 
from  Port  Galbuco  in  a  W,  NW.,  and  northerly  direction  about  4  miles, 
with  a  depth  of  18  fathoms  at  its  entrance,  decreasing  gradually  to 
3^  fathoms  at  the  distance  of  one  mile  inside  and  nearly  abreast  of 
El  Eosario  on  the  north  shore,  oft*  which  and  the  first  projecting  point 
on  the  south  shore  of  the  inlet  are  banks  extending  out,  narrowing  the 
channel  to  about  200  yards  across.  After  passing  the  shoal  water  off 
El  Eosario  the  depth  increases  to  20  fathoms;  from  thence  it  decreases 
gradually  to  the  head  of  the  inlet. 


224  ANCUD  GULF. 

Anchorage. — A  vessel  may  anchor  in  mid-channel  just  inside  the 
entrance  of  Haito  inlet  in  14  to  17  fathoms.  There  is  also  anchorage 
to  the  westward  of  El  liosario  in  from  12  to  20  fathoms,  sandy  bottom. 

Water  can  be  taken  in  at  the  many  springs  or  from  the  torrent  at  the 
bottom  of  the  inlet.  This  inlet  is  gloomy,  thickly  wooded,  and  bordered 
by  steep  hills.  There  are  some  few  cnltivated  spots,  near  which  huts 
are  built.  Northward,  and  near  the  neck,  is  El  Bosario,  consisting  of 
a  few  small  houses  around  a  chapel. 

Rulo  inlet. — About  one  mile  NE.  of  Pelu  point,  the  northern  point  of 
Huito  inlet,  is  Metrencue  point,  near  which  there  is  a  small  dry  rock; 
around  this  Eulo  inlet  opens,  having  at  its  entrance  a  width  of  1^  miles, 
its  depth  being  nearly  2  miles.  It  is  surrounded  by  hills  of  moderate 
height,  which  are  cultivated.  This  bay  is  somewhat  shoal.  There  is 
5^  fathoms  at  the  entrance  and  about  3  at  its  head.  The  interior  lagoon 
is  almost  entirely  dry.  On  entering  the  inlet  vessels  must  keep  close 
to  Metrencue  point  to  avoid  the  bank  of  San  Agustin,  which  makes  out 
from  the  SE.  point  of  the  bay. 

Tetttii  island. — Tautil  island  has  a  mean  breadth  of  105  feet.  The 
ground  is  level  and  favorable  for  agriculture.  It  is  about  72  feet  high. 
Its  western  coast  is  cut  up  and  near  it  are  many  detached  rocks.  It 
containB  drinkable  water  and  several  hiits. 

The  coasts  of  the  island  are  flat  and  rocky.  The  shores  on  the  east- 
em  part  uncover  to  a  distance  of  200  yards,  and  on  the  NW.  extremity 
535  yards.  To  the  SE.,  in  the  direction  of  San  Eamon  point,  or  in  the 
narrowest  part  of  tlie  channel,  a  bank  makes  out  about  328  yards  to  the 
middle  of  the  channel.    At  its  edge  is  3  fathoms  at  low  water. 

This  island  lies  in  the  passage  between  the  continent  and  Puluqui, 
where  it  forms  two  channels. 

The  channel  on  the  side  of  the  continent  is  narrow  and  shoal,  and 
remains  dry  on  its  southern  portion  from  half  tide.  No  vessel  can  pass 
through  it.  A  tongue  of  sand  and  pebbles  unites  this  island  with  San 
Agufiitin.  The  remainder  of  the  channel  is  formed  by  low  and  stony 
beaches,  and  at  its  northern  entrance  there  is  a  bank  of  detached 
rocks,  which  is  awash  at  low  water  and  must  be  avoided  by  boats 
which  may  attempt  this  passage. 

Calbuco  channel  shoals  gradually  between  Puluqui  island  and  the 
main,  and  in  the  narrowest  part,  between  the  north  point  of  Puluqui 
and  Tautil  islet,  where  it  is  about  ^  mile  wide,  there  are  3^  fathoms  in 
mid-channel,  but  at  200  yards  from  St.  Eamon  point  there  are  6  to  6 
fathoms;  in  hauling  round  the  point  it  then  deepens  to  8  and  16  fathoms. 
Vessels  bound  to  Port  Montt  from  Ancud  generally  use  this  channel, 
but  they  should  at  all  times  pass  westward  of  ChauUin  island,  for  the 
pasisage  east  of  that  island  is  unsafe. 

Centinela  (Soldado)  point,  the  southeastern  point  of  Puluqui,  is 
low,  shingly,  and  thickly  wooded;  the  highland  rises  about  200  yards 
inshore,  and  a  flat  extends  200  yards  from  the  point.    About  one  mile 


BELONCAVI   SOUND — HUELMO  ISLAND  225 

to  the  northward  of  the  point  there  is  a  small  cove,  the  entrance  of 
which  is  very  narrow  and  too  shallow  for  a  boat  after  half  tide;  bat 
inside  it  is  about  ^  mile  across,  with  8  fathoms  in  one  part. 

Reloncavi  sound,  in  the  NE.  part  of  Ancnd  gulf,  extends  20  miles 
to  the  northward,  and  is  aboat  12  miles  across  from  east  to  west.  The 
Sound  has  three  entrances.  The  first  is  the  strait  of  Tautil  just 
described;  the  second  is  between  the  island  Queullin  and  Nao  islet; 
the  principal  one,  however,  is  the  strait  between  Centinela  point  and 
Queullin,  which  is  2  miles  wide.  In  the  strait  between  Centinela  x>oint 
and  Queullin  there  is  no  bottom  with  60  fathoms,  and  no  bottom  in  the 
Sound  with  120  fathoms,  except  in  the  vicinity  of  the  islands  and  banks. 
Generally  speaking,  vessels  anchor  under  the  lee  of  the  islands  or 
along  the  coast  on  either  side,  according  to  the  wind.  The  tide  runs 
from  1  to  2^  knots  in  the  strait  between  Puluqui  and  Queullin,  accord- 
ing to  the  age  of  the  moon ;  in  the  narrowest  part  there  are  some  eddies. 

Guar  island  is  separated  from  the  continent  by  the  Guar  passage, 
which  is  one  mile  wide.  Its  NW.  x)oint  is  formed  by  the  small  island 
Mallina,  united  to  it  by  a  narrow  bank  of  pebbles,  which  uncovers  at 
one-third  ebb  tide.  Mallina  rises  gradually  toward  the  northward  and 
terminates  in  a  cliff.  It  is  inhabited  and  cultivated.  From  its  NE. 
part  a  bank  makes  out  which  is  dry  at  low  water.  It  abounds  in  shell- 
fish and  is  the  rendezvous  of  the  fishermen  of  the  vicinity. 

On  the  SE.  side  of  the  Guar  island  are  two  inlets,  named,  respec- 
tively, Ghipue  and  Ghanqui,  affording  anchorage,  but  in  rather  deep 
water. 

Quetrulauquen  inlet  on  the  north  coast,  and  on  the  other  side  of  Mal- 
lina, and  Oolhue  inlet  on  the  NW.  coast  are  suitable  for  boats  only. 

Dangers. — San  Jos6  shoal  lies  If  miles  to  the  northward  of  Queullin, 
with  the  clear  space  of  about  3  miles  between  it  and  Puluqui  island. 
The  shoal  dries  at  low  spring  tides. 

Pucari  shoal,  which  dries  in  the  middle  upward  of  6  feet  at  low 
water,  lies  2  miles  south  of  the  east  extreme  of  Guar  island.  The 
neighborhood  of  this  shoal  has  not  been  closely  examined,  but  the  local 
pilots  state  that  Eosario  shoal  and  Pucari  shoal  are  identical.  The 
passage  between  Pucari  shoal  and  Guar  island  is  1,200  yards  wide. 

Janequeo  shoaL— At  4^  miles  S.  68^  E.  (S.  86^  E.  mag.)  of  Bedonda 
point,  or  in  the  direction  of  and  nearly  midway  to  Oaicura  islands  at 
the  entrance  of  Eeloncavi  inlet,  is  the  Janequeo  shoal,  but  its  exact 
position  is  not  known. 

Huelmo  bay  is  to  the  northward  of  the  point  of  the  same  name. 
The  largest  vessel  can  enter  it.  The  surrounding  hills  attain  an  eleva- 
tion of  180  to  230  feet,  and  some  streams  of  excellent  water  run  from 
them.    The  shores  are  low  and  rocky,  and  there  are  some  houses. 

Huelmo  island  is  at  low  water  connected  with  the  continent  on  the 
west  side.    Sloops  and  large  boats  can  pass  through  the  channel  at 

1943— No.  89 15 


I       1      M      I 


226  ANCUD  GULF. 

high  water.  The  northern  extremity  is  high  and  wooded ;  the  south 
coast  is  more  even.  From  it  a  chain  of  reefs  extends  to  the  eastward 
for  i  mile,  and  ends  in  a  dark-colored  rock  called  Lobos,  which  is  dry 
at  half  tide.  Between  it  and  the  coast  is  another  rock  above  water 
called  Huelmo.  It  is  of  a  whitish  color,  inclined  to  the  westward,  and 
is  always  uncovered.    It  resembles  a  boat  under  sail. 

Uque  bay. — ^The  unexplored  bay  of  Ilque  is  between  Gapacho  and 
Ilque  points.  It  is  surrounded  by  hills  from  200  to  215  feet  high,  on 
which  are  some  houses.    The  chapel  of  Ilque  is  at  the  head  of  this  bay. 

Ilque  point — It  is  presumed  that  Ilque  i>oint  was  confounded  with 
Gapacho  point  on  the  old  charts.  A  chain  of  rocks,  uncovered  at  low 
water^  extends  from  its  eastern  part  for  about  i  mile. 

Anchorage  of  Hueqaillahna. — To  the  northward  of  point  Ilque  a 
large  bay  opens.  Its  shores  are  sloping  and  covered  with  bowlders. 
The  opening  of  the  bay  is  3^  miles  wide  and  nearly  2  miles  long.  In 
its  S  W.  part  is  the  anchorage  of  Huequillahue. 

Maillen  island. — There  is  a  passage  between  the  main  and  this 
island,  but  shoal  patches  lie  off  its  SE.  and  J^W.  points. 

Gapiraguapi  islet  lies  i  mile  south  of  Maillen,  with  which  it  is 
connected  by  a  sand  bank,  dry  at  low  water. 

The  channel  between  Maillen  and  Panitao  point  is  clear  and  safe;  the 
least  water  in  mid-channel  is  5  fathoms. 

Port  Montt — ^At  3^  miles  north  of  Maillen  is  Tenglo  island,  sep- 
arated from  the  coast  by  a  narrow  passage,  at  the  north  end  of  which 
is  Port  Montt,  a  prosperous  town  established  by  the  Ghilean  Govern- 
ment in  1853.    The  anchorage  is  good,  but  open  to  the  southward. 

The  least  water  in  the  channel  is  2  fathoms,  but  about  the  middle  of 
it  a  rocky  shoal  extends  from  the  island,  which,  together  with  a  sharp 
turn,  makes  its  navigation  by  ships  undesirable.  At  the  east  end  of 
the  channel  is  a  good  beac|,^ing  place  named  El  Dique. 

This  port  is  only  15  miles  from  the  German  colony  on  the  banks  of 
the  Llanquihue  lake,  of  which  it  has  become  the  seaport.  The  Pacific 
Steam  Navigation  Gompany's  steamers  call  here  every  month. 

The  town  of  Port  Montt  in  1885  contained  about  3,000  inhab- 
itants. The  principal  export  is  timber  for  building  purposes.  There  is 
telegraphic  communication  with  Valparaiso;  also  with  Ancud. 

Pier. — A  pier  is  constructed  near  the  center  of  the  town  at  the  west' 
end  of  the  plaza.    It  is  a  convenient  landing  for  boats  and  can  be  used 
at  low  water. 

Light — A  fixed  red  light  is  shown  from  the  landing  pier  head.  It  is 
visible  3  miles. 

Anchorage. — H.  M.  S.  Shearwater  anchored  on  the  bank,  which 
extends  i  mile  southward  from  the  town  in  17  fathoms,  fine  dark  sand. 
The  bank  is  very  steep-to,  and  should  be  approached  with  caution,  for 
the  beach  at  low-water  springs  dries  more  than  200  yards,  and  then 
suddenly  drops  in  7, 10,  and  15  fathoms  j  and  should  the  anchor  be  let 


PORT   MONTT — DIRECTIONS.  227 

go  in  less  than  15  fathoms  with  a  long  scope  of  cable  out  the  vessel 
would  probably  tail  onto  the  beach  with  southerly  winds. 

The  mark  for  being  on  the  bank,  and  a  good  one  for  anchorage,  is 
the  low  shingle  beach  at  the  entrance  of  the  little  harbor  (formed  by 
the  KE.  end  of  Tenglo  and  the  main)  touching  the  dark  house  to  the 
southward  of  it.  This  little  harbor  has  5  fathoms  in  it,  fine  sandy 
bottom,  and  is  sheltered  from  all  winds.  The  Pacific  Steamship  Navi- 
gation Company's  steamers  always  anchor  in  it,  and  beach  their  vessels 
for  repairs,  etc.  There  is  not  room  for  moderate-sized  vessels  to  swing, 
consequently  they  must  make  fast  astern  with  a  hawser  to  the  shore. 

H.  M.  S.  Topaze  in  1869  moored  in  the  passage  between  Tenglo  island 
and  the  main,  and  remained  with  a  hawser  to  the  shore,  having  room  to 
swing  one  way. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Montt  at  48m.  5 
springs  rise  18  to  20  feet,  neaps  rise  14  to  15  feet. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  and  water  can  be  obtained  in  large 
quantities,  but  there  are  no  ships'  stores  or  coal  for  steamers. 

Directions. — Chacao  narrows  to  Port  Montt — ^There  are  two 
routes  between  Ghacao  strait  and  Port  Montt,  one  outside  and  the 
other  inside  of  the  islands. 

The  one  outside  of  the  islands,  to  the  south  of  Tabon  and  through 
the  strait  between  Puluqui  and  QueuUin,  is  very  inconvenient  on  account 
of  the  fogs,  squalls,  and  rains  which  shut  in  the  shore.  Amnistia  bank, 
south  of  Tabon,  and  the  banks  in  the  center  of  the  gulf  of  Eeloncavi, 
badly  explored  and  doubtfully  located,  are  serious  obstructions  to  this 
navigation.  Sailing  vessels  alone  are  forced  to  make  this  tedious 
passage. 

The  inside  route  is  recommended  as  preferable,  but  a  pilot  should  be 
taken  either  at  Ancud  or  Montt.  Steamers  can  pass  between  Abtao 
and  the  continent  through  the  Abtao  channel.  The  buoys  recently 
placed  in  the  channel  between  Abtao  and  Lagartija  render  this  channel 
preferable.  The  track  used  by  steamers  after  clearing  the  narrows  is 
through  Lagartija  channel,  between  Abtao  and  Lagartija  to  the  north 
of  Lami  banks;  then  between  Calbuco  and  Quenu  islands,  to  the  town 
of  Calbuco,  but  at  high  water  between  Calbuco  island  and  the  main; 
then  along  the  NW.  side  of  Puluqui  island,  between  it  and  Tautil 
island,  and  along  the  west  side  of  Guar  island  to  Port  Montt,  passing 
east  of  Maillen  and  Tenglo  islands, 

Reloncavi  inlet  is  deep  throughout,  but  has  good  anchorage  in 
Sotomo  bay,  also  at  the  head  of  the  inlet  in  Ealun  bay  in  from  14  to  19 
fathoms,  mud.    Violent  squalls  come  off  the  high  land. 

At  the  north  entrance  of  the  inlet  is  a  hill,  called  the  Morro  del 
Horno;  it  is  the  beginning  of  a  perpendicular  shore  bordered  by  moun- 
tains, which  are  all  overlooked  by  the  double  peak  of  Cuitue.  The 
shore  is  cut  by  inaccessible  small  creeks,  and  trends  first  to  the  east- 
ward, then  to  the  NE.    The  sides  of  the  mountains  are  covered  with  a 


228  ANCUD  GULF. 

thick  forest  of  alerce.    Morro  Ohico  is  a  small  poiut  which  forms  the 
southern  entrance  of  the  inlet  of  Beloncavi. 

Sotomo  bay. — Aboat  15  miles  from  the  entrance  of  Beloncavi  inlet 
and  on  the  western  shore  is  Sotomo  bay,  where  a  vessel  may  anchor 
between  Toro  and  Observation  cays,  in  aboat  30  fathoms,  mad  bottom 
^  mile  offshore. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  at  Sotomo  bay  at  55m. ; 
springs  rise  18  feet. 

Allien  island. — Farther  to  the  southward  is  the  Aalen  channel, 
formed  by  Aulen  island  and  the  continent.  It  is  nearly  dry  daring 
the  ebb  of  the  equinoctial  springs;  in  some  places  it  has  a  width  of 
300  yards,  but  it  contracts  greatly  at  its  southern  entrance.  The  island 
is  nearly  2  miles  in  circumference,  is  low  and  wooded,  and  has  at  its 
northern  extremity  a  bank  of  550  yards  extent. 

To  the  southward  of  Aulen  is  Garamufiien  cove,  which  can  be  used 
by  boats.  The  point,  which  is  the  southern  limit  of  the  cove,  is  extended 
by  a  bank  650  yards. 

Allien  or  Trentelhue  point,  which  is  2  miles  SW.  of  Aulen  island, 
is  the  western  extremity  of  the  continent.  It  ends  in  a  narrow  tongue 
of  sand,  which  uncovers  at  low  water,  and  is  joined  to  an  islet  called 
Nao. 

Nao  islet — It  is  dangerous  to  approach  Nao  islet  from  the  north- 
ward ;  its  length  is  430  yards  from  east  to  west,  and  its  breadth  275 
yards  from  north  to  south.  In  connection  with  Aulen  point  it  forms 
an  extended  anchorage,  which  is  sheltered  from  SW.  winds. 

The  channel  between  Nao  and  QueuUin  is  clear.  It  is  about  f  mile 
wide,, and  vessels  of  any  size  can  pass  through  it. 

QueuUin  island  is  to  the  westward  of  Kao;  the  western  part  of 
this  island  and  Puluqui  form  a  clear  channel  2  miles  wide,  which 
leads  to  the  entrance  of  the  gulf  of  Beloncavi. 

Coast  of  Gualaihue. — ^The  Gualaihue  coast  extends  between  Aulen 
point  and  the  estuary  of  Oomau ;  it  inclines  rapidly  to  the  SE.,  and,  like 
that  of  Oontao,  is  low  and  wooded.  About  IJ  miles  from  Aulen  point  is 
Eolecha  cove,  and  farther  to  the  southward  Queten  cove.  The  latter, 
which  is  sheltered  from  north  and  south  winds,  offers  a  good  temporary 
anchorage  for  all  vessels. 

About  3  miles  farther  to  the  SE.  is  Ohauchil  point,  from  which  a  bank 
projects  530  yards  5  it  abounds  in  shellfish,  and  is  the  resort  of  fisher- 
men. From  Ohauchil  the  coast  inclines  a  little  to  the  east,  forming  the 
coves  of  Lleniman  and  Ghenua,  which  are  completely  open  to  the  south  ^ 
in  the  former  the  tide  recedes  nearly  J  mile.  Poyeguapi  point  is 
rocky. 

Santo  Domingo  bank  lies  off  Lleniman  cove  about  IJ  miles  from  the 
coast;  it  only  uncovers  at  low- water  springs;  the  part  which  is  then 
dry  has  an  extent  of  about  330  yards;  it  is  formed  of  sand  and  round 
stones.  The  channel  between  the  bank  and  the  continent  has  a  depth 
of  about  24  fathoms  in  the  middle* 


COMAU  INLET — ^POET  PALENA.  229 

cove  is  at  the  entrance  of  the  inlet  of  Gomau  and  to  the 
eastward  of  Gaalaihne  point. 

Comau  or  Leteu  inlet. — At  Onalaihue  point,  the  northern  point  of 
the  entrance  of  Comau,  a  group  of  small  islands  commences,  through 
which  it  is  said  there  is  a  passage,  as  also  some  interior  ports;  but 
the  proper  passage  is  between  the  island  Llancahue  and  Morro  Gomau, 
the  southern  point  of  the  inlet,  and  either  to  the  north  or  the  south 
of  the  small  island  Liliguapi.  This  island  is  clean,  but  a  little  over 
J  mile  to  the  eastward  of  it  are  the  Ballena  rocks,  which  are  above 
high  water,  and  are  dangerous  for  those  who  take  the  northern  or 
Marilmo  channel;  to  vessels  taking  the  southern  or  Gomau  channel  it 
is  less  dangerous. 

After  passing  the  Ballena  rocks,  Gahuelmo  inlet  is  seen  to  the  KE., 
and  to  the  SE.  Gomau  inlet.  The  latter  is  18  miles  in  extent.  From 
Liliguapi  it  extends  SE.  for  15  miles  and  ends  in  a  funnel-shaped  bay  3 
miles  in  diameter;  its  depth  is  22  fathoms.  In  the  NE.  corner,  at  the 
head  of  this  bay,  vessels  can  anchor  in  15  fathoms,  off  a  sand  beach,  to 
the  southward  of  which  the  river  Bodudahue  empties. 

Vessels  can  also  anchor  in  Leptepu  creek. 

Coast  to  southward  of  Comau  inlet. — ^From  Gomau  inlet  the 
description  of  the  coast  is  taken  from  Moraleda,  and  therefore  is  doubt- 
ful. The  high  coast  runs  from  WSW.  to  point  Ghulao,  then  to  the 
south,  with  several  bends.  It  is  indented  by  the  inlet  Eenihue,  which 
extends  into  the  coast  about  6  or  8  miles.  Thirty-five  miles  from  Ghu- 
lao point  is  point  Lieuleu,  which  lies  opposite  the  east  point  of  Talcan 
island,  and  is  separated  from  it  by  a  channel  hardly  2  miles  wide,  with 
a  depth  of  85  fathoms;  bottom  coral  and  broken  shell. 

Mount  Vilcun  is  about  2^  miles  south  of  point  Lieuleu  and  in  the 
shape  of  a  sugarloaf.  It  can  be  seen  over  the  SE.  extremity  of  Talcan; 
is  thickly  wooded  to  the  summit  and  rises  directly  at  the  edge  of  the 
sea.  To  the  southward  of  this  mountain  is  a  deep  inlet  with  a  small 
island  before  its  entrance. 

At  13  miles  east  of  Mount  Yilcun  is  the  volcano  of  Ghayapiren,  8,000 
feet  high;  26  miles  SSW.  of  the  latter  is  the  mountain  Gorcovado,  7,510 
feet  high ;  and  18  miles  south  of  this  is  Yanteles,  6,725  feet  high .  These 
mountains  are  from  6  to  12  miles  from  the  coast.  From  abreast  of 
them  the  coast  trends  nearly  south  for  21  miles  to  Gape  Gorcovado, 
where  there  is  a  temporary  anchorage. 

Tictoc  bay  is  30  miles  farther  south.  According  to  Moraleda's 
charts  it  is  formed  between  a  small  archipelago  and  a  small  indentation 
in  the  continent.  To  reach  it  when  coming  from  the  north  the  coast  of 
the  continent  must  be  followed,  leaving  all  the  small  islands  to  star- 
board. Gare  must  be  taken  to  avoid  some  rocks  in  the  channel  J  mile 
from  the  continent,  and  to  pass  close  to  the  islet  which  is  opposite  the 
foul  point  of  Tictoc.  The  anchorage  is  in  22  fathoms,  soft  mud,  under 
the  northern  part  of  the  continent. 

Fort  Falena. — Guala  point  separates  the  bay  of  Tictoc  from  the 


230  CORCOVADO  GULP. 

inlet  of  Palena.  This  tortuous  inlet  is  about  5  miles  long,  but  the  per- 
fectly sheltered  part  is  only  3  miles  long  and  i  mile  wide.  All  its  NE. 
shore  is  bordered  by  high  mountains^  sandy  at  the  summits,  and  cov- 
ered with  snow.  Its  S  W.  shore  is  an  immense  swamp,  partially  covered 
duriug  high  water.  The  anchorage  is  beyond  the  first  turn,  about  3 
miles  from  the  entrance,  in  16  to  20  fathoms,  sandy  bottom.  Every- 
where that  it  was  examined  the  SW.  coast  was  found  to  be  shoal  400 
yards  out,  whereas  the  N'E.  shore  is  steep-to. 

Port  Santo  Domingo. — From  Palena  the  coast  is  foul  to  4  miles 
from  the  shore.  It  trends  SS  W,  for  20  miles,  where  a  channel  which  is 
formed  by  the  large  island  Refujio  and  the  continent  commences.  In 
it  are  two  groups  of  islands.  About  3  miles  from  the  entrance  is  Port 
Santo  Domingo,  where  vessels  anchor  in  25  fathoms,  400  yards  from  the 
shore,  behind  a  swampy  point  which  is  often  inundated  during  the 
rainy  season  or  during  north  winds.  Vessels  can  moor  head  and  stern 
a  little  farther  in,  between  an  island  called  Long  island  and  the  conti- 
nent, under  Calvario  peak,  in  Of  fathoms.  The  coast  of  the  island  is 
clear.  The  channel  is  only  200  yards  wide.  There  is  a  shoal  with  3 J 
fathoms  water  over  it. 

The  description  (taken  from  the  surveys  of  Moraleda)  of  this  part  of 
the  coast  ends  here. 

Tidal  ivave. — The  tidal  wave  from  the  oceain  sets  against  Ghiloe 
island  from  the  westward.  The  body  of  water  impelled  round  the  south 
end  of  this  large  island  drives  the  waters  of  Corcovado  gulf  north- 
ward in  those  of  Ancud  gulf,  at  the  NW.  part  of  which  they  meet  the 
stream  through  Ghacao  narrows.  Very  little  stream  is  felt  in  the 
middle  of  either  of  these  gulfs,  but  there  is  a  considerable  rise  and 
fall,  viz,  from  10  to  20  feet,  and  more  or  less  stream  along  shore  and 
among  the  islands. 

About  one  mile  south  of  Tres  Cruces  point,  at  the  eastern  entrance 
of  Chacao  narrows,  there  is  a  stony  point,  to  the  southeastward  of 
which  the  tide  is  scarcely  felt;  and  in  Manao  bay,  just  south  of  the 
stony  point,  there  is  no  stream.  Abreast  of  that  bay  the  north  and 
south  tidal  stream  usually  meet. 

The  tides  on  the  east  coast  of  Ohiloe  island  are  irregular,  being  much 
influenced  by  the  winds.  The  time  of  high  water  at  Castro  and  other 
places  is  earlier  in  going  to  the  southward;  yet  at  Huildad,  which  is 
more  than  30  miles  south  of  Castro,  it  was  high  water  three-fourths  of 
an  hour  later  than  at  Castro,  but  at  the  time  it  was  blowing  a  heavy 
NW.  gale  at  Huildad.  The  average  time  of  high  water  at  full  and 
change  in  the  north  part  of  the  archipelago  is  probably  about  Ih., 
which  decreases  gradually  to  about  15m.  near  the  south  end.  It 
appears  to  be  seldom  regular,  and  was  found  to  vary  half  an  hour  in 
two  following  tides.  The  rise  was  also  very  irregular,  as  the  tides 
often  rose  higher  when  they  were  taking  off.  The  night  tides  were 
always  higher  than  the  day  tides  during  the  Beagleh  visits. 


PORT   HUITE — TIDES.  231 

In  Port  Huite  the  rise  and  fall  on  one  occasion  at  neap  tides  was  18 
feet,  and  the  next  springs  it  only  rose  16  feet.  By  the  marks  on  the 
shore  the  rise  and  fall  at  some  high  tides  had  been  above  24  feet.  The 
greatest  rise  and  fall  is  at  this  place,  and  it  is  the  best  in  the  gnlf  for 
heaving  down,  or  for  cutting  docks.  The  only  other  place  that  would 
answer  well  for  that  purpose  is  the  outer  part  of  Huildad  inlet,  on  the 
west  side  of  which  there  are  9  fathoms  close  to  the  shore,  and  the  coast 
is  composed  of  rocks,  which  would  answer  better  than  the  sand  and 
^  shiDgle  of  Port  Huite,  but  the  rise  and  fall  is  only  15  feet  at  spring 

tides,  which  would  be  too  small  for  large  vessels.    Port  Huite  may 
therefore  be  considered  preferable. 


CHAPTER  V. 

COAST  OF  CHILE-CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1315.) 

DirectionB. — Oontinuing  along  the  coast  to  the  northward  of  Chiloe, 
the  islets  Dona  Sebastiana  and  Garelmapu  should  be  avoided,  as  the 
tides  sometimes  produce  violent  eddies  near  them,  and  when  the  swell 
from  seaward  meets  the  ebb  tide  it  produces  an  ugly  short  sea  to  the 
NW.  of  these  islands. 

Vessels  should  keep  close  to  Corona  head  and  avoid  Sebastiana. 
By  avoiding  a  sand  bank  i  mile  SE.  of  the  eastern  x>oint  of  Dona 
Sebastiana  there  is  plenty  of  water  between  it  and  Ohocoi  head;  ves- 
sels can  also  pass  to  the  eastward  of  the  Garelmapu  islets,  but  the 
westerly  swell  is  so  heavy  and  the  tide  so  strong  that  the  passage 
should  not  be  attempted  without  a  local  pilot,  a  good  working  breeze, 
and  a  favorable  tide.  These  islands  should  not  be  approached  to  the 
westward  nearer  than  3  J  miles. 

Coronades  gulf. — Between  Huechucucui  head  and  Godoi  head,  at 
15  miles  north  of  it,  the  coast  recedes  and  forms  Goronades  gulf. 

Coast. — About  6  miles  to  the  eastward  of  the  westernmost  of  the 
Garelmapu  islands  is  the  entrance  of  the  MauUin  river,  opening  between 
Morro  Amortajado  and  Quenuir  point. 

To  the  southward  of  the  entrance  to  Maullin  river  is  the  peninsula 
of  Amortajado,  of  a  yellowish  color  and  peculiar  appearance.  The  land, 
which  from  Ghocoi  head  is  covered  with  small  hills,  is  low  at  the  com- 
mencement of  this  peninsula,  after  which  it  rises  rapidly  for  the  first 
third  of  its  length,  when,  after  falling  again,  it  rises  and  ends  in  a 
pyramidal  promontory,  vertical  toward  the  sea,  bare  of  vegetation,  and 
stony  at  its  extremity.  The  top  of  the  peninsula  is  covered  with 
bushes.  A  chain  of  rocks  extends  from  it  about  300  yards,  the  last  of 
which  is  under  water.  The  extremity  of  Amortajado  is  8  miles  from 
Ghocoi  head. 

Fuelma  bay. — Doubling  Amortajado  to  the  eastward,  the  bay  of 
Puelma  is  to  the  south;  it  has  from  3f  to  7  fathoms  in  its  entrance, 
and  shoals  rapidly  toward  the  land.  A  small  vessel  can  anchor  tem- 
porarily in  4  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  to  the  eastward  of  and  as  close  as 
possible  to  the  northern  point  of  the  peninsula.  To  the  SE.  are  some 
coal  mines,  near  which  flows  the  San  Pedro  Nolasco  river. 

232 


PANGAL  POINT — GODOI  POINT.  233 

Pangal  point. — On  the  south  side  of  Maullin  river  is  a  low  sand 
beach  2J  miles  long,  which  ends  in  Pangal  point.  This  beach,  behind 
which  are  masses  of  sand  and  plains  which  extend  to  the  foot  of  the 
Cordillera  of  the  Andes,  is  entirely  exposed  to  the  swell  of  the  ocean. 
The  breakers  commence  400  yards  and  often  farther  from  the  shore, 
the  water  being  shoal  to  a  distance  of  J  mile. 

Maullin  river  empties  in  the  NE.  part  of  the  Coronades  galf,  and 
is  one  of  the  most  important  rivers  in  the  Chilean  republic,  having  its 
source  in  the  Llanquihue  lake,  near  the  foot  of  the  Andes.  The  river 
is  navigable  for  26  miles  from  its  mouth  for  vessels  of  not  more  than 
9^  feet  draft,  but  small  boats  with  short  oars  can  go  20  miles  beyond. 
The  approach  to  the  river  from  seaward  is  a  shallow,  wild  place, 
exposed  to  a  heavy,  breaking  sea,  and  unfit  for  vessels  except  during 
fine  weather. 

Maullin  is  a  small  town  2^  miles  &om  the  south  entrance  point. 
Timber  is  exported  in  the  small  coasters,  which  are  the  only  vessels 
that  enter  Maullin  river. 

Changue  point,  Nl^W.  of  Pangal  point,  limits  the  interior  entrance 
to  the  Maullin  river,  whose  navigable  breadth  is  contracted  between 
this  point  and  Pangal  point  by  a  chain  of  rocks  above  water.  The 
two  southern  and  principal  rocks  are  called  the  Dos  Amigos.  Between 
these  and  Pangal  point  are  some  submerged  rocks  which  obstruct  the 
channel,  which  is  here  but  J  mile  wide,  and  has  2  fathoms  at  low  water. 

The  Quenuir  river  empties  into  the  Maullin,  between  Changue  and 
Quenuir  points;  its  volume  of  water  influences  considerably  the  current 
at  the  entrance  of  Maullin  river. 

False  Godoi  point,  north  of  Morro  Amortajado,  is  marked  by  a 
small  islet,  Javier  Igor,  400  yards  to  the  westward.  It  is  of  a  yellow 
gray  color. 

Fort  G-odoL — From  Godoi  point  the  coast,  turning  eastward,  forms 
a  large  semicircular  bay,  known  as  Port  Godoi.  It  is  badly  protected 
from  the  prevailing  southerly  winds,  but  accessible  in  fine  weather. 
The  landing  place  is  in  the  NW.  corner  of  the  bay. 

At  about  1 J  miles  northeastward  of  Godoi  point  is  a  precipitous  head 
named  Varillasmo,  from  which  a  sandy  spit  extends  eastward  with 
shallow  water,  which  should  not  be  approached  nearer  than  one  mile. 
The  anchorage  is  in  4^  fathoms,  gray  sand.  Wood,  water,  fish,  etc., 
can  be  procured  at  the  houses  near  the  lauding  place.  In  Port  Godoi 
strong  southerly  and  westerly  winds  cause  a  heavy  sea,  which  breaks 
with  great  violence  and  makes  the  anchorage  dangerous. 

Oodoi  point  is  distant  about  5  miles  from  Carelmapu  islets,  and 
has  several  sandy  beaches  and  small  rocky  points  in  the  vicinity,  the 
whole  of  which  are  unapproachable  on  account  of  a  heavy  surf.  Eocks 
and  breakers  extend  1,200  yards  south  of  the  point.  At  f  mile  S.  71^ 
E.  (S.  890  E.  mag.)  of  the  point  is  Solitaria  rock,  always  above  water. 
At  1^  miles  N.  60^  W.  (N.  78°  W.  mag.)  are  two  sunken  rocks  which 


234  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAT. 

break  only  during  stormy  weather.  This  point  should,  therefore,  not 
be  approached  under  2^  miles. 

Estaquillas  point,  at  7|  miles  from  Godoi  point,  is  steep,  and  promi- 
nent on  account  of  the  islets  and  rocks  at  its  extremity.  One  mile  from 
this  x)oint  is  a  bay  which  bears  the  same  name.  It  is  full  of  islets  and 
rocks,  rising  like  columns  from  the  bottom,  and  besides  being  exx)Osed 
to  prevailing  winds  is  of  no  use  to  vessels  seeking  shelter. 

Parga  cove,  1^  miles  to  the  southward  of  Estaquillas  point,  is  of 
little  importance,  being  only  of  small  extent,  with  a  foul  entrance,  and 
not  more  than  65  yards  wide.  According  to  the  opinion  of  pilots  it  is 
sheltered  from  all  winds,  but  being  scarcely  seen  from  the  offing  can 
not  be  entered  without  their  assistance.  South  of  Parga  cove  is  a 
small  cove  with  a  sandy  shore,  named  Playa  del  Garbon,  where  boats 
can  land  in  moderate  weather  with  wind  from  the  southward,  but,  like 
the  preceding,  the  assistance  of  a  pilot  is  indispensable,  as  the  entrance 
is  full  of  rocks  that  are  awash. 

Seams  of  excellent  coal  are  found  in  the  neighborhood. 

Llico  bay. — Three  miles  northward  of  Estaquillas  point  is  Llico  bay, 
taking  the  name  of  the  river  which  empties  itself  there.  The  bay  has 
from  10  to  12  fathoms  in  the  center,  stony  bottom,  is  exposed  to  a  heavy 
swell,  and  is  without  shelter. 

Llico  river  is  said  to  be  navigable  for  a  distance  of  20  to  22  miles,  and 
contains  plenty  of  fish.  The  bar  at  its  mouth  breaks  heavily,  and  can 
not  be  approached  with  boats  of  any  description. 

Capitanes  point — The  coast  from  Llico  bay  trends  !N1^W.  9  miles 
to  abreast  of  Parga  rock;  the  whole  distance  is  very  rugged  and  hilly, 
with  high  mountains  covered  with  larch  trees  inland.  Oapitanes  point 
is  4J  miles  NNW.  of  Parga  rock.  At  the  extremity  of  the  point  is  a 
small  peninsula  the  cliffs  of  which  ai*e  of  a  yellowish  color,  having  the 
appearance  of  an  island  when  seen  from  the  south.  It  is  the  most  con- 
spicuous point  to  the  southward  of  cape  Quedal.  Coasters  recommend 
it  as  being  the  best  point  to  make  for  during  westerly  winds  when  bound 
to  Ancud.  From  Capitanes  point  south  the  coast  has  a  more  rugged 
appearance  than  that  to  the  northward.  One  mile  off  shore  the  depth 
varies  from  14  to  24  fathoms,  fine  white  rock.  There,  are  several  small 
streams  along  this  part  of  the  coast. 

Cape  QuedaL — From  Capitanes  point  the  coast  continues  for  8  miles 
in  a  northerly  direction,  with  a  slight  curve,  as  far  as  cape  Quedal. 
The  whole  coast  is  rugged,  but  without  any  ofiflying  danger.  Cape 
Quedal,  the  most  prominent  point  along  this  part  of  the  coast,  is  high, 
precipitous,  and  clear.  At  J  mile  distant  the  depth  varies  from  18  to 
20  fathoms.  Northeast  of  the  cape  is  a  small  cove  with  a  sandy  beach, 
where  two  streams  flow  into  it.  The  entrance  is  much  exposed,  and 
inaccessible  on  account  of  the  heavy  surf. 

San  Pedro  point,  at  4  miles  NE.  of  cape  Quedal,  is  moderately 
high,  with  sunken  rocks  extending  300  yards  from  it.    At  J  mile  west- 


SAN  PEDRO  BAY — CAPE   COMPASS.  235 

ward  of  the  point  are  the  Farallones  de  San  Pedro  rocks,  having 
between  them  and  the  shore  a  clear  channel  with  depths  of  7  to  13 
fathoms. 

Anchorage. — The  most  sheltered  anchorage  on  the  coast  between 
Ancud  and  Corral  will  be  found  on  the  east  side  of  San  Pedro  rocks, 
in  7  to  8  fathoms,  sand.  Except  with  the  wind  between  NW.  and  West, 
no  difficulty  would  be  experienced  in  leaving  the  anchorage. 

San  Pedro  bay,  between  cape  Quedal  and  cape  San  Antonio,  is  7 
miles  wide  and  2  miles  deep,  with  moderate  depths,  but  it  is  exposed 
to  the  swell  from  NW.  The  Lliuco  river  flows  into  the  NE.  corner  of 
this  bay. 

Manzano  cove,  immediately  east  of  San  Pedro  point,,  is  small  and 
only  fit  for  coasters.    The  shore  is  fringed  with  rock  and  kelp. 

It  has  been  stated  that  vessels  in  this  cove  have  ridden  out  violent 
gales.  During  summer  the  sea  is  not  so  heavy  and  the  wind  not  so 
strong,  being  broken  by  cape  San  Antonio.  Next  east  of  cape  Hua- 
yusca  is  the  cove  of  the  same  name,  affording  good  landing.  A  rock 
and  small  shoal  lie  at  the  entrance.  The  cove  east  of  Huayusca  cove 
is  inaccessible  on  account  of  a  constant  and  heavy  swell. 

Cape  San  Antonio,  7  miles  NNE.  of  cape  Quedal,  projects  only  a 
short  distance^  it  is  high,  and  covered  with  vegetation.  The  rocks 
facing  the  shore  are  of  a  dark  gray  color,  and  the  hills  behind  range 
from  1,150  to  2,300  feet  in  height.  A  ridge  of  rocks  extends  south- 
westward  for  about  J  mile,  with  sunken  rocks  at  the  extremity.  Along 
the  shore  for  2  miles  northward  are  numerous  rocks  appearing  above 
water,  some  of  which  lie  400  yards  off. 

Condor  cove. — About  10  miles  north  of  cape  San  Antonio  is  Con- 
dor point,  NE.  of  which  is  Condor  cove. 

The  north  and  south  shores  of  the  cove  are  rocky,  steep,  and  well 
wooded,  but  inaccessible  on  account  of  the  heavy  surf.  North  of  a 
sandy  beach,  near  a  round  rock,  there  is  a  good  landing  place  for  boats. 
In  the  center  of  the  entrance  is  from  20  to  22  fathoms,  diminishing  to 
10  fathoms  inside  and  4  fathoms  near  the  beach.  The  cove  affords 
shelter  from  southerly  winds,  but  is  exposed  to  winds  from  the  westward. 

The  best  anchorage  in  Condor  cove  for  steamers  is  in  9  to  10  fathoms, 
and  for  sailing  ships  a  little  farther  outside,  in  order  to  be  in  a  position 
to  weigh  from  at  the  first  signs  of  bad  weather.  The  holding  ground 
is  good,  but  vessels  should  on  no  account  attempt  to  ride  out  a  gale 
from  between  north  and  west  during  the  winter  season,  nor  rely  too 
much  upon  the  strength  of  their  cables. 

Chalguaco  cove  and  river  are  a  mile  north  of  Condor  cove.  The 
river  forms  a  lagoon  to  the  southward,  separated  from  Condor  cove  by 
a  narrow  isthmus.  The  banks  of  the  river  are  well  wooded  and  produce 
excellent  timber. 

Cape  Compass,  3J  miles  north  of  Condor  point,  is  the  most  con- 
spicuous headland  between  cape  Quedal  and  Galera  point. 


236  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAT. 

Gape  Compass  is  rocky,  precipitous,  and  well  wooded  near  the  som- 
mit.    At  i  mile  off  this  cape  are  depths  of  12  to  17  fathoms,  sand. 

Ranu  cove  is  immediately  east  of  cape  Oompass,  where  the  coast 
forms  a  sudden  bend,  the  opening  being  3  miles  across  from  north  to 
south  and  one  mile  deep.  Inside,  in  the  middle  of  the  cove,  are  three 
small  rocks.  In  the  center  is  a  high,  steep  point,  with  Hueyelhne  river 
flowing  through  a  sandy  beach  close  northward  of  it,  and  Ranu  river 
through  a  similar  beach  to  the  southward.  The  north  part  of  the  cove 
is  foul,  the  breakers  there  extending  more  than  i  mile  off  shore,  but  the 
south  part  offers  some  shelter  to  ships  during  southerly  winds  in  10  to 
11  fathoms,  sand,  with  cape  Compass  bearing  S.  79^  W.  (S.  61°  W.  mag.), 
and  the  rock  N,  30^  W.  (N.  48°  W.  mag.).  There  is  no  landing  in  any 
part  of  the  cove. 

Muicolpue  point — From  Banu  cove  the  land  trends  about  !NXE. 
6  miles  to  Muicolpue  point. 

Muicolpue  cove,  just  to  the  eastward  of  Muicolpue  point  and  nearly 
9  miles  north  of  Banu  cove,  affords  good  shelter  for  vessels  of  any  draft 
during  southerly  winds,  but  is  quite  exposed  to  westerly  winds,  which 
cause  a  heavy  sea.  The  anchorage  is  in  11  or  12  fathoms,  sand,  and 
the  holding  ground  good,  with  the  entrance  of  Muicolpue  river  on  the 
southern  shore  bearing  about  SE.  distant  i  mile. 

The  hills  in  the  rear  are  of  moderate  height  and  well  wooded.  The 
landing  place  is  in  the  southern  part  of  the  cove.  The  point  which 
protects  it  from  the  southward  is  rocky,  with  some  stones  near  it. 

Manzano  bay  is  the  next  bight  north  of  Muicolpue  point.  The  east- 
ern shore  consists  of  yellow  sand,  with  a  projecting  rocky  point  in  the 
center,  and  some  rocks  near  it.  A  large  river  empties  into  the  north- 
ern, and  another,  a  little  smaller,  into  the  southern  part,  but  both  are 
inaccessible. 

The  depth  of  water  at  the  anchorage  varies  from  7  to  15  fathoms, 
with  good  holding  ground  of  sand. 

The  roadstead,  being  badly  sheltered  and  the  landing  dangerous,  can 
only  be  used  when  the  sea  is  calm,  which  seldom  occurs. 

Bandera  bay  is  a  little  over  6  miles  from  Manzano  cove.  The  SW. 
point  of  the  bay,  which  is  precipitous,  with  some  rocks  lying  a  short 
distance  off,  is  named  Pucatrihue  point. 

The  bay  is  open  from  NN  W.  to  S  W.,  and  the  anchorage  exposed  to 
the  ocean  swell  even  in  fine  weather.  The  depth  of  water  varies  from 
18  fathoms  in  the  middle  to  7  fathoms  near  the  shore,  the  bottom  fine 
white  sand  with  large  stones,  particularly  in  the  south  part  of  the  bay, 
which  affords  the  best  shelter.  Lauding  is  dangerous  on  account  of 
the  heavy  surf. 

At  1 J  miles  south  of  Pucatrihue  point  is  a  small  cove  with  a  river 
flowing  into  it.    This  cove  appears  to  offer  shelter  for  boats. 

Covadonga  rock,  on  which  the  sea  breaks  occasionally,  is  2^  miles 
S.  130  W.  (S.  50  E.  mag.)  of  Pucatrihue  point,  and  IJ  miles  S.  86©  W. 


MILAGEO  COVE BUENO  BIVER.  237 

(S,  68^  W.  mag.)  of  Pulame  point.    At  J  mile  north,  south,  and  west  of 
the  rock  27  and  28  fathoms  was  obtained,  with  rocky  bottom. 

Milagro  cove,  at  about  7  miles  northward  of  Pucatrihue  point  and 
5 J  miles  south  from  the  south  point  of  Bueno  river,  has  an  isolated  con- 
ical rock,  named  El  Farallon,  §  mile  westward,  which  offers  a  good  land- 
mark.' This  cove  is  sheltered  from  the  southward,  but  the  anchorage 
is  not  good.  The  Zehuilauquen  river  enters  the  sea  on  the  eastern 
sandy  shore,  but  is  not  navigable,  although  of  considerable  width. 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  9  fathoms,  sand,  with  Milagro  point  bearing 
S.  130  W.  (S.  50  E.  mag.),  and  the  east  part  of  the  sandy  shore  S.  46°  E. 
(S.  640  E.  mag.).  In  the  KE.  part  of  this  cove,  behind  a  group  of  low 
rocks,  where  the  Trahuilco  river  empties,  is  a  small  cove,  Trahuilco, 
well  sheltered  from  SW.,  where  water  and  wood  can  conveniently  be 
obtained. 

Three  miles  south  of  El  Farallon  is  a  small  sandy  cove  which  was  not 
surveyed,  but  appears  to  afford  shelter  for  coasters. 

Bueno  river. — To  the  southward  of  Lamehuapi  point  the  coast 
trends  eastward,  forming  a  small  bay,  into  which  the  Bueno  river 
empties. 

The  bay  is  entirely  unprotected  against  the  prevailing  winds  and  is 
subject  to  a  heavy  swell.  The  depth  of  water  varies  from  4  to  8  fathoms 
outside  the  bar,  with  bad  holding  ground.  Bueno  river  has  its  source 
in  lake  Banco,  at  the  foot  of  the  Andes,  and  is  notable  for  its  depth  of 
water.  The  northern  point  of  the  entrance  is  rocky,  with  some  scattered 
stones  extending  nearly  100  yards  off*  it,  narrowing  the  mouth  of  the 
river.  The  entrance  is  obstructed  by  a  bar  of  shifting  sands  ^  fhe  pas- 
sage across  which,  as  well  as  the  depth  of  water,  depends  upon  the 
season.  The  greatest  depth  over  the  bar  is  7  feet  during  the  summer 
and  15  feet  in  the  rainy  season,  but  the  heavy  swell  makes  it  unap- 
proachable at  times.  Small  steamers  cross  the  bar  in  fine  weather  and 
go  up  beyond  Trumao,  a  distance  of  about  50  miles,  but  sailing  vessels 
should  not  attempt  crossing,  as  the  current  frequently  runs  at  a  rate  of 
from  3  to  5  miles  an  hour. 

Signals. — ^A  white  flag  at  the  signal  masthead  will  indicate  that  the 
bar  is  clear. 

A  man  stationed  on  shore,  holding  a  white  flag  raised  in  a  vertical 
position,  that  the  channel  will  be  found  in  the  center  of  the  bar.  The 
same  flag  inclined  to  the  right,  that  the  channel  is  to  the  north;  and 
inclined  to  the  left,  that  the  channel  is  to  the  south. 

A  red  flag  hoisted  on  the  signal  mast  indicates  that  the  bar  is  impass- 
able. 

A  blue  flag  with  white  diagonal  stripes  on  the  signal  mast  indicates 
wait  for  high  water. 

If  the  signals  are  made  from  a  vessel  on  the  river,  the  vessel  entering 
must  steer  for  her,  as  she  will  be  in  the  direction  of  the  channel. 

Ko  vessel  should  attempt  to  enter  until  the  signals  are  made. 


238  OHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAT. 

Lamehuapi  point  is  2^  miles  north  of  Baeno  river.  To  this  point  and 
as  far  as  Lamehuapi  cove  a  ragged  coast  trends  north,  with  high  wooded 
hills  iu  the  rear.  One  mile  from  the  shore  the  depth  of  water  varies 
from  17  to  20  fathoms,  fine  black  sand. 

Lamehuapi  cove  is  well  sheltered  from  the  soath,  bat  quite  exposed 
to  westerly  winds.  It  is  spacious,  has  a  uniform  depth,  with  good 
anchorage  for  many  vessels  in  6  to  9  fathoms,  black  sand.  East  of  a 
conical  hill  there  is  excellent  landing  during  southerly  winds,  and  it  is 
the  only  x)lace  which  can  be  approached.  The  cove  can  be  made  out 
by  a  conspicuous  wooden  building  with  a  stream  to  the  eastward  of  it 
above  the  beach. 

HueicoUa  cove,  about  5  miles  northward  of  Lamehuapi  cove,  is 
of  moderate  depth,  varying  between  6  and  7  fathoms,  sand.  It  is  of 
little  importance  on  account  of  its  being  exposed  to  westerly  winds. 
Hueicolla  point,  on  the  south  side  of  the  cove,  however,  offers  some 
shelter  from  southerly  winds;  J  mile  !N^.  5o  W.  (N.  23°  W.  mag.)  of  it  is 
an  isolated  rock,  on  which  the  sea  constantly  breaks,  and  in  the  chan- 
nel between  this  rock  and  the  point  is  6  fathoms  water.  The  land- 
ing place  is  not  good.  East  of  the  anchorage  is  the  mouth  of  Hueicolla 
river,  which  is  not  navigable.  Two  miles  north  of  the  cove  is  a  small 
rocky  point  with  17  to  18  fathoms;  600  yards  from  it,  to  the  NE.  of 
this  point,  is  the  mouth  of  Oolun  river. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1314.) 

G-alera  point,  called  by  the  Indians  Buchuchen,  at  5  miles  l^TW. 
of  Hueicolla  cove,  is  the  most  prominent  point  on  the  coast  of  Val- 
diviaj  it  is  low,  wooded,  slightly  undulating,  covered  with  a  thick  rank 
vegetation,  and  has  rocky  projections  extending  about  200  yards  from 
the  shore  without  offlying  dangers.  The  point  is  backed  by  the  Val- 
divia  hills,  three  in  number,  1,550  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  form- 
ing good  landmarks.  South  of  Galera  point  the  coast  forms  a  slight 
bend  eastward,  with  a  black  sandy  shore,  which  is  nearly  straight,  for 
4  miles  in  a  SSE.  direction. 

Light — The  lighthouse,  a  tower  62  feet  high  and  painted  white, 
stands  on  the  most  projecting  extremity  on  the  south  side  of  the  point, 
and  exhibits  from  an  elevation  of  180  feet  a  fixed  and  flashing  white 
light,  showing  a  flash  every  minute,  and  in  clear  weather  should  be 
seen  from  a  distance  of  22  miles. 

Quadie  cove. — Between  the  northern  extremity  of  Galera  point  and 
cape  Falsa,  2  miles  to  the  northward,  the  land  recedes,  forming  a  bay 
about  800  yards  deep,  having  in  its  entrance  10  to  12  fathoms,  decreas- 
ing gradually  toward  the  shore.  Within  the  bay  there  are  several 
rocks  on  which  the  sea  breaks  heavily. 

Guadie  cove,  on  the  south  side  of  this  bay,  is  the  only  accessible 
part,  having  in  it  depths  of  7  to  2^  fathoms,  the  latter  being  close  to  the 
shore.    The  hills  in  the  vicinity  of  this  cove  are  covered  with  vegetation, 


VALDIVU.  239 

having  at  the  foot  of  them  remarkable  white  sandy  beaches,  where 
landing  may  be  easily  effected  in  ordinary  weather. 

At  the  head  of  the  cove  there  is  a  road  leading  through  a  thick  wood 
for  a  distance  of  about  2  miles  to  Galera  Point  lighthouse;  there  is  also 
a  road  to  Port  Corral,  Yaldivia. 

The  best  anchorage  for  a  small  craft  in  Guadie  cove  is  in  2J  fathoms, 
sandy  bottom,  near  the  southern  white  beach,  in  the  SW.  part  of  the 
cove.  Large  vessels  having  occasion  to  visit  this  place  should  anchor 
in  13  to  18  fathoms,  outside  aline  joining  Galera  point  and  cape  Falsa, 
but  should  be  quite  prepared  to  proceed  to  sea  on  the  first  sign  of  bad 
weather  from  the  westward. 

Firewood  and  good  water  can  be  obtained  in  Guadie  cove. 

Cape  Falsa,  or  False  Galera  point,  forms  the  western  projection 
of  the  Yaldivia  hills.  There  are  no  hidden  dangers  round  it,  beyond 
the  stony  spit  above  water  extending  about  one  mile  seaward. 

Chaihuin  gap  and  river. — Chaihuin  gap  is  between  cape  Falsa  and 
Chaihuin  point,  5  miles  ENE.  of  it,  and  immediately  south  of  Chaihuin 
point  is  the  river  bearing  the  same  name.  The  bar  at  its  narrow  mouth 
can  be  crossed  by  boats  in  calm  weather,  but  should  not  be  attempted 
without  previous  knowledge  of  its  condition.  Once  the  bar  is  passed, 
small  boats  can  go  up  the  river  for  15  miles  with  the  flowing  tide. 

Chaihuin  point  is  a  rocky  bluff  with  wooded  hills  in  the  rear.  A 
rocky  shoal  extends  1 J  miles  seaward  of  the  point.  Between  the  point 
and  Morro  Gonzalo,  9  miles  farther  NE.,  the  coast  forms  a  slight  bend 
with  four  projecting  rocky  points.  The  central  and  most  remarkable 
one  is  named  Palo  Muerto,  and  has  a  shoal  extending  800  yards  offshore. 

Soundings. — Between  Port  San  Carlos  de  Ancud  and  Yaldivia  sound- 
ings extend  some  miles  into  the  of&ng,  though  the  water  is  deep.  At 
2  miles  offshore  there  is  usually  about  40  fathoms  water,  at  3  miles 
about  60,  and  at  5  miles  from  70  to  90  fathoms,  over  a  sandy  and  muddy 
bottom. 

Fort  of  Valdivia. — From  Chaihuin  point  the  coast  trends  round  in 
an  easterly  and  northerly  direction  9  miles  to  Morro  Gonzalo,  between 
which  and  Punta  Juan  Latorre,  at  about  3  miles  KE.  of  it,  lies  the 
entrance  to  the  port  of  Valdivia,  which  is  apparently  spacious  and 
really  secure,  but  the  portion  affording  sheltered  anchorage  for  large 
vessels  is  somewhat  confined. 

Sailing  vessels  bound  for  the  port  of  Valdivia  with  SW.  winds  should 
make  Galera  point,  but  with  NW.  winds  the  land  should  be  made  about 
Bonifacio  head.  Winds  between  Korth  and  N  W.  frequently  bring  bad 
weather  and  fogs,  the  latter  sometimes  lasting  two  days,  and  appear  to 
hang  about  the  entrance  to  the  port. 

Making  the  land  at  night  should  be  avoided,  for  a  slight  mist  will 
obscure  the  light  on  Niebla  bluff. 

Caution. — It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  Chaihuin  gap  is  said  to 
resemble  the  entrance  of  Valdivia  bay  and  has  frequently  been  mistaken 


240  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO   COQUIMBO  BAT. 

for  that  place.  However,  in  clear  weather  it  can  easily  be  distinguished, 
as  the  conical  hill  seen  in  the  middle  of  C.^haihuin  gap  is  much  higher 
and  more  pointed  than  the  hill  in  Yaldivia  bay.  Besides,  the  remark- 
able shape  of  Morro  Gonzalo  differs  entirely  from  the  features  of  the 
coast  south  of  Chaihuin  gap. 

Morro  G-onsEalo. — The  southwestern  entrance  point  of  port  Yaldivia 
is  a  steep,  yellowish  cliff,  525  feet  high  and  covered  with  vegetation. 
At  ^  mile  ENE.  of  Morro  Oonzalo  is  Peiia  Sola,  an  isolated  rock  with- 
out offlying  dangers,  but  connected  to  the  shore  by  a  reef  and  kelp. 
Three-quarters  of  a  mile  eastward  of  the  head  is  Palo  Muerto  i>oint,  low 
and  rocky,  with  breakers  extending  600  yards  offshore,  with  2  fathoms 
close-to.  Between  the  point  and  the  head  are  three  small  coves  named 
Loberia,  Molino,  and  Balleua.  All  are  narrow  and  rocky,  with  break- 
ers extending  more  than  200  yards  from  the  shore,  but  landing  can  be 
effected  in  them  when  the  sea  is  calm. 

San  Carlos  point,  about  a  mile  ESE.  of  Palo  Muerto  point,  is  the 
extremity  of  a  rocky  peninsula  a  little  over  400  yards  in  diameter  and 
43  feet  high,  with  a  fort  on  its  summit.  The  isthmus  is  low  and  stony, 
with  a  small  cove  on  the  east  side,  where  landing  can  be  effected  in  fine 
weather. 

English  bay. — Between  Palo  Muerto  point  and  San  Carlos  point  the 
coast  forms  a  rocky  bay,  with  2  to  3  fathoms  in  the  center,  in  which, 
^  mile  SW.  of  San  Carlos,  is  a  small,  sandy  beach,  affording  landing 
under  favorable  circumstances. 

Amargos  point,  with  a  battery  on  it,  at  about  one  mile  SE.  of  San 
Carlos  point,  is  low  and  rocky,  having  a  large  detached  flat  rock  at  its 
extremity  named  PeDa  del  Conde. 

Choromayo  (Avanzada)  point,  at  400  yards  from  Amargos  point, 
is  steep  and  rocky;  on  the  flat  summit  is  a  small  battery,  which  is  not 
easily  seen  from  seaward. 

Amargos  bay. — Between  the  two  last-mentioned  points  the  coast 
forms  a  small  bay  with  a  sandy  shore,  where  there  is  a  rivulet  of  good 
water.  A  vessel  could  anchor  in  the  bay,  but  would  be  exposed  to  the 
swell  which  is  thrown  in  by  WN,  winds. 

Atrial  rock,  about  200  yards  off  Choromayo  point,  is  just  awash  at 
low- water  neaps  and  about  one  foot  above  water  at  low-water  springs, 
and  is  steep-to. 

Beacon. — ^A  perch  surmounted  by  a  cylinder  painted  red  is  erected 
on  the  rock,  and  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  ebb  stream  from 
the  river  sets  toward  it. 

Laurel  point  is  600  yards  south  of  Choromayo  point,  the  coast 
between  being  rocky.  At  Laurel  point  the  coast  changes  its  direction 
to  the  westward  and  forms  Port  Corral.  The  rock,  with  2i  fathoms 
water  over  it,  charted  as  lying  200  yards  off  Laurel  point,  is  said  not  to 
exist. 

Port  Corral  is  recommended  on  account  of  its  excellent  shelter, 


VALDIVIA.  241 

affording  anchorage  for  25  or  30  vessels,  which  should,  however,  moor 
north  and  south,  as  the  currents  run  strong.  A  heavy  sea  is  said  to  set 
in  during  Northers.  The  merchant  shipping  lie  with  their  sterns  hauled 
close  in,  thus  giving  plenty  of  room  in  what  would  otherwise  be  a  lim- 
ited space.  It  is  one  of  the  principal  ports  of  the  Republic.  Large 
assorted  cargoes  are  consigned  to  this  port  from  Europe.  Steamers 
stop  here  regularly,  and  communication  with  Yaldivia  is  carried  on  by 
river  steamers. 

Supplies. — Fresh  and  dry  provisions  can  be  obtained  at  moderate 
prices.  Water  is  excellent  and  abundant  in  the  west  part  of  the  har- 
bor;, also  timber  for  shipbuilding;  but  coal  for  steamers  is  scarce  and 
in  limited  quantities. 

Beacon. — A  square  white  beacon  stands  on  Laurel  point,  and  an 
imaginary  line  joining  this  beacon  and  the  outer  bastion  of  fort  Corral 
indicates  approximately  the  18-foot  line  of  soundings  and  the  inner 
limit  of  the  anchorage. 

"Wharf. — A  wharf  about  50  yards  long,  extending  30  yards  beyond 
high-water  mark,  is  situated  200  yards  SW.  of  Laurel  i)oint,  and  is 
chiefly  used  by  local  steamers. 

Light — A  fixed  red  light,  elevated  16  feet,  is  shown  on  the  head  of 
the  mole  at  Port  Corral. 

•  

Tres  Hermanas  (Mancera)  bank. — This  extensive  bank  is  nearly 
in  the  center  of  Valdivia  bay.  Its  western  edge  is  about  J  mile  from 
Laurel  point  and  the  same  distance  from  fort  Corral.  Tha  depth  of 
water  on  the  bank  diminishes  gradually,  except  on  the  south  and  SW., 
where  it  is  deeper  and  steep-to.  The  shoalest  part  near  the  SW.  edge 
has  about  one  foot  of  water  over  a  bottom  of  fine  sand  and  shell.  With 
NW.  winds  and  an  ebb  tide  the  sea  breaks  heavily  over  and  around  the 
bank,  and  at  such  times  no  boat  should  attempt  to  cross  the  port.  The 
bank  is  extending  to  the  KW. 

Buoy. — A  buoy  is  moored  on  the  northwestern  edge  of  Tres  Her- 
manas bank  in  19  feet  of  water.    Its  position  is  uncertain. 

Mancera  island  rises  in  the  center  to  a  hill  300  feet  high.  The  plain 
surrounding  the  hill  is  cultivated  and  has  some  houses.  At  the  north- 
ern extremity  of  the  island  is  a  village  and  on  the  north  point  a  battery 
protecting  the  channel  leading  to  Valdivia  river. 

The  best  landing  place  is  at  La  Cal  point,  on  the  NE.  side  of  the 
island,  where  there  is  a  natural  pier. 

San  Juan  bay. — About  IJ  miles  SE.  from  fort  Corral,  following  a 
high  and  rocky  coast,  is  Eania  (Trinidad)  point.  From  here  the  coast 
turns  south,  forming  San  Juan  bay,  about  2  miles  in  length,  and  one 
mile  wide.  The  bay  is  of  little  importance  to  navigation.  Its  sides  are 
barren  and  rocky.  The  south  shore  consists  of  sand  and  mud,  and  can 
only  be  approached  at  high  water.  The  depth  at  the  entrance  of  this 
bay  is  about  18  feet,  diminishing  to  6  feet  and  3  feet  i  mile  from  the 
shore.  Three  small  rivers  empty  into  the  bay,  called,  respectively,  Eio 
1943— No,  89 16 


242  CHILOE   ISLAND   TO   COQUIMBO  BAT. 

San  Juan,  Bio  Catrileafn,  and  Bio  de  Los  Llanos.    The  two  latter  are 
the  most  important  and  are  navigable  by  boats. 

Fronton  point  is  steep  and  covered  with  vegetation.  Some  rocks 
extend  about  200  yards  off  the  TSW,  pointy  visible  daring  low  tides.  The 
channel  between  this  point  and  Mancera  island  is  shallow,  having  a 
rocky  shoal  situated  eastward  of  the  latter.  This  passage  is  only  fit 
for  vessels  drawing  not  over  6J  feet  water. 

Mouth  of  Rio  Toma  Qaleones. — The  northern  point  of  the  entrance 
is  Olaro  point  and  the  southern  Fronton  point,  distant  i  mile  from  each 
other  and  a  similar  distance  eastward  of  Mancera  island.  The  former 
point  is  low,  with  steep,  black  cliffs  to  the  westward.  The  center  of  the 
muddy  bank,  Simon  Beyes,  off  Garbonero  head,  appears  above  water 
only  at  spring  tides.  Vessels  drawing  10  feet  can  ascend  the  Bio  Torua 
Galeones. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Corral  at  lOh.  35m. ; 
springs  rise  5^  feet.  The  flowing  tide  generally  runs  at  the  rate  of  one 
mile  an  hour  in  mid-channel,  increasing  off  Niebla  point  and  Pefia  del 
Conde  to  2  miles  per  hour.  During  the  rainy  season,  with  westerly 
winds,  the  flood  tide  is  scarcely  perceptible,  but  the  force  of  the  ebb 
tide,  increased  by  the«falling  rivers,  obtains  a  velocity  of  3  to  4  miles, 
increasing  near  Morro  Gonzalo  to  5  and  6  miles  an  hour,  which  grad- 
ually decreases  in  its  course  southward,  but  passing  round  Galera  point 
still  with  perceptible  force. 

Current. — The  currents  at  the  entrance  of  Valdivia  bay  and  adja- 
cent coas*t  are  somewhat  irregular,  depending  upon  the  season,  tides, 
and  prevailing  winds. 

Juan  Latorre  point,  the  north  point  of  entrance  of  Port  Valdivia,  3 
miles  KE.  of  Morro  Gonzalo,  is  steep  and  rocky,  with  a  shoal  extending 
^  mile  from  it. 

Molino  point,  one  mile  SE.  of  Juan  Latorre  i)oint,is  steep  and  fronted 
by  stones  extending  300  yards  off  shore.  The  northern  extremity  of 
Molino  point  is  called  STumpulli,  and  the  southern  is  properly  Molino 
I)oint.  On  the  south  side,  where  a  sandy  beach  begins,  is  a  landing 
place  in  fine  weather.    Molino  point  is  also  called  Ancla  point. 

Niebla  point  is  1^  miles  south  of  Molino  point.  The  wide,  sandy 
bay  between  has  two  small,  i*ocky  points  near  the  center.  The  cliffs  at 
Niebla  point  are  perpendicular,  of  a  reddish-yellow  color,  115  feet  high, 
with  a  level  summit,  and  are  fronted  by  black  rocks  always  visible 
above  water.  The  i)oint  is  easily  recognized  by  the  white  lighthouse, 
the  barracks,  and  the  battery  upon  it.  East  of  the  point  is  a  small 
cove  full  of  rocks  and  named  La  Huairona,  which  is  the  landing  place 
leading  to  the  castle. 

Light. — A  square  tower  8  feet  high,  painted  white,  stands  on  the 
western  extremity  of  Mebla  point,  from  which  a  fixed  white  light  is 
exhibited  at  121  feet  above  high  water,  that  in  clear  weather  should  be 
seen  from  a  distance  of  8  miles. 


VALDIVIA.  243 

Semaphore. — A  semaphore  is  erected  northward  of  the  battery  on 
Niebla  point  and  on  the  NE.  side  of  the  lighthouse. 

Valdivia  river. — This  name  applies  only  to  that  portion  of  the  Eio 
Calle  Oalle  between  Port  Corral  and  the  city  of  Yaldivia,  and  north- 
ward of  Isla  del  Eei.  The  channel  is  winding,  full  of  banks,  and  is 
navigable  only  for  small  vessels  with  the  assistance  of  a  local  pilot. 
In  places  the  banks  completely  bar  the  river  and  only  admit  the  pas- 
sage of  vessels  drawing  9f  feet. 

Four  beacons,  each  13  feet  high  with  a  ball  in  the  center,  are  placed 
on  the  prominent  points  of  the  sand  banks  below  Islote  islet,  which  is 
one  mile  south  of  Yaldivia  city.  Proceeding  up  the  river  the  red 
beacons  must  be  left  on  the  port,  and  the  black  on  the  starboard  side. 

The  channel  east  of  Islote  islet  is  the  deeper,  the  southern  entrance 
of  which  is  marked  by  two  beacons.  Vessels  of  9|  feet  draft  should 
pass  between  these  beacons. 

Two  black  beacons  have  also  been  placed  in  Guacamayo  river,  one 
on  the  northern  extremity  of  Yenados  island  and  the  other  one  mile  to 
the  northward  of  the  island.  Proceeding  up  the  river  these  beacons 
must  be  left  on  the  starboard  side. 

The  positions  of  the  beacons  are  altered  as  changes  in  the  channel 
take  place. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  the  city  of  Valdivia  at 
llh.  35m. ;  springs  rise  4  feet. 

City  of  Valdivia. — About  9  miles  up  Valdivia  river,  on  the  left 
bank,  is  the  city  of  Valdivia,  founded  by  Pedro  de  Valdivia,  a  follower 
of  Pizarro,  in  1552.  Woods  clothe  every  hill  about  the  town,  and  all 
the  adjacent  country  is  hilly,  the  island  about  Valdivia  ranging  to  1,000 
feet  in  height. 

There  is  telegraphic  communication  with  the  ports  of  Chile. 

Supplies. — Water  is  plentiful  and  provisions  abundant. 

Morro  Bonifacio,  about  8  miles  north  of  Morro  Gonzalo,  is  bold, 
and  has  depths  of  11  to  13  fathoms  at  J  mile  off^  increasing  to  25  fath- 
oms at  a  distance  of  2  miles.  The  higher  part  of  the  head  is  well 
wooded.  East  of  it  extends  a  range  of  mountains,  the  Cerro  de  Oncol, 
attaining  the  elevation  of  1,998  feet.  Between  Molino  point  and  morro 
Bonifacio  the  coast  forms  a  slight  bend  eastward,  with  three  projecting 
points  and  sandy  beach  between  them.  Loncoyen  point  is  steep  and 
rocky,  with  some  offlying  stones  northward  of  it.  There  is  a  bad  land- 
ing place  which  bears  the  same  name  as  the  point.  Kext  follows  La 
Mision  point,  with  a  small  mound  at  the  extremity j  it  is  steep  and 
rocky,  like  Molino  point,  and  owes  its  name  to  a  mission  established 
there,  called  Mision  de  Jesu  Cristo  Oruciflcado.  Korth  of  it  is  also  a 
landing  place  for  boatSj  but  it  is  worse  than  that  of  Loncoyen. 

Between  La  Mision  point  and  morro  Bonifacio  the  coast  forms  a 
semicircle  bending  eastward,' with  some  small  projecting  rocky  jijoints, 
the  most  conspicuous  of  which  is  Calfuco  point. 


244  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

Bonifieicio  cove. — North  of  Kocara  point,  the  NW.  point  of  morro 
Bonifacio,  is  Bonifacio  cove,  which  is  divided  in  two  by  a  rocky  ledge. 
Neither  are  of  importance,  as  the  water  is  deep  and  SW.  winds  send  in 
a  heavy  swell. 

Chongnngo  point,  aboat  3  miles  NE.  of  morro  BonifiEMsio,  is  high, 
rocky,  and  wooded. 

Chanchan  point  is  12  miles  NE.  of  Chungaugo,  and  in  the  stretch 
are  several  points  and  coves,  the  most  prominent  being  Jnlejie  point 
and  Ourin  and  Huezhui  coves,  but  they  are  of  no  importance  to  naviga- 
tion, as  they  have  no  shelter  and  ire  exposed  to  the  prevailing  wind. 

Maiquillahne  point,  the  next  point  NE.,  is  low,  but  may  be  recog- 
nized by  several  I'ocky  islets  extending  one  mile  in  a  NW.  direction  from 
the  point,  the  largest  of  which  is  named  Loberia  islet.  Bocks  and 
breakers  surround  these  islets,  which  must  be  approached  with  caution. 

Maiquillahue  cove,  just  within  Maiquillahne  point,  is  exposed  to  the 
West.,  NW.,  and  North  winds;  nevertheless,  it  is  well  sheltered  from 
SW.  winds  by  the  islets  extending  from  Maiquillahue  point.  The  best 
anchorage  for  a  large  vessel  is  in  8  fathoms,  with  Eonca  i>oint  bearing 
N.  ICO  E.  (N.  2o  W.  mag.),  and  the  outer  rocky  islet  N.  78o  W.  (8.  84o 

W.  mag.). 

The  coasting  vessels  use  this  cove  as  a  harbor  of  refuge  during  the 
southerly  gales  which  prevail  in  summer. 

Maiquillahue  bay  is  about  4  miles  across,  between  Maiquillahue 
point  and  Ronca  point  on  the  promontory  of  Queule;  the  surroundings 
are  regular  between  8  and  10  fathoms  over  a  bottom  of  fine  black  sand. 

Mehuin  or  Lingua  river,  flowing  from  east  to  west,  empties  itself 
into  Maiquillahue  cove,  and  is  navigable  for  about  7  miles  with  small 
craft,  but  its  course  is  obstructed  by  trunks  of  trees.  At  the  mouth 
of  the  river  is  a  bar  of  sand  and  sunken  rocks,  over  which  there  is 
only  If  feet  at  low  water.  After  the  bar  is  passed,  small  craft  may 
ascend  to  the  first  rapid  in  depths  of  6  to  6  feet. 

Ronca  point  is  the  steep  cliflfy  extremity  of  Queule  promontory, 
which,  when  seen  from  the  north  or  south,  appears  like  an  island.  The 
southern  part  is  called  Loberia  point  and  the  northern  Choros  point. 
Martinez  rock  lies  about  250  yards  to  the  northward  of  the  latter 

point. 

Queule  bay  offers  an  excellent  anchorage  east  of  Eonca  point,  over 
a  bottom  of  sand,  except  during  westerly  and  northerly  winds.  It  is 
much  frequented  by  steamers  and  sailing  vessels,  particularly  during 
winter,  the  latter  anchoring  farther  out  in  the  bay. 

Queule  river  runs  for  some  distance  nearly  parallel  with  Tolten 
river,  and  then  turns  more  to  the  southward.  Its  width  varies  from 
100  to  300  yards.  The  tide  reaches  40  miles  up  the  river,  but  the  cur- 
rent does  not  exceed  the  rate  of  one  mile  an  hour.  The  river  empties 
just  north  of  Ronca  point,  which  shelters  it  from  the  swell. 

Nuigue  point,  4  miles  north  of  Ronca  point,  is  lofty  and  thickly 


TOLTEN  RIVER — IMPERIAL  RIVER.  245 

wooded.  Eock  above  water  and  reefs  extend  one  mile  seaward  of  the 
point,  which  should  be  given  a  good  berth. 

Coast — At  l^uigue  point  the  coast  changes  its  character,  becoming 
low  and  sandy,  but  with  occasional  cliflfs.  The  highlands,  which  to  the 
southward  of  this  point  border  the  ocean,  here  retreat  5  or  6  miles, 
leaving  a  level  and  apparently  fertile  country  as  far  as  abreast  of  Mocha 
island.  This  coast  for  nearly  60  miles  has  off  its  whole  extent  compar- 
atively shoal  soundings,  10  fathoms  at  2  miles  distant,  20  at  4  miles, 
and  everywhere  a  sandy  bottom.  A  heavy  surf  breaks  everywhere, 
even  in  fine  weather. 

The  summits  of  the  Andes  are  visible  for  a  great  distance  northward 
and  southward  whenever  the  weather  is  clear,  and  the  active  volcano  of 
Villa  Eica,  eastward  of  Tolten,  is  said  to  be  visible  from  a  distance  of  60 
miles  off  the  land. 

Tolten  river. — The  entrance  of  this  river,  8  miles  north  of  Ronca 
point,  is  scarcely  discernible  2  miles  offshore.  The  depth  of  water 
over  the  bar  is  9  feet,  but  the  breakers  are  almost  constant,  so  that  only 
vessels  drawing  less  tban  6  feet  can  enter.  After  the  bar  is  crossed  the 
depth  gradually  increases  to  25  feet  farther  up  the  river.  In  the  dry 
season,  January  to  April,  the  stream  of  the  ebb  runs  at  the  rate  of  5 
miles  an  hour,  and  merely  slackens  a  little  on  the  flood,  but  is  never 
reversed.  The  banks  of  the  river  are  well  wooded  with  fruit  trees  and 
timber  for  shipbuilding. 

The  town  of  Tolten  is  about  2  miles  up  the  river. 

Coast. — From  Tolten  river  northward  the  coast  is  sandy,  undulating, 
and  of  moderate  height,  and  terminates  at  mount  Gholfii.  Five  miles 
south  of  this  mount  is  a  large  isolated  round  rock,  named  £1  Barco, 
and  north  of  the  rock,  or  3  miles  before  reaching  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  is  a  small  bay,  where  a  lagoon  named  Budi  sometimes  opens,  but 
which  is  generally  closed. 

Imperial  river  is  about  27  miles  northward  of  Tolten  river.  South- 
ward of  Cauten  head  the  chain  of  mountains  to  the  eastward  form  an 
irregular  semicircle,  with  a  sandy  beach,  at  the  extremity  of  which  and 
at  the  foot  of  mount  Choliii,  the  first  hill  of  this  range,  is  the  mouth  of 
the  river.  Vessels  should  approach  the  river  with  mount  Cholni  bear- 
ing N.  63^  E.  (N.  450  E.  mag.)  until  the  entrance  is  distinguished. 

From  the  mouth  to  the  confluence  of  the  lagoon  of  lake  Mocha  it  is 
about  400  yards  wide.  There  are  some  shoals  near  the  left  bank,  but 
close  to  the  right  bank  is  18  feet  water,  with  a  tide  running  from  2  to  3 
miles  an  hour. 

The  bank  forming  the  bar  of  the  river  crosses  the  mouth  fipom  north 
to  south,  leaving  a  channel  SW.  of  mount  Oholni,  and  another  west 
of  it. 

The  mouth  was,  in  1869,  practicable  for  sailing  vessels  and  steamers 
drawing  not  more  than  12  feet  water.  During  rainy  seasons  it  is  navi- 
gable for  vessels  of  greater  draft. 


••»  k. 


246  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

The  river  is  navigable  for  the  same  sized  vessels  for  about  18  miles 
from  its  mouth. 

As  the  influence  of  the  tide  reaches  to  about  21  miles  from  its  month 
smaller  vessels  should  be  able  to  go  much  farther;  however,  the  upi)er 
part  of  the  river  has  not  been  explored. 

The  SVV.  channel  has  at  present  the  best  entrance. 

Directions. — In  entering  the  Imperial  river  vessels  should  keep  near 
the  southern  shore  to  avoid  tlie  sudden  change  in  its  course,  and  have 
an  anchor  ready  in  case  of  need. 

In  going  up  keep  in  the  middle  when  about  a  mile  from  the  lagoon, 
and  steer  straiglit  for  the  hill  at  the  angle  where  it  joins  the  river.  At 
the  base  of  the  hill  is  excellent  anchorage,  sheltered  from  the  north. 

Cauten  head  is  a  bold,  cliffy  headland,  about  9  miles  NNW.  of  the 
mouth  of  Imperial  river.  It  is  about  300  feet  in  height,  with  20  fathoms 
2  miles  off  shore^  and  apparently  steep-to.  From  thence  cliffs,  more  or 
less  broken,  extend  10  miles  to  Manuel  point. 

Cape  Tirua,  8  miles  north  of  Manuel  point,  has  a  small  islet  close  to 
it,  and  in  a  bay  just  to  the  northward  is  the  mouth  of  the  Tirua  river, 
whence  a  communication  used  to  be  kept  up  by  the  Indians  of  the 
mainland  with  those  who  resided  in  Mocha  island. 

Mocha  island  is  about  7  miles  long  by  3  miles  in  breadth,  and  is 
about  18  miles  off  the  coast,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  bank  hav- 
ing on  it  less  than  20  fathoms  of  water.  Westward  of  the  island  the 
water  is  deep,  a  matter  which  nn'ght  seem  of  minor  consequence,  as 
this  island  is  so  good  a  landmark;  but  occasionally  there  is  thick 
weather  for  days  together  on  this  coast.  The  island  is  lofty,  over  1,100 
feet  high,  and,  therefore,  a  prominent  landfall  for  the  navigator.  It 
should  not,  however,  be  approached  too  freely,  as  dangerous  rocks  lie 
off  its  west  and  south  side.  The  most  outlying  are  3  miles  south  of  the 
island.  During  the  flood  tide  these  rocks  are  particularly  dangerous, 
as  it  sets  toward  them  from  the  southwestward.  Sometimes  the  ebb 
stream  is  scarcely  felt  for  days  together,  and  then  the  flood  stream  has 
the  effect  and  appearance  of  a  continuous  northerly  current. 

Mariners  navigating  in  the  vicinity  of  Mocha  island  are  warned  that 
a  strong  northeasterly  set  may  be  experienced,  and  for  which  (espe- 
cially at  night  or  in  thick  weather)  due  allowance  should  be  made. 

Illimani  reef,  lying  southward  of  Mocha  island,  has  a  depth  of  about 
9  fathoms  at  a  distance  of  600  yards  eastward  of  it,  and  is  stated  to  lie 
with  Chales  point  bearing  N.  3^  W.  (1^.  20o  W.  mag.),  distant  3^  miles. 
Shoal. — Captain  Gonzalez,  of  the  Chilean  navy,  reports  the  exist- 
ence of  a  shoal  about  2  miles  oft'  the  west  coast  of  Mocha  island,  which 
is  apparently  the  western  extreme  of  the  foul  ground  extending  off  the 
middle  point  of  that  island. 

From  the  shoal,  which  circumstances  did  not  permit  to  be  examined, 
the  hill  on  the  middle  point  of  the  west  coast  of  the  island  bears 
(approximately)  S.  59°  E.  (S.  76o  E.  mag.),  distant  about  2^^  miles. 


MOCHA   ISLAND.  247 

Hassler  bank  is  in  latitude  37^  52'  S.  and  longitude  74o  10'  W.    A 

depth  of  13  fathoms  was  obtained  by  the  U.  S.  S.  Hassler  in  1872. 

^This  position  is  30  miles  J^.  18©  W.  (N.  35^  W.  mag.)  from  Mocha  island. 

Lights. — Two  lights  are  exhibited  on  Mocha  island.  The  west  light 
on  the  slope  of  the  hill  Torrecillas,  western  side  of  the  island,  is  a 
flashiug  white  light  showing  one  flash  every  15  seconds,  and  the  east 
light,  a  little  to  the  southward  of  Anegadiza  point,  on  the  eastern  side 
of  the  island,  is  a  flashing  white  light  showing  double  flashes  every  30 
seconds. 

In  clear  weather  the  west  light  is  visible  15  miles,  the  east  light  18 
miles. 

The  lighthouses  are  round  towers,  25  feet  high,  painted  white,  their 
superstructures  green,  surmounted  by  lanterns  and  cupolas  of  copper. 

The  anchorages  off  Mocha  are  indifferent;  one  on  the  NE.  side,  the 
other  near  the  SB.  point.  The  anchorage  near  the  SE.  point  affords 
shelter  during  Northers  just  in  front  of  the  first  little  hills.  The  other 
anchorage  is  off  English  creek  in  13  to  20  fathoms,  over  a  sandy 
bottom.  Good  shelter  may  be  found  from  a  strong  southerly  wind; 
nearer  the  shore  it  is  rocky.  There  are  several  cottages,  and  cattle  may 
be  seen  grazing.  Landing  is  not  difficult,  and  cattle  and  water  may  be 
obtained. 

Tirua  bay,  on  the  north  side  of  cape  Tirua,  is  exposed  and  dangerous, 
neither  is  there  any  landing  for  boats. 

Port  Quidico  or  Nena,  about  9  miles  northward  of  cape  Tirua,  takes 
its  name  from  a  small  river  which  empties  into  the  south  part  of  the 
bay.  It  is  open  to  the  northward,  but  is  sheltered  from  the  southwest- 
ward  by  high  land  and  Nena  point  extending  northward,  with  a  rocky 
bank  nearly  f  mile  in  the  same  direction.  Inside  the  bay,  about  COO 
yards  eastward  of  the  river,  at  the  foot  of  a  hill,  is  the  best  landing 
place. 

The  anchorage  for  steamers  is  east  of  Fen  a  point,  in  6  fathoms, 
bottom  sand  and  shell,  but  sailing  vessels  should  anchor  farther  to  tlie 
northward  and  be  prepared  to  weigh  when  the  wind  veers  to  the  north. 

The  coast — Between  Quidico  or  Nena  and  Morguilla  point,  26  miles, 
the  coast  forms  a  large  bight  with  a  sandy  shore,  unfit  to  be  approached, 
and  is  lashed  by  a  heavy  surf  extending  more  than  a  mile  off.  Two 
rivers  empty  there,  the  southern  named  Lleuller  and  the  northern 
Paicavi.  Both  appear  to  have  formerly  been  navigable,  but  are  at 
present  inaccessible  from  seaward. 

lylorguilla  point,  33  feet  high,  is  a  peninsula,  nearly  round,  about 
one  mile  in  diameter,  covered  with  vegetation,  and  connected  to  the 
shore  by  a  sandy  beach.  North  and  south  of  the  point  are  two  small 
rocks  frequented  by  ^eals.  Eastward  of  the  northern  rock  is  the  small 
cove  named  Ouraco,  which  can  only  be  approached  in  calm  weather. 

Tucapel  point. — From  Morguilla  point  to  Bocarripe  head,  11  miles, 
the  coast  trends  northerly  and  northwesterly,  thence  northerly  2  miles 


248  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAT. 

to  Tucapel  point.  The  projecting  rocky  x>oint8,  Chimpel  and  Lorcura, 
divide  the  sandy  shore,  along  which  are  scattered  nameroas  rocks,  one 
of  which  lies  |  mile  off  Chimpel  x>oint. 

Tncapel  point,  624  feet  high,  is  precipitous  to  the  westward,  bat 
slopes  toward  the  soath. 

The  country  in  the  interior  is  fertile  and  beautiful.  Hill  and  dale, 
woodland  and  pasture  are  everywhere  interspersed,  while  numerous 
streams  irrigate  the  soil. 

Easterly  current. — An  easterly  current  of  one  mile  an  hour  or  more 
prevails  between  Ghiloe  island  and  Lota  point.  Its  direction  appears 
to  vary  between  NE.  and  SE.  according  as  the  wind  is  northerly  or 
southerly,  but  it  is  always  toward  the  land.  Several  vessels  have  been 
placed  in  dangerous  proximity  to  the  shore  by  its  effects. 

Occasionally  with  a  KW.  wind  a  strong  ESE.  current  may  be  experi- 
enced off  Tucapel  point. 

CautioxL — A  vessel  standing  in  for  this  coast  should  never  run  into 
a  fog,  as  the  fog  bank  seldom  extends  more  than  4  or  5  miles  from  the 
land. 

Port  Lebu,  on  the  east  side  of  Tucapel  point,  takes  its  name  from  the 
river  which  empties  itself  there.  The  bay  containing  the  port  is  about 
2  miles  wide  and  one  mile  deep,  with  depths  of  about  7  and  8  fathoms, 
sand,  which  gradually  diminishes  toward  the  shore.  The  port  is  shel- 
tered from  the  SW.  swell  by  a  ridge  of  rocks  extending  about  J  mile 
northward  from  Tucapel  point.  The  best  anchorage  for  steamers  is  200 
yards  eastward  of  the  highest  part  of  the  rocky  ridge,  but  sailing  ves- 
sels should  anchor  a  mile  farther  north,  in  order  to  be  in  a  position  to 
weigh,  in  case  of  a  gale  from  the  northward. 

There  is  no  difficulty  in  communicating  with  the  shore  at  Lebu, 
except  during  strong  northerly  winds,  and  boats  of  moderate  draft  can 
enter  the  river  or  land  in  a  small  cove  at  the  entrance. 

The  mouth  of  the  river  lies  south  of  the  anchorage,  and  is  about  100 
feet  wide;  its  southern  shore  is  composed  of  stones,  the  northern  of 
sand.  The  least  depth  at  low  water  is  5  feet.  The  tide  produces  a 
current  running  from  4  to  6  miles  an  hour,  which  diminishes  farther  up 
the  river,  where  it  widens  considerably. 

In  former  days  there  was  a  settlement  called  Tucapel  Yiejo  at  the 
mouth  of  this  river. 

City  of  Lebu. — The  city  of  Lebu  is  on  the  left  bank  of  the'river  near 
the  mouth.  It  is  the  capital  of  the  province  of  Arauco,  and  is  a  military 
station.  The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company  steamers  call  fort- 
nightly, also  local  coast  steamers.  There  is  telegraphic  communica- 
tion with  the  principal  places  in  Chile.  The  population  in  1885  was 
about  3,000. 

Lebu  has  made  great  advancement  during  later  years,  principally 
due  to  the  coal  mines  and  its  being  a  rich  agricultural  district. 

Tides,— It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Lebu  at  lOh.  30m. ; 
rise,  6  feet. 


MILLONHUE   POINT — PIURES   COVE.  249 

Millonhue  point,  surrouDded  by  rocks,  forms  the  south  extreme  of 
Camer9  bay  and  the  north  point  of  Port  Lebu.  Between  the  rocks  is 
a  small  cove  named  Viel,  with  6  fathoms  in  it,  affording  a  good  landing 
place  sheltered  from  southwesterly  winds. 

Ranguil  bay,  in  the  SE.  part  of  Carnero  bay,  is  an  exposed  and 
unsafe  anchorage.  There  are  coal  seams  in  the  neighborhood,  but  they 
are  not  worked  at  present. 

A  heavy  surf  beats  along  the  northern  part  of  Eanguil  bay,  but  boats 
can  always  land  on  the  southern  coast  by  passing  between  a  number 
of  rocks  which  border  the  shore  there  for  a  distance  of  J  mile. 

Carnero  bay. — From  Millonhue  point  the  shore  recedes  and  forms 
the  spacious  bay  of  Carnero,  exposed  and  unfit  for  sailing  vessels. 

Carnero  head,  the  northern  limit  of  Carnero  bay,  is  a  cliffy  bluff,  14 
miles  north  of  Millonhue  point. 

ITanez  cove. — Southeast  of  Carnero  head  are  two  small  islets  named 
Pichiguapi  and  Uchaguapi,  the  northern  of  which  is  connected  with 
the  shore  by  a  sandy  neck,  which  has  formed  during  late  years. 
Yanez  cove  is  sheltered  from  the  westward  by  these  islets,  and  from  the ' 
northward  by  the  headland,  and  affords  excellent  anchorage  for  coast- 
ers; bottom  sand.  There  is  a  pier  just  eastward  of  Sandy  point,  the 
west  extreme  of  the  bay,  in  connection  with  a  railway  to  the  coal  mines 
7  miles  distant.  The  mines  are  worked  by  an  English  company,  and 
coal  of  a  good  quality  can  be  obtained.  There  is  also  a  small  pier  on 
the  north  end  of  Uchaguapi  island.    A  tug  can  be  obtained. 

There  is  discolored  water,  probably  a  shoal,  at  J  mile  SW.  of  Liles 
point,  the  SE.  extreme  of  the  bay. 

Steamers  should  anchor  east  of  the  northernmost  islet.  Some  fresh 
provisions  and  poultry  can  be  obtained.  Water  is  plentiful,  and  can 
be  easily  procured  from  the  Tralicura  river  at  the  head  of  the  bay. 

Maule  shoal,  lying  about  8  miles  north  of  Millonhue  point  and  3 
miles  westward  of  Lacobe  point,  is  a  sunken  danger,  which  appears  to 
extend  toward  Lacobe  point.  There  is  sufficient  water  to  pass  between 
it  and  the  shore,  but  all  vessels  are  recommended  to  pass  well  to  the 
westward  of  it. 

Fiures  cove,  about  3  miles  north  of  Carnero  head,  affords  shelter 
for  vessels  of  light  draft,  but  they  should  not  attempt  to  enter  without 
local  knowledge.  Between  Carnero  head  and  Piures  cove  there  are 
two  small  bights,  but  they  afford  no  shelter. 

Dangers  reported. — Heavy  breakers  are  reported  to  have  been  seen 
during  westerly  gales  over  an  apparently  shoal  patch  situated  4  or  5 
miles  westward  of  Carnero  head.  This  has  been  repeatedly  looked  for 
and  not  found. 

Between  Carnero  head  and  Lavapi^  point,  at  13  miles  NNE.  of  it, 
several  outlying  dangers  have  been  reported  at  different  times  to  exist. 
The  southernmost,  awash  at  low  water,  is  said  to  lie  2  miles  S.  34^  W. 
(S.  17°  W.  mag.),  from  cape  Eumena  and  one  mile  from  the  coast.  The 
Chilean  vessel  of  war  Pilcomayo  in  1892  passed  close  to  the  assigned 


250  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

position  of  this  rock  at  low  water  without  seeing  it;  there  was,  how- 
ever, a  distinctly  marked  breaker  observed.  Another  rock,  sitaated  2f 
miles  West  (S.  73°  W.  mag.)  from  cape  Eomena,  the  existence  of  which 
was  snpposed  to  be  doabtful,  was  seen  well  above  water  dariog  low  tide 
from  the  Pilcomayo^  when  a  depth  of  22  fathoms,  rock,  was  obtained  at 
300  yards  west  and  20  fathoms  about  f  mile  l^W.  of  it. 

HaU  rock  is  charted  at  about  2J  miles  N.  28°  W.  (N.  45©  W.  mag.) 
from  cape  Eumena.  The  rock  is  visible  at  extreme  low  water,  with  a 
heavy  swell  from  the  westward.  Hall  rock  is  dangerous,  beiug  almost 
in  the  direct  way  of  vessels  going  through  the  channel  between  Santa 
Maria  island  and  the  mainland.  A  rocky  patch  of  4  fathoms  water, 
over  which  the  sea  in  moderate  weather  breaks  heavily,  lies  with 
Lavapi<5  point  N.  69°  E.  (N.  42^  E.  mag.)  about  §  mile  ofifshore. 

Raimeuco  cove. — About  4  miles  NE.  of  cai)e  Eumena  is  a  small 
rocky  i)oint,  east  of  which  is  the  cove.  It  is  small,  but  the  anchorage 
is  well  sheltered  from  the  southward,  although  unprotected  from  the 
north.  Two  small  banks  are  visible  in  the  SW.  part.  The  cove  is 
surrounded  by  high  hills  containing  coal. 

Lavapi6  point  is  8  miles  NE.  of  cape  Eumena.  The  point  is  low 
and  rocky,  and  surrounded  by  reefs  which  extend  some  distance  from 
it  and  upon  which  the  sea  breaks.  In  the  vicinity  of  Lavapi^  point 
are  two  small  coves  called  Trana  and  Tranco,  the  latter  being  SB.  of 
Observation  point.    The  village  of  Lengna  de  Yaca  is  north  of  it. 

Rocks. — A  rock  awash,  on  which  the  sea  breaks  heavily,  lies  about 
J  mile  NNW.  of  Lavapie  point,  and  a  rocky  patch  of  2f  fathoms  lies 
j%  mile  N.  280  E.  (N.  lio  E.  mag.)  of  Observation  point. 

Cockatrice  rock  lies  about  3  miles  S.  85°  W.  (S.  68°  W.  mag.)  of 
Cochinas  point. 

This  rock  was  unsuccessfully  searched  for  by  the  Pilcomayo,  when 
a  depth  of  24  fathoms 'was  obtained  over  its  assigned  position;  26 
fathoms,  sand,  at  2J  miles  SW.,  and  no  bottom,  with  30  fathoms  at  J 
mile  NW.  of  the  rock.  Later  information  states  that  the  rock  does 
exist  at  about  the  position  assigned  to  it,  and  that  at  extreme  low  water 
with  a  heavy  westerly  swell  the  rock  is  visible. 

Meteor  rock,  on  which  the  sea  does  not  always  break,  is  said  to  lie 
about  1 J  miles  S.  17°  W.  (South  mag.)  of  Oochinos  point,  the  south  point 
of  Santa  Maria  island,  and  to  have  on  it  13  feet,  with  9  to  11  fathoms 
close-to. 

This  rock  was  not  found  during  the  survey  by  the  Chilean  vessel  of 
war  Magallanes  in  1886,  but  a  patch  of  6J  fathoms  was  found  at  f  mile 
NE.  of  its  assigned  position.  It  was  also  unsuccessfully  searched  for 
by  the  Filcomayo  in  1892.  This  rock  is  also  said  to  exist  at  about  the 
position  assigned  to  it  and  to  be  visible  at  extreme  low  water  with  a 
heavy  westerly  sweU. 

Caution. — In  consequence  of  the  foregoing  reports  it  is  recommended 
to  observe  great  caution  in  using  the  Boca  Chica  channel  between 
Lavapi^  point  and  Santa  Maria  island. 


SAKTA  MARIA  ISLAND.  251 

Vessels  bound  to  or  from  Arauco  bay  are  cautioned  not  to  approach 
the  shore  between  Garnero  bay  and  Lavapi6  point  within  4  miles,  not 
only  in  order  to  pass  outside  Hall  rock,  but  to  avoid  the  foul  ground 
and  kelp  which  extends  a  considerable  distance  off  the  land. 

Current. — The  coast  current  from  the  southward  divides  on  Santa 
Maria  island,  one  branch  turning  eastward  through  Boca  Chica  about 
J  mile  per  hour. 

With  the  ebb  tide  in  Arauco  bay  the  surface  current  sets  out  of  Boca 
Ghica  about  2  knots. 

Santa  Maria  island  is  comparatively  low  and  dangerous,  with 
numerous  outlying  rocks  and  shoals.  The  western  coast  is  cliffy,  and 
the  eastern  part  of  the  island  is  formed  of  sandy  dunes  terminating  in 
Delicada  point,  the  east  extreme  of  the  island.  Dormidos  de  Afuera  is 
the  most  outlying  of  these  dangers,  and  lies  2J  miles  NNW.  from  the 
northern  part  of  the  island.  They  are  sometimes  unmarked  by  break- 
ers, and  it  is  not  safe  to  pass  over  the  foul  ground  between  them  and 
the  island;  neither  is  it  prudent  to  approach  the  western  side  of  Santa 
Maria  nearer  than  3  miles. 

Light. — On  the  summit  of  hill  near  the  north  end  of  the  island  is  a 
cylindrical  lighthouse  supported  on  a  tripod  from  center  of  keeper's 
dwelling.  The  light,  white,  shows  a  flash  of  15  seconds'  duration  every 
minute.  It  is  258  feet  above  the  sea  level,  and  is  said  to  be  visible  from 
38  to  40  miles,  although  it  has  not  been  seen  from  deck,  in  clear  weather, 
from,  a  distance  of  28  miles.  It  is  obscured  between  the  bearings  N.  16o 
W.  (K  330  W.  mag.)  and  K.  60  E.  (N.  lio  W.  mag.). 

Santa  Maria  road. — Off*  the  SE.  side  of  Santa  Maria  island  there 
is  a  tolerable  roadstead  for  small  vessels  during  NW.  winds,  over  good 
holding  ground;  but  the  only  place  really  sheltered  is  quite  close  to  the 
eastward  of  Cochinos  point;  a  swell,  however,  rolls  in,  and  when  heavy 
the  sea  breaks  a  long  way  out.  Cochinos  point  should  not  be  neared 
under  2  miles,  and  in  passing  round  Santa  Maria  to  the  eastward  a 
wude  berth  must  be  given  to  the  shoal,  which  now  extends  off*  foward 
the  SE.,  and  it  will  not  be  prudent  to  bring  Cochinos  point  to  bear 
southward  of  west  (S.  73^  W.  mag.)  until  4  miles  to  the  eastward  of  it. 
At  3  miles  east  of  the  point  there  are  but  4  fathoms  at  low  water. 
From  thence  the  shoal  turns  to  the  northward,  round  Delicada  point, 
off  which  the  water  deepens  suddenly  to  10  and  20  fathoms.  The  land- 
ing in  the  bight  between  Cochinos  and  Delicada  points  is  at  Aguada 
point  and  at  Engorda  point;  the  latter  is  the  better  of  the  two.  On 
the  NE.  side  of  the  island  there  is  anchorage  during  southerly  winds 
in  Tres  Cuevas  bay,  SE.  of  the  point  of  the  same  name.  Landing  is 
dangerous  on  the  sandy  beach  on  the  east  side  of  the  island,  on  account 
of  the  heavy  blind  rollers;  boats  should  not  be  beached  except  from 

an  anchor.    English  roads,  at  the  NE.  extreme,  is  the  best  anchorage, 

» 

and  has  a  good  landing  place.    Water  is  good  and  abundant,  also  plenty 
of  wood  and  vegetables,  but  little  else 
Arauco  bay  is  the  name  given  to  the  large  bight  east  of  Lavapi6 


252  CHILOE  I8LAKD  TO  COQUIMBO  BAT. 

jyointj  the  SW.  limit  of  the  bay,  and  duriBg  southerly  winds  affords 
good  anchorage  thronghout,  bat  it  is  everywhere  exposed  to  northerly 
winds  and  sea,  except  in  Llico  bay.  Vessels  proceeding  through  to 
Boca  Cbica  should  give  Lavapie  point  a  wide  berth,  as  there  are  rocks 
awash  at  i  mile  NXW.  of  it.  Arauoo,  once  so  renowned  but  now  only 
a  small  town  of  3,450  inhabitants  (1885),  and  a  garrison  of  Chilean 
troops,  stands  a  short  distance  firom  the  sea  in  the  bight  of  the  bay. 
Provisions  are  abundant  and  cheap,  but  the  landing  is  very  difficult 
for  boats. 

Llico  bay,  southeastward  of  Lavapie  point,  has  tolerably  good  anchor- 
age in  4|  fathoms  water  rather  more  than  a  mile  from  the  west  shore  of 
the  bay,  but  is  not  quite  sheltered  from  NW.,  and  is  liable  to  heavy 
squalls  oft'  the  heights  over  cape  Eumena  when  it  blows  strong  from 
the  southwestward.  A  reef  awash  extending  ^  mile  in  a  SE.  and 
NW.  direction,  and  lying  ^  mile  offshore,  is  1^  miles  SE.  ^  E.  of  the 
anchorage. 

Supplies. — Beef  of  excellent  quality  may  be  obtained  in  small  quan- 
tity.   The  only  vegetables  to  be  procured  are  potatoes  and  pumpkins. 

Tnbnl  river. — For  3  or  4  miles  on  each  side  of  Tubul  river  the  coast 
is  steep  and  clifty,  with  high  hills.  The  Tubul  was  formerly  capable  of 
receiving  vessels  of  considerable  burden,  but  the  earthquake  of  1835 
raised  its  bar  so  much  as  to  prevent  access  to  other  than  boats.  It  is 
supposed  that  the  bar  will  not  remain.  The  neighboring  country  is 
beautiful  and  fertile.  Off  Pichicui  point,  the  outer  point  of  the  long 
cliff  west  of  Tubul  river,  and  a  mile  from  the  land,  there  is  a  rock 
named  El  Fraile,  on  which  the  sea  always  breaks  unless  the  water  is 
unusually  still. 

Laraquete  beach  extends  10  miles  to  the  northeastward  from  the 
Tubul  cliffs;  and  2  miles  oft'  it  is  from  8  to  10  fathoms  water,  over 
sandy  bottom.  The  Oarampangue  river,  4  miles  east  of  Tubul  river,  is 
not  navigable  at  its  mouth,  being  choked  by  sandbanks,  though  2  miles 
inland  it  is  deep  and  rather  wide. 

Laraquete  bay,  at  the  east  extreme  of  the  beach  of  the  same  name, 
is  frequented  by  vessels  loading  coal,  which  is  brought  by  railway  from 
Maquehua,  on  the  banks  of  Oarampangae  river.  The  holding  ground 
is  good,  hut  the  anchorage  is  exposed  to  the  westerly  winds.  The  land- 
ing place  is  within  the  mouth  of  Laraquete  river. 

Vessels  are  loaded  by  means  of  lighters;  500  tons  of  coal  can  be  put 
on  board  in  ten  hours,  except  in  bad  weather,  when  all  loading  is 
stopped. 

Fresh  provisions  and  water  can  be  obtained. 

The  population  of  Laraquete  (1894)  amounts  to  500. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Arauco  bay  at  lOh. 
15m. ;  springs  rise  6  feet. 

Lota  bay  has  become  of  mucli  importance  in  consequence  of  its  coal 
mines  and  the  considerable  export  of  coal.  It  affords  anchorage  in 
from  5  to  8  fathoms  for  large  ships,  and  is  safe  all  the  year  round. 


LOTA.  253 

The  bay  may  be  known  by  the  lighthouse  on  Lota  or  Lutrin  point,  also 
a  long  iron  jetty  with  a  wheel  and  drop  on  the  outer  end  for  coaling 
purposes. 

At  the  jetty  head  the  depth  is  from  18  to  21  feetj  vessels  of  deep 
draft  have  to  complete  coaling  by  means  of  barges. 

From  the  point  projecting  from  the  middle  of  the  north  shore  of  the 
bay  the  breakwater  or  mole  extends  in  the  direction  S.  10°  E.  (S.  27^ 
E.  mag.),  and  is  being  formed  from  the  scoria  of  the  neighboring  smelt- 
ing works.  It  is  about  400  yards  long  and  has  reached  a  position  where 
the  chart  shows  a  depth  of  5J  fathoms.  A  wooden  landing  pier  about 
65  yards  long  has  been  constructed  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  bay 
inside  the  mole  and  abreast  the  customhouse. 

The  anchorage  is  generally  so  filled  by  shipping  that  no  direct  rules 
for  anchoring  can  be  given. 

The  winds  blowing  strong  between  NW.  and  West  bring  in  a  consid- 
erable sea,  at  times  entirely  suspending  the  loading. 

The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company's  steamers,  also  those  of 
the  Kosmos  company,  call  regularly,  and  there  is  telegraphic  commu- 
nication with  all  the  principal  ports  in  the  Eepublic. 

Supplies. — ^Fresh  meat  at  about  9  cents  and  bread  and  vegetables 
at  about  3  cents  are  to  be  obtained  j  also  good  fire  bricks. 

CoaL — Good  steaming  coal  can  be  obtained  at  about  $5  per  ton. 
It  is,  however,  a  quick-consuming  fuel.  Vessels  can  load  800  tons  from 
the  drop  in  one  day.  The  port  charges  are  $4.  The  coal  mine  is  only 
a  few  fathoms  from  the  inner  end  of  the  jetty. 

There  are  excellent  piers  at  Lota,  with  tramways,  on  which  coal  is 
conveyed  in  wagons  to  barges  and  taken  to  the  shipping  in  a  very 
short  time.    Mooring  buoys  are  placed  for  ships  to  secure  to. 

The  population  is  about  12,000,  most  of  whom  are  coal  miners. 

Lights. — On  Lota  or  Lutrin  point  stands  a  cylindrical  lighthouse,  43 
feet  high,  painted  white,  from  which  at  164  feet  above  high  water  is 
exhibited  a  revolving  white  light  every  fifteen  seconds,  visible  in  clear 
weather  from  a  distance  of  18  miles. 

The  light  is  obscured  from  the  northward  by  the  Chambique  J)luffs. 

Two  fixed  red  lights,  placed  a  few  yards  apart,  are  shown  from  the 
outer  extreme  of  the  old  iron  pier  in  the  western  part  of  the  bay. 
These  lights  are  elevated  about  39  feet  above  the  sea,  visible  in  clear 
weather  from  a  distance  of  about  2  miles,  and  kept  in  line  indicate  the 
direction  of  the  pier. 

At  the  extremity  of  the  new  wooden  pier,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
bay  in  front  of  the  customhouse,  a  white  light  and  a  green  light  are 
exhibited;  each  elevated  13  feet  above  the  sea. 

These  two  lights  are  of  very  little  importance,  as  they  are  lighted 
irregularly  and  can  only  be  seen  a  short  distance. 

Chambique  bay  is  immediately  north  of  Lota  point;  vessels  load 
coal  here  from  the  mine,  but  it  is  considered  a  dangerous  anchorage: 
westerly  winds  throw  in  a  very  heavy  sea. 


254  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO   BAT. 

Ziotilla  bay,  nearly  a  mile  north  of  Chambiqne  bay,  affords  anchor- 
age in  about  7  fatboms,  bnt  is  very  mneh  exposed. 

Flaya  Blanca  anchorage,  |  mile  N£.  of  Lotilla  bay,  has  in  it 
depths  of  6^  and  7  fathoms. 

Flaya  Blanca  rock,  with  16  feet  water  over  it,  lies  mneh  in  the  way 
of  vessels  bound  to  Playa  Negra  anchorage,  at  1^  miles  north  of  Playa 
Blanca  anchorage.  From  the  rock,  Playa  Negramole  bears  X.  49^  E. 
(y.  32^  £.  mag.)  and  the  eastern  end  of  Cuervo  island  S.  8^  W.  (S.  7^ 
E.  mag.). 

Coronal  bay,  at  the  northeastern  part  of  Araueo  bay,  is  a  place  of 
export  for  coaL  Coronel  is  considered  the  best  winter  anchorage  in  the 
bay. 

Anchorage. — ^  secure  berth  will  be  found  in  9  fathoms,  with  Puchooo 
point,  the  N  W.  extreme  of  the  bay,  bearing  between  N.  85o  W.  (S.  78^ 
W.  mag.)  and  S.  84^  W.  (S.  67^^  W.  mag.),  about  J  mile  distant,  and 
Puchoco  pier  bearing  N.  6°  W.  (N.  23^  W.  mag.).  Strong  sea  breezes 
raise  a  swell,  which  prevents  coal  lighters  from  being  brought  alongside. 
There  is  no  wharf  that  a  vessel  can  lie  alongside  of. 

CoaL — ^There  are  two  piers  at  Coronel,  with  tramways  and  wagons; 
the  mines  belong  to  the  Puchoco  company,  and,  if  need  be,  500  tons 
of  coal  can  be  furnished  alongside  any  ship  in  the  bay  in  the  space  of 
twelve  hours.  The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company's  steamers  take 
all  their  coal  from  Coronel;  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  80  or  90  colliers 
at  anchor  off  Puchoco,  besides  steamers,  taking  in  coal.  The  price  of 
coal  is  from  $5  to  $G  per  ton.    About  5,000  tons  are  kept  in  stock. 

Coronel  town  contains  about  10,000  inhabitants  aud  is  about  one 
mile  eastward  of  the  Puchoco  wharves;  there  is  an  old  pier  running 
out  from  the  town,  but  it  is  seldom  used. 

There  are  four  lines  of  steamers  calling  regularly  at  Coronel,  includ- 
ing the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company's  steamers,  the  South 
American  company,  and  Kosmos  Line.  A  steamer  also  trades  to  xK>rt 
Montt. 

There  is  telegraphic  communication  with  Europe  and  all  parts  of 
Chile;  a  railway  to  Concepcion  is  proposed. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

HospitaL — Coronel  has  a  general  hospital. 

Snppliea — Fresh  provisions  and  stores  are  abundant;  slight  repairs 
to  steamers'  machinery  can  be  effected. 

Directions. — ^The  land  just  eastward  of  Coronel  x>oint  is  of  moderate 
height,  terminating  regularly  in  a  low  point,  with  several  black  cliffs 
just  under  the  high  part.  Coronel  point  may  be  distinguished  by  its 
having  a  small  house  on  its  extreme,  and  just  south  of  it  as  the  old 
framework  of  some  mining  shaft;  these  together,  when  coming  from 
the  ITW.,  point  out  the  position  of  Coronel,  for,  with  Puchoco  point 
bearing  S.  29^  E.  (S.  46^  E.  mag.),  the  ships  and  anchorage  do  not 
come  into  view  until  within  a  short  distance  oft'  it;  and,  besides,  on 
•  this  bearing  the  extreme  of  the  land  west  of  Lota  town  is  in  line  with 


CORONEL CONCEPCION.  255 

Puchoco  point,  and  the  smoke  of  the  mines  of  both  places  is  blended, 
making  it  confusing  to  a  stranger  bonnd  to  Coronel. 

At  all  events,  the  house  and  shafting  above  described  are  good  marks 
to  know  Coronel  point,  and  when  abreast  of  it  and  well  outside  the 
breakers  two  chimneys  will  be  seen  on  Puchoco  point,  with  some  houses 
just  north  of  the  chimneys,  and  a  few  trees;  also,  shipping  standing  in 
or  out  of  the  bay,  and  others  at  anchor,  indicate  the  near  approach  to 
Coronel  bay.  It  is  not  advisable  to  shoal  to  less  than  10  fathoms  when 
rounding  Puchoco  point,  when  the  ship  may  be  steered  for  the  anchor- 
age off  Puchoco  pier,  or  off  the  town  of  Coronel. 

Vessels  likely  to  remain  should  anchor  well  in  the  bay,  off  the  town 
pier,  where  they  will  be  well  sheltered  from  North,  NW.,  and  West 
winds,  and  are  not  so  much  exposed  to  the  heavy  rolling  swell  that 
sets  in  when  blowing  hard. 

Vessels  only  requiring  coal  can  anchor  oft*  the  Puchoco  new  pier  in  9 
fathoms,  with  the  pier  bearing  K.  23°  W..(N.  40^  W.  mag.)  and  Puchoco 
point  N.  78°  W.  (S.  85°  W.  mag.).  In  this  position  coaling  can  be  car- 
ried on  with  great  rapidity.  Great  attention  is  required  to  the  lead  in 
standing  into  this  anchorage,  for  the  deep  water  runs  close  up  to  the 
5-fathom  line.  Landing  on  the  beach  is  attended  with  some  danger  at 
times,  as  the  sea  breaks  with  violence  on  it,  and  should  not  be  attempted, 
as  there  are  landing  steps  at  the  pier. 

Boca  Maule  rock,  one  mile  NW.  J  N.  from  the  south  extreme  of 
Puchoco  point,  and  ^  mile  from  the  shore,  is  about  50  yards  in  extent, 
with  4  fathoms  water  over  it;  midway  between  this  rock  and  the  shore 
there  are  depths  of  9  and  10  fathoms. 

Bio  Bio  river. — ^The  situation  of  this  great  river,  together  with  San 
Vicente  and  Concepcion  bays,  may  be  known  by  the  remarkable  hills 
about  800  feet  high,  named  the  Paps  of  Bio  Bio,  817  feet  high,  which 
are  13  miles  north  of  Coronel  point.  There  is  no  danger  near  the  Paps 
except  a  few  rocks  close  to  the  shore.  Bio  Bio  river  is  not  accessible 
on  account  of  sandbanks. 

Between  Coronel  and  Collinto  points  the  sea  is  much  discolored  by 
the  water  from  Bio  Bio  river. 

Concepcion,  capital  of  a  province  of  the  same  name,  is  situated  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  river  6  miles  from  its  mouth.  Population  in  1885, 
about  24,000. 

San  Vincente  bay,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Paps  of  Bio  Bio,  is 
entirely  open  to  the  NW.  winds  and  to  the  western  swell,  but  there  is 
anchorage  sheltered  from  W8W.  winds  in  the  southern  corner  of  the 
bay  in  from  5  to  6  fathoms,  where  also  is  a  landing  place,  and  good  water 
may  be  obtained.  Formerly  this  bay  was  much  frequented  by  whaling 
vessels. 

Marullo  bank,  about  i  mile  off  shore,  in  the  !NE.  part  of  the  bay,  is 
nearly  200  yards  in  diameter,  and  has  3  feet  over  it  at  low  water.  The 
sea  generally  breaks  over  it. 

Burdoes  rock  is  N.  85^  W.  (S.  78^  W.  mag.),  and  distant  400  yards 


256  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO   BAY. 

from  Marullo  rock,  with  6  fathoms  between  them.    It  is  small  and  has 
13  feet  water  over  it  at  low  water, 

Tumbes  peninsula  extends  from  Lobos  x>oint  to  Tnmbes  point.  A 
short  distance  off  the  coast  there  are  many  straggling  rocks,  some  under, 
some  above  water,  prominent  among  them  beiug  Sugarloaf  rock,  lying 
about  J  mile  offshore,  2  miles  southward  of  Tumbes  point. 

Quiebra  Olla  or  Breakpot  rock  is  a  mile  WNW.  of  Tumbes  point. 
No  vessel  should  pass  between  Olla  rock  and  Tumbes  point,  as  there 
are  several  sunken  rocks  in  the  vicinity;  outside  Breakpot  rock  there  is 
no  known  danger,  but  the  west  side  of  Tumbes  peninsula  should  not  be 
approached  to  within  a  distance  of  2  miles. 

Concepcion  bay. — Between  Tumbes  point,  the  NW.  extreme  of 
Tumbes  peninsula,  and  Loberia  head,  6  miles  to  the  KE.,  is  the 
entrance  to  Concepcion  bay,  the  finest  port  on  this  coast,  being  about 
6  miles  square  and  having  anchorage  ground  everywhere,  and  well 
sheltered.  Mount  !N"euke,.4J- miles  to  the  eastward  of  Loberia  head, 
the  highest  land  in  the  vicinity,  is  1,790  feet  high. 

Quinquina  island,  3  miles  long  north  and  south  by  nearly  a  mile 
wide,  lies  in  the  entrance  of  Concepcion  bay,  and,  with  the  shoals  south 
of  it,  protect  the  anchorage  oft'  the  town  of  Talcahuano  from  the  North- 
ers. Vessels  may  anchor  near  Arena  point,  at  the  SE.  extreme  of 
Quiriquina  island.  Several  rocks  extend  off  the  north  point  of  the 
island,  the  northernmost  of  which,  the  Pajaros  Mfios,  lies  nearly  400 
yards  off  and  is  well  above  water. 

Light — The  lighthouse,  36  feet  high,  standing  on  the  northern  point 
of  Quiriquina  island,  is  circular  and  colored  white.  Prom  the  lantern 
is  exhibited,  at  an  elevation  of  213  feet  above  the  sea,  a  revolving  white 
light,  attaining  its  greatest  brilliancy  every  thirty  seconds,  the  dura- 
tion of  flash  being  nine  seconds,  and  that  of  eclipse  twenty-one  seconds, 
and  in  clear  weather  should  be  seen  from  a  distance  of  15  miles. 

Approaching  Concepcion  bay. — Loberia  head  maybe  distinguished 
even  on  a  dark  night,  being  a  high  dark  bluff  with  several  rocks  lying 
off  it,  against  which  the  sea  breaks  with  great  fury  during  a  north- 
westerly gale  5  as  also  along  the  coast  northward  of  Parra  point. 
These  breakers,  with  those  on  Pajaros  Nines  rocks,  are  generally  lumi- 
nous at  night,  and,  combined  with  a  roar,  will  warn  the  seaman  of  his 
approach. 

A  stranger  making  the  light  on  Quiriquina  island  at  any  time  may 
enter  Concepcion  bay  and  get  secure  anchorage,  bearing  in  mind  the 
lighthouse  is  J  mile  southward  of  the  Pajaros  Nines  rock.  This  can 
be  done  by  running  down  with  the  light  bearing  8.  6^  W.  (S.  11°  E. 
mag.)  until  Loberia  head  bears  East  (N.  73°  E.  mag.),  when  the  course 
can  be  altered  to  S.  28^  E.  (S.  45°  E.  mag.)  until  soundings  are  obtained 
in  17  to  10  fathoms  or  the  light  on  Qniriquina  island  bears  N.  50°  W. 
(N.  67°  W.  mag.).  Should  the  wind  be  from  the  NW.  a  ship  may  be 
hauled  to  the  southwestward  and  anchored  anywhere  under  Quij-iquina 
island,  taking  care  at  night  not  to  approach  it  too  closely.    With  a» 


CONCBPCION  BAY.  257 

NW.  wind  the  sea  is  often  in  a  phosphorescent  state,  rendering  the  light 
difficult  to  make  from  a  distance. 

Ships  bound  to  Concepcion  bay  from  the  southward  and  westward  in 
thick  weather  should  not  reduce  the  soundings  under  45  fathoms,  nor 
approach  Quinquina  light  at  night  until  it  bears  southward  of  S.  73^ 
E.  (East  mag.);  Loberia  head  may  then  be  steered  for,  and  the  bay 
entered  by  the  Great  channel. 

There  is  a  passage  into  Concepcion  bay  on  either  side  of  Quiriquina 
island,  but  the  best  for  those  not  locally  acquainted  is  to  the  eastward 
of  the  island,  where  the  soundings  are  regular  with  from  17  to  22 
fathoms. 

Quiriquina  channeL — The  western  channel,  named  Quiriquina,  is 
not  considered  a  fit  place  for  a  large  ship  to  go  through,  as  the  tides 
are  irregulai*  in  their  direction,  and  during  springs  ttiey  run  through 
the  narrow  part  with  great  velocity.  The  channel  is  one  mile  wide 
between  the  NE.  part  of  Tumbes  peninsula  and  the  island,  with  deep 
water  on  the  island  side,  but  the  Buey  rocks,  which  project  from  the 
NE.  shoulder  of  Tumbes,  reduce  the  available  passage  to  the  breadth  of 
800  yards. 

The  Great  or  Eastern  channel  is  2  miles  wide,  and  has  no  danger 
at  a  reasonable  distance  from  Pajaros  Niiios  point,  but  Loberia  head 
should  not  be  approached  under  one  mile,  to  avoid  Concepcion  rock, 
and  when  navigating  betwen  Loberia  head  and  Tom6,  vessels  should 
keep  at  least  one  mile  from  the  shore.  There  is  less  tidal  stream  in 
this  wide  passage. 

Concepcion  rock,  about  i  mile  westward  of  Loberia  head,  is  a  pin- 
nacle rock  with  19  feet  on  it  at  low  water.  The  sea  breaks  over  it  in 
bad  weather,  but  under  ordinary  conditions  of  swell  it  is  not  discernible, 
and  is  therefore  dangerous. 

Zealous  rock,  800  yards  southward  of  Huique  head,  is  a  detached 
rock,  nearly  awash  at  low  water,  with  4  fathoms  between  it  and  the 
shore,  and  5  fathoms  afc  a  distance  of  400  yards  outside. 

Fort  Talcahnano,  at  the  SW.  angle  of  Concepcion  bay,  is  the  safest 
and  best  on  this  part  of  the  coast  for  a  large  ship,  being  protected  from 
all  winds.  Merchant  ships  anchor  off  the  pier  in  from  4  to  5  fathoms, 
good  holding  ground,  and  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  the  landing  or 
receiving  of  cargoes  at  all  times.  The  railway  extends  to  Santiago,  and 
thus  this  port  is  brought  into  direct  communication  with  the  interior. 

Bepairs  to  machinery  can  be  effected  at  the  Government  works  at 
Concepcion,  distant  9  miles  by  railway. 

There  is  a  hospital  where  seamen  are  admitted  free  of  charge. 

Dock. — ^A  dock  has  been  built  at  Amarilla  point,  about  IJ  miles 
north  of  Talcahuano. 

The  works  consist  of  a  mole  or  breakwater  extending  from  Amarilla 
point,  612  yards,  in  the  direction  S.  72°  E.  (S.  89o  E.  mag.),  to  Marinao 
rock. 

1943— No.  89 17 


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CONCEPCION  BAY — COLIUMO  BAY.  269 

best  mark  now  is  to  stand  in  with  Lookout  hill  on  a  S.  78^  W.  (S.  61^ 
W.  mag.)  bearing,  and  to  anchor  as  convenient  by  the  chart;  ves- 
sels must  be  careful  to  avoid  this  bank  when  running  out  from  the 
anchorage. 

Marinao  rock  is  on  the  northern  extremity  of  Marinaobank;  the 
rock  dries  3  feet  at  law  water,  and  has  on  it  an  iron  rod  surmounted 
by  a  ball  painted  black.  It  is,  however,  not  easily  seen  when  against 
the  land. 

La  Viuda  rock  lies  about  400  yards  north  of  Talcahuano  custom- 
house, and  is  awash  at  low  water.  On  the  center  of  the  rock  is  a  pole 
15  feet  high,  painted  white,  which  is  useful  as  a  guide  for  making  the 
pier. 

Rundle  bank,  lying  |  mile  SW.  of  Parra  point,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  bay,  is  600  yards  in  extent  north  and  south,  with  4  feet  water  3 
fathoms  around  and  7  fathoms  at  200  yards  westward  of  it.  The  bank 
is  connected  with  Parra  point  by  a  shoal  on  which  the  least  water 
found  in  1872  was  1^  fathoms. 

Loberia  head,  bearing  ^N^.  3^  E.  (N.  14°  W.  mag.),  leads  nearly  ^  mile 
westward  of  Bundle  bank  in  14  fathoms. 

Tome  bay,  in  the  NE.  part  of  Concepcion  bay,  is  about  IJ  miles 
across,  J  mile  deep,  and  affords  good  and  safe  anchorage  in  8  to  12 
fathoms. 

Light. — ^^A  fixed  red  light  is  exhibited  from  the-Mole  head  at  Tom^ 
bay  at  an  elevation  of  26  feet,  visible  in  clear  weather  from  a  distance 
of  7  miles. 

Tome. — This  thriving  seaport  has  a  nice  appearance  from  the  anchor- 
age, and  the  town  covers  a  large  extent  of  ground.  There  is  also  a 
good  pier  with  two  cranes  at  its  end,  capable  of  lifting  2  tons  each. 
The  P.  S.  ^.  steamers,  also  those  of  the  South  American  Company,  call 
regularly.    Population  about  5,500. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  and  vegetables  can  be  obtained;  water 
is  supplied  from  a  tank  vessel  at  $2  per  ton. 

DirectLons. — Should  it  be  required  to  anchor  at  Tom^,  steer  in  with 
the  conspicuous  white  church  spire  (the  only  one  in  Tom6)  in  line 
with  the  end  of  the  pier,  until  the  extreme  of  the  land  of  Huique  head 
is  in  line  with  the  extremity  of  Loberia  head;  with  these  marks  the 
best  anchorage  can  be  obtained  for  a  large  vessel  in  lOJ  fathoms,  mud, 
good  holding  ground;  great  care  is  required  in  anchoring  here,  as  the 
water  shoals  suddenly. 

These  remarks  apply  to  daylight,  as  it  is  presumed  that  no  stranger 
would  take  up  a  berth  at  Tom6  at  night,  without  the  aid  of  the  moon, 
and  the  weather  fine.  At  the  commencement  of  the  !N  W.  gale,  a  second 
anchor  should  be  let  go,  as  Huique  head  affords  little  protection. 

Coliumo  bay. — From  Loberia  head  the  coast  trends  in  a  northerly 
direction,  4  miles  to  Cullin  point,  thence  easterly  about  J  mile  to 
Coliumo  head,  the  west  entrance  point  to  Coliumo  bay.  Coasters  may 
anchor  here  in  security  in  from  5  to  10  fathoms,  but  there  is  not  much 


260  CHILOE   ISLAND   TO   COQUIMBO   BAY. 

shelter  for  large  ships  daring  northerly  winds.  The  best  anchorage  is 
in  Eare  cove,  south  of  Goliumo  head,  offering  good  landing  for  boats 
and  a  convenient  watering  place. 

Large  vessels  should  anchor  in  6  fathoms  at  600  yards  eastward  of 
Falucho  head. 

Coast. — At  3  miles  northward  of  Goliumo  head  is  Burca  point,  and 
6J  miles  farther  northward  is  Coicoi  point,  steep  and  rocky  and  having 
a  reef  upon  which  the  sea  breaks  lying  nearly  600  yards  westward  of  it. 
Immediately  south  of  Coicoi  point  is  the  unnavigable  Itata  river. 

Monte  del  Zorro  point  is  about  7  miles  northward  of  Coicoi  point, 
and  about  5 J  miles  farther  north  is  Achira  point,  having  a  rocky  shoal 
named  Miramar  lying  off  it. 

Miramar  rocks  extend  ^  mile  in  a  north  and  south  direction,  and  are 
600  yards  wide.  They  lie  1 J  miles  north  from  Achira  point,  and  nearly 
one  mile  from  the  shore  adjacent. 

At  5  miles  northward  of  Achira  point  is  a  conspicuous  rock  named 
Iglesia  de  Piedra,  off  a  small  point;  between  this  point  and  Achira 
point  is  Cobquecura  bay.  At  one  mile  northward  of  Iglesia  de  Piedra 
is  Maquis  point,  forming  the  south  limit  of  Buchupureo  road. 

Cautdon. — Too  much  reliance  should  not  be  placed  in  the  position  of 
cape  Carranza  and  the  coast,  thence  southward  to  Concepcion,  as  it 
has  not  been  thoroughly  surveyed. 

Buchupureo  road  is  visited  by  a  few  vessels  yearly  for  the  purpose 
of  shipi)ing  wheat.  "The  holding  ground  is  not  good,  but  a  fair  berth 
will  be  found  in  15  fathoms  with  the  flagstaff  bearing  S.  ll^  E.  (S.  27^ 
E.  mag.),  distant  f  mile.  The  roads  are  exposed,  and  vessels  should 
proceed  to  sea  on  indications  of  strong  winds.  Buchupureo  may  be 
recognized  by  the  Iglesia  de  Piedra,  also  by  a  red-colored  road  on 
Maquis  point.  Supplies  are  scarce.  Vessels  can  communicate  with 
shore  by  the  international  code  of  signals. 

Calan  (Nugulhue)  point,  4  miles  north  of  Maquis  point,  the  most 
salient  point  between  Concepcion  bay  and  cape  Carranza,  having  a 
small  mound  at  the  extremity,  is  readily  recognized  from  both  north 
and  south.  From  this  point  the  coast  extends  16  miles  to  Puchepo 
point,  low  and  sandy,  with  the  mountains  of  Pelados  rising  1,312  feet 
about  3  miles  eastward.  Foul  ground,  on  which  the  sea  breaks  in 
ordinary  weather,  extends  about  i  mile  westward  of  Calan  point. 

Curanipe  road  is  a  mere  curve  in  the  coast  immediately  north  of 
Puchepo  i)oint;  it  affords  little  protection  from  southerly  winds,  and 
the  swell  is  always  heavy;  the  best  anchorage  is  in  17  to  18  fathoms, 
at  f  mile  N.  6o  W.  (N.  22o  W.  mag.)  from  Trarao  point.  The  holding 
ground  is  bad,  and  vessels  should  always  be  prepared  to  put  to  sea. 
Landing  is  always  dangerous.  Supplies  are  scarce.  Communication 
with  shore  by  the  international  code. 

Chauco  bay  is  the  name  of  the  exposed  bight  between  Puchepo 
point  and  cape  Carranza. 

Cape  Carranza  is  about  10  miles  north  of  Puchepo  point.    The  cape 


MAULE  RIVER.  261 

is  surrounded  by  rocks  and  the  Carranza  rocks  extend  about  5  miles  to 
the  northward.    The  cape  should  be  given  a  wide  berth. 

Light. — A  lighthouse  is  in  course  of  construction  (1896)  on  cape  Car- 
ranza. It  is  to  be  56  feet  high,  and  a  circular  white  tower,  with  a  green 
dome,  lantern,  and  gallery.  It  stands  on  point  Santa  Ana,  locally 
known  by  the  name  of  Santos  del  Mar,  about  ^q  mile  northward  from 
cape  Carranza. 

The  light  is  fixed  and  flashing  white,  showing  a  flash  every  thirty 
seconds.    It  will  be  elevated  170  feet  above  the  sea  and  visible  18  miles. 

Manle  River. — Between  cape  Cfarranza  and  cape  Humos,  a  bold 
and  remarkable  headland  at  17  miles  NNE.  of  it,  the  cx)ast  recedes  and 
forms  Las  Canas  bay,  and  at  4  miles  K.  38°  E.  (N.  22^  E.  mag.)  from 
cape  Humos  there  is  a  remarkable  rock  named  the  Church  (de  la  Iglesia) 
from  its  appearance,  and  at  one  mile  N.  61°  E.  (N.  45°  E.  mag.)  of  this 
rock  is  Lobos  rock,  a  remarkable  whitish  colored  rock  80  feet  high,  at 
the  entrance  of  the  Maule  river.  There  is  no  mistaking  the  entrance, 
for  on  the  south  side  the  land  is  high  and  the  shore  rocky,  while  on  the 
north  side  a  long  low  sandy  beach  extends  beyond  eyesight.  Kot  far 
from  Church  rock  a  remarkable  bare  space  of  gray  sand  may  be  seen 
on  the  side  of  a  hill,  but  generally  the  heights  between  cape  Humos 
and  the  Maule  are  covered  with  vegetation  and  partially  wooded.  The 
highest  hills  in  the  vicinity  range  from  1,000  to  1,300  feet;  those  actu- 
ally on  the  coast  between  cape  Humos  and  the  river  from  500  to  900  feet. 

But  for  the  bar  to  Maule  river  there  would  be  a  thriving  trade  to 
this  place,  and,  notwithstanding  this  disadvantage,  the  town  of  Con- 
stitucion,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river  a  mile  from  its  mouth,  may 
flourish  hereafter  by  the  help  of  small  steamers  and  some  engineering 
assistance  at  the  bar.  A  most  productive  country  surrounds  it, 
abounding  with  internal  and  external  wealth,  aud  a  fine  river  that 
communicates  with  the  interior  is  navigable  far  inland. 

Anchorage. — A  ship  may  anchor  in  fine  weather  in  from  6  to  8  fath- 
oms, sandy  ground,  one  mile  !N",  30^  W.  (N.  46^  W.  mag.)  of  Church  rock. 
Steamers  may  lie  securely  in  about  7  fathoms  i  mile  S.  83^  W.  (S.  07^ 
W.  mag.)  of  Lobos  rock.  There  is  no  hidden  danger,  but  an  exten- 
sive sand  bank  north  of  the  river  shelves  out  to  seaward,  and  should 
have  a  wide  berth.  Behind  this  sand  there  is  a  flat  several  miles  in 
extent,  which  in  front  of  the  high  ground  reaches  to  within  5  miles  of  a 
remarkable  valley,  named  the  False  Maule,  from  its  having  been  taken 
for  the  entrance  of  that  river.  , 

Lobos  rock,  the  south  point  of  entrance  to  the  river,  forms  a  steep 
cliff  with  a  beach  on  each  side.  Entrance  point  is  sandy.  Boats  some- 
times land  on  the  outer  beach,  under  Lobos  rock;  but  the  surf  is  always 
high  and  treacherous,  and  the  sandy  beach  is  so  soft  and  steep  that  it 
is  extremely  difficult  to  haul  up  even  a  whaleboat.  There  is  a  landing 
place  opposite  the  cemetery  in  the  sandy  bay  between  Church  rock  and 
Lobos  rock,  but  it  is  only  available  in  fine  weather.  Balsas  should  be 
provided,  and  the  boats  anchored  near  the  beach  safe  from  the  surf. 


262  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

The  northern  entrance  to  the  river  is  a  low,  sandy  spit  named  Quivolgo 
beach,  SE.  of  which  rises  Mutrun  hill,  846  feet  high,  surmounted  by  a 
semaphore. 

Bar. — The  sands  of  the  bar  are  constantly  changing.  From  May  to 
October  the  scoured  channel  is  near  Lobos  rock,  and  during  the  freshets 
has  18  feet  in  it,  but  the  remainder  of  the  year  the  channel  is  found 
farther  northward,  and  has  only  from  8  to  10  feet  at  high  water. 

When  approaching  the  river,  a  white  flag  at  the  masthead  of  the 
semax)hore  indicates  that  the  bar  is  practicable,  and  a  pilot  will  direct 
the  vessel  by  flags  from  the  inner  side  of  the  bar. 

A  black  ball  at  the  top  of  the  semaphore  indicates  that  the  bar  is 
impracticable. 

Inner  anchorage. — The  inner  anchorage  is  in  from  16  to  26  feet 
immediately  south  of  Mutrun  hill,  in  the  hole  or  La  Poza. 

The  town  of  Constitucion  contains  handsome  buildings,  both  public 
and  private,  and  has  a  population  of  about  6,500. 

There  is  a  small  tug  and  a  staff  of  Government  pilots. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  the  Maule  river  at  lOh. 
30m.;  springs  rise  5  feet  (approximate). 

The  ebb  stream  runs  at  an  average  of  2  miles  per  hour  on  the  bar, 
and  the  tidal  influence  ceases  at  8  miles  from  the  mouth. 

Reported  shoaL — A  rocky  shoal,  with  from  7^  to  25  fathoms,  has 
been  reported  about  18  miles  off  the  mouth  of  the  river  in,  approxi- 
mately, latitude  35o  18'  S.,  longitude  72°  48'  W. 

El  Fefion,  at  22  miles  NNE.  of  the  Maule  river,  is  the  northern 
entrance  point  of  the  Mataquito  river  (False  Maule),  which  formerly 
emptied  4  miles  southward  of  this  point. 

Iloca  point,  about  3  miles  north  from  El  Peiion,  is  rugged  and  rocky, 
with  a  house  in  ruins  close  to  it. 

Duao  point,  on  which  the  Pacific  Steam  l^avigation  Company's 
steamer  Valdivia  was  wrecked,  is  about  4  miles  to  the  northward  of 
Iloca  point. 

Llico  road. — From  Duao  point  the  coast  extends  8  miles  in  a  north- 
easterly direction  to  Llico  road,  which  may  be  recognized  from  seaward 
by  the  brown,  sandy  heights  eastward  of  LKco.  The  anchorage  is  in 
about  16  fathoms,  sand  and  mud,  J  mile  N.  40^  W.  (N.  56^  W.  mag.) 
from  the  outlet  of  Vichuquen  lagoon,  keeping  Oordonal  point  open  of 
the  line  of  coast;  although  the  anchorage  is  exposed  to  all  winds  from 
north  round  by  west  to  south,  the  holding  ground  is  good,  but  during 
a  norther  it  would  be  advisable  to  proceed  to  sea. 

Caution. — The  bar  at  Llico  is  generally  dangerous;  vessels,  there- 
fore, should  not  communicate  with  the  shore  in  ships'  boats,  but  wait 
for  the  boats  of  the  place,  which  will  be  sent  off  when  the  bar  is  safe,  at 
a  charge  of  $9. 

Supplies. — Bullocks,  sheep,  pigs,  and  fowls  can  be  obtained,  but 
vegetables  are  scarce  and  dear.    Quinces  and  grapes  are  plentiful. 

The  Vichuquen  lagoon  abounds  in  fish  and  wild  fowl. 


LOR  A  POINT — ^PUPUYA  ISLAND.  263 

Tides. — ^It  is  liigli  water,  full  and  change,  in  Llico  road  at  lOh.; 
springs  rise  4  to  5J  feet. 

CdhuiL — Lora  (Sirena)  point,  12  miles  K.  by  E.  of  Llico,  is  rugged 
and  rocky  at  its  foot,  but  has  no  outlying  dangers.  Lobos  point,  8 
miles  northward  of  Lora  point,  is  moderately  high ;  at  4  miles  NE.  of 
Lora  point  is  the  outlet  of  Cdhuil  lake.  The  coast  between  Lora  point 
and  C^huil  is  rugged  and  rocky,  having  high  land  at  the  back;  but 
between  C4huil  and  Lobos  point  it  is  formed  of  sand  hills,  also  having 
high  land  at  the  back. 

Fichilemu  point,  3 J  miles  NB.  of  Lobos  point,  is  a  low,  rocky  point 
with  foul  ground  off  it;  the  coast  between  is  sandy,  and  can  be 
approached  only  in  fine  weather.  A  small  cove  is  situated  one  mile 
NE.  of  the  point,  in  which  is  the  village  of  Pichilemu. 

Topocalma  point,  17  miles  KE.  of  Lobos  point,  is  an  inaccessible 
bluff  promontory  406  feet  high,  with  a  gully  on  its  east  side.  The  north 
side  of  the  point  is  rugged,  with  several  rocks  near  it.  On  the  south  is 
Pena  de  Lobos,  a  high  islet  close  to  the  shore. 

Topocalma  road  is  a  small  indentation  of  the  coast  north  of  Topo- 
calma point,  and  may  be  recognized  from  seaward  by  the  yellow  sand 
hills  south  of  St.  Domingo  point  and  the  high  land  to  the  eastward 
covered  with  trees.  The  anchorage  is  in  17  or  20  fathoms,  sand  and 
mud,  about  J  mile  north  of  Topocalma  jwint,  and  exposed  to  all  winds 
from  north  round  by  west  to  south.  Foul  ground  exists  on  this  part  of 
the  coast. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Topocalma  road  at  9h. 
55m.;  springs  rise  6  feet,  neaps  4  feet. 

St.  Domingo  point,  the  summit  of  which  is  334  feet  high,  is  the 
south  point  of  Tuman  bay.  There  is  6  fathoms  close-to  on  the  north 
and  west  sides  of  the  point,  with  no  outlying  dangers. 

Tiiman  bay  is  just  north  of  St.  Domingo  point.  From  the  north 
side  of  this  point  a  broken  ridge  of  sand  extends  parallel  to  the  shore 
for  a  distance  of  2  miles,  with  a  deep  passage  inside,  nearly  100  yards 
wide  in  some  places,  in  which  the  coast  current  runs  from  one  to  3  miles 
an  hour  to  the  northward. 

Anchorage. — There  is  anchorage  in  the  south  part  of  Tuman  bay, 
about  i  mile  north  of  St.  Domingo  point,  in  10  or  12  fathoms,  sand, 
sheltered  from  the  southerly  winds  and  swelL 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Tuman  bay  at  9h.  55m.; 
springs  rise  6  feet,  neaps  4  feet. 

Farallon  del  Infiemillo  is  an  islet  in  the  form  of  a  pyramid,  dark 
colored,  and  lying  close  to  the  shore,  3  miles  north  of  St.  Domingo 
point.  It  is  easily  recognized  when  nearing  Topocalma  point,  which  is 
the  best  point  for  a  vessel  to  make  when  bound  for  Tuman  bay. 

Fupuya  island,  at  2f  miles  NNE.  from  Farallon  del  Infiernillo,  and 
4  mile  off  shore,  is  a  large,  steep,  whitish  colored  rock,  with  a  flat  top, 
sloping  to  the  WSW.  There  is  no  passage  except  for  small  coasters 
between  the  island  and  the  mainland. 


264  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO   COQUIMBO  BAY. 

Matanza  cove  has  several  small  islands  aud  rocks  in  its  vicinity. 
It  may  be  recognized  by  a  ravine  with  a  small  cove  named  Matancilla, 
on  the  north  side  of  which  is  a  bouse  with  its  north  side  painted  white 
and  its  roof  red.  The  hills  north  of  the  ravine  are  high  and  green, 
while  those  south  of  it  are  composed  of  sand.  Some  cargoes  of  wheat 
have  been  shipped  at  Matanza. 

Navidad  bay,  about  4  miles  NE.  of  Matanza,  has  no  good  anchor- 
age, and  is  much  exposed.  Barranco  point  is  the  north  point  of  the 
bay.    Perro  point  is  at  the  entrance  to  Bapel  river. 

Bucalexnu  head,  a  bold  cliff  300  feet  high,  is  3  miles  north  of  Bar- 
ranco point. 

Rapel  shoaL — At  2  miles  west  of  Bncalemu  head  lies  Bapel  shoal, 
sometimes,  but  erroneously,  called  Topocalma  shoal.  It  is  nearly  a  mile 
in  extent,  and  shows  three  rocks  just  above  water,  on  which  the  sea 
breaks  in  all  weathers.  The  water  is  deep  all  round,  the  soundings 
gradually  increasing  from  10  to  50  fathoms.  Vessels  should  by  no 
means  approach  the  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  this  shoal,  as  the 
heavy  south  westerly  swell  sets  upon  this  dangerous  part  of  the  coast, 
as  well  as  the  prevailing  current,  which  sometimes  runs  upward  of  one 
knot  an  hour  round  Topocalma  point  toward  the  shoal. 

Toro  point,  5^  miles  l^E.  of  Bncalemu  head,  has  a  few  rocks  close 
off  it.  The  water  here  is  shoaler  than  on  the  coast  farther  southward, 
there  being  15  fathoms  at  one  mile  from  the  shore.  Eastward  of  Toro 
point  there  is  a  bight,  which  contains  a  sandbank  lying  one  mile  offshore. 
Possibly  there  may  be  a  sheltered  anchorage  between  this  sandbank 
and  the  shore. 

Toro  shoal,  IJ  miles  northward  of  the  west  extreme  of  Toro  point, 
is  a  rocky  shelf  extending  500  yards  in  an  east  and  west  direction. 
The  sea  nearly  always  breaks  over  the  shoal,  and  there  is  a  channel 
1,600  yards  wide,  with  from  9  to  12  fathoms  water  between  it  and  the  land. 

Another  rocky  shelf  lies  1,300  yards  8.  35o  E.  (S.  51oE.  mag.)  of 
Toro  shoal,  and  the  same  distance  from  the  northerji  part  of  Toro  point. 
The  sea  always  breaks  on  this  small  patch,  which  has  been  named 
Intermedio'shoal. 

CoroniUa  rock. — Mr.  Clement  Mossop,  master  of  the  bark  Goronilla^ 
states  that  the  rock  reported  to  lie  3  miles  north  from  Toro  point,  but 
the  existence  of  which  was  doubtful,  has  again  been  seen,  the  CoroniUa 
having  passed  within  300  yards  of  that  danger.  This  rock,  upon  which 
it  is  considered  the  sea  seldom  breaks  in  fine  weather,  has  an  estimated 
depth  of  4  feet  at  low  water. 

Maipo  river. — The  coast  from  Toro  i^oint  trends  24  miles  northward 
to  White  Eock  point,  forming  a  slight  bay,  and  midway  is  the  mouth  of 
the  Maipo  river,  across  which  a  bar  extends,  and  stretches  for  nearly  2 
miles  to  the  northward  parallel  to  the  shore,  and  renders  the  river 
inaccessible  from  seaward.  Northward  of  the  river's  mouth  is  a  small 
fishing  village,  and  some  storehouses  for  grain,  whence  it  is  transported 
to  San  Antonio  by  a  tramway. 


PORT  SAN  ANTONIO — ^ALGARROBO  ROAD.  265 

'  Port  San  Antonio,  also  known  as  Puerto  Viejo,  is  3  miles  north- 
ward of  Maipo  river,  and  immediately  under  a  pointed  hill  named  El 
Centinela  (the  Sentinel).  The  available  anchoring  space  is  small,  and 
has  irregular  depths. 

Yessels  should  approach  with  the  southern  part  of  the  town  on  a  N. 
660  E.  (N.  510  B.  mag.)  bearing,  and  obtain  the  services  of  a  local  pilot 
to  pick  a  berth,  in  consequence  of  the  many  lost  anchors  and  cables. 

It  should  also  be  borne  in  mind  that  with  strong  southerly  winds  the 
current  sets  2  knots  to  the  northward. 

When  leaving  the  port,  great  care  must  be  used  not  to  be  set  on  to  El 
Toro  rock,  a  sunken  danger  lying  200  yards  west  of  cape  San  Antonio, 
by  weighing  with  a  scant  or  light  wind. 

The  town  contains  about  600  inhabitants.  Provisions,  water,  and 
marine  stores  are  plentiful.  Wheat  is  largely  exported,  also  wool  and 
barley. 

San  Antonio  de  las  Bodegas,  north  of  El  Oentinela,  is  also  called 
Puerto  l^uevo.  It  is  an  exposed  bay  during  the  winter  season,  and 
should  be  avoided  at  that  time,  but  during  the  summer  months  it  affords 
anchorage  for  a  number  of  ships,  in  moderate  depths  and  good  holding 
ground.  There  are  two  landing  places  for  boats,  also  a  pier  for  landing 
cargo.    Provisions  and  water  are  scarce. 

Beacon. — ^A  pyramidal  shaped  beacon  52  feet  high,  painted  in  red 
and  white  horizontal  stripes,  and  surmounted  by  a  red  ball,  is  erected 
on  Sentinel  hill,  498  feet  high,  between  ports  San  Antonio  and  San 
Antonio  de  las  Bodegas. 

Cartagena  beach,  northward  of  Las  Bodegas,  is  quite  exposed  to 
southwestern  winds.    Tres  Cruces  point  is  low  and  rocky. 

Talca  pointy  6  miles  KW.  of  Tres  Cruces  point,  is  a  remarkable 
stack  of  rocks  110  feet  high,  appearing  like  a  castle,  having  a  glossy 
surface  when  seen  from  the  northward,  but  looking  black  from  the 
southward.  This  rock  should  not  be  mistaken  for  that  named  White 
Bock  point,  lying  4  miles  to  the  north  of  it. 

Talca  cove  is  situated  just  north  of  the  point,  but  it  is  only  fit  for 

small  coasters. 
Quisco  cove,  similar  to  Talca  cove,  is  northward  of  a  point  of  the 

same  name  2  miles  north  of  Talca  cove. 

Fena  Blanca  (White  Rock  point),  4  miles  northward  of  Talca  point, 
a  flat- topped  rock,  52  feet  high,  is  a  good  landmark.  The  sides  are  pre- 
cipitous and  of  a  whitish-gray  color,  which  shows  well  against  the 
darker  background.  The  rock  is  joined  to  the  mainland  by  a  spit, 
which  covers  only  with  extraordinary  high  tides. 

Reported  danger. — A  sunken  rock  is  said  to  lie  from  4  to  5  miles  off 
from  Talca  point,  and  about  24  miles  south  of  Curaumilla  point. 

Algarrobo  road  has  depths  of  7  to  16  fathoms,  and  anchorage  may 
be  obtained  in  15  fathoms,  with  Algarrobo  village  bearing  S.  30^  E.  (S. 
450  E.  mag.),  distant  one  mile,  and  Pajaros  IJinos  island  in  line  with 
White  Eock  point. 


266  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

Los  Farallones  are  a  cluster  of  rocks  abont  one  mile  north  of 
White  Eock  point,  with  5  to  11  fathoms^  rocky  bottom  close  around, 
and  13  to  7  fathoms  between  them  and  the  mainland.  At  1,300  yards  K. 
780  E.  (N.  630  E.  mag.)  from  Los  Farallones  lies  a  shoal  with  4J  fathoms, 
on  which  the  sea  breaks  during  westerly  gales. 

Another  shoal  in  the  fairway  to  the  anchorage,  and  having  3|  fathoms, 
rock,  lies  500  yards  2^.  7°  W.  (N.  22o  W.  mag.)  of  Pajaros  :^riuos  island. 

G-allo  point  is  a  steep  cliff  229  feet  high  7  miles  north  of  White 
Bock  point;  between  it  and  White  Eock  point  are  two  sandy  bights 
divided  by  a  rocky  point.    In  the  corner  of  the  northern  bight,  named  j 

Tunquen,  a  boat  might  find  shelter  in  a  northerly  wind,  but  there  is  I 

no  place  for  a  sailing  vessel.    Steep  cliffs  extend  6  miles  north  of  Gallo 
point  to  Quintal  road. 

Qnintai  road. — ^Loros  point,  167  feet  high,  at  2f  miles  KNW.  of  Gallo 
point,  has  a  small  cove  NE.  of  it,  protected  by  an  islet,  and  is  a  good 
landing  place,  except  in  !NW.  winds;  KE.  of  Loros  point  is  Quintal 
road,  having  indifferent  anchorage  in  about  14  fathoms.  There  is  a 
small  stream  of  fresh  water,  but  no  other  supplies  are  to  be  obtained. 
El  Fraile  rock,  above  water,  lies  1,600  yards  NW.  of  Loros  point. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1220.) 

Cnrama  head. — ^From  Quintal  road  the  steep  cliffs  extend  to  Cu- 
rauma  head,  a  remarkable  promontory  at  5  miles  farther  north,  and 
one  that  demands  special  notice,  because  it  is  generally  the  first  land 
made  out  distinctly  when  approaching  Valparaiso  from  the  southward. 
The  head  itself  is  a  high  cliff;  and  above  it  the  land  rises  steeply  to 
the  two  high  ranges  of  Ourauma,  the  higher  one  rising  1,830  feet  above 
the  sea,  about  2  miles  inland  and  NE.  of  the  head.  Usually,  when 
first  made  out  from  seaward,  the  high  part  of  the  range  of  Curauma 
appears  directly  over  the  head,  and  then,  if  tolerably  clear  weather,  the 
Campana  de  (Bell  of)  Quillota,  6,200  feet  high,  is  seen  in  the  distance. 
If  the  Andes  should  be  also  visible  the  volcano  of  Aconcagua  will  at  a 
glance  be  distinguishable  by  its  superior  height,  said  to  be  23,200. feet. 

Curauxnilla  point. — Projecting  from  the  heights  over  Curauma  head 
is  Curaumilla  point.  This  point,  low  by  comparison  with  the  neigh- 
boring land,  though  not  so  really,  is  rugged  and  rocky;  the  western 
part  of  the  point  terminates  in  a  rocky  islet  named  Los  Lobos,  164  feet 
high  and  of  a  yellowish  color,  and  conspicuous  from  a  distance.  i 

Light. — On  the  summit  of  Curaumilla  point  is  a  circular  white  light- 
house, from  which  at  318  feet  above  the  sea  level  is  shown  a  fixed  and 
flashing  white  light  every  minute.  It  is  visible  16  miles.  The  light 
was  destroyed  by  an  earthquake  in  March,  1896,  and  a  provisional 
light  is  now  exhibited.  This  light  is  a  flashing  white  light,  visible  10 
miles.  The  flashes  are  of  ten  seconds'  duration  and  the  eclipses  five 
seconds,  but  regularity  in  the  operation  of  the  light  can  not  be  depended 
upon. 

Semaphore. — linear  the  lighthouse  there  is  a  semaphore  station  fur- 
nished with  the  International  Code  of  Signals  and  in  telephonic 
communication  with  Valparaiso.  ^ 


LA  LAGUNA  BAY — ^VALPARAISO  BAY.  267 

Iia  Lagiina  bay  is  the  name  given  to  the  large  bight  included  between 
Curaumilla  point  and  Anjeles  point.  There  is  good  landing  with  off 
shore  winds  in  Grande  cove,  one  mile  eastward  of  Curaumilla  point, 
and  anchorage  off  the  cove  in  from  27  to  38  fathoms.  The  bay  is  bor- 
dered by  cliffs  and  is  free  from  any  outlying  dangers. 

Ai\jeles  point  is  the  NW.  extremity  of  the  laud  forming  Valparaiso 
bay. 

Light. — From  a  circular,  white  lighthouse  on  Anjeles  point  is  shown 
a  fixed  white  light  showing  a  flash  every  two  minutes.  The  flash  is 
preceded  and  followed  by  a  short  eclipse.  The  light  is  elevated  180 
feet  and  visible  16  miles.  In  coming  from  the  southward,  the.  light 
does  not  open  off  Curaumilla  point  until  it  bears  eastward  of  N.  45^  E. 
(K  30O  E.  mag.).  ' 

Buei  rock,  breaking  only  in  heavy  weather,  is  about  20  feet  in  extent; 
has  11  feet  over  it  at  low  water,  with  5  fathoms  close  around.  It  is  J 
mile  If.  640  W.  (N.  79^  W.  mag.)  of  Anjeles  point  and  300  yards  from 
the  nearest  land. 

About  130  yards  inshore  of  Buei  rock  there  are  several  detached 
patches  which  uncover  and  border  a  shelving  rocky  ledge  that  extends 
in  a  northwesterly  direction  from  the  shore  between  Anjeles  point  and 
Magazine  cove  to  the  distance  of  about  200  yards. 

Buoy. — ^An  automatic  whistling  buoy,  painted  red,  is  moored  in  22 
fathoms  NW.  of  Buei  rock,  with  the  flagstaff  at  fort  Yerbas  Buenas 
bearing  S.  49°  E.  (S.  64o  E.  mag.)  and  the  flagstaff  at  fort  Talcahuano 
S.  no  E.  (S.  260  E.  mag.). 

Caution. — ^Vessels  entering  Valparaiso  bay  should  not  approach 
Anjeles  point  to  a  less  distance  than  800  yards,  nor  come  into  less  than 
25  fathoms,  until  the  lighthouse  bears  S.  18o  E.  (S.  34°  E.  mag.). 
Curaumilla  point,  well  open  of  the  land  west  of  Magazine  bay,  leads 
northwestward  of  Buei  rock. 

Baja  rock  is  a  small  rock  above  water,  with  deep  water  outside  and 
3  fathoms  close  to  it,  lying  750  yards  S.  77^  E.  (N.  88o  E.  mag.)  from 
Anjeles  point.  A  vessel  may  pass  this  rock  at  200  yards  distant,  and 
then  steer  into  the  bay. 

Buoy.-^An  automatic  whistling  buoy,  painted  red,  is  moored  close 
southward  of  Baja  rock. 

Valparaiso  bay  is  of  a  semicircular  form  and  capable  of  accommo- 
dating a  large  fleet.  It  is  well  sheltered  except  toward  the  north,  and 
during  the  prevalence  of  winds  from  this  quarter  in  the  winter  season, 
accompanied  as  they  always  are  by  a  heavy  rolling  sea,  the  shipping 
is  much  exposed,  and  serious  accidents  often  take  place. 

Ester  rock,  with  3^  fathoms  on  it  and  10  to  12  around,  lies  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  bay,  with  Andes  fort  (Caleta  point)  bearing  S.  32° 
W.  (S.  170  W.  mag.),  distant  1,300  yards,  and  Gruesa  point  K.  680  E. 
(N.  530  E.  mag.). 

Fo'vtrder  buoy. — ^A  mooring  buoy  for  the  use  of  vessels  loaded  with 
explosives  has  been  placed  in  the  eastern  part  of  Valparaiso  bay  about 


268  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO   COQUIMBO  BAY. 

1 J  miles  from  Viiia  del  Mar  beach.  The  buoy  is  moored  in  33J  fathoms 
on  the  following  bearings :  Fort  Callao  point  S.  56^  E.  (S.  70°  E.  mag.)  5 
Gruesa  point  8.  22^  W.  (S.  7°  W.  mag.). 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Valparaiso  bay  at  9h. 
32  m. ;  springs  rise  about  5  feet. 

Light. — On  the  outer  end  of  the  landing  jetty  and  opposite  the 
Commercial  Exchange  is  an  iron  column,  from  which  is  exhibited  a 
revolving  red,  white,  and  blue  light  every  sixteen  seconds.  It  is  elevated 
39  feet  and  visible  4  or  5  miles. 

Directiona — All  vessels  bound  to  Valparaiso  should  endeavor  to 
make  the  land  about  Curaumilla* point.  Sailing  vessels  should  by  no 
means  approach  the  coast  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Bapel  shoal,  as 
tne  heavy  S  W.  swell  sets  down  upon  this  dangerous  part  of  the  coast, 
as  well  as  the  prevailing  current,  which  sometimes  runs  upwards  of  a 
knot  an  hour  past  Topocalma  x>oint  toward  the  shoal.  In  thick  weather, 
or  approaching  the  land  at  night,  the  greatest  attention  should  be  paid 
to  the  deep-sea  lead,  as  soundings  may  be  struck  from  2  to  6  miles, 
and  even  in  some  places  12  miles  off  the  land.  A  sunken  rock  is  said 
to  lie  about  24  miles  south  of  Curaumilla  point,  and  from  4  to  5  miles 
off  Talca  point,  but  its  existence  is  very  doubtful.  During  the  winter 
months  northerly  gales  are  experienced,  and  a  current  sets  to  the 
southward  a  mile  an  hour  at  intervals. 

During  the  morning  and  forenoon,  although  a  vessel  may  have  a  fine 
breeze  outside,  she  will  generally  lose  it  on  opening  Valparaiso  bay  5  in 
this  case  the  best  course  to  adopt  is  to  make  the  most  use  of  the  breeze 
by  passing  around  the  Baja  rock  at  about  200  yards,  and  then  steering 
direct  for  the  shipping,  shortening  sail  if  the  wind  heads  her  and  trust- 
ing to  her  way  to  gain  the  anchorage.  In  the  afternoon,  with  southerly 
winds,  care  must  be  taken  to  reef  in  time,  for,  however  moderate  and 
steady  the  winds  may  be  in  the  ofi&ng,  squalls,  which  are  not  to  be  dis- 
regarded, blow  down  from  the  high  land  in  the  bay.  When  outside, 
should  the  wind  require  only  a  single  reef  in  the  topsails,  if  close 
hauled,  probably  treble-reefed  topsails  and  foresail  will  be  quite  enough 
in  the  bay;  and  if  it  is  blowing  strong  in  the  ofi&ng  from  the  same 
quarter,  close  reef- topsails  over  reefed  courses,  or  over  reefed  foresail 
only,  will  be  as  much  sail  as  can  be  carried.  Should  a  vessel  find  it 
blowing  too  hard  to  work  up  to  an  anchorage  she  had  better  stand  out 
and  remain  under  easy  sail  off  Anjeles  point  till  it  moderates,  which  it 
does  generally  in  a  few  hours. 

Sailing  vessels  from  the  southwestward  should  be  careful  not  to  close 
Anjeles  point  at  night,  as  the  wind  then  fails,  and  there  is  often  a  set 
toward  the  shore. 

In  the  event  of  a  vessel  approaching  with  a  northerly  wind,  likely  to 
blow  strong,  she  should  keep  an  offing  till  the  wind  has  shifted  to  the 
westward  of  KW.,  which  it  always  does  after  some  hours  of  strong 
northerly  winds. 

Caution. — Vessels  making  the  land  to  the  southward  of  Valparaiso, 


VALPARAISO.  "^269 

with  westerly  winds,  should  use  great  caution,  either  when  running  to 
the  north  or  close  hauled,  as  leeway,  the  heavy  western  swell,  and  a 
current  with  the  wind  all  tend  to  set  a  ship  inshore. 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  in  Valparaiso  bay  is  closeoff  the  cus- 
tomhouse in  from  15  to  20  fathoms,  or  in  the  SJV.  part  of  the  bay;  but 
the  holding  ground  of  sand  and  shingle  is  not  so  good  in  shoal  water. 

The  man-of-war  anchorage  is  400  yards  from  the  shore,  off  the  cus- 
tomhouse, taking  care  to  keep  clear  of  the  moorings  laid  down  for  the 
Chilean  squadron,  the  chains  of  which  are  laid  north  ^nd  south;  also 
to  avoid  the  wreck  of  an  iron  vessel  lying  nearly  400  yards  eastward  of 
Duprat  point. 

Merchant  vessels  are  berthed  by  the  harbor  authorities  and  are 
moored  in  lines,  and  in  consequence  of  the  numerous  moorings,  and  also 
several  sunken  wrecks  lying  in  the  anchorage,  it  is  recommended  to 
employ  a  local  pilot. 

During  the  summer,  the  closer  inshore  the  better;  but  during  winter, 
on  the  outside  of  other  vessels,  if  it  can  be  managed,  so  as  to  be  safe 
from  their  driving  during  a  northerly  gale,  which  sends  in  a  heavy  sea. 

There  is  a  fine  mole,  990  feet  long,  alongside  which  the  largest  steamers 
can  load  and  discharge  cargo;  tramways  and  cranes  are  along  its  whole 
length;  the  largest  crane  will  lift  50  tons.  The  depth  of  water  along- 
side at  low  water  is  43  feet  on  the  east  and  36  feet  on  the  west  side. 

Valparaiso  stands  at  the  foot  of  a  range  of  cuestas  or  hills,  1,000  to 
1,400  feet  high,  on  one  of  which  there  is  a  signal  staff  to  give  notice  of 
the  approach  of  shipping.  The  city  formerly  consisted  of  one  long 
straggling  street,  not  far  from  and  parallel  to  the  beach.  Of  late  years 
it  has  been  enlarged  and  greatly  improved.  Large  buildings  have  been 
erected,  and  other  improvements  are  still  in  progress. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consul  and  vice-consul. 

Hospital — There  are  three  hospitals  in  Valparaiso.  The  one  named 
Garidad,  situated  in  the  quarter  El  Almendral,  is  for  seamen  of  all 
nationalities.    There  is  also  a  home  for  sailors. 

Supplies. — Valparaiso  is  the  best  port  for  supplies  and  repairs  on  the 
west  coast  of  South  America.  Beef,  vegetables,  and  stores  of  all  kinds 
are  plentiful  and  comparatively  cheap.  The  water  supplied  is  brackish 
and  unwholesome.  Ships,  when  possible,  should  distill  all  drinking 
water  for  their  own  use. 

Goal  can  always  be  obtained,  both  English  and  Ghilean.  Welsh  coal 
varies  from  $8  to  $15  per  ton  and  Ghilean  about  $6  per  ton.  Ships  are 
coaled  by  means  of  lighters. 

Repairs. — There  are  foundries  and  workshops  where  extensive  repairs 
to  boilers  and  engines  can  be  made.  There  are  also  all  facilities  for  the 
repair  of  wood  or  iron  ships. 

Pilots. — ^There  ate  pilots  whose  special  duty  is  the  berthing  of  ships. 
The  fees  are  according  to  the  tonnage. 

Docks. — There  are  two  floating  docks,  respectively  capable  of  receiv- 
ing vessels  of  4,000  tons  and  2,200  t^ns  burden. 


270  CHILOE  ISLi^ND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

The  Santiago  dock  is  298  feet  long,  68  feet  wide  at  the  entrance,  and 
has  19  feet  over  the  sill,  or  will  lift  a  vessel  of  6,000  tons. 

The  Valparaiso  dock  is  265  feet  long,  60  feet  wide  at  the  entrance,  and 
has  15  feet  over  the  sill,  or  will  lift  a  vessel  of  2,500  tons. 

The  largest  vessel  yet  docked  is  3,000  tons  register. 

Tugs. — There  are  several  steam  tugs  for  towing  vesselc  and.  for 
weighing  anchors;  also  for  sweeping  for  lost  anchors,  for  which  they 
have  all  necessary  appliances. 

Mail  services. — Panama  to  Valparaiso  the  mail  steamers  run  twice 
a  month,  touching  at  all  the  principal  ports  on  the  coast.  The  whole 
"voyage,  including  stoppages,  is  accomplished  in  rather  more  than  sev- 
enteen days. 

Liverpool  and  West  Coast,  via  Magellan  strait;  twice  a  month  from 
both  ends  of  the  line,  touching  at  Bordeaux,  Lisbon,  Eio  de  Janeiro, 
Montevideo,  Sandy  jjoint,  and  Valparaiso. 

Telegraph  to  all  parts. 

Time  signal — The  time  ball  on  the  I^aval  College  at  Valparaiso  is 
hoisted  half-mast  five  minutes  before  noon,  mastheaded  two  and  on^-half 
minutes  before,  and  dropped  at  local  mean  noon,  equivalent  to  4:h.  46m. 
34s.,  Greenwich  mean  time.  If  the  ball  should  not  drop  exactly  at  noon, 
it  will  be  hoisted  immediately  and  dropped  five  minutes  afterwards. 
If  for  any  reason  the  signal  should  fail  completely,  the  ball  will  be 
slowly  lowered. 

The  time  can  be  signaled  at  any  hour  of  the  day  when  requested  for 
a  ship,  except  on  Sundays  and  feast  days. 

Position. — According  to  the  latest  determinations  the  monument  at 
the  landing  is  considered  to  be  in  latitude  33^  2'  7''  S.,  longitude  71^ 
38'  36''  W. 

Northers. — ^A  norther,  as  it  is  called,  often  passes  over  without  doing 
damage,  but  at  intervals  the  effects  are  most  disastrous,  and  all  the  ill- 
secured  or  ill-placed  vessels  are  driven  ashore.  To  ride  out  a  norther, 
one  anchor  with  a  long  scope  of  cable  is  recommended,  a  spare  anchor 
ready,  and  the  ship  ready  for  sea,  with  steam  up.  Some  prefer  riding 
near  the  shore,  on  account  of  the  undertow  j  but  in  such  a  position 
there  is  more  risk  of  being  fouled  by  driving  vessels,  besides  feeling 
the  sea  considerably.  In  the  summer  southerly  gales  blow  in  furious 
squalls  off  the  heights.  Clear  weather  and  a  high  barometer  presage 
strong  southerly  winds;  cloudy  weather,  with  a  low  barometer,  and  dis- 
tant land  being  remarkably  visible,  such  as  the  hill  over  port  Papudo 
and  the  heights  over  Pichidanqui  bay,  are  sure  indications  of  northerly 
winds. 

These  gales  are  usually  experienced  in  June,  July,  and  August,  and 
have  been  experienced  during  other  months. 

Earthquakes. — A  great  earthquake  occurred  at  Valparaiso  on  the 
morning  of  July  8,  1872.  The  shocks  felt  exceeded  in  intensity  those 
felt  in  1867,  and  were  felt  severely  in  Limache,  Quillota,  and  Calera. 


VALPARAISO — ^WEATHEE  SIGNALS. 


271 


\i 


for 
h 

m 

se?- 

roil 
m 


ois 
lalf 
k 

OD. 

be 
br 

it 


The  earthquake  was  observed  to  come  from  the  east,  and  was  felt  as 
far  south  as  Cnrico. 

Weather   signals. — The  weather  signals  shown    by  the  harbor 
authorities  are  hoisted  on  the  flagstaff  of  the  Bolsa  Oomercial : 


Barometer. 


Indies. 
30.05  . . . . 

30.00  . . . . 

29.95  . . . . 


29.94 


29.90 


29.85. 


29.84 


29.80 


29.75 


29.74 


29.65 


29.60  . 


Signal. 


. .  At  masthead 


..At  half-mast 


Lowered 


At  masthead 


At  half-mast 


.  Lowered 


. .  At  masthead 


At  half-mast 


.Lowered 


At  masthead 


.At  half-mast 


. . .  Lowered 


Signification. 


^ 


s^Fine. 


y 


\ 


^Variable. 


y 


\ 


>  Eain. 


y 


^ 


>  Storm. 


y 


The  pennant  used  is  white  with  a  round  red  spot  on  it. 


272  CHILOE   ISLAND   TO    COQUIMBO   BAY. 

From  the  1st  of  May  to  the  end  of  Angnst  vessels  must  keep  down 
topgallant  yards  and  masts.  Vessels  in  the  tiers  should  be  moored 
with  two  bow  anchors  (105  fathoms  on  each)  and  one  stern  anchor  with 
90  fathoms  of  chain.  During  the  remainder  of  the  year  bow  chains 
must  be  at  least  90  fathoms  and  stern  105  fathoms. 

During  the  above-named  months  vessels  lying  at  single  must  let  go 
a  second  anchor  as  soon  as  the  bad- weather  signal  is  hoisted. 

Concon  cove,  eastward  of  the  point  of  the  same  name,  and  7^  miles 
NE.  from  Anjeles  point,  is  3  miles  wide  and  1 J  miles  deep,  and  divided 
in  the  center  by  Blanca  point. 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  11  fathoms,  sand,  on  the  middle  of  a  line 
joining  Ooncon  and  Blanca  points.  It  is  exposed  to  westerly  and  IfW. 
winds,  but  the  holding  ground  is  good. 

Concon  rocks  lie  3^  miles  north  from  Goncon  point,  and,  though 
always  aboye  water,  should  have  a  wide  berth  given  to  them  during 
light  winds,  as  there  is  usually  a  swell  and  a  current  setting  toward 
them  from  the  southward. 

There  is  a  passage  1 J  miles  wide  between  the  rocks  and  La  Isla,  east- 
ward of  them  and  close  inshore,  with  10  fathoms  in  mid-channel. 

The  coast  from  abreast  La  Isla  trends  in  a  northerly  direction  4 
miles  in  a  sandy  beach  named  Rotoque,  off  which  there  is  6  to  8  fath- 
oms at  a  distance  of  one  mile,  and  from  Eotoque  point,  the  north 
extreme  of  this  beach,  the  land  curves  round  in  a  northwesterly  and 
northerly  direction  4J  miles  to  Liles  point,  the  west  entrance  point  of 
Quint ero  bay. 

Artesas  point,  the  projection  a  mile  SSW.  of  Liles  point,  has  some 
foul  ground  off  it,  and  should  be  given  a  good  berth. 

Malenas  bank  is  1,600  yards  W.  by  N.  of  Liles  point,  and  6  fathoms 
was  the  least  water  found  upon  it  when  surveyed;  it  has,  however, 
been  seen  to  break  heavily,  and,  as  a  shoal  head  may  exist,  it  should 
be  carefully  avoided. 

A  bank  of  rocks,  on  which  the  sea  breaks  heavily  in  bad  weather, 
lies  about  1,200  yards  ]S"W.  by  W.  from  Malenas  bank.  The  bank  is 
about  100  yards  long  in  a  NE.  and  SE.  direction,  and  has  a  depth  of 
11  fathoms  on  it,  and  19  to  27  fathoms,  rocky  bottom,  between  it  and 
Malenas  bank. 

Quintero  bay. — The  land  between  Ooncon  point  and  this  bay,  10 
miles  to  the  northward,  is  rather  high  and  rugged,  and  all  this  coast 
has  a  barren  and  weather-beaten  aspect,  trees  being  visible  here  and 
there  only.  During  the  winter  and  spring  alone  is  there  verdure  near 
the  seacoast.  Quintero  bay  is  roomy,  and  during  southerly  winds 
sheltered,  but  quite  open  to  the  NW.  It  affords  spacious  and  good 
anchorage  in  the  summer  months,  and  some  even  prefer  it  to  Val- 
paraiso. The  best  anchorage  is  in  13  fathoms,  J  mile  east  of  Liles 
point,  the  west  point  of  entrance.  Some  shelter  during  northerly 
winds  may  be  found  at  the  KE.  corner  of  the  bay,  under  Yentanilla 


QUINTERO   BAY — HOECON  BAY.  273 

X)oint,  and  also  fresh  water  when  the  season  is  not  very  dry.  The 
eastern  shore  of  the  bay  is  in  shape  a  semicircle  and  is  a  beach. known 
as  Herradura. 

'  The  bay  is  not  liable  to  such  violent  SE.  squalls  which  are  so  fre- 
quent in  Valparaiso.  The  anchorage  has  a  -more  convenient  depth 
of  water,  and  renders  the  harbor  more  capable  of  improvement  than 
Valparaiso. 

There  is,  however,  little  more  protection  from  a  norther  in  one  place 
than  in  the  other  at  present,  and  ships  lying  at  Quintero  in  the  winter 
season  should  have  good  anchors  and  be  prepared  to  veer  plenty  of 
cable. 

Tortuga  rock. — This  dangerous  rock,  steep-to,  and  showing  only  at 
low  water,  lies  250  yards  offshore  in  the  SW.  part  of  the  bay. 

Durazno  rock,  6  feet  above  water,  450  yards  northward  of  Tortuga 
rock  and  200  yards  offshore,  has  an  indifferent  landing  place  just  south 
of  it. 

Loncura  rocks  extend  400  yards  in  a  northerly  direction  from  the 
point  of  the  same  name,  in  the  SE.  part  of  the  bay. 

South  Tortuga  rock,  awash  at  low-water  springs,  with  21  to  24  feet 
near  it,  lies  about  250  yards  from  the  land  and  450  yards  8.  24^  E. 
(S.  390  E.  mag.)  of  Tortuga  rock. 

El  Corral  is  ^  small  rocky  bank  with  4  fathoms  over  it  and  6  fathoms 
around;  it  only  breaks  in  heavy  seas.  The  bank  lies  midway  between 
and  on  a  line  joining  the  landing  at  Molle  cove  with  the  outer  Loncura. 

Ventanilla  point  is  2^  miles  KE.  of  Liles  point,  and  is  the  north  point 
of  Liles  bay.  The  point  is  bluff  with  a  small  island  close  to.  Eocks 
extend  off  from  it  400  yards  in  a  southwesterly  direction. 

Ventanilla  cove,  just  east  of  Ventanilla  point,  has  from  4  to  8 
fathoms  water,  sandy  bottom.  There  is  lauding  in  good  weather  near 
the  storehouse,  where  a  small  stream  empties. 

Quintero  rocks,  at  4  miles  north  of  Liles  point  and  1^  miles  west- 
ward of  Horcon  head,  the  north  point  of  Quintero  bay,  are  above  water, 
but  low,  straggling,  and  dangerous.  They  are  of  a  dark  color,  and  are 
about  J  mile  in  extent.  These  rocks  are  locally  known  as  the  Isla 
de  Gampicha. 

The  passage  between  the  rocks  and  Horcon  head  is  1,800  yards  wide, 
and  has  from  8  to  10  fathoms  water  over  a  rocky  bottom;  vessels  using 
the  passage  should  keep  mid-channel. 

Horcon  head,  the  dividing  point  between  Quintero  and  Horcon 
bays,  has  a  remarkable  hole  in  the  extreme  point  of  the  cliff;  the  cliffs 
are  about  80  or  100  feet  high,  and  the  land  immediately  behind  them  is 
higher  and  level.  Inland  are  considerable  heights,  and  in  the  distance 
the  Cordillera  of  the  Andes. 

Horcon  bay. — About  a  mile  east  of  Horcon  head  there  is  a  landing 
place  between  projecting  rocks;  good  water  and  plenty  of  fish  may  be 
procured  as  well  as  firewood,  and  fresh  provisions  in  small  quantities. 
1943— No.  89 18 


274  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUDiBO  BAY. 

The  roadstead  is  good  daring  sontherly  winds,  that  is,  in  effect,  daring 
nine  months  oat  of  the  twelve,  and  there  are  10  to  15  fathoms  watet 
^  mile  north  of  the  landing  place,  over  a  clean,  sandy  bottom. 

Zapallar  cove,  abont  9  miles  north  of  Horcon  head,  is  ^  mile  in 
extent  east  and  west  and  700  yards  wide.  The  anchorage  is  protected 
from  SW.  winds  by  Litis  islet,  130  feet  high,  also  called  morro  del 
Potrerillo.  The  shores  of  the  cove  are  rocky,  except  the  eastern,  which 
is  unapproachable  at  all  times. 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  the  center  of  the  cove  in  11  fathoms,  sand; 
vessels  entering  with  SW.  winds  are  becalmed  by  Litis  islet,  and  should 
then  anchor  and  warp  in.    Northwest  winds  throw  in  a  heavy  sea. 

The  landing  place  is  on  the  southern  shore  of  the  cove,  at  a  stony 
point,  in  a  creek  leading  to  the  village,  and  may  be  recognized  by  a 
mole,  which  is  used  for  loading  and  discharging  lighters.  Pigs,  sheep, 
and  poultry  can  be  obtained,  but  beef  and  vegetables  are  scarce;  water 
is  good  but  scarce,  and  can  be  obtained  in  the  NB.  extremity  of  the  cove. 

Coast — At  IJ  miles  N.  ^  W.  of  Zapallar  cove  is  Panulcillo  point, 
the  intervening  coast  being  rocky;  thence  the  coast  trends  IJ  miles 
northward  to  Pite  point,  the  western  jwintof  Papudo  bay.  Pite  point  is 
low  and  rocky,  with  numerous  islets  and  rocks  extending  in  a  northerly 
direction  from  it,  and  it  should  be  given  a  berth  of  at  least  4  mile. 

Port  Papudo. — ^The  shore  is  steep  and  free  from  outlying  dangers. 
The  high-pointed  hill  over  port  Papudo,  named  El  Gobemador,  or  the 
Oerro  Verde,  1,020  feet  high,  is  an  unfailing  landmark  for  this  small 
open  bay.  In  its  SW.  part  a  small  pier  is  run  out,  named  Muelle 
Frances,  to  'facilitate  the  embarkation  of  corn,  wood,  and  copper, 
which  are  shipped  here  for  Valparaiso.  Through  this  port  all  the  coal 
used  in  the  copper  and  silver  mines  of  this  territory  is  discharged. 

Fish  may  be  taken  by  the  seine.  Water  may  be  had  from  the  SB. 
side  of  the  port,  but  is  scarce  and  of  indifferent  quality;  wood  and 
small  quantities  of  fresh  provisions  may  be  obtained. 

The  country  around  Papudo  is  more  fertile  than  at  Valparaiso  or 
anywhere  to  the  northward  of  it;  and  there  is  reported  to  be  a  greater 
degree  of  moisture. 

The  best  anchprage  is  at  the  southern  part  of  the  bay  in  12  fathoms, 
with  the  pier  bearing  South  (S.  15°  E.  mag.),  distant  600  yards.  It  is 
safe  during  nine  months  of  the  year,  but  quite  the  reverse  during  the 
winter.  The  NE.  point  of  the  shore  forming  this  bay  is  named  Lilen, 
off  which  rocks  extend  200  yards,  having  a  passage  between  them 
leading  to  a  good  landing  place.  At  J  mile  l^W.  of  Lilen  point  is 
Lobos  island  (low  and  rocky),  to  the  eastward  of  which  no  vessel  ought 
to  pass. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  port  Papudo  at  9h. 
25m.;  springs  rise  5  feet. 

Iiigua  bay. — At  5  miles  to  the  northward  of  Papudo,  and  eastward 
of  a  low  rocky  point,  is  Ligua  bay,  into  which  flows  the  Ligua  river, 


LIGUA  BAY — PICHIDANGUI  BAY.  275 

not  navigable;  nor  does  the  bay  afford  anchorage  for  any  but  the 
smallest  craft,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  usual  heavy  swell. 

At  400  yards  NW.  by  N".  of  Ligua  point  is  a  dangerous  sunken  rock, 
upon  which  breakers  are  only  seen  in  bad  weather,  or  with  a  heavy 
swell. 

At  2  miles  K.  by  W.  of  Ligua  point  is  Guallarauco  point,  having  a 
small  cove  of  the  same  name  just  east  of  it,  where  there  is  a  landing 
place  and  good  water;  thence  the  coast  trends  2  miles  NNW.  to  Pichi- 
cui  point,  steep  and  rocky,  and  having  a  sand  beach  between. 

The  coast  in  the  vicinity  of  Pichicui  should  not  be  approached  nearer 
than  2  miles,  to  avoid  Bogota  rock. 

Bogota  rock,  with  12  feet  water,  and  12  to  14  fathoms  close  around 
it,  lies  about  1,600  yards  S.  47°  W.  (S.  32^  W.  mag.)  of  Pichicui  point, 
with  19  to  23  fathoms  inside. 

Cruz  de  la  Ballena  point,  3  miles  northward  of  Pichicui  point,  has 
a  remarkable  small  islet  near  it,  and  at  4  miles  NN  W.  of  this  point  is 
a  high  steep  point  named  Puquen,  which,  being  perforated  perpendic- 
ularly, the  lower  part  being  below  the  sea,  throws  the  sea  into  the  air 
in  a  column  of  spray,  and  makes  a  noise  that  is  heard  some  distance. 

MoUes  point,  6  miles  NW.  by  N,  of  Cruz  de  la  Ballena  point,  has 
foul  ground  extending  800  yards  from  it  in  a  southerly  direction. 

At  1,400  yards  eastward  of  Puquen  point  is  Molles  cove,  fit  only  for 
coasters  in  fine  weather. 

From  Molles  point  to  Salinas  point  the  broken  dark-colored  rocky 
shore  trends  north  for  8  miles. 

Fichidangui  bay  may  be  recognized  by  La  Silla  or  Santa  In^z,  a 
saddle-topped  and  conspicuous  hill  2,000  feet  high,  2  miles  SE.  from  the 
bay,  and  is  an  excellent  mark. 

Pichidangui  is  used  occasionally  for  loading  copper  ore.  There  are 
only  a  few  fishermen's  huts  near  the  harbor,  but  at  the  village  of  Quili- 
mari,  behind  the  nearest  hills,  supplies  can  be  obtained. 

Locos  island  lies  off  Salinas  point,  the  south  point  of  the  bay,  and 
Casualidad  rock,  with  9  feet  over  it  at  low  water,  lies  350  yards  N.  54^ 
E.  (N.  390  E.  mag.)  from  the  north  point  of  the  island,  with  deep  water 
between.  There  is  neither  ripple  nor  weed  upon  the  rock,  but  it  breaks 
when  the  swell  sets  in.    The  rock  is  small  and  in  a  dangerous  position. 

Directions. — La  Silla  or  Santa  In^z  brought  to  bear  S.  44^  E.  (S.  59^ 
E.  mag.)  will  lead  up  to  the  entrance,  which  shows  plainly  on  approach- 
ing the  land.  Care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  the  Casualidad  rock.  As 
the  north  point  of  Locos  island  is  bold-to,  by  keeping  it  close  aboard 
the  rock  will  be  avoided,  and  with  the  sea  breeze  a  good  berth  can  be 
fetched  by  hauling  sharp  up.  The  best  anchorage  is  close  to  Locos 
island,  on  the  eastern  side,  in  about  5  fathoms  water. 

Tides.— It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Pichidangui  bay  at  9h. 
20m.;  springs  rise  5  feet. 

Caution. — When  sailing  along  this  part  of  the  coast  care  should  be 


276  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY, 

taken  to  avoid  a  few  oatlying  rocks  which  may  be  seen  by  day  close  to 
Salinas  poiut. 

Tapado  shoali  on  which  the  sea  breaks  heavily,  lies  nearly  2  miles 
N.  feo  W.  (N.  21°  W.  mag.)  of  Quelen  point,  the  northern  point  of 
Pichidangai  bay,  and  |  mile  from  the  shore.  The  channel  between 
Tapa<)o  shoa]  and  the  mainland  is  foul,  but  at  a  distance  of  about  100 
yards  to  the  northward,  westward,  and  southward  of  the  shoal  there 
are  depths  of  24  to  28  fathoms. 

Changes  point  is  low  and  rocky,  with  some  breakers  near  it.  From 
it  Lobos  point  bears  IN".  8°  E.  (N.  7°  W.  mag.),  distant  about  3  miles. 

Negro  bay. — Between  Changes  and  Lobos  points  the  coast  inclining 
eastward  forms  a  spacious  bay,  with  an  uneven  and  rocky  shore.  Its 
name  is  derived  from  the  river  which  empties  there.  South  of  this 
river  is  a  steep  rock  near  the  shore.  Immediately  to  the  south  of  the 
latter  is  a  small  bight  where  boats  can  land.  North  of  the  river  is  Pur- 
gatorio  point,  and  northeastward  of  the  same  is  another  small  bight 
and  landing  place  for  boats.  Between  Purgatorio  and  Lobos  points 
the  coast  is  bordered  by  many  rocks  and  breakers,  and  being  exjiosed 
to  the  constant  SW.  swell  is  dangerous  to  approach.  During  calm 
weather  there  is  landing  eastward  of  a  little  hillock  named  Cachina, 
frequently  used  by  fishermen. 

Lobos  point  is  a  small,  round  headland  75  feet  high.  At  400  yards 
S.  820  W.  (S.  67^  W.  mag.)  of  it  is  a  dangerous  rock  of  the  same  name, 
and  about  J  mile  N.  52^  W.  (N.  67°  W.  mag.)  of  the  point  is  a  shoal  on 
which  the  sea  breaks  in  bad  weather.  The  point  should  not,  therefore, 
be  approached  under  one  mile. 

About  J  mile  S.  19°  W.  (S.  4°  W.  mag.)  of  Lobos  point  are  some  small 
islands  named  Negro  islands.  Between  these  and  the  coast  are  dan- 
gerous breakers,  with  a  narrow  but  deep  channel. 

Vilos  point  derives  its  name  from  the  village  near  it.  Between  this 
point  and  Lobos  point  is  Quereo  bay.  It  is  of  no  importance,  there  being 
neither  anchorage  nor  landing  place,  and  the  shore  is  bounded  with 
stones  and  breakers  to  a  distance  of  400  yards  in  a  NW.  direction. 

Huevos  island. — At  800  yards  W.  by  N.  of  Yilos  point  is  Huevos 
island,  rocky,  barren,  and  of  a  yellowish  color,  the  north  side  of  which 
can  be  approached  in  calm  weather.  The  channel  between  it  and  the 
shore  is  narrow  and  encumbered  with  rocks,  on  which  the  sea  breaks, 
and  should  not  be  attempted  by  any  vessel  or  even  a  boat.  A  little 
over  200  yards  S.  60o  W.  (S.  45°  W.  mag.)  of  the  south  extremity  of  the 
island  is  a  rock  above  water,  with  deep  water  close-to. 

A  rocky  shoal,  upon  which  a  depth  of  6  fathoms  has  been  found,  and 
over  which  the  sea  breaks  in  westerly  gales,  extends  f  mile  northward 
from  Huevos  island. 

Conchali  bay. — Between  Yilos  point  and  cape  Tablas  the  coast 
recedes,  forming  the  spacious  bay  of  Conchali,  with  two  anchorages, 
which  can  be  used  according  to  the  prevailing  weather.    In  the  center 


VILOS  BAY.  277 

of  the  bay  are  two  precipitous  islands;  one,  the  most  central,  named 
Isla  Blanca,  and  the  other  NW.  of  it  named  Isla  Yerde.  Eastward  of 
Isla  Blanca  is  another  rock,  much  smaller,  notable  for  its  blackish 
color,  and  named  Eantasma,  and  a  short  distance  NE.  of  it  are  three 
rocks  above  water. 

Verde  island  is  connected  with  the  shore  by  a  dangerous  reef,  on 
which  the  sea  breaks  heavily.  Half  a  mile  S.  60^  W.  (S.  45^  W.  mag.) 
of  this  island  is  a  dangerous  rock  above  water.  There  is  a  clear  pas- 
sage for  ships  between  Yerde  and  Blanca  islands. 

Vilos  bay. — Northeastward  of  Huevos  island,  and  IJ  miles  distant, 
is  Chungo  point,  sandy,  and  of  a  whitish  color,  but  rocky  at  its  extrem- 
ity. Between  these  is  Yilos  bay,  with  an  anchorage  capable  of  con- 
taining many  vessels,  which  lie  at  single  anchor.  The  SW.  swell 
reaches  the  anchorage,  causing  vessels  to  roll,  but  the  holding  ground 
is  good. 

The  best  anchorage  for  ships  of  moderate  size  is  in  9  fathoms,  sand 
and  shell,  !N^E.  of  the  highest  part  of  Huevos  island,  with  the  flagstaff 
of  the  port  office  at  the  western  extremity  of  the  town  of  Yilos,  bear- 
ing S.  15^  W.  (S.  mag.);  but  a  little  to  the  SE.  of  this  anchorage  are 
two  small  banks  of  sand  and  stones  having  2  and  2^  fathoms  over 
them,  respectively,  and  a  rocky  shoal  named  Chacabuco,  having  4 J 
fathoms  on  it,  lies  with  the  port-office  flagstaff  bearing  S.  6°  E.  (S.  21o 
E.  mag.),  distant  1,300  yards.  With  strong  NW.  winds,  or  with  a  swell 
from  SW.,  the  sea  breaks  on  Chacabuco  shoal. 

Yessels  of  light  draft  anchor  nearer  the  shore,  but  the  bottom  is 
irregular  and  sandy,  with  large  stones. 

The  landing  place  is  an  iron  pier  extending  from  the  middle  of  the 
town.  When  there  is  any  swell  no  stranger  should  attempt  to  land 
without  local  assistance. 

Caution. — During  winter,  with  westerly  windsj  the  swell  is  very 
heavy  in  Yilos  bay,  and  the  sea  breaks  between  Huevos  and  Blanca 
islands.  In  anticipation  of  such,  and  to  avoid  losing  anchors  and  being 
driven  on  shore,  sailing  vessels  should  put  to  sea.  Steamers  will  find 
shelter  during  NW.  gales  in  Nagu^  cove. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  can  be  obtained  at  moderate  prices; 
vegetables  are  plentiful  during  the  summer  season,  but  scarce  during 
winter.    The  water  collected  in  pits  near  the  village  is  brackish. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Yilos  bay  at  9h.  44m.; 
springs  rise  5^  feet. 

Playa  de  Agua  Amarilla. — At  1 J  miles  northwestward  of  Chungo 
point  is  Penitente  point,  precipitous,  233  feet  high,  with  a  remarkable 
rock  at  its  extremity,  and  having  a  hill  behind  it  390  feet  high. 
Between  these  two  points  is  a  small  bay,  with  a  beach  of  loose  yellow- 
colored  sand,  named  Playa  de  Agua  Amarilla,  the  sea  breaking  heavily 
on  it.  Near  the  southern  extremity  is  a  small  cove  named  La  Ballena, 
fiill  of  stones  and  useless  to  shipping.    Behind  the  beach  is  a  small 


•»-•». 


278  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAT. 

lagoon  where  the  scanty  waters  of  the  Chonchali  river  collect.  The 
valley  eastward  is  beautiful,  fertile,  and  irrigated,  a  state  which  greatly 
contrasts  with  the  arid  condition  of  the  neighboring  hills, 

Nagu6  cove,  N.  by  W.  of  Penitente  point,  is  about  1,000  yards  in 
extent,  having  depths  of  from  4  to  10  fathoms,  sand,  decreasing  gradu- 
ally toward  the  northern  shore. 

Tbe  cx>ve  is  much  too  small  for  sailing  vessels  and  entirely  exposed 
to  southwesterly  winds.  The  lauding  place  is  north  of  Conchas  point, 
close  to  the  rocks,  and  in  the  west  part  of  the  cove,  but  should  not  be 
attempted  in  bad  weather.  This  cove  is  of  considerable  importance, 
being  tbe  only  one  where  vessels  find  real  shelter  from  northwesterly 
winds,  which  prevail  during  winter. 

Nagu6  has  excellent  water,  fish  and  cockles  are  plentiful,  fowls,  eggs, 
and  vegetables  can  be  obtained,  and  partridges  are  numerous. 

Conchas  point,  the  western  point  of  Kagu6  cove,  is  surmounted  by 
a  sandy  hill  105  feet  in  height.  Its  shores  are  rocky,  from  which 
extends  a  ridge  of  sunken  rocks  toward  Verde  island,  with  a  passage 
for  boats  only.  South  of  this  point  is  a  small  cove  bearing  the  same 
name.  A  short  distance  west  of  it  is  a  second  named  Palitos.  Both  are 
only  frequented  by  fishermen's  boats  in  calm  weather,  and  can  not  be 
recommended  as  landing  places. 

Penitente  rock.— This  rock  lies  awash  at  1 J  miles  S.  37o  W.  (S.  22° 
W.  mag.)  of  cape  Tablas;  between  the  rock  and  the  cape  is  a  wide, 
deep,  and  clear  channel.  Hfear  this  rock,  but  toward  the  SW.,  are  two 
other  small  rocks;  round  the  group  the  depth  varies  from  15  to  30 
fathoms.  Penitente  rock  is  about  2^  miles  distant  from  Huevos  island, 
with  an  average  depth  of  40  fathoms  between  them.  From  the  anchor- 
age of  Vilos  bay  the  rock  bears  N.  64°  W.(N.  79^  W.  mag.),  distant  3 
miles. 

Cape  l^ablas. — From  Conchas  point  the  coast  forms  the  southern 
shore  of  a  projecting  and  dangerous  headland  named  cape  Tablas. 
The  perpendicular  cliffs  of  this  headland,  which  are  surrounded  by 
breakers,  are  226  feet  high.  At  ^  mile  S.  37°  W.  (S.  22o  W.  mag.)  of  the 
cape  lies  a  rock  above  water,  and  other  dangers  exist  at  a  short  distance 
from  the  point. 

Tablas  bay. — Eastward  of  cape  Tablas  the  coast  forms  a  bay  of  con- 
siderable extent,  the  best  anchorage  in  which  is  in  12  fathoms,  sandy 
bottom,  with  the  east  extreme  of  Lilenes  island  bearing  N.  15o  B. 
(li^orth  mag.),  and  the  rock  El  Morito  off  cape  Tablas  bearing  S.  64^  W. 
(S.  790  W.  mag.).  The  depth  of  water  varies  from  20  fathoms  at  the 
entrance  to  4  fathoms  near  the  breakers  along  the  shore.  The  anchor- 
age is  good,  well  sheltered,  and  calm  with  southerly  winds,  but  is 
exposed  to  winds  between  north  and  west. 

The  landing  place  is  S.  by  E.  of  the  anchorage,  eastward  of  a  small 
rocky  point  with  a  white  rock  at  its  extremity,  but  it  can  not  be 
recommended  on  account  of  rocks  and  the  usual  swell. 

There  are  neither  provisions  nor  water  for  shipping  unless  obtained 


PECHONOS  POINT — CHIGUALOCO  COVE.  279 

from  Kagu^,  distant  about  ^  mile,  but  game  is  abundant,  especially 
partridges. 

Pechonos  point,  256  feet  high  and  forming  the  northern  extreme  of 
Tablas  bay,  is  rocky  and  precipitoas;  breakers  extend  400  yards  off 
shore  from  it. 

Lilenes  island,  2  miles  K.  by  E.  of  cape  Tablas,  is  high,  nearly 
round,  of  a  grayish  color,  and  about  400  yards  in  diameter.  The  chan- 
nel between  the  island  and  Pechonos  point  is  800  yards  wide,  with  from 
8  to  11  fathoms,  bottom  sand  and  stone. 

At  J  mile  N.  61°  W.  (N.  66°  W.  mag.)  of  Lilenes  island,  and  2  miles 
N.  150  E.  (North  mag.)  of  cape  Tablas,  is  Cebollin  rock,  on  which  the 
sea  breaks  at  high  tide,  but  which  appears  at  low  water;  there  are  16 
fathoms  at  less  than  200  yards  around  the  rock ;  between  it-and  Lilenes 
island  the  depth  is  24  fathoms,  rock. 

Chigualoco  bay. — At  6^  miles  N.  by  E.  of  cape  Tablas  is  Loberia 
point,  low,  and  having  a  rock  S  W,  of  it.  The  coast  between  these  two 
points  forms  the  spacious  bay  of  Chigualoco.  The  anchorage  there  is 
bad,  being  entirely  exposed  to  the  prevailing  SW.  and  West  winds. 
The  coast  is  everywhere  bordered  by  breakers  extending  300  yards  off 
shore,  excepting  the  cove  named  Boca  del  Barco. 

Boca  del  Barco  cove,  at  4f  miles  NE.  from  cape  Tablas,  has  a  good 
landing  place  in  its  SW.  part  on  a  gravel  beach.  In  the  middle  of  the 
cove  is  a  rock,  visible,  and  two  more  under  water  NW.  of  it.  The 
depth  varies  from  8  to  15  fathoms,  mud.  Vessels  loading  in  this  cove 
anchor  600  yards  westward  of  Salina  point  in  12  or  13  fathoms,  sand 
and  stone.  The  SW.  swell  makes  the  anchorage  uncomfortable,  but  it 
is  in  every  way  preferable  to  Chigualoco  cove. 

Chigualoco  cove. — ^Between  Boca  del  Barco  cove  and  the  high  part 
of  Loberia  point  a  rocky  shoal  named  Bajos  de  Chigualoco  lies  J  mile 
offshore,  and  is  connected  with  the  land  by  a  submerged  reef  extend- 
ing in  a  NE.  direction.  Northeastward  of  it  is  the  cove  bearing  this 
name,  but,  as  already  stated,  it  is  nearly  useless  and  dangerous  to 
approach  on  account  of  the  heavy  breakers.  The  anchorage,  in  7  to  12 
fathoms,  sand,  is  entirely  exposed  to  the  northward,  but  with  NW. 
windsit  is  said  to  be  sufficiently  sheltered  by  the  before-mentioned  shoal. 

The  village  of  Chigualoco  is  NE.  of  Chigualoco  cove. 

The  coast  is  low,  rocky,  and  sloping  toward  the  shore  5  IJ  miles 
inland  the  hills  rise  to  a  height  of  2,000  to  2,500  feet. 

The  landij^g  place  is  ^.  i  E.  of  Bajos  de  Chigualoco,  near  a  point 
slightly  projecting,  of  a  dark  color  and  surrounded  with  rocks,  named 
La  Mula  IVfuerta.  Between  this  point  and  Loberia  point  are  two  coves 
separated  by  tlie  small  point  Las  Conchas;  the  first,  named  Mostaza 
cove,  has  a  landing  place  in  fine  weather,  but  a  pilot  is  indispensable. 
SW.  by  S.  of  it  are  breakers  extending  over  J  mile  southji^ard  of 
Conchas  point. 

The  cove  "SW.  of  Mostaza  cove  is  unapproachable  and  of  no  im- 
portance. 


280  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

Loberia  point  is  of  moderate  height,  rocky,  and  surrounded  with 
breakers  extending. 300  yards  offshore.  The  coast  continues  6  miles 
in  a  northerly  direction  until  joining  Huentelauquen  cove,  and  is  pre- 
cipitous. Half  a  mile  off  shore  the  depth  varies  from  15  to  18  fathoms, 
sand  and  stones;  1^  miles  off,  from  30  to  35  fathoms,  and  at  a  distance 
of  3  miles  there  are  from  60  to  70  fathoms,  mud. 

HuenteHauquen  cove  is  a  small  semicircular  cove^  of  no  importance. 
The  neighboring  district  is  prosperous  and  fertile. 

Pozo  point  bears  from  Huentelauquen  cove  K.  8^  E.  (N.  7^  W.  mag.), 
distant  one  mile.  It  is  precipitous,  and  numerous  rocks  extend  some 
distance  off;  the  summit  of  the  point  is  smooth  and  barren.  Toward 
the  SE.  is  a  small  cove  where  boats  can  obtain  a  landing  in  case  of 
need. 

A  bank  of  5J  fathoms  lies  with  Pozo  point  bearing  N.  37^  E.  (N.  22° 
E.  mag.),  distant  1,300  yards.    In  bad  weather  the  sea  breaks  over  it. 

Choapa  river. — This  river,  which  separates  the  province  of  Acon- 
cagua from  that  of  Coquimbo,  empties  into  the  sea  immediately  north 
of  Pozo  point,  close  to  Its  steep  and  rocky  shore;  the  water  supply  is 
greatly  reduced  by  the  many  canals  made  for  irrigating  the  neighbor- 
ing district,  so  much  so  that  during  the  summer  months  the  river  has 
not  strength  to  break  through  the  beach,  and  sandbanks  form  across 
the  mouth.  The  open  plain  through  which  the  river  passes,  more  than 
1 J  miles  wide,  is  fertile  and  well  cultivated. 

Ventana  point,  at  about  one  mile  from  Pozo  point,  is  low,  project- 
ing, and  dangerous,  on  account  of  the  rocks  which  extend  J  mile  in  a 
SW.  direction  from  it,  and  are  not  always  visible.  The  shore  between 
Ghoapa  river  and  Ventana  point  is  backed  by  sand  hills,  which,  trending 
NE.,  join  the  hills  farther  inland. 

Oscuro  or  Totoral  covOi  about  10  miles  N.  by  W.  from  Yentana 
point,  in  latitude  31©  27'  S.,  longitude  71°  36'  W.,  extends  nearly  800 
yards  in  a  NE.  direction;  it  is  350  yards  broad  between  the  entrance 
points  and  200  yards  at  its  NE.  extremity;  midway  between  the 
entrance  points  there  is  a  depth  of  25  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  decreas- 
ing gradually  to  5  fathoms  near  the  head  of  the  cove  and  10  to  11 
fathoms  a  short  distance  from  the  north  and  south  shores. 

From  the  shores  of  the  cove,  which  are  rocky,  except  at  its  head, 
where  there  is  a  sandy  beach  (approachable  only  in  fine  weather),  the 
hills  rise  gradually  toward  the  interior. 

About  2 J  miles  south  of  Oscuro  cove  there  are  two  detached  rocks, 
above  water,  150  yards  from  the  shore;  and  from  Burro  point,  the  north 
entrance  point  of  the  cove,  two  sunken  rocks,  on  which  the  sea  breaks 
heavily,  lie  150  yards  in  a  southerly  direction. 

Anchorage. — Near  the  middle  of  Oscuro  cove  small  vessels  can 
obtain  anchorage  in  11  fathoms,  sandy  bottom;  the  cove  is  easy  of 
access  for  vessels  under  sail,  but  on  leaving  the  anchorage  they  should 
be  towed  out  during  the  morning  calms. 


OSCURO   COVE — LIMARI  RIVER.  281 

The  landing  place  is  just  within  the  SE.  entrance  point  of  the  cove. 

Supplies. — At  the  Totoral  estate,  about  one  mile  from  Oscuro  cove,  a 
small  supply  of  provisions  can  be  obtained.  Between  the  houses  and 
the  cove  there  is  a  stream  of  good  water;  there  is  also  a  small  watering 
place  about  100  yards  from  the  beach. 

Wood  can  be  obtained  in  St.  Abunda  ravine.  Partridges  and  doves 
can  be  shot. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  in  Oscuro  cove  at  9h.; 
neaps  rise  4J  feet,  springs  6J  feet. 

Mala  cove,  situated  1 J  miles  NNW.  J  W.  of  Oscuro  cove,  is  smaller, 
open  to  the  westerly  winds,  and  has  no  landing. 

Maitencillo  cove,  in  latitude  31^  17'  S.,  is  small,  and  fit  for  balsas 
only.  At  certain  times  a  boat  may  land,  but  there  are  many  hidden 
rocks.  Its  situation  is  pointed  out  by  a  large  triangular  patch  of  white 
sand,  having  an  artificial  appearance,  on  the  face  of  the  steep  clifis 
which  here  line  the  coast;  this  mark  is  made  by  the  sand  and  is  drifted 
by  the  eddy  winds  against  the  north  side  of  the  cove. 

A  rocky  shoal  extends  J  mile  seaward  from  a  point  one  mile  south  of 
Maitencillo  cove.  It  is  about  one  mile  long  north  and  south,  and  is 
awash. 

Coast. — The  points  of  Yano  have  several  rocks  off  them,  and  the 
whole  interval  of  coast  between  them  and  Maitencillo,  10  miles  south- 
ward, is  composed  of  blue  rocky  cliffs  about  150  feet  high;  the  land 
above  the  cliffs  rises  to  between  300  and  400  feet.  The  coves  named 
Durrumbe  and  Sierra  are  mere  indentations  in  the  coast.  The  latter 
is  slightly  sheltered  from  SW.,  but  neither  of  them  are  of  any  impor- 
tance. At  6  miles  farther  to  the  northward  lies  the  deep  valley  of 
Teniente,  with  a  sand  hill  on  its  northern  side  close  to  the  shore,  and 
at  the  mouth  of  the  valley  there  is  a  small  sandy  beach. 

Mount  Talinai  is  a  remarkable  hill  2,300  feet  high,  about  3  miles  in- 
shore; it  is  thickly  wooded  on  the  top,  but  the  sides  are  quite  barren. 

Pilcomayo  rock  is  awash,  and  lies  about  |  mile  off  shore,  in  latitude 
30O  53'  S. 

Fiedra  de  Lobos  point,  about  4  miles  south  of  Limari  river,  has  a 
reef  extending  one  mile  S  W.  by  8.  from  it,  and  named  Piedra  de  Lobos. 

Limari  river. — The  coast  from  Maitencillo  cove  extends  in  an  un- 
broken line  33  miles  N.  by  W.  to  the  next  opening,  which  is  that  of  the 
Limari  river. 

The  bay  into  which  the  river  flows  looks  large  from  seaward,  but  it 
was  found  to  be  inaccessible.  The  north  point  of  the  bay,  about  one 
mile  'N.  30°  W.  (N.  45^  W.  mag.)  from  the  river's  mouth,  has  a  danger- 
ous reef  lying  one  mile  N.  75^  W.  (West  mag.)  of  it. 

The  land  near  Limari  river  rises  suddenly  to  a  range  of  hills  about 
1,000  feet  high,  which  runs  parallel  to  the  ex>ast,  and  extends  2  or  3 
miles  north  and  south  of  the  river.  The  summits  of  the*  hills  between 
Mount  Talinai  and  8  miles  north  of  Limari  Eiver  have  conspicuous 


262  CHILOE  ISLAIO)  TO  OOQUIMBO  BAT. 

straggling  trees  upon  them.  The  north  entrance  jwint  of  the  river  is 
low  and  rocky ;  the  south  point  is  a  steep  slope  with  a  conspicuous  white 
sandy  patch  on  its  side.  The  mouth  is  about  J  mile  wide,  but  the  surf 
breaks  heavily  right  across;  inside  it  turns  a  little  to  the  NE.  and  then 
again  to  the  eastward  through  a  deep  gully  in  the  range  of  hills  before 
mentioned. 

Totoral  point,  a  small  peninsula  with  a  high,  sharp  rock  rising  from 
its  center,  is  23  miles  north  of  the  Limari  river  and  9  miles  south  of 
Lengua  de  Yaca  point.    All  this  coast  is  rocky. 

Totoral  cove  is  just  southward  of  Totoral  point.  It  is  caUed  Totoral 
de  Lengua  de  Yaca,  and  has  a  sajidy  beach  at  its  head.  The  entrance 
is  so  blocked  by  small  islets  and  rocks,  both  above  and  below  water, 
that  it  is  impracticable  for  anything  but  boats,  apd  for  them  only  in 
good  weather.  The  outer  breaker  is  about  400  yards  from  shore,  but 
but  when  calm  the  swell  sets  directly  in. 

Lengua  de  Vaca  point  is  very  low  and  rocky,  rising  gradually  in- 
shore to  a  round  hummock  860  feet  high,  about  2  miles  southward  of 
the  point.  There  are  rocks  nearly  awash  about  200  yards  from  the 
point,  and  at  400  yards  there  is  but  5  feet  water. 

Bolivar  rock. — This  rock,  upon  which  the  steamer  Bolivar,  drawing 
18  feet,  struck  in  1876,  lies  with  Lengua  de  Yaca  x)oint  bearing  S.  14o  E. 
(S.  280  B.  mag.),  distant  about  1 J  miles. 

Tongoi  bay. — After  rounding  Lengua  de  Yaca  point  the  coast  is 
rocky  and  steep  for  about  2  miles  from  the  point,  where  there  is  15 
fathoms  about  J  mile  off  shore.  About  3  miles  from  the  point  a  long 
sandy  beach  commences,  which  extends  the  whole  length  of  the  bay, 
about  7  miles,  as  far  as  the  peninsula  of  Tongoi;  the  southern  part  of 
the  beach  is  named  Playa  de  Tangue  and  its  eastern  part  Flaya  de 
Tongoi. 

Anchorage. — Off  the  SW.  end  of  the  beach,  near  Tangue,  there  is 
anchorage  about  ^  mile  offshore,  in  5  to  7  fathoms;  the  bottom  is  a 
soft,  muddy  sand  in  some  places,  but  in  others  it  is  hard.  With  south- 
erly winds  the  bay  is  smooth  and  the  landing  good,  but  a  heavy  sea 
sets  in  with  a  northerly  breeze.  This  anchorage  was  once  frequented  > 
by  whaling  vessels.  The  hamlet  consists  of  a  few  houses,  but  no  sup- 
plies can  be  obtained,  and  the  only  water  to  be  had  is  brackish;  about 
2J  miles  to  the  eastward  there  is  good  water,  but  it  is  at  some  distance 
from  the  beach,  and  the  landing  there  is  generally  bad.  All  the  way 
from  Tangue  to  the  peninsula  of  Tongoi  there  is  anchorage  in  any  part 
of  the  bay  within  2  miles  of  the  shore,  in  7  to  10  fathoms,  sandy  bottom. 

Fort  Tongoi  is  formed  on  the  south  side  of  Tongoi  peninsula,  and 
affords  good  anchorage  for  small  vessels  during  northerly  winds, 
abreast  of  the  small  viUage  on  the  point,  with  the  western  extreme  of 
the  peninsula  bearing  K.  42^  W.  (N.  56^  W.  mag.),  in  4  fathoms,  sandy 
bottom,  with  clay  underneath;  but  no  vessel,  however  small,  should  go 
into  less  than  4  fathoms,  as  the  sea  breaks  inside  of  that  depth  when; 


PORT  TONGOI — SALIENTE  POINT.  283 

blowing  hard  from  the  northward.  The  best  anchorage  for  large  ves- 
sels in  port  Tongoi  is  in  7  fathoms  water,  with  Eange  peak  and  Church 
spire  In  line  bearing  N.  45^  E.  (N.  31°  E.  mag.)  and  Chimney  in  line 
with  Morgan  rock  K.  9°  E.  (N.  5o  W.  mag.). 

With  a  strong  southwesterly  breeze  the  sea  across  the  bay  would 
render  any  vessel  unable  to  remain  at  anchor  in  this  berth  south  of  the 
peninsula;  but  Barnes  bay,  on  the  north  side,  is  completely  sheltered 
from  southerly  winds. 

The  peninsula  of  Tongoi  appears  as  an  island  from  Lengua  de  Yaca 
point.  The  smelting  works  chimney  near  the  west  extreme  is  a  promi- 
nent feature,  and  the  red  glare  shows  well  at  night. 

The  town  of  Tongoi  stretches  in  one  long  street  the  whole  length  of 
the  south  side  of  the  peninsula,  and  is  connected  by  railway  with  the 
celebrated  copper  mines  of  Tamaya.  The  owners  of  the  mines  have 
embanked  part  of  the  shore  with  copper  slag,  and  have  constructed  a 
pier  provided  with  cranes,  alongside  of  which  small  coasters  load  and 
discharge. 

The  company's  copper  ships  are  laden  and  unladen  by  launches.  A 
steamer  of  the  company  runs  from  here  to  Herradura,  and  can  be 
employed  for  towing.  A  trade  in  the  shipment  of  ores  to  Herradura^ 
America,  England,  and  Hamburg  is  carried  on  here  by  the  company. 

Cousino  rocks,  with  12  feet  water,  and  5  to  9  fathoms  close  around, 
lie  S.  510  W.  (S.  370  W.  mag.),  nearly  150  yai'ds  from  Err^zuriz  point, 
the  west  extreme  of  Tongoi  peninsula.  ^ 

Morg^  rock,  which  covers  at  high  water,  lies  with  the  smelting 
works  chimney  bearing  N.  9^  E,  (N.  6^  W.  mag.),  distant  200  yards. 

Supplies  of  all  descriptions  can  be  obtained  at  Tongoi.  Water  is 
brought  from  a  place  situated  about  i  mile  eastward  of  the  town,  and 
is  of  good  quality.  Large  stores  of  coal  are  kept  for  the  smelting 
works,  but  are  not  generally  available  for  steamers. 

Tide& — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  port  Tongoi  at  9h.  10m.; 
springs  rise  5  feet. 

Mount  Huanaquero,  nearly  4  miles  to  the  KE.  of  Tongoi  peninsula, 
is  a  treble-peaked  mountain,  1,850  feet  above  the  sea,  which  forms  a 
conspicuous  mark  on  this  part  of  the  coast.  The  coast  to  the  westward 
of  this  mountain  is  broken  and  rocky,  affording  no  shelter  for  anything 
but  a  boat;  to  the  northward  there  is  a  deep  bay,  well  sheltered  from 
southerly  and  westerly  winds,  but  open  to  the  northward;  the  anchor- 
age is  in  moderate  depths,  good  holding  ground,  which  decrease  grad- 
ually to  10  fathoms  about  ^  mile  from  the  shore.  The  best  landing  is 
in  the  8W.  part  of  the  bay,  where  there  are  a  few  fishermen's  huts. 
Between  this  and  port  Herradura  there  is  no  place  fit  for  a  vessel. 

Saliente  point,  at  15  miles  NNE.  of  Tongoi  peninsula,  is  low  and 
rocky,  but  rises  to  a  high  range  of  mountains  to  the  eastward.  Two 
sunken  rocks,  upon  which  breakers  have  been  seen,  lie  about  i  mile 
off  Saliente  point,  which  should  be  given  a  good  bertii.    Care  must  be 


284  CHILOE   ISLAND  TO  COQUIMBO  BAY. 

taken  in  foggy  weather  not  to  mistake  this  point  for  Tortuga  point,  the 
north  point  of  Coqui»iibo  peninsula. 

Port  Herradura  de  Coquimbo,  at  13  miles  to  the  northward  of 
Huanaquero  point,  is  a  small  landlocked  harbor,  separated  from  the 
SW.  part  of  Coquimbo  bay  by  an  isthmas  of  about  one  mile  in  breadth. 
The  entrance  between  Herradura  point  on  the  south  and  Miedo  point 
on  the  north  is  only  700  yards  wide,  but  vessels  of  any  size  may  freely 
enter  with  a  leading  wind  by  keeping  the  southern  shore  aboard,  in 
order  to  avoid  the  rocks  extending  about  100  yards  off  Miedo  point, 
and  when  in,  may  anchor  in  any  convenient  depth  on  a  bottom  of  sand 
covering  very  tenacious  marly  clay. 

Knowsley  rock. — This  dangerous  rock  has  only  2  feet  water  on  it 
at  low-water  spring  tides,  with  4  and  5  fathoms  close  to  and  around  it 
and  2  fathoms  between  it  and  the  shore.  It  lies  near  the  northern 
shore,  with  Cerro  Alegre,  a  conspicuous  round  hill  in  the  N"E.  corner 
of  the  port,  bearing  ]^.  69^  E.  (N.  45°  E.  mag.)  and  the  inner  eastern 
point  of  entrance  li^.  67o  W.  (N.  81o  W.  mag.),  distant  300  yards. 

Buoy. — The  rock  is  marked  by  a  red  beacon  buoy  moored  in  6  fath- 
oms on  the  SE.  side.  The  two  easternmost  chimneys  of  the  smelting 
woriis  in  line,  will  lead  close  to  the  southward  of  Knowsley  rock. 

Rock. — About  J  mile  SE.  of  Knowsley  rock,  and  near  the  anchorage, 
there  is  a  rock  with  about  15  feet  water  and  4 J  fathoms  around;  from 
the  center  of  this  rock  the  western  chimney  at  the  smelting  works 
bears  ]S^.  31o  E.  (N.  17°  E.  mag.),  distant  700  yards. 

]S'oTE. — ^The  position  of  the  rock  above  given  must  be  considered 
approximate,  and  caution  should  be  used  api)roaching  the  anchorage. 

Anchorage.— In  the  SW.  angle  of  the  bay  ships  will  find  shelter 
from  all  winds,  in  7  fathoms,  with  the  water  so  smooth  that  they  may 
carry  on  any  repairs  with  the  utmost  security  during  summer;  or  a 
good  berth  may  bo  had,  in  8  fathoms,  in  the  NE.  corner  of  the  port,  400 
yards  off  the  shore,  abreast  of  Ouayacan,  with  the  islet  off  Miedo  point 
just  showing. 

With  ]S"W.  winds  the  swell  finds  its  way  into  the  port,  causing  a 
large  ship  to  roll  so  much  as  to  interfere  with  refitting  or  repairs 
during  winter.  Sailing  ships  sometimes  find  diflSculty  in  getting  out, 
as  the  entrance  is  narrow  and  the  wind  draws  through  it  into  the  bay, 
which,  with  the  heavy  swell  that  rolls  on  the  coast  and  the  deep  water 
outside,  makes  it  rather  difficult  for  a  deep-loaded  ship,  unless  with  a 
leading  wind,  which  seldom  prevails  more  than  a  few  hours  in  the  fore- 
noon, and  is  mostly  light  and  uncertain ;  a  steam  tug  can  be  engaged  to 
tow  vessels  out  at  a  charge  of  from  $30  to  $50.  Pilots  can  be  obtained 
from  Coquimbo. 

Guayacan  has  large  copper-smelting  establishments  belonging  to  a 
Chilean  firm,  and  is  the  NE.  part  of  Port  Herradura,  about  J  mile  by 
land  from  the  port  of  Coquimbo. 

Supplies  of  nearly  every  description  can  be  obtained  at  prices  a 


COQUIMBO  BAY.  285 

little  higher  than  at  Yalparaiso.  Good  water  may  be  obtained  from 
wells  just  east  of  the  ruins  of  the  town  of  Herradura,  or  will  be 
brought  alongside  in  a  tank  boat  at  $2  per  ton.  Both  English  and 
Chilean  coal  may  be  got  from  the  smelting  works  for  steaming  purposes. 

Coquimbo  peninsula  separates  Port  Herradura  from  Goquimbo 
bay.  Its  highest  part,  near  the  center,  is  517  feetj  Flagstaff  hill,  at  its 
SW.  part,  is  365  feet,  and  Signal  hill,  ne^r  the  NE.  part,  overlooking 
the  town  and  bay  of  Coquimbo,  is  495  feet  above  the  sea. 

Tortuga  point — From  Miedo  point  the  outer  coast  of  Coquimbo  bay 
trends  about  NE.  by  N.  2^  miles  to  Pelicanos  head,  the  NW.  point  of 
Coquimbo  bay,  600  yards  westward  of  which  is  Tortuga  point. 

Lights. — The  lighthouse  on  Tortuga  point  is  square,  built  of  wood, 
painted  white,  with  a  green  top,  and  is  25  feet  high.  It  stands  about 
200  yards  within  the  extremity  of  Tortuga  point,  and  exhibits  at  an 
elevation  of  98  feet  above  high  water  a  fixed  and  flashing  white  light, 
showing  a  flash  of  five  seconds'  duration  every  fifteen  seconds,  the  par- 
tial eclipse  lasting  ten  seconds,  and  in  clear  weather  should  be  seen 
from  a  distance  of  12  miles  between  the  bearings  of  N,  74^  E.  (N.  60^ 
B;  mag.)  through  South  to  S.  64^  W.  (S.  50^  W.  mag.)  5  it  is  obscured 
coming  from  the  southward. 

A  small  light  is  shown  from  the  extremity  of  Lynch  mole  at  Coquimbo. 

The  light  shows  fixed  red  toward  the  road  and  white  shoreward. 
'It  is  an  ordinary  lantern  light  hoisted  on  a  mast  standing  before  a  hut 
on  the  outer  end  of  the  mole. 

The  light  is  elevated  about  26  feet  above  the  sea,  and  is  visible  from 
a  distance  of  about  i  mile. 

Pelicanos  rock. — The  western  shore  of  Coquimbo  bay  is  high  and 
bold,  particularly  at  Pelicanos  head,  the  northern  extreme  of  Coquimbo 
peninsula,  a  few  yards  eastward  of  which  lies  this  isolated  rock,  26  feet 
high,  having  4^  fathoms  within  a  boat's  length  of  it. 

Dorsetshire  rock  is  a  sunken  pinnacle  rock,  with  9  feet  on  it  at  low- 
water  spring  tides  and  deep  water  close  outside  it.  Vessels  bound  to 
the  anchorage  oft*  Coquimbo  on  rounding  or  passing  Pelicanos  rock 
should  not  approach  it  under  200  yards,  nor  in  thick  weather  come 
under  15  fathoms,  and  should  stand  to  the  eastward  toward  La  Serena 
until  the  conspicuous  Church  spire  near  the  center  of  the  town  of 
Coquimbo  comes  in  line  with  the  extreme  of  Observation  point,  bearing 
S.  170  W.  (S.  30  W.  mag.),  when  they  may  haul  in  for  the  anchorage. 

Havannah  rock,  north  of  Dorsetshire  rock,  is  a  patch  of  6  fathoms, 
on  which  the  lead  would  not  rest. 

Psgaros  rocks. — The  Pajaros  Mnoa  and  Outer  Pajaros  are  two 
rocky  islets,  with  reefs  and  outlying  rocks  around  them,  lying  to  the 
NW.  of  Tortuga  point,  at  distances  of  J  and  one  mile,  respectively, 
Outer  Pajaros,  35  feet  high,  being  one  mile  N.  40°  W.  (N,  54^  W.mag.) 
from  Tortuga  point.  It  is  necessary  in  going  into  Coquimbo  bay  to 
give  these  i^ets  and  rocks  a  good  berth  in  case  of  falling  calm,  lest 


286  CHILOE  ISLAND  TO  COQUDiBO  BAT. 

the  vessel  should  be  obliged  to  anchor,  the  ground  near  them  being 
rocky;  and  for  these  reasons  all  sailing  vessels  are  advised  to  pass 
outside  of  them. 

Pilcachos  rocks  lie  to  the  sonthwestward  of  Pajaros  Ninos  rock, 
the  outer  one  being  above  water.  These  rocks,  together  with  the  Pajaros 
Ninos,  form  the  northern  side  of  the  Inner  passage. 

Inner  passage. — The  passage  between  Outer.  Pajaros  and  Pajaros 
Nines  rocks  is  not  recommended  for  any  vessel,  but  the  Inner  passage, 
between  the  !NW.  part  of  Coquimbo  i>eninsula  and  the  Pilcachos  and 
Pajaros  Ninos  rocks,  is  a  clear  passage,  and  suitable  for  steamers.  On 
rounding;  Pelicanos  head  the  Pajaros  Nifios  rocks  should  be  brought 
to  bear  S.  70o  W.  (8.  56°  W.  mag.),  and  kept  on  that  bearing  until 
Coquimbo  church  comes  on,  with  Observation  point  bearing  S.  17<^  W. 
(S.  Z^  W.  mag.),  which  latter  mark  leads  eastward  of  the  foul  ground 
off  Pelicanos  head. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  in  Coquimbo  bay  at  Oh* 
8m.;  springs  rise  5  feet. 

Coquimbo  bay  is  a  much-frequented  port,  and  the  anchorage  in  the 
SW.  part  of  it  is  well  sheltered  and  secure  at  all  seasons.  It  is  7  miles 
across  north  and  south  from  Pelicanos  head  to  Teatinos  point,  its  north 
limit,  and  3  miles  deep. 

Coquimbo  is  the  chief  mercantile  port  of  north  Chile,  and  is  about, 
IdO  miles  to  the  northward  of  Valparaiso.  The  population  in  1885  was 
about  6,000.  The  town  has  a  convenient  mole,  to  the  westward  of  which 
is  a  smelting  establishment  and  a  wharf  for  loading  and  unloading 
copper,  in  which  metal  the  hills  in  the  neighborhood  are  very  rich. 
Coquimbo  has  the  same  means  of  communication  as  Valparaiso,  as  all 
the  packets  touch  here.  A  steamer  of  the  Mexican  and  South  American 
company  occasionally  tows  ships  in  and  out. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consul. 

Winds. — The  winds  at  Coquimbo  are  in  general  moderate  and  south- 
erly,  or  chiefly  off  shore,  during  the  greatest  part  of  the  year,  and  are 
interrupted  for  short  intervals  only  in  winter  by  strong  breezes  from 
the  NW. 

Signals. — Ships  approaching  port  Herradura  or  Coquimbo  bay  are 
signaled  either  from  Flagstaff  or  Signal  hills,  each  having  a  flagstaff 
with  a  yard  across. 

Supplies. — ^All  kinds  of  provisions  can  be  obtained,  and  plenty  of 
good  water  is  supplied  by  a  tank  vessel.  Coal  can  be  obtained,  also, 
at  about  $11  per  ton.  The  Coquimbo  and  Serena  Eailway  Company 
have  a  good  foundry  and  fitting  shop,  where  repairs  to  machinery  of  a 
moderate  nature  can  be  effected. 

La  Serena,  the  capital  of  the  Province  of  Coquimbo,  has  17,000 
inhabitants;  it  stands  on  the  iN'E.  side  of  the  bay,  and  is  connected  with 
Coquimbo  by  a  railroad. 

There  is  no  landing  at  La  Serena  in  consequence  of  the  heavy  surf, 
except  in  balsas,  but  its  distance  is  only  6  to  7  miles  from  Coquimbo, 


COQUIMBO.  287 

The  weather  here  is  uniformly  fine.  In  the  summer  it  never  rains, 
but  in  the  winter  months  there  are  usually  three  heavy  showers,  lasting 
from  sixteen  to  thirty-six  hours  each.  Before  rain  the  whole  country 
is  a  barren,  sandy  desert,  looking  as  hopelessly  arid  as  the  African 
Sahara.  In  a  week  or  ten  days  after  rain  the  ground  is  covered  with 
verdure  and  flowers. 

Fogs. — There  is  one  point  that  should  be  noticed,  which  is  the  occur-/ 
rence  of  fogs  here  and  all  along  this  coast  as  far  north  as  the  river 
Guayaquil,  particularly  during  the  winter  months.  These  fogs  are  fre- 
quent, sometimes  very  dense,  and  are  a  great  source  of  anxiety  to  the 
navigator.  This  is  especially  the  case  on  the  Peruvian  coast,  where 
clear  weather  is  an  exception  to  the  general  rule. 

Refitting. — Coquimbo  bay  is  much  to  be  preferred  to  port  Herradura 
during  the  winter  months,  especially  for  ships  requiring  a  refitting  or 
extensive  repairs. 

Northers  seldom  blow,  and  when  they  do  there  is  no  danger  if 
anchored  near  the  berth  recommended. 

Landing. — Fogs  cause  much  delay  to  boats  proceeding  to  and  from 
the  ship  in  Coquimbo,  and,  as  a  rule,  no  boat  should  leave  the  ship 
without  being  provided  with  a  compass. 

Pilots  can  be  obtained  at  a  cost  of  $2  for  a  vessel  of  200  tons,  $3.50 
for  one  of  1,000  tons,  and  $4  for  vessels  of  over  1,000  tons. 

Directions. — The  land  is  remarkable  and  easily  recognized  5  Flag- 
staff and  Signal  hills  can  be  easily  made  out  at  a  moderate  offing. 
Coming  from  the  southward,  Lengua  de  Yaca  hills  form  a  good  land- 
mark. In  approaching  the  bay,  a  vessel  must  guard  against  being 
swept  to  the  northward  by  the  prevailing  swell,  current,  and  wind, 
which  almost  always  come  from  the  southward.  After  rounding  the 
Pajaros  rocks,  a  vessel  should  keep  off  the  rocky  ground  between 
them  and  the  Pelicanos  rock.  If  the  lead  be  kept  briskly  going  when 
approaching  either  the  eastern  shore  or  the  bottom  of  Coquimbo  bay 
the  chart  will  be  a  sufficient  guide,  as  the  water  shoals  gradually 
toward  the  beach,  which  is  low  and  sandy. 

At  night. — This  port  may  easily  be  entered  at  night  with  the  aid  of 
the  light  on  Tortuga  point  and  of  the  constant  light  shown  by  the 
smelting  furnaces.  Coming  from  the  southward,  run  along  at  3  miles 
from  the  land  until  the  lights  at  the  town  of  Serena  bear  S.  87o  E.  (K 
790  E.  mag.),  then  steer  for  them  on  this  bearing,  which  will  clear  the 
Pajaros  rocks;  and  when  the  furnace  lights  open  off  Pelicanos  rock, 
bearing  S.  17^  W.  (S.  3^  W.  mag.),  the  vessel  can  haul  into  the  bay 
and  anchor  in  8  fathoms.  Should  the  lights  at  the  town  of  Serena  be 
obscured  by  mist,  the  lights  of  the  shipping  at  anchor  in  Coquimbo 
bay  will  sometimes  serve  as  a  guide  to  the  anchorage,  after  losing 
sight  of  the  light  on  Tortuga  point. 

Anchorage. — A  good  berth  for  a  large  ship  during  the  winter  months 
is,  in  9  Mhoms,  with  Pelicanos  rock  bearing  K.  34^  W.  (N.  48o  W.  mag.) 


288  CHILOE   ISLAND   TO   COQUIMBO   BAY. 

and  Ooquimbo  church  spire  S.  46^  W.  (8.  31o  W.  mag«).  The  best 
anchorage  is  in  6  fathoms,  in  the  SW.  angle  of  the  bay;  the  holding 
ground  is  excellent;  a  large  vessel  should  not  shut  in  Pelicanos  rock 
by  Observation  point.  Vessels  of  war  stationed  on  this  part  of  the 
coast  will  find  Ooquimbo  a  much  better  and  safer  place  to  remain  in 
during  the  months  of  June,  July,  and  August  than  Valparaiso. 

Merchant  shipping  is  berthed  off  the  customhouse  by  the  harbor 
authorities. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

COAST  OF  CfllLE-COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORRO  DE  SAMA-THE  ISLANDS 
OF  JUAN  FERNANDEZ,  MAS  AFUERA,  ST.  AMBROSE,  AND  ST.  FELIX. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1220.) 

Teatinos  point,  the  northern  extreme  of  Ooqoimbo  bay,  is  bold  and 
rugged,  the  land  behind  it  rising  in  ridges,  which  gradually  become 
higher  as  they  recede  from  the  coast  to  Gobre  mountain,  1,598  feet 
high.  Poroto  point,  which  makes  as  the  north  extremity  of  the  bay 
when  coming  from  the.  northward,  is  low  and  rocky.  Arrayan  cove,  4 
miles  to  the  northward,  is  merely  a  small  bight,  behind  a  rocky  point, 
affording  shelter  and  landing  tor  boats  during  southerly  winds,  but  is 
jantirely  opjen  to  northerly. 

Mount  Juan  Soldado  is  3,900  feet  high,  its  northern  side  is  steep, 
and  at  its  foot  is  Osorno  bay,  which  does  not  aftbrd  any  shelter  for  the 
smallest  vessel. 

Tilgo  island,  in  latitude  29^  32'  S.,  is  low,  rocky,  and  is  separated 
from  the  shore  by  a  channel  about  200  yards  wide,  fit  only  for  boats. 
The  island,  except  when  very  close,  appears  to  be  only  a  projecting 
point;  i  mile  west  of  it  there  is  a  large  white  rock.  Eastward  of  Tilgo 
island  on  the  mainland  is  the  valley  and  hamlet  of  Yerba  Buena. 

PiyaroB  islets  are  two  rocky  islets,  100  to  150  feet  high,  lying  about 
12  miles  off  this  coast,  bearing  N.  25o  W.  (N.  39°  W.  mag.),  distant 
about  23^  miles  from  the  light  on  Tortuga  point;  the  northernmost  islet 
is  much  smaller  than  the  other,  and  has  a  reef  extending  i  mile  from  it 
in  a  SW.  direction.  A  reef  that  sometimes  breaks  extends  consider- 
ably to  the  southward  of  the  southernmost  islet. 

Light. — On  the  southern  Pajaros  islet  stands  a  white  lighthouse, 
from  which,  at  an  elevation  of  14S  feet  above  the  sea,  is  exhibited  a 
flashing  white  light,  showing  one  flash  of  ten  seconds'  duration  every 
minute,  the  light  being  totally  eclipsed  between  the  flashes.  The  light 
should  be  visible  in  clear  weather  from  a  distance  of  13  miles.  It 
is  obscured  by  the  northern  islet  between  the  approximate  bearings 
S.  180  E.  (8.  320  B.  mag.)  and  8.  22©  E.  (8.  36o  E.  mag.). 

TotoraliUo  bay,  about  3  miles  northward  of  Tilgo  island,  faces  the 
XW.,  and  has  three  small  islets  off  the  west  point,  the  largest  of  which 
has  a  flagstaff  on  it. 

Zoraida  rock,  the  existence  of  which  is  doubtful,  is  said  to  be  about 
20  yards  long  north  and  south,  with  14  feet  water  over  it,  and  to  lie 

1943— No.  89 19  289 


290  COQUIMBO   BAY   TO   MOURO   DE   SAHA. 

with  the  northernmost  of  the  three  islets  off  the  west  point  of  the  bay, 
bearing  S.  56°  W.  (8. 42©  W.  mag.),  distant  600  yards.  A  ridge  of  pin- 
nacle rocks  is  said  to  extend  in  a  NE.  direction  from  Zoraida  rock,  so 
that  it  shonld  be  given  a  good  berth  on  this  side. 

Directions. — ^Vessels  shonld  ronnd  the  north  islet  closely,  as  it  is 
steep-to,  and  anchor  abont  400  yards  eastward  of'*  the  largest  island,  in 
9  to  12  fathoms,  sand;  the  bottom  in  all  other  parts  of  the  bay  is  rocky. 

The  best  entrance  for  small  vessels  is  between  the  southernmost  island 
and  the  point,  where  there  is  a  channel  about  200  yards  wide,  with  8 
to  12  fathoms  water.  The  dry  rock  off  the  point  on  the  mainland  shonld 
not  be  approached  nearer  than  100  yards,  as  a  sunken  rock  lies  nearly 
that  distance  westward  of  it.  There  is  no  channel  between  the  islets, 
the  space  being  blocked  by  breakers. 

The  landing  is  indifferent,  although  there  are  three  piers  for  loading 
and  discharging  lighters;  both  with  NW.  and  SW.  winds  the  swell 
often  interrupts  that  work. 

The  village  of  Totoralillo  is  chiefly  dependent  on  the  Mexican  and 
South  American  company,  who  own  copper-smelting  works  here.  A 
small  steamer  belonging  to  the  company  runs  occasionally  to  Herradura. 
No  fresh  provisions  can  be  obtained;  water  is  scare  and  •of  inferior 
quality. 

Temblador  is  a  small  cove  to  the  NE.  of  Totoralillo,  but  the  landing 
there  is  bad,  and  it  is  not  so  well  sheltered. 

Chungungo  island,  low  and  rocky,  lies  about  5  miles  northward  of 
Totoralillo  cove  and  a  mile  off  shore.  It  serves  to  mark  the  small  cove 
of  the  same  name  one  mile  NE.  of  it;  there  is  a  rocky  jwint  abreast  of 
it,  and  a  little  way  inshore  a  remarkable  saddle  hill,  with  a  nii)ple  in 
the  middle,  which  to  a  person  coming  from  the  southward  appears 
as  the  end  of  the  high  range  that  runs  thence  to  the  eastward  of 
Totoralillo,  and  is  from  1,600  to  1,800  feet  high. 

Mar  Brava  point. — ^At  3  miles  northward  of  Chungungo  island 
there  is  a  large  white  sand  patch,  which  is  seen  distinctly  from  the 
westward;  it  is  at  the  south  end  of  Choros  beach,  which  runs  for  7  or 
8  miles  to  the  NW.  to  cape  Ohoros,  which  is  low;  a  heavy  surf  always 
breaks  upon  Choros  beach. 

Choros  islands,  three  in  number,  lie  oft*  cape  Choros.  Gaviota 
island,  the  easternmost,  is  low,  and  so  nearly  joins  the  shore  of  the 
mainland  that  nothing  but  a  boat  can  pass.  The  channel  between  this 
inner  island  and  the  other  two  islands  is  obstructed  by  a  reef  extend- 
ing from  Gaviota  island  SW.  one  mile;  the  westernmost  Choros  island, 
named  Pelas  Damas,  is  the  largest,  about  2  miles  long;  the  top  is 
much  broken,  and  the  SW.  end  resembles  a  castle;  there  is  a  small 
pyramid  off  the  south  point,  and  breakers  lie  about  J  mile  from  the 
shore.  About  i  mile  to  the  westward  of  the  northern  island  there  is  a 
rock  nearly  awash. 

Choros  bay,  on  the  north  side  of  cape  Choros,  and  sheltered  fiom 


TORO    REEF-^-CAPB   LEONE8.  291 

the  southwestward  by  Gaviota  island,  affords  anchorage  in  6  fathoms, 
i  mile  off  the  northeastern  part  of  Gaviota  island. 

Toro  reef,  lying  6J  miles  S.  14°  E.  (8.  28^  E.  mag.)  of  the  western 
Ghoros  island,  is  dangeroos,  being  only  awash,  but  breakers  are  gener- 
ally to  be  seen  on  it. 

Carrizal  point,  about  8  miles  "KKW,  of  cape  Ghoros,  is  low  and 
rocky,  with  a  remarkable  round  hummock;  to  the  southward  of  it  is 
the  little  cove  of  Apolillado,  where  there  is  no  shelter  from  westerly 
winds,  and  the  landing  is  bad;  there  are  two  small  rocky  islets  off  the 
south  point  of  the  cove. 

Carrizal  bay,  to  the  northward  of  Garrizal  i)oint,  is  not  fit  for  ves* 
sels;  a  heavy  surf  breaks  about  J  mile  from  the  shore.  The  north  side 
of  the  bay  is  formed  by  a  rocky  point,  with  outlying  rocks  and  breakers 
all  round  it.  There  is  a  landing  place  in  the  bay  near  the  SB.  comer 
where  the  rocky  coast  joins  the  beach,  but  in  bad  weather  the  surf 
breaks  outside  of  it. 

Chanaral  bay. — Eastward  of  the  north  point  of  Garrizal  bay  is 
Gaviota  bay,  in  which  there  is  an  anchorage  of  11  fathoms  at  800  yards 
K  370  B.  (N.  230  E.  mag.)  of  the  point.  The  bottom  is  rocky  and  there 
is  no  landing.  Northward  of  the  north  point  of  Gaviota  bay  is  Ghana- 
ral  bay,  which  is  well  sheltered  from  north  and  south  winds,  but  the 
swell  sets  in  heavily  from  the  SW.,  which  makes  the  landing  bad. 
The  best  landing  is  in  a  small  cove  on  the  north  side  of  thie  bay,  but  it 
is  bad  when  there  is  any  swell.  On  the  beach,  in  the  bight  of  the  port, 
there  is  usoaUy  too  much  surf  to  land. 

The  land  round  Ghafiaral  bay  is  low,  with  ridges  of  low  hills  rising 
from  the  x>oints;  their  tops  are  rugged  and  rocky,  and  the  land  is 
sandy  and  barren.  A  range  of  high  hills  will  be  seen  several  miles 
from  the  shore,  but  between  them  and  the  coast  there  are  several 
smaller  hills.  The  village  of  Ohanaral  is  about  3  miles  from  the  port, 
and  is  said  to  consist  of  about  twenty  houses;  there  are  none  near  the 
port. 

Chafiaral  island,  about  4  miles  westward  of  Ghanaral  bay,  is  nearly 
level,  except  on  the  south  end,  near  which  there  is  a  remarkable  mound 
with  a  nipple  in  its  center.  There  are  rocks  nearly  J  mile  from  the 
south  point  of  the  island  and  one  about  the  same  distance  off  the 
K W.  point.  On  the  north  side  there  is  a  small  cove,  where  boats  can 
land  when  the  wind  is  from  the  southward,*  and  there  is  anchorage 
close  off  it,  but  the  water  is  deep.  A  sealing  schooner  was  lost  in  this 
cove  from  a  Iforther  coming  on  while  she  was  at  anchor. 

Cape  Leones. — ^The  coast  between  the  north  point  of  Ghanaral  bay 
and  cape  Leones  is  low.  Gape  Leones  has  several  rocks  and  reefs 
extending  from  it  a  distance  of  ^  mile;  there  is  also  a  reef  which  projects 
nearly  a  mile  from  the  shore  a  little  to  the  northward  of  Ghanaral  bay. 

Immediately  east  of  the  cape  is  Inglesa  cove,  having  a  sandy  beach 
at  the  head  on  which  landing  may  be  effected  in  fine  weather. 


292  COQUIMBO   BAT   TO   MOBBO   DE   SAliA. 

Cape  BascunaiL — From  cape  Leones  the  coast  treoda  northevly  fcut 
5  miles  to  Pajaros  i)omty  and  from  thence  about  ]^.  by  B.  3  miles  to  eape 
Bascunan^  which  has  a  small  rocky  islet  about  400  yards  off  it.  The 
land  inshore  rises  gradually  to  a  low  ridge  about  i  mile  from  tibe  sea; 
the  high  range  is  about  3  miles  inshore. 

Saroo  bay  is  well  sheltered  from  southerly  winds,  and  tfa^re  is 
aQchorage  in  from  8  to  12  fathoms  about  i  mUe  from  the  shore,  but 
the  landing  is  bad. 

Quebrada  Honda  bay,  the  next  bay  NE.  of  Sarco  bay,  affords  some 
shelter  from  southerly  winds;  a  deep  gully  runs  inland  from  its  BE. 
corner,  at  the  mouth  of  which  there  is  a  sandy  beach,  Vith  anchorage 
^  mile  off,  in  from  8  to  12  fathoms,  but  the  landing  is  not  good*  In  this 
bay  is  the  village  of  Sarco,  where  there  is  a  oopper^smeUing  establish- 
ment and  a  pier  for  loading  barges. 

Fena  Blanoa  oore^ — ^To  the  northward  of  Quebrada  Honda  bay  the 
high  land  comes  close  to  the  coast;  the  sides  of  the  hills  are  covered 
with  yellow  sand,  the  summits  are  rocky,  and  the  whole  coast  has  a 
miserable,  barren  appearance.  About  4  miles  to  the  northward  <tf  the 
deep  gully  there  is  a  projecting  rocky  point  at  the  foot  of  the  high  range 
of  hills,  with  a  very  remarkable  black,  sharp  peak  near  its  terminatimi. 
At  2^  miles  northeastward  of  this  projecting  point  is  PeiiaBlancaeove, 
which  to  vessels  coming  from  the  westward  will  api)ear  like  a  small 
sandy  bay,  as  the  foot  of  the  mountains  just  here  is  sand;  with  the 
exception  of  one  or  two  huts  there  is  littie  to  be  seen  till  dose  in;  it 
can  not  easily  be  mistaken  for  Sarco  if  a  vessel  makes  out  Alcalde  poinb^ 
which  is  8  miles  K.  ^  E.  of  Pefla  Blanca.  It  is  best  to  moor  in  about  10 
fathoms,  placing  the  port  anchor  to  the  southward,  the  starboard  anchor 
to  the  westward,  and  the  stern  anchor  to  the  eastward,  as  the  swidl 
mostly  comes  in  from  the  westward*  The  landing  is  indifferent;  these 
is  a  pier  close  to  the  huts. 

Supplies. — Goal  can  be  obtained  in  small  quantities ;  fresh  provisfams 
are  procurable,  but  require  twenty-four  hours'  notice. 

Alcalde  point. — ^The  coast  to  the  northward  of  Pena  Blanca  treads 
about  NNE.,  and  is  very  rocky  for  about  6^  miles,  when  it  trends  to  the 
westward  to  Alcalde  point,  forming  a  deep  bay,  in  the  KE.  corner  of 
which  is  a  small  beach  named  Tontado.  Alcalde  point  is  a  rocky 
promontory  forming  the  seaward  termination  of  a  projecting  spur  of 
the  coast  range.  The  point  is  rocky,  with  small  detached  rooks  close-to ; 
inshore  it  rises  a  little,  and  there  are  several  small  rocky  lumps  pro- 
jecting out  of  the  sand,  one  of  which  from  the  southward  shows  very 
distinctly,  is  higher  than  the  rest,  and  forms  a  sharp  peak,  a  lltlde 
inshore  of  which  the  land  rises  suddenly  to  the  break  of  the  high 
range. 

Ouasco  pointy  6  miles  northward  of  Alcalde  point,  is  low  and  rug- 
ged, with  several  small  islands  between  it  and  Port  Guasco,  one  only 
of  which  is  of  any  size,  separated  from  the  shore  by  a  very  narrow 


PORT    GUA8CO.  293 

cbannd,  so  as  to  appear  &om  seaward  to  be  the  x)oint  of  the  mainland; 
it  ahows  distinctly  as  an  island  when  coming  from  the  south  ward,  but 
from  the  northward  is  confused  with  the  other  rocks  behind.  To  the 
SW«  of  the  island  there  are  several  other  small  rocky  islets,  the  western 
<nie  being  peaked  and  209  feet  high. 

A  little  inshore  of  the  S W,  extreme  of  the  bay  there  is  a  short  range 
of  low  hills,  forming  four  rugged  peaks,  named  the  Spinsters.  The 
eastern  and  highest  is  605  feet  high.  They  show  distinctly  from  the 
southward  and  westward.  The  land  falls  again  inside  of  them  for  a 
short  distance,  and  then  rises  suddenly  to  a  high  range,  running  east 
and  wesl^  and  directly  to  the  southward  of  the  anchorage.  The  top 
of  tiie  range  forms  three  round  summits,  the  easternmost  of  which, 
being  2,075  feet,  is  a  little  higher,  and  the  middle  one  a  little  lower 
than  the  other;  they  all  form  part  of  the  Oerro  de  Guasoo. 

At  44  0^^  2^S-  by  E,  from  the  inner  port  is  another  range  of  hills. 
The  highest  is  2,180  feet  above  the  sea,  on  the  south  slope  of  which 
there  is  a  sharp  peak,  1,492  feet,  rising  immediately  above  a  valley  that 
eonveys  a  small  stream  of  exicellent  water  to  the  sea.  A  heavy  surf 
breaks  on  its  bar.  There  is  a  narrow  lagoon,  or  small  streamlet,  in  the 
valley  near^  the  port,  but  the  water  is  brackish. 

The  country  around  presents  a  more  barren  appearance  than  any 
part  of  this  coast,  the  ground  being  everywhere  covered  with  small 
stones,  mixed  with  sand,  out  of  which  projects  masses  of  craggy  rocks. 

Fort  Ouasco  is  to  the  eastward  of  a  point  with  two  large  rocks  off 
it,  lying  3  miles  JS.  59°  E.  (N.  45°  E.  mag.)  of  Guasco  point.  Although 
an  inconvenient  anchorage,  it  is  one  of  the  places  at  which  the  Pacific 
Steam  Navigation  Company's  steamers  call,  as  it  is  the  port  of  Yallenar, 
a  eonsiderable  town  in  the  interior.  There  is  a  customhouse,  and  a 
smelting  establishment  i  mile  from  the  landing  place,  where  a  good 
deal  of  copper  is  manufactured.  The  large  smelting  establishment, 
with  its  four  tall  chimneys,  is  a  conspicuous  object. 

SnppUas. — Fresh  provisions  and  water  can  be  obtained,  but  the 
water  is  difficult  to  get  for  shipping. 

Light.-*-A  lantern  light  showing  fixed  red  seaward  and  white  shore- 
ward, and  visible  about  one  mile,  is  exhibited  at  the  outer  of  the  two 
landing  piers  at  Port  Guasco.  A  fixed  white  light  is  shown  on  Outer 
rock  when  a  steamer  is  expected. 

Anchorage. — ^Although  a  safe  place  for  any  vessel,  owing  to  the 
moderate  depth  of  water  and  good  holding  ground,  Guasco  is  anything 
but  a  good  place  for  dispatch.  From  May  to  September  northerly 
winds  prevail,  causing  great  delay  in  landing  or  shipping  cargo« 

RoUers^ — Heavy  rollers  frequently  set  into  the  bay,  generally  at  the 
full  and  change  of  the  moon,  when  it  is  impossible  to  land  or  ship 
cargo. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Guasco  at  8h, 
30m«;  springs  rise  6  feet,  neaps  4  feet. 


294  COQUIMBO    BAY   TO   MORRO    DE    SAMA. 

Lobos  point,  about  10  miles  north  of  Port  Gaasco^  is  ragged,  and  lias 
several  small  hammocks.  To  the  southward  of  the  point  there  are  some 
small  sandy  beaches,  with  rocky  points  between  them,  bat  a  tremen- 
dous surf  breaks  throughout,  allowin  g  no  shelter  even  for  boats.  A  little 
inshore  of  the  point  there  are  two  low  hills,  and  within  them  the  land 
rises  suddenly.  In  the  bay  to  the  northward  of  the  point  there  are 
several  small  rocks.  About  6  miles  north  of  Lobos  point  there  is  a  reef 
which  extends  J  mile  off  a  low,  rocky  point,  the  outer  rock  of  which  is 
high  and  detached  from  the  others. 

Herradura  de  Carrizal  bay. — About  11  miles  northward  of  Lobos 
point  is  another  rugged  point  with  several  sharp  peaks  on  it,  and  about 
IJ  miles  northward  is  the  small  bay  of  Herradura  (distinguished  from 
the  other  Herraduras,  on  the  coast  of  South  America,  by  the  additional 
name  of  de  Carrizal),  which  can  hardly  be  made  out  till  quite  close. 
Between  the  rugged  point  and  Herradura  there  are  breakers  J  mile 
from  the  shore. 

Off  Herradura  point,  the  west  point  of  the  bay,  there  is  a  patch  of 
low  rocks,  which,  in  coming  from  the  southward,  appears  to  extend 
right  across  the  mouth  of  the  bay;  but  the  entrance  faces  the  NW.  and 
lies  between  that  low  patch  and  a  small  islet  to  the  NE.  of  it,  and  there 
is  no  danger  at  100  yards  from  either  of  them.  The  bay  curves  in 
about  J  mile  to  the  eastward  of  the  islet,  and  is  sheltered  from  both 
northerly  and  southerly  winds,  but  with  a  strong  northerly  breeze  a 
swell  rolls  in  round  the  islet.  It  is  rather  small  for  large  vessels,  and 
they  would  not  be  able  to  lie  at  single  anchor  in  the  inner  part  of  the 
cove,  but  there  is  room  enough  to  moor  across  at  about  J  mile  above 
the  islet  in  4  fathoms,  fine  sand. 

The  landing  is  better  than  in  any  place  between  it  and  Ooqnimbo, 
but  the  want  of  water  is  a  very  serious  inconvenience.  There  is  a  small 
lagoon  about  one  mile  off  in  the  valley  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  but  it  is 
worse  than  brackish;  yet  the  peons  who  work  at  shipping  the  ore  make 
use  of  it.  A  deep  valley,  which  runs  in  from  the  head  of  the  port  and 
separates  the  high  ranges  of  hills,  is  a  good  mark  to  know  the  place. 
The  range  to  the  southward  of  the  valley  is  the  highest  near  the  coast, 
and  is  distinctly  seen  both  from  the  northward  and  southward.  There 
is  a  small  nipple  on  the  highest  part  of  it. 

Port  Carrizal  Bego,  about  one  mile  to  the  NE.  of  Herradura  de 
Carrizal,  is  small,  but  well  sheltered  from  southerly  winds  by  a  reef  of 
rocks  extending  in  a  northerly  direction  from  the  west  point  of  the  bay 
and  terminating  in  a  small  (Carrizal)  island  20  feet  high.  It  is  a  rising 
place,  having  three  large  smelting  works.  The  mines,  which  are  distant 
about  20  miles  and  connected  with  the  port  by  a  railway,  employ 
upward  of  3,000  men.  It  is  found  more  convenient  to  get  the  ores  from 
the  mines  to  this  port  than  to  Guasco.  It  will  in  future  be  the  shipping 
port. 

A  good  deal  of  trade  is  carried  on,  importing  coal  and  exporting 
copper.    The  railway  runs  to  Carrizal  Alto. 


PORT   CARRIZAL   BAJO.  295 

Conqnest  rock  is  small  in  extent  and  has  a  depth  of  19  feet  at  low- 
water  spring  tides,  with  4^  fathoms  close  on  the  southern  side  and  9 
fathoms  on  the  northern  side.  It  lies  with  the  northernmost  rock 
(above  water)  north  of  Carrizal  island  S.  78o  W.  (S.  66°  W.  mag.),  dis- 
tant 140  yards.  There  is  another  rock,  with  16  feet  water,  about  100 
yards  K  69^  W.  (K  82o  W.  mag.)  of  Conquest  rock;  both  of  these 
rocks  lie  just  within  the  edge  of  the  6-fathom  line  of  soundings. 

A  shoal  spot,  with  18  feet  over  it  at  low  water,  lies  in  a  position  from 
which  the  north  extreme  of  Carrizal  island  bears  S.  33^  W.  (8.  20°  W. 
mag.),  distant  200  yards. 

Arequipa  rock  is  about  30  yards  in  extent,  with  26  feet  on  it  at  low 
water  and  7  to  10  fathoms  (over  sand)  around  at  the  distance  of  about 
100  yards.  .  It  lies  with  the  north  extreme  of  the  island,  on  the  west 
side  of  entrance  to  the  port,  bearing  S.  iP  B.  (8. 17°  B.  mag.),  distant 
500  yards,  and  where  a  depth  of  6  fathoms  has  heretofore  been  charted. 

The  rock  is  always  dangerous,  however,  even  for  light-drafb  vessels^ 
when  there  is  any  swell. 

The  lower  gate  of  the  cemetery,  in  line  with  a  conspicuous  peak  bear- 
ing 8.  490  E.  (8.  620  B.  mag.),  leads  on  Arequipa  rock.  Bither  corner 
of  the  cemetery  in  line  with  the  same  peak  leads  clear  of  it  on  each 
side,  respectively. 

Anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  6  to  7  fathoms,  sand,  in  the  outer 
part  of  the  bay.  The  inner  anchorage  is  sheltered  from  8W.  winds  by 
the  reef  of  rocks  and  the  small  island  off  the  west  point  of  the  bay. 
The  holding  ground  is  good,  but  it  is  not  advisable  to  approach  the 
eastern  shore  to  a  less  depth  than  5  fathoms;  rocky  patches  should  be 
avoided.  Northwest  winds  seldom  blow  home,  but  send  in  sufficient 
swell  to  stop  the  lading  of  vessels. 

Vessels  are  berthed  eastward  of  the  above-mentioned  island  in  4f 
fathoms,  and  are  moored  head  and  stern,  with  head  to  the  northward. 
The  services  of  a  pilot  can  be  obtained. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  can  be  obtained,  but  no  ship's  stores. 
Water  of  an  indifferent  quality  can  be  obtained  from  the  railway  com- 
pany for  $4.50  per  ton,  and  must  be  shipped  in  boats  from  a  pipe  at  the 
end  of  the  pier.    Both  Bnglish  and  Chilean  coal  can  be  procured. 

Ordinary  repairs  to  machinery  can  be  effected  at  the  workshops  of 
the  railway. 

At  Carrizal  Alto,  about  25  miles  by  rail  from  the  port,  there  is  a 
Government  hospital. 

The  coast  northward  of  Carrizal  Bajo  is  bold  and  rugged,  with  out- 
lying rocks  200  yards  off  most  of  the  points.  About  7  miles  north  of 
Carrizal  Bajo  there  is  a  high  point,  with  a  round  hummock  on  it,  and 
several  rugged  hummocks  a  little  inshore.  To  the  northward  of  this 
high  point  there  is  a  cove,  sheltered  from  the  southward,  where  coasters 
anchor,  but  it  is  not  fit  for  large  vessels.  There  is  another  cove  similar 
to  it  about  a  mile  farther  north.    A  short  distance  northward  of  this 


iv*:.^. 


296  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORRO  DE  SAliIA. 

cove  a  high  rocky  point  terminates  the  high  part  of  the  coast,  and  north 
of  that  point  is  the  small  port  named  Matamoros. 

Fort  Matamoros  is  well  sheltered  from  southerly  winds,  and  the 
landing  is  good.  Jn  its  inner*  part  a  vessel  drawing  not  more  than  10 
or  12  feet  might  moor,  sheltered  from  northerly  winds,  in  3  or  4  fathoms, 
but  with  a  northerly  wind  there  would  be  a  heavy  swelL  There  is 
anchorage  farther  out  under  the  point,  in  8  to  10  fathoms,  but  a  vessel 
should  not  go  nearer  the  shore  than  8  fathoms,  as  the  bottom  in  less 
than  tiiat  depth  is  rocky.  During  the  summer  months  this  would  be 
a  good  port  for  small  merchant  vessels,  but  there  is  no  fresh  water. 
Al»*east  of  it  the  high  range  of  hills  recedes  from  the  coast,  which  is 
low,  with  some  moderately  high  rocky  hills  a  little  inshore. 

Totoral  B^jo  cove. — Korthward  of  Matamoros  2  miles  is  the  low 
rocky  point  of  Totoral,  to  the  northward  and  eastward  of  which  there 
is  a  small  deep  bay,  at  the  mouth  of  the  valley  Totoral  Bsyo.  In  this 
bay  apparently  there  is  anchorxi^e  for  a  vessel,  but  on  account  of  the 
heavy  surf  on  the  beach  and  the  bad  landing  it  has  not  been  examined. 
To  the  northward  of  this  the  low  hills  are  not  rocky,  but  covered  with 
yellow  sand,  except  near  the  summits. 

Figonal  cove. — ^Korthward  of  Totoral  Bajo  6  miles  there  is  a  remark- 
able rocky  point  called  Pena  Blanca,  with  a  detached  white  rock  off  it, 
and  a  hump  with  a  nipple  on  it  a  little  inshore.  Northward  of  this  lies 
the  small  eove  of  Phonal,  which,  when  coming  from  the  southward, 
may  be  easily  known  by  the  above  nipple  and  by  a  small  island  (Oima 
Ouadrada)  with  a  square-topped  hillock  in  its  center,  off  the  point  to 
the  northward  of  the  cove.  A  range  of  hills,  higher  than  any  near 
this,  rises  directly  from  the  north  side  of  the  cove;  and  in  the  valley 
about  a  mile  from  it  there  is  a  range  of  small  rugged  hills,  rising  out 
of  the  low  land. 

There  is  a  small  village  at  Pajonal,  but  the  water  is  bad. 

There  is  a  dangerous  breaker  about  800  yards  westward  of  the  south 
extreme  point,  but  it  shows  only  when  there  is  a  heavy  swell. 

The  anchorage  is  better  sheltered  from  southerly  winds  than  any  to 
the  southward,  except  Herradura  de  Carrizal,  and  there  ought  not  to  be 
much  swell,  as  Oachos  point  and  Gima  Ouadrada  island  to  the  north- 
ward project  considerably  to  the  westward.  The  southerly  swell  rolls 
into  the  mouth  of  the  cove,  but  along  the  south  shore  it  is  smooth  and 
the  landing  pretty  good.  The  best  anchorage  is  about  half  way  up  the 
cove,  near  the  south  shore,  in  5  fathoms;  near  the  head  it  is  shallow. 

Salado  bay. — Gachos  point,  about  4  miles  northward  of  Pajonal 
and  13^  miles  northward  of  Totoral  point,  has  an  island  and  several 
rocks  off  it.  Both  the  island  off  Gachos  point  and  Gima  Guadrada 
island,  2  miles  to  the  southward  of  it,  may  be  passed  at  i  mile,  but 
there  is  no  passage  inside  them.  From  Gachos  point  the  coast  recedes 
and  forms  the  si>acious  bay  of  Salado.  Glose  round  the  point  is  the  large 
cove  of  Ghasoo,  which  at  a  distance  looks  very  inviting,  but  one  mile 


"1 


MEDIO  COVE— POET  C0PIAP6.  297 

ff om  its  head  there  is  only  3  fathoms,  with  rocks  all  round,  some  above 
water  aud  others  sunk,  which,  from  the  bay  being  well  sheltered  from 
the  southward,  do  not  show.  There  are  two  patches  off  the  eastern 
point  that  are  always  uncovered, 

Medio  cove. — In  the  depth  of  Salado  bay  is  Medio  cove,  quite  dear 
of  danger.  At  its  south  corner  is  good  anchorage  in  7  fathoms,  well 
sheltered  from  southerly  winds,  but  open  to  northerly;  the  water  is 
quite  smooth  with  a  southerly  wind,  and  no  swell  could  ever  reach  it 
unless  it  blew  from  the  northward.  There  is  a  cove  2  miles  KE.  of  this 
where  a  vessel  may  anchor,  but  it  is  not  so  well  sheltered.  There  are 
no  inhabitants  in  Salado  bay.    Fresh  water  can  not  be  obtained. 

S€Uado  point. — ^The  land  at  the  back  of  Salado  bay  is  low,  but  to 
the  northward  of  the  northernmost  cove  it  rises  to  a  ridge  of  sand 
hills,  running  east  and  west,  and  terminating  at  Salado  point,  which  is 
steep  and  rocky,  with  a  cluster  of  steep  rocky  islets  off  it.  To  liie 
northward  of  the  point  the  coast  is  rocky  and  broken,  with  rocks  a 
short  distance  from  the  shore  for  about  4  miles  then  a  rugged  point 
named  Barranquilla,  with  a  high  sharp-topped  hill  a  little  inshore, 
which,  from  the  southward,  shows  a  dauble  peak. 

Barranquilla  cove.— Directly  to  the  northward  of  BarranquiUa 
point  is  the  cove  named  Barranquillai.  Small  coasters  ship  copper  ore 
here,  but  it  is  quite  unfit  for  larger  vessels.  There  is  a  landing  place 
at  the  head  of  the  cove,  and  there  is  fresh  water  near  it.  The  best 
anchorage  is  in  5  fathoms,  100  yards  from  the  shore;  farther  out  it  is 
too  deep.  Medio  cove,  to  the  southward,  is  much  superior  to  Barran- 
quilla and  might  be  a  much  better  place  to  embark  the  ore. 

Dallas  point. — ^From  Barranquilla  to  Dallas  point,  10  miles  to  the 
KNW.,  the  coast  is  rocky  and  broken,  without  any  place  sufficient  to 
shelter  the  smallest  vessels.  Dallas  point  is  all  black  rock,  with  a  hum- 
mock on  its  extremity,  and  coming  from  tilie  southward  it  appears  to  be 
an  island;  the  land  rises  to  a  range  of  low  sandy  hills,  with  rocky  sum- 
mits. The  patch  lying  one  mile  off  Dallas  point  is  awash,  and  the 
channel  between  it  and  the  point  appears  to  be  wide  enough  for  'any 
vessel,  though  the  reef  off  the  point  projects  so  far  as  to  show  in  a 
high  sea,  a  breaker  ^  mile  out;  but  at  i  mile  farther  there  are  11  fathoms. 
When  the  swell  is  not  high  the  breakers  off  the  point  would  not  show; 
they  appear  to  be  detached  from  the  reef  which  joins  the  point. 

Port  Copiapd  (Puerto  Viejo  de  Copiapd). — ^Detached  reefs  extend 
nearly  4  miles  in  a  N.  16°  W.  (N.  28^  W.  mag.)  direction  from  Dallas 
point,  and  inside  them,  in  the  bight  of  the  bay,  is  Port  Copiap6,  but 
the  roadstead  off  it  is  bad,  the  swell  rolls  in  heavily,  and  the  landing 
is  worse  than  in  any  port  to  the  southward.  Its  position  may  easily  be 
known  by  the  Morro,  a  remarkable  hill,  850  feet  high,  nearly  level  at 
l^e  top,  with  two  small  hummocks  near  its  eastern  extremity,  11  miles 
northward  of  Port  Copiap6.  The  east  fall  is  very  steep.  The  end  of 
another  range  of  hills  shows  to  the  northward.    To  the  SW.,  apparently 


298  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORRO  DE  SAMA. 

forming  part  of  the  same  range,  is  another  hill,  the  west  side  of  which 
forms  a  steep  bloff.  In  coming  from  the  southward  these  hills  will  be 
seen  in  clear  weather  before  the  land  about  the  port  can  be  made  ouL 

This  port  is  now  almost  deserted,  the  trade  being  transferred  to 
Oaldera. 

Anacachi  rock. — ^The  chief  dangers  to  be  avoided  in  steering  for  the 
anchorage  off  Gopiap6  are  the  Oaja  Grande,  Janequero  and  Anacachi 
rocks.  Between  these  and  Dallas  point  are  several  other  small  but 
dangerous  patches  of  rock.  Anacachi  rock  lies  about  J  mile  JS".  36°  W. 
(N.  490  W.  mag.)  of  the  Caja  Ohica,  and  has  only  10  feet  on  it  at  low 
water. 

Caja  Grande  is  a  bed  of  rocks  under  water,  about  f  mile  long,  north 
and  south,  and  ^  mile  broad;  its  position  is  apparent  from  the  heavy 
breakers  on  it  whenever  a  swell  sets  into  the  bay. 

Caja  Chica,  2J  miles  N.  32o  W.  (N.  45©  W.  mag.)  of  Dallas  point,  is 
a  small  rocky  shoal,  having  in  its  center  one  large  sharp-topped  rock 
always  above  water. 

Janequero  rock  lies  1,000  yards  N.  32©  W.  {If.  46o  W.  mag.)  of 
Oaja  Grande,  and  has  8  feet  of  water  on  it  at  low  water.  It  is  very 
small  and  steep-to. 

Isla  Grande,  lying  700  yards  off  the  north  point  of  Oopiap6  bay,  is 
remarkable,  having  a  small  nipple  on  each  extremity;  that  on  the  east- 
em  end  is  the  higher;  and  just  to  the  westward  of  the  middle  of  the 
island  there  is  another  small,  round  nipple. 

The  channel  between  this  island  and  the  main  is  clear  of  danger  in 
the  middle,  but  such  a  heavy  swell  rolls  through  that  it  is  scarcely  fit 
for  any  vessel.  Off*  the  north  end  of  the  island  there  is  a  reef  project- 
ing under  water  400  yards  length  to  the  eastward;  but  at  200  yards  from 
the  reef  there  is  7  fathoms.  The  mainland  abreast  the  island  appeared 
to  have  no  danger  off  its  points,  and  the  rocks  to  the  southward  of  it 
are  inside  the  line  of  the  northern  points.  To  the  northward  of  the 
island  there  are  several  small  rocks,  one  of  which  is  high,  but  there  is 
no  danger  at  J  mile  from  them. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Oopiap6"at  8h.  30m.; 
springs  rise  5  feet. 

Directions. — ^The  morro  de  Copiap6,  a  remarkable  hill  a  short  dis- 
tance inland,  11  miles  northward  of  Copiap6,  which  may  be  seen  20  or 
30  miles  off  in  clear  weather,  kept  open  westward  of  Isla  Grande,  will 
lead  well  to  the  westward  of  all  the  dangers  off  Oopiapd.  The  passage 
between  the  Caja  Ohica  and  Oaja  Grande  is  very  dangerous  on  account 
of  the  Anacachi  rock;  the  Oaja  Ohica  should  be  given  a  berth  from 
800  to  1,200  yards,  but  unless  the  wind  is  steady,  and  to  be  depended 
on,  this  passage  should  not  be  taken  on  any  account.  Neither  should 
the  passage  between  Dallas  point  and  the  southern  shoals  ever  be  taken 
by  a  sailing  vessel;  for  should  the  wind  fail,  which,  when  so  near  the 
high  cliffs  in  the  vicinity,  is  a  common  occurrence,  she  would  be  placed 
in  a  dangerous  position. 


i 


MEDIO  POINT — PORT  CALDERILLA  299 

The  best  passage  is  to  the  northward  of  the  G^ja  Grande,  and  to  avoid 
these  rocks  when  coming  from  the  southward,  steer  for  Isla  Grande  on 
a  IS.  58^  E.  (K.  45^  E.  mag.)  bearing  until  the  northern  end  of  the  sand- 
stone rocks,  to  the  northward  of  the  town  of  Copiap6,  bears  at  least 
S.  54P  E.  (S.  67^  E.  mag.);  then  haul  in  for  that  mark;  and  when  the 
huts  bear  S.  36^  E.  (S.  49°  E.  mag.),  steer  toward  them,  and  anchor 
where  convenient. 

Coming  from  the  northward,  vessels  will  most  probably  have  to  work 
in,  in  which  case  the  shore  may  be  approached  to  i  mile  and  Isla  Grande 
to  within  that  distance.  When  approaching  the  Gaja  Grande  stand 
no  nearer  to  it,  nor  any  of  the  shoals,  than  to  bring  the  western  end 
of  Isla  Grande  to  bear  N.  9©  W.  (N.  22o  W.  mag.),  or  the  bluff  part  of 
Dallas  point  S.  9o  E.  (S.  22o  E.  mag.). 

Anchorage. — ^A  long  scope  of  cable  should  always  be  given  in  Oopi- 
ap6  road,  and  it  might  be  prudent  to  drop  another  anchor  under  foot, 
as  the  rollers  often  set  in  with  little  warning,  and  the  bottom  is  bad 
holding  ground.  The  soundings  are  regular,  from  12  fathoms  at  f  mile 
off  shore  to  3  fathoms  close  up  to  the  beach,  but  the  bottom  is  chiefly 
a  hard  yellow  sand,  with  occasional  patches  of  yellow  sandstone  rock. 
The  inshore  anchorage  for  a  large  vessel  is  in  6  fathoms,  with  the  Caja 
Ghica  bearing  S.  81^  W.  (S.  68^  W.  mag.)  and  western  extremity  of 
Isla  Grande  N.  25°  W.  (K.  38o  W,  mag.). 

Medio  point,  4  miles  northward  of  Isla  Grande,  is  very  rocky;  on 
the  SW.  point  there  are  two  rugged  hummocks,  and  several  rocks  and 
islets  close  to  the  shore,  but  no  danger  outside  of  them.  From  this  to 
Morro  point,  5  miles  to  the  northward,  the  shore  is  steep  and  clif^,  with 
remarkable  patches  of  white  rock  in  the  cliffs  to  the  southward  of  the 
point,  which  is  steep,  with  rugged  lumps  on  its  suipmit.  The  morro  de 
Gopiap6  rises  suddenly  a  little  inshore  about  midway  between  Medio 
and  Morro  points. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1219.) 

Port  Calderilla. — ^After  passing  Morro  point,  Ingl6s  bay  opens  to 
the  SE.,  and  in  it  are  several  small  rocky  patches;  and  at  the  north  end 
of  the  long  sandy  beach  there  is^a  piece  of  rocky  coast,  off  the  extreme 
point  of  which  there  is  a  small  island.  Port  Galderilla  is  just  to  the 
northward  of  this  island,  round  the  peninsula  of  Galdereta,  off  which, 
about  200  yards,  there  is  a  rock  awash  at  high  water,  but  it  always 
shows.  After  passing  this  rock  the  land  is  steep-to,  and  may  be 
approached  to  within  200  yards.  There  are  several  coves  in  the  port, 
in  the  first  of  which,  on  the  starboard  hand  going  in,  there  is  anchorage 
for  small  vessels,  but  the  bottom  is  stony  and  bad;  there  is  a  low  island 
to  the  eastward  of  this  cove,  and  about  halfway  between  it  and  East 
point  will  be  found  the  best  anchorage  with  southerly  winds.  Small 
vessels  may  go  much  closer  into  the  bight  to  the  SE.  of  the  island, 
where  the  landing  is  good. 

The  cove  in  the  KE.  corner  of  the  port  is  well  sheltered  from  north- 
erly winds,  and  no  sea  could  ever  get  up  in  it,  but  the  landing  is  not 


300  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORBO  I)E  8AMA. 

good;  the  best  there  is  at  a  rocky  point  at  the  soath  end  of  the  lOS. 
beach.  This  KE.  cove  is  by  far  the  best  in  the  port,  bat  it  has  no  fresh 
water.  The  sonth  cove  is  too  shoal  for  a  vessel  of  any  size  to  go  higher 
up  than  abreast  of  East  point,  where  she  will  have  4  and  5  fathoms  i& 
mid-channel.  The  bottom  in  the  port  is  hard  sand,  and  may  be  seen, 
in  12  fathoms  water. 

Fort  Caldera  is  a  fine  bay,  fairly  sheltered,  bat  more  open  than  port 
Galderilla.  l^orthers  sometimes  blow  into  the  bay,  throwing  a  good 
deal  of  sea  into  its  soathem  angle;  bat  they  are  seldom  of  snfficient 
strength  to  be  dangerous.  Oabeza  de  Yaca  point  is  also  some  protec- 
tion, and  the  NE.  corner  of  the  bay  is  quite  defended.  The  land  is 
entirely  covered  with  loose  sand,  except  a  few  rocks  on  the  points;  the 
bottom  of  the  bay  is  low,  but  the  hills  rise  a  little  inland,  and  the  ranges 
become  higher  as  they  recede  from  the  coast.  To  the  eastward  there 
is  a  remarkable  sharp-topped  hill,  the  sides  of  which  are  covered  with 
sand,  with  two  low  paps  near  it. 

A  sailing  vessel  should  be  carefril  in  approaching  Oaldera  without 
sufficient  wind,  as  both  current  and  swell  will  tend  to  set  her  on  the 
rocks  north  of 'Francisco  point. 

The  jetty  is  740  feet  long,  with  20  feet  water  alongside  the  outer 
extreme  and  about  18  feet  at  the  sides  near  the  end.  Boats  should  be 
cautioned  of  a  rock,  with  little  water  over  it,  near  the  steps.  The  rail- 
way communicates  with  the  city  of  Copiap6,  about  60  miles  distant. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

Wreck. — The  wreck  of  the  Blanco  Encalada  lies  in  6  fathoms  water 
f  mile  K  85^  E.  (N.  62©  E.  mag.)  of  the  signal  station.  A  green  light 
marks  the  wreck,  and  it  is  shown  from  a  lantern  attached  to  one  side 
of  an  iron  Staff  placed  on  the  wreck.  On  the  side  of  the  staff  opposite 
the  lantern  there  is  an  iron  cage  marked  Blanco  in  white  letters.  The 
cage,  staff,  and  lantern  are  painted  green. 

There  are  no  buoys  marking  the  wreck. 

Light— A  lighthouse  42  feet  high  stands  on  Oaldera  point,  the  west 
entrance  point  of  port  Oaldera;  it  is  square,  and  painted  white.  Fnmi 
the  lantern  is  exhibited,  at  an  elevation  of  121  feet  above  high  watery 
a  fixed  and  flashing  white  light,  the  flashes  taking  place  at  intervals 
of  one  and  one^half  minutes,  and  in  clear  weather  should  be  seen  from 
a  distance  of  15  miles. 

On  the  night  of  the  mail  steamer's  arrival  a  red  light  is  shown  from 
the  mole  head  to  enable  her  to  haul  alongside  for  coaling. 

The  glare  from  the  smelting  works  can  be  seen  a  long  distance 
seaward. 

Chango  rock. — This  pinnacle  rock,  about  16  feet  in  extent,  with  a 
depth  of  3^  fathoms  on  it  at  low  water  and  from  16  to  27  fathoms  close 
around,  lies  with  Oaldera  church  bearing  S.  15^  E.  (8.  28^  E.  mag.), 
Signal  station  S.  8^  W.  (8.  6°  E,  mag.),  and  Oaldera  Point  lighthouse 
8.  470  W.  (S.  340  W.  mag.).  In  heavy  weather  the  sea  breaks  upon 
the  rock. 


PORT  CALDERA — OBISPITO  COVE.  301 

Pidpo  rock.— This  suuken  danger,  lying  K.  80©  W.  (S.  87o  W.  mag.), 
distant  1,700  yards  from  Negro  point,  and  upon  which  the  sea  breaks 
in  heavy  weather,  is  about  6  feet  in  extent,  with  a  depth  of  4^  fathoms 
on  it  at  low  water  and  from  10  to  22  fathoms  close  around.  From  the 
rock  Oaldera  church  bears  8.  6o  E.  (S.  19°  B.  mag.)  and  Oaldera  Point 
lighthouse  S.  28o  W.  (8. 15°  W.  mag.). 

Anchorage. — ^A  good  berth  for  a  large  ship  is  in  12  fathoms,  with 
Francisco  point  bearing  North  (N.  13^  W.  mag.)  and  the  signal  station 
8.  TOO  V7.  (8.  670  W.  mag.). 

Supplie& — Fresh  provisions  and  vegetables  can  be  obtained.  Fresh 
water  is  brought  down  by  rail  from  Oopiai)6.  Either  English  or  country 
coal  (from  $5  to  $6  per  ton)  can  always  be  obtained.  Repairs  to 
machinery  can  be  effected  by  the  Gopiap6  Railway  Company. 

Telegraph. — Telegraph  communication  exists  between  8antiago,  the 
capital  of  Chile  and  Copiapo,  from  which  city  a  line  extends  to  this  port. 

Hospitals. — ^At  Copiap6,  the  chief  town  of  the  province,  there  are 
two  hospitals.  Vessels  on  their  arrival  are  charged  with  a  tax  of  1(^ 
cents  per  ton  for  hospital  dues,  which  serves  for  a  term  of  one  year. 

Rock. — ^A  rock,  with  3|  fathoms  of  water  over  it,  lies  one  mile  from 
the  nearest  land,  with  Caldera  Point  lighthouse  bearing  8. 19<^  W.  (8. 
6^  W.  mag.)  distant  ^^^^  mile&. 

Cabeza  de  Vaca  point,  11  miles  north  of  Francisco  point,  is  a 
remarkable  point,  and  has  two  small  hummocks  near  its  extremity; 
inside  of  them  the  land  is  nearly  level  tor  some  distance,  and  then 
rises  into  several  low  hills,  which  form  the  extremity  of  a  long  range. 
Between  Caldera  and  Cabeza  de  Yaca  there  are  several  small  bays  with 
rocky  points  between  them,  off  all  of  which  there  are  rocks  at  a  short 
distance.  There  is  no  danger  within  ^  mile  of  the  Cabeza.  To  the 
northward  of  it  there  is  a  small  rocky  bay  named  Totoralillo,  off  the 
north  enlarance  point  of  which  is  a  small  islet  and  a  bare  rock  outside  it, 
terminating  in  a  reef;  about  i  mile  N.  by  W.  of  the  reef  some  heavy 
breakers  are  seen  whenever  there  is  much  swell. 

Obispito  cove. — To  the  northward  of  Totoralillo  the  coast  is  steep 
and  reeky  for  3  or*4  miles,  with  a  high  range  of  hills  ranning  close  to 
the  shore.  The  rocks  forming  the  south  point  of  Obispito  cove  are 
somewhat  remarkable  for  their  blackness,  but  on  the  south  point  of  a 
small  cove  to  the  southward  of  it  there  is  a  white  rock.  And  tp  the 
northward  of  this  the  land  is  low  and  rocky,  with  breakers  about  ^  mile 
from  the  shore. 

The  best  anchorage  appears  to  be  in  the  KE.  corner,  400  yards  off 
shore,  in  9  fathoms,  sand,  the  house  bearing  8. 77^  E.  (East  mag.)  or  8. 
m>  B.  (8.  780  B.,mag.). 

There  does  not  appear  to  be  any  danger  in  entering  Obispito,  but  it 
is  not  a  good  place  for  loading;  being  quite  open  to  the  8W.,  a  heavy 
sea  sets  in  with  the  ordinary  coast  wind,  making  it  bad  for  boats,  and 
the  cargo  having  to  be  brought  off  in  balsas  through  the  surf,  occasions 


302  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORBO  DE  SAMA. 

great  delay  in  loading  a  large  vessel.    {Sometimes  as  mach  as  45  tons 
of  ore  are  shipped  in  one  day,  bnt  the  average  is  about  25  tons. 

Obispo  cove. — Northward  of  Obispito  cove  2  miles  there  is  a  point 
with  a  small  white  islet  off  it,  to  the  northward  of  which  the  coast  trends 
to  the  eastward  and  forms  the  small  cove  of  Obispo,  in  which  there  is  a 
high  sandhill  with  a  stony  summit.  The  anchorage  in  this  cove  is  not 
fit  for  any  vessel,  and  the  landing  is  bad. 

Port  Flamonco. — A  little  inshore  of  ObisiM)  cove,  and  to  the  north- 
ward, a  higher  range  of  stony  hills  trends  close  to  the  coast  for  about  7 
miles,  where  it  terminates  in  low  rugged  hills  a  short  distance  inshore 
of  a  brown  rough  point,  off  which  is  an  islet,  appearing  Irom  the  sea  like 
a  white  patch  on  the  point.  Port  Flamenco,  lying  to  the  northward  of 
this  point,  is  sheltered  from  southerly  winds,  and  also  from  the  north- 
ward, as  the  north  point  projects  far  enough  to  prevent  a  heavy  sea 
running  in. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  port  the  land  is  low.  The  north  point  is  low 
and  rocky,  with  a  detached  hill  rising  out  of  the  lowland  a  little  inshore, 
lo  the  northward  there  is  another  hill  much  like  it.  In  the  depth  of 
the  port  the  land  is  low,  and  a  deep  valley  runs  back  between  two 
ranges  of  rugged  hills.  The  hills  are  all  covered  with  yello^ir  sand  from 
their  bases  to  about  halfway  up  their  sides;  the  tops  are  stony,  with  a 
few  stunted  bushes. 

The  landing  is  good  in  the  SE.  corner  of  the  port,  either  on  the  rocks 
or  on  the  beach  of  a  small  cove  in  the  middle  of  a  patch  of  rocks  a  little 
more  to  the  northward.  The  port  is  inhabited  by  a  few  fishermen,  engaged 
in  salting  conger  eels. 

Flamenco  is  connected  by  road  with  the  copper  and  silver  mines  of 
Tres  Puntas,  52  miles  to  the  eastward.  It  is  visited  by  coasters  and 
occasionally  by  larger  vessels  for  the  purpose  of  shipping  ore. 

Drinkable  water  can  be  procured  near  the  huts,  and  guanacos  may  be 
shot.    Pumas  abound. 

Las  Animas  point,  or  Los  Infioles,  is  about  10  miles  north  of  Port 
Flamenco.  It  is  low  and  rocky,  and  has  a  reef  extending  1,000  yards 
from  it  in  a  "NW.  direction.  One  mile  eastward  of  the  point  is  the  bay 
of  the  same  name,  badly  sheltered,  but  frequented  by  coasters. 

There  is  anchorage  in  7  fathoms  in  the  center  of  the  bay,  }  mile  off 
shore. 

The  north  point  of  the  bay  is  a  steep  rock,  with  a  round  hill  rising 
directly  from  the  water's  edge.  Immediately  north  of  this  point  the 
bay  of  Ghanaral  de  las  Animas  opens. 

Chafiaral  do  las  Animas  bay. — The  north  point  of  this  bay  is  low 
and  rocky,  with  a  high  range  a  little  inshore.  To  the  northward  of  the 
point  the  hills  and  coast  are  both  comx>osed  of  brown  and  red  rocks, 
with  a  tew  bushes  on  the  summits  of  some  of  the  hills;  the  sandy 
appearance  that  the  hills  have  to  the  southward  ceases,  and  the  pros- 
pect is,  if  possible,  still  more  barren. 

Large  quantities  of  copper  ore  are  exported  from  OhanaraL 


CHANARAL   DE    LAS    ANIMAS   BAY.  303 

It  is  said  that  Ghafiaral  is  the  worst  place  on  the  coast,  but  the  follow- 
ing remarks  may  be  of  use  to  strangers :  A  short  distance  north  of  Las 
Animas  point  is  a  clay-colored,  granite  point  (Bryson  point),  around 
which  there  is  a  deep  cove.  About  J  mile  EKE.  of  this  point  is  another 
point  fomewhat  similar,  but  whiter  toward  the  extremity,  named 
Piedra  Blanca;  800  yards  EI^E.  of  Piedra  Blanca  is  a  black  rugged 
point  named  Piedra  !N"egro.  Halfway  between  these  points,  and  at  400 
yards  from  the  shore,  is  the  best  anchorage  off  the  loading  place,  in  7 
fathoms,  black  sand. 

Two  rocks  are  reported  to  lie  in  a  K.  49°  W.  (N.  62o  W.  mag.)  direc- 
tion from  Bryson  point,  at  the  respective  distances  of  about  350  and 
550  yards.  The  outer  rock  has  about  14  feet  over  it  at  low  water,  the 
inner  about  8  feet.  Both  rocks  appeared  to  have  a  smooth  surface  and 
to  be  composed  of  soft  granite.  Vessels  should  not  round  Bryson  point 
at  a  less  distance  than  ^  mile. 

A  dangerous  rock,  with  8  feet  on  it  at  low  water,  lies  150  yards  out- 
side the  outermost  rock  above  water,  off  Piedra  Negro  point.  Vessels 
should  not  lie  in  this  bay  with  less  than  45  fathoms  of  cable  out,  as 
rollers  frequently  set  in. 

All  over  Ghanaral  bay  the  depth  is  about  10  fathoms,  and  shoal  water 
extends  some  distance  to  seaward.  At  5  or  6  miles  off  the  bay,  with 
Las  Animas  point  bearing  8. 13°  W.  (South  mag.)  and  Sugarloaf  North 
(N.  130  W.  mag.),  there  are  38  fathoms.  Vessels  may,  therefore,  under 
most  circumstances,  stand  into  the  bay  with  a  certainty  of  finding  an 
anchorage  in  easy  depth,  which  would  be  better  than  to  attempt  to  tow 
off  if  caught  near  shore  by  the  wind  dying  away. 

At  the  bottom  of  Ghanaral  bay  is  a  deep  ravine,  but  without  water. 
This  ravine  forms  a  funnel  through  which  the  wind  rushes  with  great 
strength  from  the  sea  by  day  and  from  the  land  by  night,  which  does 
not  tend  to  improve  the  anchorage. 

Snpplies. — Fresh  provisions,  including  vegetables,  may  be  obtained ; 
also  distilled  water.    Fish  are  abundant  in  the  bay. 

English  and  native  coal  for  steamers  can  be  purchased  at  a  little 
higher  rate  than  at  Valparaiso,  but  shipping  it  is  slow  and  troublesome. 

Telegraph  to  Galdera  and  Taltal. 

Pan  de  Azucar  island  (Sugarloaf),  600  feet  high,  lies  nearly  9  miles 
northward  of  Ghanaral  de  las  Animas  bay  about  i  mile  from  the  shore. 
In  coming  from  the  southward  there  is  seen  a  similarly  shaped  hill  on 
the  main,  a  little  to  the  southward  of  the  island,  for  which  it  may  be 
mistaken;  but  the  island  is  not  so  high  and  the  summit  is  sharper. 

A  bank  about  i  mile  in  length,  upon  which  are  4  or  5  rocks  which 
show  above  water,  extends  from  the  island  to  the  NW.  The  outer  and 
highest  is  about  IC  feet  above  the  sea.  When  coming  from  the  south- 
ward this  rock  must  be  rounded  in  order  to  approach  the  anchorage. 

Between  Ghanaral  de  las  Animas  and  Pan  de  Azucar  island  the 
coast  is  rocky  and  affords  no  shelter;  but  there  is  a  small  bay  to  the 
southward  of  the  island,  which  might  afford  some  shelter  from  northerly 


304  COQUIMBO   BAY   TO   MORRO   D£   SAMA. 

windSy  thoagh  with  southerly  it  would  be  exposed,  and  the  landiug 
is  bad.    There  are  two  piers  for  loadiug  goods  and  copper  ore. 

Anchorage. — When  the  outer  rock  bears  N.  80<^  E.  (K.  68^  E.  mag.), 
a  point  of  land  on  the  main,  consisting  of  jagged  peaks  250  feet  high, 
will  be  seen.  This  point  forms  the  west  extreme  of  a  small  bay  hav- 
ing a  clean  sandy  beach.  Vessels  anchor  in  this  bay  opx>osite  the 
village  of  Pan  de  Azucar.  The  depth  at  the  anchorage  is  about  11 
fothoms,  and  vessels  should  not  have  too  short  a  scope  of  cable,  or  they 
may  drag  to  seaward  during  the  fresh  land  breeze,  which  blows  from 
sunrise  to  9  a.  m. 

There  is  also  anchorage  in  the  middle  of  the  passage  between  Pan  de 
Azucar  island  and  the  m,ain,  which  is  about  ^  mile  wide.  There  is 
5  fathoms  in  the  shallowest  part.  The  water  in  the  northern  end  of 
this  passage  is  smooth,  and  a  vessel  might  anchor  off  the  point  of  the 
island,  sheltered  from  southerly  winds,  in  6  or  7  fathoms;  but  outside 
of  8  fathoms  it  deepens  suddenly  to  13  and  20  fathoms  about  ^  mile 
from  the  island. 

Current. — ^The  current  generally  sets  to  the  north  at  a  usual  rate  of 
J  knot  per  hour,  but  increases  considerably  with  strong  8W.  winds, 
and  at  times  has  a  tendency  to  set  toward  the  coast.  With  continued 
NW.  winds  the  current  is  checked  and  sometimes  runs  southward. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  are  scarce  and  dear.  Only  distilled 
water  can  be  obtained,  and  it  is  expensive.  Abundance  of  fish  may  be 
taken  with  either  net  or  hook.    English  and  native  coal  may  be  obtained. 

Esmeralda  cove. — ^This  cove,  which  is  adapted  to  the  small  vessels 
engaged  in  the  coasting  trade,  is  eastward  of  an  island  in  latitude  25^ 
54'  S.,  or  about  5  miles  southward  of  Ballena  point.  This  cove  must 
be  approached  with  caution,  as  some  rocks  lie  in  the  vicinity;  the 
island  must  be  rounded  Hb  the  northward,  and  anchorage  will  be  found 
in  8  fathoms. 

Ballena  pointy  about  19  miles  north\f  ard  of  Pan  de  Azucar  island, 
has  some  small  rocky  islets  off  it.  Between  Pan  de  Azucar  island  and 
this  point  the  rocky  coast  recedes  slightly,  with  a  range  of  mountains, 
more  thim  2,000  feet  high,  close  to  the  shore.  At  4  miles  northward  of 
Ballena  point  there  is  a  small  bay  named  Ballenita,  having  Tope 
Blanco  or  White4opped  islet  J  mile  off  the  west  point.  It  affords  no 
shelter.  Two  or  three  small  patches  of  sandy  beach,  on  which  a  heavy 
surf  breaks,  appear  on  the  rocky  shore,  and  the  hills,  which  come  close 
to  the  water,  have  a  rugged  appearance. 

Lavata  bay. — Northward  7  miles  from  Tope  Blanco  islet  is  Lavata 
point,  cliffy  and  with  rooks  projecting  from  jts  base.  This  point  shel- 
ters the  bay  of  the  same  name  from  SW.  winds. 

Close  eastward  of  the  point  is  Gifiincho  cove,  affording  good  anchor 
age  in  from  8  to  9  fathoms. 

At  2  miles  eastward  of  Lavata  point  is  Cifunoho  bay.  There  is  little 
information  about  this  bay. 


TORTOLA   ISLETS — PORT   TALTAIj.  806 

Torto!^  islets.— Northward  of  Latata  point  6  mildsili^r^ls  a  jydiitt 
whicli,  till  close,  appears  to  be  an  island,  bnt  it  is  joined  tQ  thci  sh^orte 
by  a  low  shingle  spit.  Its  summit  is  ragged,  V^ith  sevel*al  stdep  peaks 
from  it;  and  several  rocky  Islets  that  lie  s^^iittered  off  the  p6iht  «te 
named  the  Tortola. 

Olose  north  of  the  point  is  a  iiarrow  cove  where  t6S8^!s  load  copper 
ore.    The  anchorage  is  in  6  fathoms. 

Isla  Blanca  bay. — San  Pedro  point,  nearly  3}  miles  northward  of 
Tortola  islets,  is  ragged,  with  a  high  round  hummbek  a  little  way 
inshore.  To  the  eastward  of  this  point  there  is  a  deep  bay,  nftkhed  Isla 
Blanca. 

The  bay  is  rocky  and  does  not  afford  good  tochbrage.  Several  rocks 
lie  off  San  Pedro  point.  North  of  it  there  is  a  reef  projecting^  mile 
from  the  shore;  also,  another  retef  projects  in  a  northerly  directibii  frbin 
the  shore  at  about  i  mile  farther  eastwa^rd.  In  the  bottom  of  the  bay 
there  are  several  small  white  islets,  d>nd  two  or  three  i^mall  saiidy  coves, 
none  of  which  are  large  enough  to  afford  shelter  fbr  a  vessel. 

Taltal  point,  about  8J  miles  NE.  of  San  Pedro  poitit,  is  the  northern 
boundary  of  Isla  Bltoca  bay.  The  point  is  low  sixid  had  tl¥0  conspicu- 
ous knobs  on  it. 

A  reef  extends  about  i  mile  in  a  WW.  direibtiOn  from  the  point,  whidi 
should  be  given  a  good  berth,  for  the  current  sets  toward  it,  ahd  during 
heavy  weather  breakers  have  been  seen  as  far  as  1,4^  yards  -froin  the 
point. 

Between  Taltal  point  and  Grande  point,  17  miles  to  the  northward, 
the  shore  recedes,  forming  a  long  bay,  named  Nuestra  S^nora  bay. 
Grande  point  is  reported  to  lie  3  miles  farther  west  than  shown  on 
the  chart. 

Fort  Taltal,  immediately  east  of  Taltal  point,  is  1  j-  miles  aicrbss  and 
I  mile  deep.  The  port  affords  secure  ahchorage,  sheltered  from  the 
prevailing  wind  in  5  to  10  fathoms,  from  400  to  600  yards  off  the  beach 
in  the  south  part  abreast  the  town. 

There  is  one  hospital  at  Taltal. 

There  are  copper  foundries  here,  large  quantitiies  of  that  metlbl  beiug 
exported,  also  jcargoes  of  nitrate  and  saltpeter.  The*e  are  two  piers  for 
loading  and  unloading  goods,  and  the  landing  is  easy  and  convenient. 

Supplies  of  all  kinds  can  be  obtained  at  Taltal.  The  port  abounds 
with  fish.  Coal  fbr  steamers  can  be  obtained,  and  repairs  to  d'  moderate 
extent  can  be  executed  at  the  works. 

During  winter  water  may  be  procured  from  a  stream  that  empties 
just  southward  of  a  point  near  the  middle  of  a  port,  but  it  itsan  always 
be  obtained  from  the  distilling  apparatus. 

Hneso  Parada  cove,  2^  miles  EKE.  from  Taltal  pointy  is  small,  with 
an  excellent  landing  place. 

About  1^  miles  N.  by  E.  from  Hueso  Parado  cove  Is  a  iKrhtte  islet^ 

1943— No.  89- ^20 


306  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORBO  DE   SAMA. 

and  a  short  distance  inland  there  is  a  hill  of  a  brighter  color  than  others 
near  it. 

OUva  road  is  about  8  miles  KNE.  of  Taltal  point,  near  the  center  of 
Nqestra  Seiiora  bay.  The  roadstead  is  quite  open  and  a  heavy  swell 
fetches  in.    Vessels  load  here  with  saltpeter. 

The  anchorage  may  be  recognized  by  a  large  wooden  anchor  placed 
on  a  hill  near  the  beach.  This  mark  should  be  steered  for,  bearing 
S.  80O  E.  (N.  880  E.  mag.).  Vessels  must  moor  in  from  22  to  26  fathoms, 
as  in  less  depth  the  bottom  is  rocky  and  many  anchors  have  been  lost. 

An  iron  pier  500  feet  long  facilitates  the  loading  of  lighters. 

Excepting  beef,  no  supplies  can  be  obtained.  Water  is  troublesome 
to  get  and  of  indifferent  quality. 

Tides  and  currents. — ^The  only' place  on  this  part  of  the  coast  at 
which  the  time  of  high  water  was  satisfactorily  determined  was  at 
GuascQ,  where  it  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  dh.  30m.  The  rise 
at  neap  tides  is  4  feet  and  at  springs  about  2  feet  more.  In  consequence 
of  the  swell  on  all  this  coast  it  is  difficult  to  get  the  time  of  high  water 
at  or  near  the  truth.  The  rise  everywhere  appeared  to  be  5  or  6  feet. 
The  tide  at  Guasco  was  carefully  observed  in  a  cove  without  swell,  yet 
from  the  small  rise  the  exact  time  of  high  water  could  not  be  ascer- 
tained, the  water  remaining  at  the  same  level  above  half  an  hour. 

It  is  said  by  coasters  that  there  is  usually  a  set  toward  the  north  of 
about  ^  mile  an  hour. 

JUAN   FERNANDEZ,   MAS  AFUERA,   ST.  AMBROSE,  AND  ST.  FELIX 

ISLANDS. 

It  may  be  convenient  to  the  seaman  to  have  a  brief  description  of  the 
islands  of  Juan  Fernandez,  Mas  Afuera,  St.  Ambrose,  and  St.  Felix, 
which  belong  to  Chile. 

Juan  Fernandez  island,  lying  about  370  miles  westward  of  Valpa- 
raiso, is  generally  called  by  the  Spaniards  Mas  a  Tierra,  or  nearer  the 
mainland.  It  is  of  an  irregular  form,  about  12_ miles  in  length,  but 
scarcely  4  miles  across  in  its  widest  part.  Its  northeastern  half  is 
composed  of  alternate  craggy  ridges  and  fertile  valleys,  and  mostly 
covered  with  wood,  while  the  southern  division,  which  is  comparatively 
;flat  and  low,  is  nearly  barren.  When  seen  from  a  distance  the  moun- 
tain El  Yunque  (the  anvil),  about  3,000  feet  high,  so  called  from  its 
ahape,  appears  conspicuously  placed  in  the  midst  of  a  range  of  pre- 
cipitous mountains.  It  is  wooded  nearly  from  the  summit  to  the  base, 
whence  a  fertile  valley  extends  to  the  shore.  There  are  four  families 
residing  on  the  island  (1892). 

Snpplies.-^The  island  is  fertile.  Fresh  water  is  good  and  easily  pro- 
cured; wood  can  be  purchased;  also,  beef  of  excellent  quality,  pigs, 
poultry,  and  vegetables.  Peaches  grow  wild  in  large  quantities,  and 
fruit  can  be  obtained  at  a  moderate  cost.  The  bay  affords  abundance 
of  fish.    Crayfish  may  also  be  taken  in  large  quantities. 


JUAN  FERNANDEZ   ISLAND.  307 

Cuxaberland  bay  is  on  the  northern  shore  of  the  island,  about  3 
miles  from  its  eastern  extremity.  It  is  sheltered  from  all  winds  but  the 
north,  which  is  said  never  to  blow  home  with  any  violence.  It  affords 
safe  anchorage  for  vessels  of  any  size,  and  when  approaching  it  from 
the  southward  a  vessel  may  pass  round  either  end  of  the  island,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances;  but  she  should  not  come  nearer  the  shore  than 
one  mile,  to  avoid  the  eddy  winds  down  the  valleys.  In  the  event  of 
rounding  the  eastern  end,  which  is  the  better,  when  off  Bacalao  point, 
Cumberland  bay  will  open  out,  and  also  some  caverns,  which  will  be 
seen  on  the  face  of  the  first  highland  rising  from  the  beach.  When 
the  western  part  of  West  bay  shuts  in  with  the  western  point  of  Cum- 
berland bay,  deep  soundings  will  be  obtained.  The  next  cast  will 
probably  be  25  fathoms,  and  there  a  ship  may  anchor  on  a  bottom  of 
fine  dean  sand,  about  J  mile  from  the  beach. 

The  marks  for  the  best  berth  are  a  small  rock,  which  just  shows  at 
high  water,  off  the  west  point  of  the  bay,  K.  14o  W.  (N.  31o  W.  mag.), 
and  the  ruins  of  the  fort  S.  S4P  W.  (S.  67^  W.  mag.).  When  approach- 
ing the  bay  from  the  westward  keep  about  one  mile  from  the  shore, 
and  when  the  caverns  are  well  open  run  in  toward  them  and  anchor 
as  above  directed. 

All  vessels  visiting  this  bay  should  moor,  placing  the  inshore  anchor 
in  about  16  fathoms  and  the  off  shore  anchor  in  35  fathoms.  A  vessel 
will  then  be  in  a  good  berth,  with  a  southerly  wind,  and  have  room  to 
veer  should  the  wind  come  in  from  the  northward.  In  the  summer 
season,  or  from  November  to  May,  southerly  winds  prevail,  and  at 
times  heavy  gusts  rush  down  from  the  valleys.  The  bottom  being  sand, 
a  good  scope  of  cable  on  the  southernmost  anchor  is  necessary.  A 
kedge  astern  will  serve  to  keep  the  hawse  clear. 

The  wind-  appears  to  blow  out  of  Cumberland  bay  like  a  fan  and 
in  violent  gusts,  so  that  beating  in  is  sometimes  not  only  difficult 
but  unsafe,  and  some  years  since  a  Spanish  frigate  was  lost  in 
attempting  it. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Cumberland  bay  at  9h. 
30m.;  rise  about  4  feet. 

*  Mas  Afuera  island. — The  summit  of  Mas  Afuera  is  about  4,000 
feet  high.  This  elevated  peak  is  near  the  center  of  the  island.  Mas 
Afuera  is  about  8  miles  long  north  and  south,  and  5  miles  broad.  The 
east  side  of  the  island  is  about  5  miles  long  north  and  south.  On  the 
SW.  side  there  is  a  remarkable  rock  with  a  hole  through  it  (Perforated 
rock).  About  1^  miles  to  the  northward  of  this  rock  a  low  point  pro- 
iect«  (Low  point),  having  a  reef,  on  which  the  sea  continually  breaks, 
extending  about  f  mile  in  a  westerly  direction.  The  island  appears  to 
be  otherwise  free  from  detached  dangers. 

Anchorages. — ^The  best  anchorage  (Cateret  anchorage),  it  is  consid- 
ered, will  be  found  on  a  bank  extending  from  the  NW.  side  of  the  island, 
having  30  and  20  fathoms,  fine  black  sand  and  shell* 


308  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORRO  DE  8AMA, 

Las  Oasas  ancborage  is  off  the  center  of  the  eastern  side  of  Mas 
Afnera,  and  another  anchorage  named  Sanchez  is  2^  miles  north  of  Las 
Oasas.  Sanchez  anchorage  has  depths  from  22  to  27  fathoms  at  400  or 
600  yards  from  shore,  and  may  be  recognized  by  a  white  patch  on  a  hill 
close  to  it.    Neither  of  these  anchorages  are  safe  during  easterly  winds. 

The  fishermen  state  that  there  is  anchorage  all  aroand  the  island 
except  on  the  SE.  side. 

There  is  plenty  of  wood  and  water  all  aroand  the  island,  but  they  are 
not  to  be  procured  without  much  difficulty.  Large  fragments  of  the  rock 
have  fallen  from  the  highland,  and  upon  these  there  breaks  such  a  surf 
that  a  boat  can  not  safely  come  within  200  yards  of  the  shore.  There 
is,  therefore,  no  landing  here  but  by  swimming  from  the  boat  having 
moored  her  without  the  rocks,  nor  is  there  any  method  of  getting  out 
the  wood  and  water  but  by  hauling  them  to  the  boat  by  ropes. 

€k)ats  are  found  on  the  island.    Fish  are  plentiful. 

St.  Ambrose  and  St.  Felix  isles  lie  westward  from  Oopiap6,  distant 
nearly  500  miles.  In  former  years  immense  herds  of  seal  frequented 
their  shores,  but  these  have  almost  all  disappeared. 

St.  Ambrose,  1,500  feet  high,  is  composed  entirely  of  volcanic  scorisB, 
arranged  in  horizontal  strata  very  marked,  and  intersected  by  vertical 
dikes  of  basalt  which  have  the  appearance  of  streams  flowing  from  the 
summit  when  viewed  at  some  distance;  vegetation  is  scant,  and  the 
island  is  without  water.  Though  frequented  by  sea  birds,  the  sides  are 
too  steep  and  rugged  for  guano  to  collect. 

Off  the  east  end  of  the  island  is  a  remarkable  rock,  named  Bass  rock, 
197  feet  high,  with  small  rugged  rocks  to  the  eastward  of  it  again. 
There  is  a  pinnacle  also  off  the  west  end. 

There  is  no  anchorage  off*  the  island,  20  to  30  fathoms  having  been 
obtained  less  than  200  yards  off  shore. 

Landing  was  effected  at  two  places  on  the  north  shore,  and,  with 
southerly  winds,  might  also  be  effected  in  most  of  the  coves  on  the  north 
shore.  The  island  is  steep  and  rugged,  and  ascent  to  the  summit  would 
be  both  difficult  and  dangerous. 

St.  Feliz,  lying  11  miles  west  from  St.  Ambrose,  consists  of  two 
islands  connected  by  a  reef.  The  southern  island  is  inaccessible,  and 
about  600  feet  high.  The  West  and  SW.  sides  of  the  northern  island 
are  steep  cliffs,  slewing  down  to  beaches  on  the  NE.  side.  There  is  a 
landing  place  just  to  the  eastward  of  the  KW.  bluff*.  About  IJ  miles 
N.  64°  W.  (N.  790  W.mag.)  from  the  north  point  is  a  remarkably  formed 
islet  170  feet  high,  which  from  its  form  has  been  named  Peterborough 
cathedral. 

THE  MAINLAND. 

Nuestra  Senora  bay. — The  coast  from  Taltal  point  trends  to  the 
northward  round  !N"uestra  Senora  bay  to  Grande  point,  a  distance  of  17 
miles.  This  point  rising  to  1,572  feet  above  the  sea,  when  seen  -from 
the  SW.  appears  rounded,  terminating  in  a  low,  rugged  ridge,  with 


PAPOaO  ROAD — COLORADA  COVE.  309 

several  hummocks  on  it,  and  surrounded  by  rocks  and  breakers  to  the 
distance  of  ^CtQ  yards. 

Paposo  road.^— At  9^  miles  north  of  Grande  point  lies  Bincon  point, 
having  off  it  a  large  white  rock,  and  between  these  points,  in  latitude 
259  2<  B.,  is  the  village  and  roadstead  of  Paposo.  It  is  a  poor  place, 
immediately  east  of  £kuanillo  point,  and  containing  about  450  inhabit- 
ants. The  hats  are  scattered,  and  difficult  to  distinguish,  from  their 
being  the  same  color  as  the  hills  behind  them.  Yessels  touch  here 
oocasionally  fdr  dried  fish  and  copper  ore. 

A  vessel  bound  for  Paposo  should  steer  for  Grande  point,  so  as  not 
to  be  set  to  the  northward  of  the  roads.  Guanillo  point  is  a  low  white 
head,  and  the  best  anchorage  for  large  vessels  is  about  600  yards  west 
of  it  in  20  to  22  fathoms,  fine  sand.  Small  vessels  and  steamers  may 
anchor  nearer  the  point  in  15  fathoms. 

The  anchorage  is  quite  exposed,  and  subject  to  a  heavy  swell  that 
breaks  all  along  the  shore  excepting  in  the  little  bay  at  the  landing 
place  in  the  south  corner  of  the  road. 

Fresh  beef  may  be  had  occasionally,  but  no  other  supples.  Water 
can  be  brought  &((»n  a  distance,  but  is  difficult  to  ship  on  account  of 
the  heavy  surf;-  it  can  also  be  obtained  from  the  village  of  Junquillar^ 
about  2  miles  north  of  Paposo. 

Caution. — The  plan  of  Paposo  road  should  be  used  with  caution,  as 
the  ground  i  mile  north  of  Guauillo  point  is  foul  nearly  600  yards  off 
shore. 

El  Paposo,  shown  on  charts  in  latitude  25^  46'  S.,  longitude  70°  43' 
20"  W.,  should  not  be  confused  with  this  port.  El  Paposo  is  only  a 
watering  place,  and  derives  its  name  from  the  silver  mines  in  the 
vicinity, 

Rmcon  point  is  the  north  point  of  Paposo  road,  and  consists  of 
t^ree  low  points  backed  by  high  mountains.  A  little  more  than  one 
mile  SW.  by  W.  of  the  point  is  a  white-colored  islet  surrounded  by 
other  rockS)  and  named  Kincou  rocks.  The  passage  between  the  rocks 
and  the  shore  is  clear  and  deep,  but  the  current  sets  strongly  to  NjSTW. 

Plata  point,  23  miles  N.  by  W.  of  Grande  point,  is  similar  to  it,  and 
terminates  in  a  low  spit,  off  which  lie  several  small  rocks,  forming  a 
bay  on  the  northern  side,  with  from  17  to  7  fathoms  water  j  rocky, 
uneven. ground.  From  this  point  to  Jara  head  the  coast  trends  in 
a  direct  line  52  miles,  and  has  a  steep,  rocky  shore,  surmounted  with 
hills  from  2,000  to  2,500  feet  high,  and  numerous  intervening  points, 
affording  shelter  for  the  trading  launches  of  the  coast. 

Colorada  cove,  3^  miles  north  of  Plata  point,  is  about  150  yards  in 
extent,  and  affords  good  anchorage  for  sniall  vessels  in  3  fathoms, 
sandy  bottom,  in  the  center  of  the  cove.  Large  vessels  can  anchor  in 
10  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  about  400  or  600  yards  N.  by  E.  of  the  cove, 
but  only  partially  protected  from  the  SW.  swell. 

Bnitre  rock. — ISesarly  one  mile  to  the  northward  of  Oolorada  cove  is 


310     .  COQUIMBO   BAY   TO   MOERO   DE   SAliA. 

Buitre  point,  about  i  mile  to  the  northward  of  which  lies  Bnitre  rock, 
with  one  fathom  on  its  shoalest  part;  it  is  steep-to.  Midway  between 
the  rock  and  the  mainland  there  are  10  to  12  fathoms  rocky  bottom. 
The  sea  breaks  heavily  on  Baitre  rock. 

Dos  Reyes  (Miguel  Diaz)  point,  10  miles  north  of  Plata  point,  is 
low  and  has  a  dip  in  the  middle,  where  there  is  a  spring  of  good  water. 

Botqa  cove. — Immediately  north  of  Dos  Eeyes  point  is  a  small  bay, 
in  the  south  part  of  which  is  Botija  cove.  It  offers  no  shelter,  and  land- 
ing is  not  practicable.    There  is  water  in  the  cove,  but  it  is  brackish. 

Blanco  Encalada  road,  formerly  named  Kemienda  cove,  is  about 
17  miles  to  the  northward  of  Buitre  point.  It  is  protected  from  the 
southward  by  a  peninsula,  nearly  circular  in  shape,  i  mile  in  diameter, 
30  feet  high,  and  connected  with  the  coast  by  a  sandy  isthmus  about  3 
feet  above  high  water  and  200  yards  long.  Bocks  above  water  extend 
250  yards  in  a  northerly  direction  from  the  north  side  of  the  peninsula, 
having  near  their  extremity  a  rock  with  2  feet  water,  on  which  the 
sea  frequently  breaks.  Kelp  extends  about  200  yards  from  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  cove. 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  8  or  9  fathoms,  fine  sand,  with  the  extremity 
of  the  rocks  extending  from  the  peninsula,  bearing  8.  76^  W.  (S.  65° 
W.  mag.),  distant  about  400  yards,  the  depths  decreasing  gradually  to 
the  SB.  part  of  the  cove. 

At  the  head  of  the  cove  there  is  a  good  landing  place  on  the  sandy 
beach. 

Blanco  Encalada  would  be  an  important  place  for  loading  coppef  and 
saltpeter,  which  abound  in  the  neighboring  districts,  but  neither  wood 
nor  water  can  be  obtained. 

El  Cobre  bay,  29  miles  north  of  Plata  point,  is  a  place  of  export  for 
copper.  The  anchorage  is  partly  sheltered  from  southerly  winds  by 
Moreno  point,  the  SW.  point  of  the  cove,  having  a  reef  extending  about 
200  yards  northward  of  it. 

Large  vessels  may  anchor  in  16  fathoms  600  yards  north  of  the  house, 
but  small  craft  lie  closer,  in  7  fathoms.  There  is  a  convenient  landing 
pier,  and  also  a  distilling  apparatus. 

Approaching  El  Cobre  bay,  a  zigzag  road  on  the  hill  immediately 
over  the  port  is  a  good  mark.  Two  miles  north  of  the  port  are  two 
white- topped  islets,  and  just  north  of  them  is  a  large  black  point,  with 
a  patch  of  brown  sand  to  the  northward  of  it.  The  sandy  point 
forming  the  port  is  also  unlike  any  point  near  it. 

Agua  Salada  cove,  in  latitude  24P IV  S.,  about  4  miles  to  the  north- 
ward of  El  Cobre  bay,  may  be  recognized  from  seaward  by  a  large 
yellow  patch  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  northward  of  the  cove. 

Anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  the  cove  in  12  fathoms,  sand  and 
stone,  but  landing  is  difficult. 

Agua  Dulce  cove,  4  miles  to  the  northward  of  Agua  Salada  cove, 
affords  but  indifferent  shelter,  with  deep  water,  and  a  bottom  of  stone, 
sand,  and  shell.    The  mountains  rise  abruptly  from  the  rocky  shore  to 


JARA   HEAD ANTOFAGASTA.         ^  311 

a  height  of  2,000  feet,  having  on  the  north  side  of  the  cove  a  detached 
peak  about  3,000  feet  high,  named  Agua  Dulce. 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  19  to  20  fathoms,  with  the  southern  white 
rock  a  little  open  of  the  coast.  Small  vessels  may  anchor  in  13  fathoms 
nearer  the  shore.    Landing  is  difficult. 

Landmark. — A  white  beacon  is  erected  on  a  rock  65  feet  high,  on 
the  shore,  in  latitude  23°  58'  12''  S.  This  mark  was  formerly  the  bound- 
ary between  Chile  and  Bolivia,  but  is  now  merely  a  landmark. 

Jara  head  is  a  steep  rock  with  a  rounded  summit  700  feet  high.  On 
its  northern  side  there  is  a  snug  cove  for  small  craft.  This  place  is 
visited  occasionally  by  sealing  vessels,  which  leave  their  boats  to  seal 
in  the  vicinity  j  water  is  left  with  them,  and  for  fuel  kelp  is  used. 

Bolfin  cove,  1^  miles  E.  by  K.  of  Jara  head,  affords  anchorage  for 
several  large  vessels  in  moderate  depths,  sheltered  from  SW.  winds. 
Landing  is  good  at  all  times. 

No  supplies  whatever  can  be  obtained. 

Coloso  cove,  in  latitude  23^  47'  S.,  longitude  70°  30'  W.,  affords 
anchorage  in  10  fathoms  about  400  yards  from  shore,  near  the  middle 
of  the  cove. 

Moreno  bay  commences  nearly  4  miles  N.  by  E.  J  B.  of  Jara  head,- 
the  intermediate  land  being  high  and  rocky,  with  a  black  rock  lying 
off  it.  At  22  miles  ISWW.  from  the  head  is  the  SW.  point  of  Moreno 
peninsula,  sloping  gradually  from  the  summit  of  mount  Moreno  and 
terminating  in  two  nipples  at  Tetas  point. 

Mount  Moreno,  4,161  feet  high,  is  a  conspicuous  object  on  this  part 
of  the  coast.  Its  summit  is  inclined  on  its  southern  side,  but  to  the 
northward  ending  abruptly  over  the  barren  plain  from  which  it  rises.' 
It  is  of  a  light-brown  (moreno)  color,  without  the  slightest  sign  of 
vegetation,  and  is  split  by  a  deep  ravine  on  its  western  side. 

Antofagasta  road,  in  Moreno  bay,  is  a  place  for  export  of  nitrate  and 
silver  ore. 

Antofagasta  is  connected  by  railway  with  the  mines  at  Salinas,  and 
by  telegraph  with  the  northern  and  southern  porta. 

From  recent  observations  and  telegraphic  measurements,  the  obser- 
vation spot  near  the  railroad  station  at  Antofagasta  may  be  considered 
to  be  in  latitude  23o  38'  39.3"  S.,  longitude  70o  24'  39"  W. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  vice-consul. 

Supplies. — The  only  fresh  water  to  be  obtained  is  condensed. 
Pro^sions,  excepting  fresh  beef,  are  scarce  and  dear,  being  brought 
from  the  southern  ports.  Coal  can  generally  be  obtained.  Eepairs  to 
machinery  can  be  effected  by  the  railway  company. 

Lights. — ^A  fixed  white  light  is  exhibited  from  the  small  tower  of 
the  customhouse,  at  an  elevation  of  30  feet,  visible  in  clear  weather 
from  a  distance  of  3  miles. 

A  short  distance  south  of  the  town  the  electric  lights  at  the  works 
are  conspicuous. 

Paita  rock  is  the  outermost  of  the  rocks  off  the  town.    A  red  buoy. 


3X2  GOQUIM30  fiAT   TO   MOEBO   D£  SAMA. 

4 

witb.  tbe  word  i^t;  ia  large  wbit^  letter^,  i&.  moored  in,  .9  iathoms  a 
short  distance  west  of  tb«i  rock.  Yqssi^  mast  pajaa  west^ward  of  the 
buoy, 

Aadiorage,— tA  lai^e  wJute  anchor  has  been  painted  on  the  ridge 
at  the  back  of  the  town,  which,  brought  to  bear  S.  76Q  ]@>  (S.  87^  E. 
mag.))  wlllleP'dto  the  best  aQcborage,  about  1,200  yards  &.om  the  shore, 
in  ftom  }5  to  2Q.^thQias..  The  holding  ground  is  not  good  rand  is  fiill 
of  lost  aqfiliors  and  pajtil^: 

The  anchorage  for  xnen-of-war  is  with  the  white  anchor  bearing  about 
S,  79P  £•  (Sa^jt  mag.)  and  the  customhouse  tower  @.  51^  £.  (S.  6^?  E.  mag.). 
Merehfmt  vessels  are  berthed  by  the  harbor  authorities  and  are.  moored 
with  two  anchors  to  the  SW,  and  one  astern.  They,  are  loaded  and 
di^arged  by  means  of  lighters. 

TMa  anchorage  is  nnshelt^ed  jaud  ^e^posed  to  the  heavy  SW.  swell 
almost  invariably  experienced  on  this  part  of  the  coast,  the  swell  being 
more  severely  felt  at  the  full  and  change  of  the.moon,'aud'also  more 
frequently  in  the  mouths  of  May,  June,  and  July. 

Wiadii.— The  wind  is  nearly  always  from. seaward  during  the  day, 
with  calm  nights,  and  land  winds  in  the  morning.  The  latter  winds  are 
uncertain,  but  at  times  they  blow  with  great  violence.  Keitber  the 
swellinor  the  wind,however,  have  been  experienced  of  sufficient  strength 
to  cause  ani^iety  respecting  the  safety  of  vessels  at  anchor. 

IMriiGltipii8.t— Antofagasjta  should  be  approached  with  great  caution 
on  account  of  the  detached  rocks  off  the  porL  The  reefs  extend  600; 
yards  from  the  shore,  forming  an  inner  harbor  or.  cove  running  WW. 
and  SiB,,,  about  600  yards  longr  in  which  small  vessels  load  and  dis- 
charge^'  This  cove^  name^d  La  Poza,  is  70  yards  wide  at  the  entrance, 
in  which  a  depth  of  from  9  ito  18  feet  wqj^  found.  A  red  buoy  is  moored 
in  the  channel  in  18  feet  water,  and  vessels  must  pass  south  of  it. 

The  channel  is.  at  times  impassable  in  consequence  of  the  heavy  swell 
which  rolls  over  the  reefs  and  breaks  completely  across,  and  boats  should 
at  all  times  use  caution.  Strangers  should  on  no  account  attempt  to 
enter  the  cove  at  nighty  as  serious  accidents  attended  with  loss  of  life 
hdive  already  occurred.  The  rocks  obstructing  the.  channel  have  been 
blastedyiand  there  is  not  less  than  3  feet  over  them  at  low  water. 

Ohimba  bay. — About  5  miles  northward  of  Antofagasta  is  the  small 
islet  named  Guaman,  23  feet  high,  and  eastward  of  it  is  Chimba  bi^. 

The  cove  affords  shelter  to  small;  craft  in  from  7  to  8  fathoms.  The 
pasisage  between  Guaman  islet  and  the  mainland  is  shallow  and  rocky. 
Ko  supplies  or.  fresh  water  can  be  obtained. 

Jorge  bay. — From  Gfaimba  bay  the  coast  trends  !N^W.  into  Jorge 
bay,  cli%  as  far  as.  the  !NE.  part  of  the  bay,  then  sandy.  Two  miles 
northward  of  Guaman  islet  are  a  group  of  rocks  named  Loberia,  and 
at  1^  miles  fiArther  northward  a  reef  named  La  Portada  extends  from 
the  shore.  There. is  a  landing  place  in  tha  'SW.  corner  of  the  bay, 
under  the  lee  of  a  sandy  spit,  and  about  one  mile  north  of  the  spit  is  a 
salt  lagoon  abounding  with  fiish. 


ABTAO  COVE — CON8TITUCION  HABBOB.  313 

Abtao  cove. — The  SE.  extreme  of  Moreno  peninsula  ia  Jorge  point, 
and  immediately  NE.  of  the  point  is  Abtao  cove.  This  cove  is  l,30.ft 
yards  wide  by  500  yards  deep,  and,  opening  to  the  eastward,  is  Well 
sheltered  at  all  timiBS,  with  no  swell;  it  is  inhabited  by  fishermen  only. 

The  depths  in  the  cove  decrease  from  22  fathoms  in  the  entrance  to 
5  fathoms  near  the  shore,  sand  and  shell  bottom.  The  best  anchorage 
is  in  12  fathoms  in  the  center,  about  400  yards  off  shore. 

Mount  Moreno.^— Water. — Mount  Moreno,  4,161  feet  high,  is  the 
most  remarkable  feature  of  this  part  of  the  coast. 

About  the  middle  of  the  coast  south  of  mount  Moreno  ia  Eoca  Blanca, 
and  f  mile  N.  34P  W.  (N.  45°  W.  mag.)  of  it  on  the  coast  is  a  spring  of 
excellent  fresh  water  named  "Moreno."  The  spot  may  be  recognized 
by  the  ruins  of  a  atone  house  near  it.  The  spring,  whi:ch  affords  a 
supply  of  about  600  gallons  daily,  was  formerly  the  supply  of  Antofa- 
gasta  and  Mejillones  del  Sur,  and  boats  may  be  laden  during  fine 
weather,  especially  in  the  morning. 

Tetas  point,  the  SW.  extreme  of  Moreno  peninsula,  has  two  hills 
on  its  extremity,  is  rocky  and  barren,  but  free  from  outlying  dangers. 
The  current  ia  slack  between  this  point  and  Abtao  cove. 

Barrancas  cove  has  fair  anchorage  for  coasters,  but  larger  vessels 
must  anchor  in  27  fethoms,  about  i  mile  from  Tetas  point.  This  cove 
is  a  favorite  fishing  ground,  and  there  is  tolerable  landing. 

Errazuriz  cove,  3  miles  north  of  Tetas  point,  is  a  mile  in  extent  and 
fairly  sheltered.  The  anchorage  is  from  6  to  8  fathoms,  and  there  ia 
good  landing  in  the  aouth  part  of  the  cove. 

Constitucion  harbor  is  situated  immediately  under  mount  Moreno, 
about  5  miles  north  of  Tetas  point.  It  is  a  small  but  snug  anchorage, 
formed  by  the  mainland  on  one  side  and  by  Constitucion  island  on  the 
other.  Here  a  vessel  might  haul  in  to  the  land  and  careen  without 
being  exposed  to  the  heavy  rolling  swell  which  sets  into  most  of  the 
ports  on  this  coast.  The  landing  is  excellent,  and  the  beat  anchorage  is 
oft*  a  sandy  spit  at  the  !NE.  end  of  the  island  in  6  fathoms  water,  muddy 
bottom,  but  it  would  be  advisable  to  moor  securely,  as  the  land  breeze, 
called  "paracas,''  is  sometimes  strong,  especially  at  night.  Farther 
out  the  holding  ground  is  bad. 

When  running  in,  the  island  or  weather  side  should  not  b^  hugged  too 
closely,  as  a  number  of  sunken  rocks  lie  off  the  low  cliffy  points,  some 
only  being  buoyed  by  kelp.  A  mid-channel  course  would  be  the  best, 
provided  the  wind  allows  a  vessel  to  reach  the  anchorage  before  men- 
tioned. Neither  wood  nor  water  is  to  be  found  in  this  neighborhood, 
therefore  provision  must  be  made  accordingly. 

Tides. — It  ia  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Gonatitucion  harbor  at 
lOh.;  aprings  rise  4  feet. 

Lagartos  bank. — At  4  miles  north  of  Gonatitucion  ialand  ia  Lagartoa 
point,  off  which  lies  a  rocky  bank  of  the  aame  name.  On  this  bank 
stands  Lagartos  island,  nearly  ^  mile  long,  200  yards  across,  and  16  to 
19  feet  high.     It  is  composed  of  rock  covered  with  shell  of  white 


314  COQUIMBO   BAY   TO   MORRO   DE   SAMA. 

appearance,  and  is  visible  from  a  distance  of  5  miles.    Bocks  extend 
some  distance  both  NW.  and  southward  of  this  island. 

At  850  yards  N.  28o  W.  (1^.  39o  W.  mag.)  from  the  KE3.  extreme  of 
Lagartos  island  is  a  rock  always  dry,  having  shoal  water  between  it 
and  the  island,  where  the  sea  constantly  breaks.  The  boilers  of  the 
wrecked  steamer  Lima  lie  upon  this  reef  and  are  always  above  water. 

Esmeralda  rock  is  the  name  applied  to  a  sunken  rocky  shelf,  lying 
1,400  yards  southward  of  Lagartos  island.  This  shelf  is  about  400 
yards  in  diameter,  connected  with  the  shore,  and  marked  by  kelp  and 
breakers.  As  this  danger  extends  farther  seaward  than  Lagartos 
island,  a  wide  berth  must  be  given  when  coasting  in  this  neighborhood. 

Bandurria  cove,  a  small  cove  frequented  by  coasters,  is  2  miles 
north  of  Lagartos  point.  At  3  miles  SE.  by  E.  of  the  cove  is  mount 
Bandurria,  1,630  feet  high. 

Monro  Joxjino,  at  12  miles  north  from  Gonstitucion  island,  is  a  steep 
bluff,  which  terminates  the  range  of  table-land  joining  mount  Moreno. 
On  the  northern  side  of  this  headland  and  extending  to  the  SE.  is  the 
cove  named  Herradura  de  Mejillones,  affording  no  shelter. 

Korth,  9  miles  from  morro  Jorjino,  is  Baja  or  Low  point,  surrounded 
with  sunken  rocks,  and  5  miles  farther  !NE.  is  Leading  bluff,  a 
remarkable  headland,  which,  with  mount  Mejillones,  a  few  miles  to  the 
south,  is  an  excellent  guide  for  the  port  of  Oobija.  The  bluff,  about 
1,000  feet  high,  faces  the  north,  and  being  entirely  covered  with  guano, 
has  the  appearance  of  a  chalky  cliff.  There  is  an  islet  named  Blanco, 
about  J  mile  to  the  KW.  of  the  bluff,  connected  with  it  by  a  reef. 

Abtao  rock,  |  mile  N.  20^  W.  (N.  31°  W.  mag.)  from  Blanco  islet 
and  nearly  2  miles  west  of  Angamos  point,  has  8  feet  on  it.  Two  other 
rocks  lie  between  Abtao  rock  and  the  islet,  a  little  to  the  north,  and 
NW.  of  the  isolated  rock  above  water,  which  lies  to  the  northward  of 
Blanco  islet. 

Mount  Mejillones  has  the  appearance  of  a  cone  with  the  top  cut 
off,  and  stands  conspicuously  above  the  surrounding  heights.  In  clear 
weather  this  is  undoubtedly  the  better  of  the  two  marks,  but  as  the 
tops  of  the  hills  on  this  coast  are  frequently  covered  with  heavy  clouds. 
Leading  bluff  is  a  surer  nlark,  as  it  can  not  be  mistaken,  for  besides 
its  chalky  appearance  it  is  the  northern  extremity  of  the  peninsula, 
and  to  the  eastward  of  it  the  land  suddenly  falls  back. 

Important  discoveries  of  guano  were  made  in  1862  around  the  base 
of  mount  Mejillones. 

Mejillones  del  Sur  bay. — To  the  eastward  of  Angamos  point  is 
the  spacious  bay  of  Mejillones  del  Sur,  Vessels  bound  into  the  bay 
should  give  Abtao  rock  a  wide  berth,  as  it  does  not  show  by  breakers. 

The  anchorage  is  in  10  fathoms,  about  700  yards  N.  23°  E.  (H.  12© 
E.  mag.)  of  the  landing  pier  of  the  town  of  San  Luciano;  closer  in 
the  water  shoals  rapidly,  and  is  bad  holding  ground.  Heavy  squalls 
come  off  the  highland  of  Mejillones. 


CHACAYA   POINT — COBIJA   BAY.  315 

About  3  miles  S.  11^  B.  (S.  22^  E.  raag.)  pf  Angamos  point  are  some 
piers,  connected  by  rail  with  the  guano  beds.  Here  the  vessels  load- 
ing guano  anchor  in  from  8  to  12  fathoms,  but  the  water  deepens  very 
suddenly. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  can  always  be  obtained,  being  imported 
by  the  coast  steamers.  Water  is  obtained  from  the  condensers.  Fish 
are  plentiful. 

The  town  is  connected  with  Arica  to  the  north,  and  also  with  the 
southern  ports,  by  telegraph. 

Chacaya  point  is  the  first  rocky  coast  F£.  of  Mejillones  del  Sur 
bay;  it  is  free  from  outlying  danger. 

Gualagnala  point  is  northward  of  Ghacaya  point  13  miles.  The 
coast  between  is  high,  and  the  shore  steep  and  clean.  Some  rocks 
extend  a  short  distance  from  Tames  point. 

Gualaguala  cove  is  ]^E.  of  the  point.  There  is  sheltered  anchor- 
age in  10  fathoms,  sand,  good  holding  ground,  at  about  100.  yards  from 
the  shore. 

There  is  a  small  settlement  having  a  wooden  mole  for  loading  the 
copper  ore  of  the  district.  Supplies  are  scarce;  water  is  not  good,  and 
is  limited  in  quantity. 

Michilla  point  and  cove.— The  point  is  NNE.  of  Gualaguala.  It  is 
a  little  salient,  with  rocks  and  islets  around  it.  The  cove  is  just  NE.  of 
the  point.  It  is  2  miles  wide  and  about  i  mile  deep,  with  anchorage  in 
12  fathoms,  sand. 

Tames  point  is  one  of  the  prominent  points  in  this  neighborhood. 
Korth  of  Michilla  point  2^  miles  is  Huaqne  point,  low,  and  projecting  a 
little,  with  a  detached  small  black  island  300  yards  off  the  point.  From 
Tames  point  to  Huaqne  point  there  are  no  landings. 

Tames  cove  is  immediately  to  the  NE.  of  the  point.  The  cove  is 
open  and  small,  with  anchorage  in  12  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  600  yards 
offshore.  There  is  a  pier  in  the  cove  and  a  small  building.  Tames 
ravine,  where  there  is  a  spring  of  fresh  water,  is  east  of  the  cove.  The 
mineral  is  reported  as  being  nearly  exhausted. 

False  or  Guasilla  point  is  5  miles  N.  by  W.  of  Tames  point.  It  is 
marked  by  two  islets  lying  J  mile  off  the  coast. 

Cob^a  bay  is  just  east  of  Gobija  point.  It  is  also  called  Puerto  la 
Mar.    The  exports  consist  of  copper,  tin,  guano,  and  wool. 

Directions. — On  the  slope  of  Gobija  point  there  is  a  white  stone 
which  shows  very  plainly  in  relief  against  the  black  rocks  in  the  back- 
ground. The  national  flag  is  usually  hoisted  on  the  flagstaff  at  Gobija 
point.  In  going  in  there  is  no  danger;  the  point  is  steep-to,  and  may 
be  rounded  at  200  yards  distant.  It  is,  however,  by  no  means  an  easy 
place  to  make;  the  hills  rise  directly  from  the  coast,  and  form  an  almost 
unbroken  ridge  2,000  to  3,000  feet  high,  having  no  sufQciently  marked 
feature  to  point  out  the  position  of  the  town  at  their  base.  The  white 
church  with  two  towers,  in  the  center  of  the  town^  is  an  excellent 


316  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MORRO  DE  SAMA. 

mark.  The  best  way  is  to  make  the  coast  some  miles  north  or  south 
(if  iu  a  sailing  ship,  south)  of  the  port,  and  run  down  close  in  till  the 
houses  are  seen.  If  coming  from  the  southward,  after  having  passed 
Leading  blufi*  (which  should  alyrays  be  made),  it  would  be  advisable  to 
shape  a  course  so  as  to  close  the  land  about  9  miles  to  the  southward 
of  the  port,  and  then  coast  along  until  two  white-topped  islets  off  False 
point  are  seen.    At  1^  miles  to  the  ndtthward  of  them  is  the  port. 

Anchorage. — ^The  best  anchorage  is  with  Oobija  point  bearing  S. 
690  W.  (S.  480  W.  mag.)  in  about  9  fathoms,  sand,  from  200  to  400 
yards  off  the  town.  Mail  and  coasting  steamers  belonging  to  the 
Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company  call  here. 

Landing  is  effected  at  the  pier,  but  when  there  is  a  heavy  swell  it 
requires  great  care,  for  the  sea  rolls  over  a  ledge  of  rocks  on  the  NB. 
side  of  it. 

Supplies. — Good  water  is  scarce,  as  rain  never  falls.  An  occasicmal 
rill  (caused  by  condensed  fog)  runs  down  a  ravine  to  the  northward  of 
the  town.  The  water  generally  in  use  is  distilled,  of  which  there  is  a 
constant  supply.  There  are  wells,  but  the  water  from  them  is  brack- 
ish, and  will  not  keep  in  casks.  Fresh  meat,  fruit,  and  vegetables  can 
always  be  procured. 

Tides. — It* is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Oobija  bay  at  9b.  54m. ; 
springs  rise  4  feet. 

Gatico  cove,  also  known  as  Copper  cove,  lies  3^  miles  northward  of 
Oobija.  It  is  3  miles  across  from  Oatico  point  on  the  south  and  Grande 
point  on  the  north,  and  is  a  convenient  place  for  taking  in  ore,  there 
being  anchorage  a  short  distance  from  the  shore.  The  mole  is  fitted 
with  a  steam  crane  for  shipping  the  copper  ore,  which  is  placed  in  bags 
on  balsas,  and  conveyed  to  boats  moored  near  the  shore.  In  this  way 
60  tons  per  day  can  easily  be  put  on  board. 

The  cove  is  easy  of  access.  There  is  good  anchorage  in  13  fathoms 
500  yards  N.  lOo  W.  (N.  21©  W.  mag.)  of  the  mole.  Kearer  than  this, 
or  more  to  the  southward,  the  bottom  is  rock.  No  supplies  can  be 
obtained. 

Durections. — ^There  are  no  good  marks  for  making  &atico  cove,  the 
hills  being  constantly  covered  with  mist  halfway  from  summit  to  base. 
The  white  church  at  Oobija  is,  however,  a  conspicuous  object,  and  in 
clear  weather  will  be  a  good  guide.  If  bound  here  from  Oobija,  stand 
along  the  coast,  about  800  yards  distant,  until  the  pier  opens,  then 
round  Rocky  point  at  300  yards  distant,  or  as  convenient,  and  anchor 
as  above. 

If  bound  from  the  northward,  after  making  Oobija  church  steer  for 
it  on  a  S.  23°  E.  (S.  34P  E.  mag.)  bearing,  until  the  ranches  on  the 
south  side  of  Gatico  cove  are  visible,  then  bring  the  northernmost 
detached  rancho  on  with  the  pier  head,  8.  69^  E.  (S.  70°  E.  mag.),  and 
stand  in,  anchoring  as  before.  The  ranches  and  pier  will  not  be  seen 
until  within  3  or  4  miles  of  the  land. 

Caution. — A  heavy  swell  sets  into  this  cove,  and,  with  the  constant 


GRANDE   POINT — ^AGUA    DULCE   POINT.  317 

light  SW.  ^nds  and  calms,  renders  it  difiBctilt  for  heavily  laden  sailing 
vessels  to  get  out.  They  should  never  attempt  it  without  the  aid  of 
boats  to  tow,  for  before  they  could  claw  off  the  land  under  sail  alone 
the  swell  wduld  probably  set  them  ashore. 

Grande  point  is  somewhat  rocky  and  crowned  with  flat-topped  hills. 
It  fihonld  not  be  approached  within  one  mile. 

San  Pedro  cove,  immediately  to  leeward  of  Grande  point,  offers 
some  accommodations,  but  220  yards  !N^W.  of  its  pier  is  a  submerged 
rock.    No  supplies  can  be  obtained. 

Banduirria  point — ^The  point,  about  3  miles  north  of  Grande  point, 
is  rocky  and  foul.  On  a  line  joining  the  two  points  and  a  little  south 
of  Bandurria  is  a  detached  dangerous  rock. 

To  the  south  of  the  point  is  Ohinos  cove,  which  has  a  good  landing 
place. 

Ghianillo  coTOi  also  named  Guanillo  del  Sur,  affbrds  good  anchorage 
in  7  fathoms,  sand  and  broken  shell,  400  yards  KW.  from  the  pier. 
The  mining  establishment  and  smelting  furnaces  are  near  the  shore, 
and  the  metals  are  conveyed  over  a  tramway  along  an  excellent  pier 
to  a  chute,  under  which  boats  can  lie  with  perfect  safety  at  all  times. 
A  large  distilling  apparatus  supplies  water  to  the  establishment  and 
the  persons  engaged  in  the  mines.  At  400  yards  N.  21°  W.  (N.  32^  W. 
mag.)  of  the  pier  is  a  rock  which  dries  at  low  water. 

Ampa  point  is  3 J  miles  north  of  Bandurria  point.  It  is  low  and 
rocky  and  projects  about  i  mile.  It  should  not  be  approached  within 
one  mile. 

Between  Gnanillo  and  this  point  the  coast  is  very  foul,  with  scattered 
breakers  for  nearly  J  mile  from  shore. 

Ampa  gnlly,  in  which  is  found  veins  of  copper,  lies-  east  of  the 
point.  Half  a  mile  to  the  northward  of  the  point  is  a  small  landing 
place  called  La  Gaviota. 

Copaca  point  and  cove. — ^The  point  is  about  8^  miles  to  the  north- 
ward of  Grande,  and  is  low,  rocky,  and  foul;  it  is  somewhat  prominent 
with  knolls  at  Its  extremity.  A  little  to  the  northward  of  the  point  is 
the  cove,  which  has  a  good  landing  place  on  a  beach  of  sand  and  shell. 

The  cove  abounds  in  fish,  and  water  may  be  obtained  in  the  vicinity. 

A  little  over  one  mile  to  the  southward  of  the  point  are  two  good 
landing  places — Higuera  and  Copaca  Vieja  cove. 

Alala  point  and  cove. — The  point  is  2^  miles  to  the  northward  of 
Copaca  point,  and  forms  the  western  extremity  of  a  chain  of  hills 
terminating  in  knolls,  the  most  notable  being  conical,  about  325  feet 
high.  The  point  is  remarkable  when  running  up  or  down  the  coast. 
Outside  the  point  are  breakers,  and  the  coast  is  foul  to  Copaca  point. 

To  the  southward  and  eastward  of  the  point  are  two  white  islets. 

Alala  c6ve  opens  immediately  to  the  NB.  of  the  point.  The  landing 
place  is  on  a  sandy  beach,  and  is  good.  On  the  shore  are  wells  of 
excellent  water. 

Agua  Dtilce  point,  2^  miles  northward  of  Alala,  is  the  extremity 


318  GOQUIMBO  BAT  TO  MOBBO  DE  SAMA. 

of  a  chain  of  hills.    It  is  of  medium  height  and  cliffy*    To  the  KE/of 
the  point  is  Tk  good  watering  place. 

Blanca  point  is  4  miles  north  of  Agaa  Dalce.  On  the  north  side 
of  the  point  is  Blanca  cove,  an  indifferent  anchorage,  in  which  vessels 
occasionally  load  with  copper  ore. 

Algodonales  bay,  about  4  miles  north  of  Blanca  point,  is  sheltered 
from  the  southward  by  Algodonales  point,  and  may  be  recognized  from 
seaward  by  a  gully  leading  down  to  it  and  by  two  paps  on  the  heights 
to  the  northward  of  the  gnlly  of  Mamilla,  which  is  about  7  miles  to 
the  northward  of  the  bay.  Algodonales  point  and  the  rocks  in  the  vicin- 
ity are  white  with  guano.  When  approaching  from  the  southward 
the  smoke  of  the  smelting  works  will  be  seen  apparently  seaward  of  the 
land,  the  point  not  appearing  until  afterwards.  About  a  mile  south  of 
the  point  there  is  a  broad,  light  stratum  on  a  spur  1,500  feet  high. 

There  are  three  places  in  this  bay  from  whence  ores  are  shipped — 
Bellavista,  Tocopilla,  and  Duendes,  and  around  are  valuable  mines  in 
all  directions. 

Tocopilla,  which  stands  in  the  southern  angle  of  the  bay,  is  a  place 
of  some  importance.  The  principal  mines  and  the  smelting  furnaces 
belong  to  an  English  company,  who  have  erected  a  pier,  along  which  is 
a  tramway,  to  facilitate  the  embarkation  of  metals  and  to  convey  coal 
and  merchandise  to  their  establishment.  There  is  telegraphic  commu- 
nication with  the  other  principal  ports  of  the  Eepublic  and  a  railway 
to  Toco. 

Fresh  meat  and  vegetables  in  moderate  quantities  can  be  had  at  a 
moderate  price;  and  though  there  is  a  spring  of  good  water  at  the  gully 
of  Mamilla,  7  miles  to  the  northward  and  IJ  miles  from  the  beach,  that 
generally  used  is  distilled,  three  large  distilling  apparatus  supplying 
the  wants  of  the  place.  The  coasting  steamers  belonging  to  the  Pacific 
Steam  Navigation  Company  call  here  weekly.    Coal  can  be  obtained. 

Landing  is  at  times  difficult,  but  can  generally  be  effected  at  the 
railway  pier. 

Loch  Breadon  or  Tocopilla  rock  has  a  depth  over  it  of  14^  feet  of 
water,  with  from  29  to  36  feet  around.  It  is  a  pinnacle  rock,  forming 
the  extremity  of  a  rocky  ridge  separating  from  the  shore,  and  is  about 
262  yards  from  land,  exactly  on  a  line  passing  through  the  cemetery 
and  the  north  side  of  Algodonales  point. 

Duendes  is  in  the  northern  part  of  Algodonales  bay,  about  1^  miles 
northward  of  Tocopilla.  The  smelting  establishnents  at  this  place 
were  destroyed  by  an  earthquake  in  1878.  Nitrate  is  shipped  here, 
being  brought  from  the  mines,  54  miles  inland.  A  mole  is  run  out  into 
12  feet  at  low  water,  and  although  a  heavy  swell  sets  in  at  full  and 
change  of  the  moon,  and  occasionally  at  other  times,  the  landing  and 
discharging  of  cargoes  can  generally  be  effected. 

There  are  two  dangerous  rocks  in  the  anchorage — ^the  Duendes,  with 
16  feet  water,  which  lies  N.  56^  W.  (N.  67°  W.  mag.)  J  mile  from  the  pier, 


CAPE   PAQUICA LOA   RIVER.  319 

and  the  Nightingale,  with  6  feet.  The  latter  is  marked  by  a  large  buoy, 
on  which  a  flag  will  be  hoisted  when  a  vesselis  entering  the  port.  The 
pier  is  sheltered  by  a  large  white  rock,  off  the  extremity  of  which  is  a 
smaller  one  just  awash. 

Cape  Faquica  or  San  Francisco  is  a  projecting  headland  about  11 
miles  north  of  Algodonales  point,  having  on  its  north  side  a  large  bed 
of  guano.  The.  anchorage  north  of  the  point,  200  yards  off  shore,  is  not 
good ;  there  is  generally  a  high  swell,  and  a  heavy  surf  breaks  on  the 
rocks.  There  is  better  anchorage  farther  NE.,  but  it  is  not  suitable  for 
vessels  loading  guano.  The  guano  is  placed  in  bags,  and  run  down  a 
slip  into  launches  moored  outside  the  surf.  Landing  is  difi&cult,  and 
frequently  dangerous. 

Arenas  point,  low  and  sandy,  with  a  rocky  outline,  is  16  miles  north 
of  cape  Paquica.  Between  it  and  cape  Paquica  is  a  small  fishing  vil- 
lage near  a  remarkable  hummock.  Anchorage  may  be  obtained  under 
Arenas  point  in  10  fathoms,  fine  sandy  bottom. 

Lautaro  point  is  5J  miles  KNB.  of  Arenas  point.  The  coast  between 
affords  no  landing  except  about  a  mile  south  of  Lautaro  point,  where 
there  is  Colipi  landing  at  the  foot  and  to  the  north  of  a  high  mount. 
Lautaro  point,  a  rugged  mount,  is  230  feet  high,  with  a  white  summit. 
The  point  is  clear  of  danger. 

Lautaro  cove,  KE.  of  Lautaro  point,  is  500  yards  wide  and  250  yards 
deep.  Anchorage,  sandy  bottom,  may  be  had  in  12J  fathoms  500  yards 
north  of  the  point.  The  landing  place  is  a  sandy  beach,  and  recom- 
mended for  its  quietness.  There  are  no  inhabitants  in  the  locality, 
and  both  provisions  and  water  are  scarce. 

Loa  river. — The  gully  and  river  of  Loa,  12  miles  north  of  Arenas 
point,  were  formerly  the  boundary  line  between  Bolivia  and  Peru.  Loa 
is  the  principal  river  on  this  part  of  the  coast,  but  its  water  is  extremely 
bad,  in  consequence  of  running  through  a  bed  of  saltpeter,  as  well  as 
from  the  surrounding  hills  containing  copper  ore.  A  chapel  on  the 
north  bank,  J  mile  from  the  sea,  is  the  only  remains  of  a  once  populous 
village.  At  Ghacansi,  in  the  interior,  the  water  is  tolerably  good.  In 
the  summer  season  the  river  is  about  15  feet  broad  and  a  foot  deep, 
and  runs  with  considerable  strength  to  within  J  mile  of  the  sea,  where 
it  spreads,  and  flows  over  or  filters  through  the  beach,  but  does  not 
make  a  channel  or  throw  up  any  banks. 

The  best  distinguishing  mark  for  the  Loa  is  the  gully  through  which 
it  runs,  and  that  may  easily  be  known  from  its  being  in  the  deepest 
part  of  the  bay  formed  by  Arenas  point  on  the  south  and  Lobos  point 
on  the  north,  as  well  as  from  the  hills  on  the  south  side  being  nearly 
level,  while  those  on  the  north  are  much  higher  and  irregular.  There 
is  good  anchorage,  but  rather  exposed  to  the  sea  breeze,  with  the 
chapel  bearing  N.  11°  B.  (North  mag.)  i  mile  from  the  shore,  in  from 
8  to  12  fathoms,  muddy  bottom.  Landing  may  be  effected  under 
Ghileno  point,  3  miles  to  the  south ward» 


820  COQUIMBO   BAT   TO   MOBRO   D£   SAMA. 

Chipana  bay, — At  5 J  miles  S^NW.  from  Loa  river  is  False  Ohipana 
point,  the  west  extreme  6f  Chipana  bay.  NE.  of  the  point  there  is 
fair  sknchorage  in  6  to  9  fathoms,  and  a  good  landing  place  close  under 
the  point;  but  at  full  and  change  of  the  moon  a  heavy  swell  sets  in, 
and  a  boat  would  scarcely  be  able  to  land  with  goods  at  those  times. 

After  making  the  land  in  the  latitude  of  the  Loa,  a  large,  white 
double  pateh  may  be  seen  on  the  side  of  a  hill  near  the  beach,  and 
a  similar  one  a  little  to  the  northward.  On  discovering  these  marks 
(whieh  are  visible  6  to  12  miles),  a  course  should  be  shaped  directly  for 
False  Chipana  point.  No  danger  need  be  feared  in  entering,  for, 
though  the  land  is  low,  it  may  be  approached  within  J  mile  in  from  10 
to  6  fathoms.    This  anchorage  is  better  than  that  at  Loa. 

The  anchorage  eastward  of  the  long  kelp-covered  reef  which  extends 
800  yards  to  the  northwestward  of  the  north  point  of  the  bay  might 
perhaps  be  preferred,  but  the  landing  is  not  so  good  there. 

Guanillo  point,  7  miles  to  the  northward  of  Chipana  bay,  has  a 
considerable  quantity  of  guano  on  and  near  it,  from  which  the  name  of 
the  point  is  derived.  Guanillo  is  the  second  point  north  of  the  low 
promontory  forming  Chipana  bay,  and  may  be  recognized  at  a  distance 
of  20  miles  by  a  conspicuous  broad  white  patch  facing  the  sea.  The 
point  is  steep-to,  and  with  a  commanding  breeze  may  be  rounded  by  a 
sailing  vessel  at  the  distance  of  i  mile. 

Guanillo  del  Norte  cove. — ^The  anchorage  is  just  north  of  Guanillo 
point,  in  14  to  16  fathoms,  rocky  bottom,  J  mile  from  the  shore.  As 
heavy  rollers  set  into  the  cove  occasionally,  a  nearer  berth  is  not 
recommended. 

Vessels  bound  into  the  cove  should  endeavor  to  make  the  land  to 
the  southward  of  the  point. 

The  landing  place  is  at  the  north  angle  of  the  point,  but  it  is  bad  in 
consequence  of  some  rocks  on  the  beach  in  the  vicinity. 

Coast. — Eocks  and  breakers  extend  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
coast  between  Guanillo  point  and  Cbomacbe  point.  This  coast  should 
be  given  a  wide  berth. 

Chomache  point  has  a  long  reef  extending  one  mile  oft'  it,  and  on 
the  reef  a  cluster  of  rocks  shows  a  few  feet  above  water,  the  outer  end 
being  marked  by  breakers.  Yessels  should  not  approach  this  part  of 
the  coast  too  closely. 

In  a  bight  north  of  Chomache  point,  where  there  are  some  guano 
patches,  vessels  may  anchor  near  the  land  in  from  9  to  13  fathoms. 

Lobos  or  Blanca  point  is  bold,  and  may  be  known  by  the  two 
white  Pajaros  islets,  20  feet  high,  IJ  miles  south  of  the  point,  and  ^ 
mile  from  the  shore,  and  by  the  bell- shaped  peak  of  mount  Carrasco  9 
miles  to  the  northward  of  the  point.  Pajaros  islets  and  Lobos  point 
are  steep-to,  and  may  be  passed  at  a  convenient  distance^  soundings 
will  not  be  obtained  until  near  the  anchorage. 

There  is  a  very  large  deposit  of  guano  here,  which  is  overlaid  by 
a  strata  of  limestone,  the  stone  having  to  be  first  cut  away  to  obtain  it. 


i 


by 

it. 


LOBOS  POINT — PATILLOS   PORT.  321 

Lobos  Point  anchorage. — About  f  mile  north  of  Lobos  point  are 
some  rocks  a  few  feet  above  water,  and  midway  between  these  rocks 
and  Lobos  point  there  is  anchorage  in  18  or  20  fathoms,  rocky  bottom, 
i  mile  from  the  shore.  In  this  berth  Pajaros  islets  will  be  shut  in  by 
Lobos  point.  This  anchorage  is  considered  better  than  that  of  Guanillo, 
but  is  not  so  capacious.  Small  vessels  load  at  a  berth  close  to  the  rocks 
NE.  of  the  point,  anchoring  in  from  9  to  13  fathoms.  Landing  is  com- 
paratively good  on  the  point.  There  is  no  water  here;  the  few  inhab- 
itants send  to  Loa  river,  whence  the  water  is  brought  by  balsas. 

Fabellon  de  Pica,  directly  under  Carrasco  peak,  is  1,043  feet  high, 
covered  with  guano,  and  may  be  known  by  its  remarkable  bell-tent 
shaped  appearance  and  strong  contrast  with  the  barren,  sunburnt 
brown  of  the  surrounding  hills.  A  cove  one  mile  across  is  formed  by 
Pabellon  de  Pica  and  a  hill,  50  feet  high,  to  the  northward,  also  covered 
with  guano.  East,  a  little  southerly,  a  few  miles  inshore,  is  the  bell- 
shaped  mountain  named  Carrasco,  5,492  feet  high. 

The  only  landing  place  is  on  a  smooth  sandy  beach,  sheltered  by  4 
small  islets  and  several  rocks,  i  mile  north  of  the  hill,  50  feet  high, 
where  lighters  may  go  in,  be  moored  in  safety,  and  load  easily. 

Anchorage. — ^There  is  anchorage  in  the  cove  formed  by  Pabellon  de 
Pica  and  the  hill,  50  feet  high,  in  12  and  18  fathoms  rock  with  patches 
of  sand  and  shell,  but  it  is  advisable  not  to  anchor  in  less  than  14 
fathoms  on  account  of  the  heavy  rollers  that  occasionally  set  into  the 
bay. 

There  is  also  anchorage  in  14  fathoms,  J  mile  S.  78o  W.  (S.  67°  W. 
mag.)  of  the  landing  place,  where  several  vessels  may  ride. 

Chanabaya  is  a  small  cove,  a  little  northward  of  Pabellon  de  Pica. 
The  mines  here  were  destroyed  by  the  earthquake  of  1877. 

Patache  point. — ^At  14  miles  N.  by  W.  from  Lobos  point  is  the  low, 
rugged,  projecting  point  of  Patache,  having  an  islet  J  mile  off  it. 
There  is  anchorage  in  7  to  10  fathoms  close  inshore  in  Patache  cove  to 
the  northward  of  it. 

Heights  of  Oyarvide.— From  Patache  point  to  Gruesa  point,  at  28 
miles  farther  north,  the  coast  is  low  and  rocky,  which  is  the  termination 
of  a  long  range  of  table-land,  named  the  heights  of  Oyarvide,  or  the 
Barrancas  (ravines),  from  its  cliffy  appearance.  It  has  numerous  rocks 
and  shoals  off  it  and  should  not  be  approached  within  3  miles,  for  the 
frequent  calms  and  heavy  swell  peculiar  to  this  coast  render  it  unsafe 
for  nearer  approach.  Inland  of  these  heights,  28  miles  to  the  northward 
of  mount  Carrasco,  is  mount  Oyarvide,  6,800  feet  high. 

Patillos  islets  and  port — A  few  hundred  yards  off  shore,  5  miles 
northward  of  Patache  point,  are  three  small  white  islets  that  can  be 
seen  from  a  great  distance.  To  leeward  of  the  islets  is  the  port,  with 
anchorage  in  from  7  to  10  fathoms,  600  yards  off  shore,  from  whence 
saltpeter  is  shipped*  There  is  a  pier  for  loading  goods,  and  a  good 
landing  place. 

1943— If  0.  89 21 


322  COQUIMBO  BAY  TO  MOBKO  DE  SAMA. 

Tapes  islets  and  cove. — At  2^  miles  northward  of  Patillos  islets  is 
Yapes  point,  and  a  short  distance  from  it  lie  a  gronp  of  islets.  North- 
ward of  and  near  the  point  is  Yapes  cove,  which,  though  small,  affords 
anchorage  in  from  9  to  10  fathoms,  400  yards  to  leeward  of  the  islets, 
and  from  it  frequent  shipments  of  saltpeter  are  made. 

Vessels  entering  the  cove  should  keep  nearer  the  islets  to  avoid  a  reef 
extending  600  yards  from  the  north  shore. 

Caramucho  cove  is  an  exposed  anchorage  with  bad  holding  ground. 

Chucumata  cove,  11  miles  north  of  Patillos,  affords  anchorage  in 
from  7  to  10  fathoms,  slightly  sheltered  from  the  southward. 

Ligate  cove  is  merely  an  indentation  in  the  coast,  offering  no  shelter. 

Gruesa  point,  also  called  Larga  point,  at  the  NW.  extreme  of  the 

headland  of  Tarapac4,  is  low  but  cliffy,  with  three  white  patches  on  its 

northern  side.    NE.  of  the  point  are  three  dark-colored  rocks  above 

water,  at  1,200  yards  off  shore.    Foul  ground  extends  seaward  from  the 

point,  and  the  pilots  warn  sailing  vessels  not  to  approach  it  within  3 

miles. 
From  Gruesa  point  northward  the  coast  forms  Ghiquinata  bay,  in 

which  are  seen  three  sand  hills,  forming  a  valuable  landmark. 

Los  Jemelos  rocks  are  two  sunken  rocks  lying  1^  miles  K.  59^  W. 
(N.  70O  W.  mag.)  of  Gruesa  point.  The  SW.  rock  has  a  depth  of  16 
feet  over  it. 

Molle  cove,  at  6  miles  north  of  Gruesa  point,  may  be  recognized  by 
a  zigzag  road  leading  down  the  heights  toward  its  head^  anchorage 
may  be  obtained  near  the  shore  in  9  to  10  fathoms,  l^o  vessels  visit 
this  port  to  load  nitrate,  and  the  wharves  are  falling  into  decay.  Land- 
ing is  often  inconvenient  on  account  of  the  heavy  swell.  Ko  supplies 
of  any  description  can  be  obtained. 

Miami  rock  is  a  cluster  of  sunken  rocks,  Mdth  16  feet  over  it,  marked 
by  kelp,  and  upon  which  breakers  are  occasionally  seen.  It  lies  200 
yards  N.  31o  W.  (N.  42o  W.  mag.)  from  the  SW.  point  of  Molle  cove. 

Playa  Larga. — Between  the  NW.  point  of  Molle  cove  and  Gabancha 
point  the  coast  is  a  low  sandy  beach  named  Playa  Larga,  interrupted 
by  a  rocky  patch  about  J  mile  wide.  Farther  inland  there  is  a  ridge 
of  yellow  sand,  the  summit  of  which  is  886  feet  high. 

Cabancha  point  and  cove. — Gabancha  point  is  low  and  rocky.  The 
cove  to  the  north  of  the  point  offers  some  shelter  from  SW.  winds,  and 
has  several  landing  places. 

Iquique  island,  10^  miles  K.  by  £.  of  Gruesa  point,  at  the  south 
part  of  Iquique  road,  has  a  passage  inside  only  fit  for  small  craft  or 
boats.  The  island  is  surrounded  by  rocks  extending  about  200  yards, 
and  on  the  west  side  600  yards  from  the  shore. 

A  pinnacle  rock,  which  dries  2  feet  at  low  water,  lies  300  yards  N.  28^ 
W.  (N.  390  W.  mag.)  from  the  east  extreme  of  Iquique  island. 

Lights. — A  cylindrical  lighthouse,  72  feet  high,  painted  white,  stands 
near  the  center  of  the  island,  and  exhibits,  at  the  elevation  of  95  feet. 


IQUIQUE.  323 

a  fixed  and  flashing  light  showing  a  flash  every  thirty  seconds.    The 
light  is  visible  in  clear  weather  18  miles. 

A  red  electric  light,  visible  in  clear  weather  from  a  distance  of  6  miles, 
is  shown  from  the  extremity  of  the  railway  pier,  and  a  green  light  from 
the  extremity  of  each  of  the  three  piers  eastward  of  Iquique  island. 

Iquique  road  may  be  recognized  from  seaward  by  a  dome- shaped 
moanta*in,  about  3,000  feet  high,  situated  a  little  to  the  southward  of 
the  anchorage.  This  mountain,  which  can  be  seen  from  a  distance  of 
20  or  30  miles,  has,  just  under  and  a  short  distance  to  the  northward 
of  it,  a  zigzag  road,  which  can  be  seen  at  a  distance  of  12  miles.  Ves- 
sels bound  to  Iquique  should  make  the  land  well  to  windward,  as  the 
wind  generally  fails  on  nearing  the  anchorage. 

Approaching  from  the  northward,  the  bend  of  the  line  of  railway 
upon  the  mountain  is  conspicuous;  also,  a  sand  hill  with  a  sharp  peak, 
south  of  the  town. 

Directions. — Vessels  bound  for  Iquique  should  run  in  on  the  parallel 
of  Gruesa  point,  until  the  white  patches  on  that  point  are  discerned, 
but  the  coast  should  not  be  approached  under  3  miles,  when  a  course 
should  be  shaped  for  the  northern  of  three  large  sand  hills.  Stand  boldly 
in  on  this  course  until  the  church  steeple  (the  cemetery  dome  at  the 
back  of  the  town  is  the  most  conspicuous  mark  for  making  the  port) 
appears,  when,  or  shortly  after,  the  town  will  be  seen,  and  Iquique 
island,  under  which  is  the  anchorage.  Care  must  be  taken  in  rounding 
Iquique  island  to  give  it  a  good  berth.  Vessels  have  attempted  the 
crooked  passage  between  the  island  and  the  mainland  and  thereby  got 
into  danger,  from  which  they  were  extricated  with  some  diflBculty. 

Wrecks. — The  wreck  of  the  Esmeralda  lies  in  17  fathoms,  with 
Piedras  point  N.  7^  W.  (E.  18o  W.  mag.)  and  liTegra  point  S.  71^  E. 
(S.  820  E.  mag.). 

The  wreck  of  an  iron*  vessel  lies  in  12  fathoms,  with  Iquique  light- 
house bearing  S.  44o  W.  (S.  33o  W.  mag.)  and  Kegra  point  N.  67^  B. 
(N.  560  E.  mag.). 

A  bark  lies  sunk,  with  the  wharf  lighthouse  bearing  S.  75^  E.  (S.  86° 
E.  mag.),  distant  950  yards. 

Buoy. — A  conical  buoy,  painted  black  and  white  in  horizontal  stripes, 
is  moored  over  the  bow  of  the  wreck. 

Monro  point  is  well  marked  by  a  tall  iron  chimney,  painted  red. 
Breakers  extend  200  yards  from  this  point  in  heavy  weather. 

Anchorage. — The  anchorage  is  good  in  8  fathoms,  with  Piedras 
point  bearing  North  (N.  11°  W.  mag.),  the  outer  point  of  Iquique 
island  S.  67°  W.  (S.  56o  W.  mag.),  and  the  church  steeple  S.  3©  E. 
(S.  140  E.  mag.).  The  best  anchorage  for  vessels  of  war  is  in  13 
fathoms,  with  the  lighthouse  bearing  S.  22°  W.  (S.  11^  W.  mag.). 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fuU  and  change,  at  8h.  45m. ;  springs  rise  6 
feet. 

Bravezas.— This  name  is  given  to  the  remarkable  agitation  of  the 


324  COQUIMBO  BAT  TO  MOBBO  DE  SAMA. 

sea,  which  frequently  takes  place  at  Iquique  during  the  months  May 
to  August;  landing  is  then  difficult,  as  also  at  spring  tides.  An  un- 
usually heavy  swell,  which  lasted  two  and  one-half  hours  and  caused 
considerable  damage  to  piers,  etc.,  occurred  on  September  21, 1885. 

Hurricane. — On  September  17,  1891,  a  hurricane  raged,  causing 
great  damage  to  the  shipping;  during  the  last  half,  hour  it  was 
accompanied  by  rain.  Such  an  occurrence  had  been  previously 
unknown  in  Iquique. 

Landing. — The  best  landing  place  for  the  town  is  at  the  custom- 
house  mole.  There  is  also  a  good  landing  place  on  Colorado  beach^ 
near  the  southern  extremity. 

In  bad  weather  the  best  landing  is  to  the  northward  of  Morro  point. 
The  channel  is  then  dangerous,  and  boats  should  pp»ss  westward  of  the 
island  and  enter  Southwest  channel. 

Pilots. — An  experienced  pilot  will  meet  vessels,  if  necessary,  berth 
them,  and  also  conduct  them  out  of  the  port. 

Supplies. — There  is  neither  vegetation  nor  drinkable  water  naturally 
produced;  but  owing  to  the  active  trade  all  kinds  of  provisions  are  to 
be  obtained,  though  at  high  prices.  Abundance  of  coal  for  steamers 
can  be  purchased  at  a  reasonable  rate,  and  is  supplied  to  vessels  by 
means  of  lighters.  There  are  two  foundries  where  repairs  of  an  unim- 
portant nature  can  be  made  to  machinery.  The  water  is  obtained  from 
Arica;  the  water  steamer  calls  three  times  a  week.  There  are  also 
several  water  condensers. 

Communication. — ^There  is  a  railway  irom  Iquique  to  Fisagua;  also 
to  Noria,  the  principal  saltpeter  works  in  the  neighborhood,  and  a  tele- 
graph line  to  Callao  and  Valparaiso. 

Two  lines  of  steamers  call  at  Iquique,  viz,  the  Pacific  Steam  Navi- 
gation Company's  mail  steamers  and  the  vessels  of  the  South  American 
Steamship  Company.  There  is  a  hospital,  where  seamen  of  all  nations 
are  treated  gratuitously. 

ConsiiL — A  consul  and  vice  consul  represent  the  United  States. 

Fiedras  point  is  912  feet  high.  The  rocky  heights  in  the  rear  of  the 
point  attain  2,300  feet.  Eocks  and  breakers  extend  more  than  600 
yards  seaward  of  the  point. 

Colorada  point  and  cove. — About  11^  miles  northward  of  Piedras 
point,  and  to  the  leeward  of  Colorada  point,  is  an  unsheltered  cove 
with  from  9  to  13  fathoms,  whence  saltpeter  is  shipped.  Cololue  islets 
are  two  in  number,  covered  with  a  thin  layer  of  guano.  They  lie  some 
hundreds  of  yards  off  Colorada  point.   . 

Union  rocks  are  stated  to  lie  about  one  mile  N.  32°  W.  (N.  43^  W. 
mag.)  of  Cololue  islets. 

Buena  cove,  at  the  foot  of  a  bluff  about  19  miles  north  of  Iquique, 
is  exposed,  but  iree  from  danger,  arid  has  good  holding  ground. 

The  railroad  and  large  buildings  at  the  top  of  the  bluff  are  good 
landmarks,  and  vessels  calling  to  load  nitrate  may  stand  boldly  in  to 


MEJILLGNES  DEL  NORTE   COVE — ^JUNIN  COVE.  325 

>;rithin  one  mile  of  the  beach.  A  swell  usually  sets  .in.  There  is  a  land- 
ing pier  for  small  boats,  but  caution  is  necessary.  No  supplies  can  be 
obtained.  The  anchorage  is  good  in  from  8  to  10  fathoms  about  400 
yards  from  the  pier. 

The  cove  is  now  the  loading  place  for  nitrate  of  soda  in  place  of 
Mejillones  del  Norte  cove,  which  place  has  been  deserted.  The  loading 
pier  is  250  feet  long,  and  the  nitrate  is  taken  in  lighters  from  the  end 
of  it.    Surf  seldom  delays  loading. 

Light. — ^A  fixed  red  light  is  shown  from  the  customhouse.  It  is  visible 
about  3  miles. 

Mejillones  del  Norte  cove  is  21  miles  north  of  Piedras  point.  It 
is  i  mile  in  extent,  and  may  be  known  by  the  gorge  of  Aurora,  a  little 
to  the  southward.  Peninsula  island,  forming  the  south  horn  of  the 
cove,  has  white  patches  on  it,  and  there  are  white  rocks  lying  700  yards 
to  the  SW.  of  it. 

The  warehouses  here  have  been  closed,  and  the  people  have  moved 
to  Buena  cove,  where  the  nitrate  is  now  shipped.  The  place  is  siDall 
and  without  resources. 

Directions. — Entering  the  cove,  give  the  north  point  of  Peninsula 
island  a  berth  of  at  least  200  yards,  in  9  to  11  fathoms,  to  avoid  two 
sunken  rocks,  the  outer  one  of  which,  with  9  feet  on  it,  lies  about  130 
yards  North  (X.  11^  W.  mag.)  from  the  point.  It  will  be  prudent  to 
have  an  anchor  ready  when  working  in.  On  account  of  the  swell  and 
in  consequence  of  the  current  and  calms  it  is  often  necessary  to  use 
boats  for  towing  to  the  anchorage. 

Anchorage. — ^A  good  berth  is  in  10  to  12  fathoms,  to  leeward  of  an 
islet  in  front  of  the  huts.  The  anchorage  is  somewhat  confined,  there 
being  only  room  for  three  or  lour  latge  vessels  to  lie  without  mooring 
head  and  stem. 

Junin  cove,  about  10  miles  northward  of  Mejillones  cove,  is  recog- 
nized by  a  conspicuous  mountain  road  leading  up  to  the  mines.  It  has 
no  protection  from  the  swell,  and  is  very  inconvenient  to  load  or  dis- 
charge cargo  at.  The  anchorage  is  in  18  to  26  fathoms,  sand,  with  the 
customhouse  bearing  about  S.  TO^E.  (East  mag.)  and  the  turn  of  tbe  road 
above  mentioned  about  N.  11°  E.  (North  mag.).  Vessels  should  always 
moor  head  and  stern  to  ride  to  the  constant  swell  from  the  southward. 

Junin  possesses  a  large  establishment  for  the  export  of  saltpeter. 
Water  for  drinking  purposes  must  be  obtained  from  condensers. 

Huaina  Pisagua  bay. — At  6  miles  NW.  from  Junin  cove  is  Pichalo 
point,  a  projecting  ridge,  2  miles  long,  at  right  angles  to  the  general 
trend  of  the  coast,  with  a  number  of  hummocks  on  it.  Bound  to  the 
northward  of  this  point  is  the  bay  and  village  of  Huaina  Pisagua, 
which  is  connected  with  Iquique  in  the  saltpeter  trade,  and  resorted 
to  by  vessels  for  that  article.  When  rounding  Pichalo  point  a  neces- 
sary precaution  is  to  shorten  sail  to  topsails  should  the  wind  be  ever 
so  light  outside,  as  sudden  gusts  are  frequent.    A  sunken  rock  lies 


326  COQUIMBO  BAT  TO  MORRO  DE  SAMA. 

about  100  yards  off  Pichalo  point,  aud  should  be  looked  out  for,  as  it 
is  necessary  to  hug  the  land  closely,  in  order  to  insure  fetching  the 
anchorage  off  the  village,  for  baffling  winds  are  frequent,  and  may 
throw  the  vessel  near  the  shore.  The  water  is  smooth  and  the  shore 
steep-to. 

A  railway  connects  the  port  with  the  works  at  Sal  de  Obispo,  also 
with  Iquique.  Goal  can  be  had  in  small  quantities.  Fresh  provisions 
and  water  are  expensive. 

Anchorage. — Pisagua  point,  the  north  extreme  of  Huaina  Pisagua 
bay,  bears  from  Pichalo  point,  its  south  extreme,  N.  33^  E.  (N,  22o  B. 
mag.),  distant  2^  miles,  the  shore  between  receding  1^  miles. 

The  bay  is  surrounded  by  high  land  and  is  exposed  to  frequent  heavy 
gusts  from  SE.  through  South  to  SSW. ;  vessels  should,  therefore,  use 
good  ground  tackle,  to  prevent  dragging  off  the  bank,  which  is  steep-to. 
The  general  anchoring  ground  is  from  9  to  15  fathoms.  A  good  berth 
is  with  the^^extreme  of  Pisagua  point  N.  5^  E.  (K  6^  W.  mag.),  400 
yards  off  the  village,  in  10  fathoms,  by  which  a  sunken  rock  of  4  feet 
water  lying  near  the  shore  will  be  avoided.  The  rock  is  marked  by  an 
iron  staff.  There  is  a  mooring  buoy  laid  about  600  yards  north  of  the 
houses. 

Pisagua  bay  is  northward  of  the  point  of  the  same  name.  There  is 
anchorage  in  from  6  to  10  fathoms,  but  very  close  to  the  shore,  off  the 
village.  Pisagua  river  makes  a  conspicuous  break  in  the  shore,  north 
of  Pisagua  point.  During  nine  months  of  the  year  no  water  is  found 
in  its  bed.  Though  a  scanty  supply  may  always  be  had  from  the  wells 
dug  near  it,  yet  no  vessel  should  trust  to  renewing  her  stock  at  this 
place,  for,  besides  its  unwbolesomeness,  the  difficulty  and  expense 
attending  its  embarkation  would  'be  great. 

Gorda  point  is  18  miles  north  of  Pichalo  point,  and  has  some  rocks 
always  visible,  extending  about  one  mile  from  it.  To  the  eastward  the 
land  rises  very  high.    Camarones  gorge  is  7  miles  north  of  the  point. 

The  coast  from  Pisagua  bay  to  Gorda  point,  at  15  miles  farther 
north,  consists  of  low,  broken  cliffs,  with  a  few  scattered  rocks  off  it, 
and  ranges  of  high  hills  near.  Gorda  point  has  some  rocks  always 
visible,  extending  about  one  mile  from  it.  To  the  eastward  the  land 
rises  2,520  feet. 

From  Gorda  point  northward  there  is  a  long,  line  of  cliffs,  with  only 
two  breaks  (quebradas)  as  far  north  as  Arica.  These  breaks  in  the 
cliffs,  or  gullies,  as  they  are  called  by  the  sailors,  are  remarkable,  and 
very  useful  in  making  Arica  from  the  southward.  The  first  is  Cama- 
rones gorge,  7  miles  north  of  Gorda  point,  about  a  mile  in  width,  lying 
at  right  angles  to  the  coast,  with  a  stream  of  water  running  down  it 
and  a  quantity  of  brushwood  on  its  banks.  It  forms  a  slight  sandy  bay, 
but  not  sufficient  to  shelter  a  vessel  from  the  heavy  swell.  Yitor  gorge, 
29  miles  north  of  Camarones  and  15  south  of  Arica,  is  about  f  mile  in 
breadth,  and  having  a  high,  bold  point  namAl  cape  Lobos  jutting  out 
to  the  southwest  ward  J  has  a  tolerably  good  anchorage  for  small  vessels 


ARicA.  •  327 

off  it.  This  gorge  traverses  the  country  in  a  similar  manner  to  that  of 
Gamarones,  and  has  likewise  a  small  stream  passing  through,  with 
verdure  on  its  banks. 

Arica  road. — ^Vessels  bound  to  Arica  should  endeavor  to  makeVitor 
gorge,  and  when  within  9  or  10  miles  of  it  Arica  head,  600  feet  high, 
will  be  seen,  and  appears  as  a  steep  white  bluff,  with  a  round  hill 
inshore  named  monte  Gordo,  880  feet  high.  (Jpon  a  nearer  approach 
the  low  island  of  Alacran  will  be  observed,  joined  to  Arica  head  by  a 
reef  of  rocks.  To  the  northward  of  this  island  is  the  roadstead,  one  of 
the  best  anchorages  on  the  coast,  although  the  frequent  heavy  swell 
renders  a  stern  kedge  advisable.  There  is  no  danger  in  entering;  the 
island  may  be  rounded  at  100  yards  length  in  7  or  8  fathoms. 

If  a  ship  be  overtaken  by  darkness  or  a  calm  when  nearing  Arica,  it 
would  be  advisable,  if  in  soundings,  to  anchor  with  a  kedge.  Should 
this  precaution  be  neglected  the  ship  will  be  found  to  leeward  of  the 
port  next  morning,  and  probably  be  unable  to  make  it  during  the  day. 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  is  in  from  8  to  9  fathoms,  ^  mile 
N.  330  E.  (N.  220  E.  mag.)  of  Alacran  island,  and  it  is  recommended  not 
to  bring  the  western  summit  of  Alacran  island  to  the  westward  of  S. 
390  W.  (8. 280  W.  mag.),  nor  to  anchor  south  of  the  telegraph  buoy  or 
coal  hulk. 

The  submarine  telegraph  cable  is  laid  through  the  anchorage  and  is 
marked  by  two  red  buoys.    Vessels  must  anchor  clear  off  the  cable. 

There  are  two  mooring  buoys  just  within  the  4- fathom  line  of  sound- 
ings abreast  English  jetty,  and  one  abreast  the  customhouse  jetty. 
South  and  east  of  these  buoys  the  ground  is  foul,  and  from  April  to 
October  the  Sea  breaks  across  from  Alacran  island  to  the  customhouse 
wharf.    South  of  the  island  the  sea  breaks  continually. 

The  wreck  of  the  arinor-plated  vessel  Manco  Capac  lies  in  7  fathoms, 
about  1,100  yards  NNE.  of  the  town  and  650  yards  from  the  nearest 
shore.  The  least  water  over  the  wreck  is  6  fathoms,  and  vessels  should 
avoid  anchoring  near  it. 

In  June,  July,  and  August  the  rollers  are  so  heavy  at  times  as  to  stop 
all  traffic  in  the  port. 

Landing. — ^Boats  land  at  the  extremity  of  the  wharf. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Arica  at  8h.  5  springs 
rise  3J  feet. 

Arica  was  formerly  a  flourishing  town,  but  has  been  destroyed  by 
successive  earthquakes.  It  is  now  a  place  of  considerable  importance, 
and  has  a  population  of  about  4,000.  The  principal  commerce  consists 
in  the  importation  of  foreign  goods  for  Bolivia  and  the  exportation  of 
soda,  tin,  wool,  hides,  and  metals.  The  city  of  Tacna  is  the  capital 
of  Moquehua,  to  which  the  port  of  Arica  also  belongs.  They  are  con- 
nected by  a  railroad  45  miles  long,  affording  daily  communication,  the 
journey  occupying  about  two  hours  and  a  half.  There  is  also  tele- 
graphic communication  between  Arica  and  Tacna.  On  a  clear  day 
Tacna  can  be  plainly  seen  from  the  sea,  though  more  than  20  miles  off, 


328  .  COQUIMBO   BAT  TO  MORRO   DE   SAMA. 

the  valley  rising  gradually  to  it.  To  the  eastward  also  rise  some  of  the 
highest  peaks  of  the  Andes.  Indeed,  few  scenes  can  vie  in  magnificence 
with  the  view  on  a  clear  day  from  between  the  morro  de  Sama  and 
Arica,  where  the  coast,  being  low  and  the  country  sweeping  back  in  one 
unbroken  ascent  to  the  stupendous  snowy  masses  of  the  Andes,  displays 
the  endless  variety  of  their  outlines  and  the  grandeur  of  their  vast  pro- 
portions to  great  advantage;  even  the  volcano  of  Arequipa,  more  than 
90  miles  off,  is  often  seen. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  vice-consul. 

Position. — The  church  spire  (Iglesia  matrix)  is  considered  to  be  in 
latitude  18o  28'  43"  S.,  longitude  70o  20'  W. 

Supplies. — At  Arica  fresh  provisions  and  vegetables,  with  all  kinds 
of  tropical  fruit,  may  be  had,  but  are  usually  dear;  the  water  is  good,  and 
may  be  obtained  from  the  small  jetty  erected  by  the  water  company, 
whose  works  are  close  to  the  railway  terminus.  Coal  may  be  procured 
at  times,  but  this  is  quite  uncertain. 

Climate. — Fever  and  ague  are  said  to  be  prevalent  in  the  hot  sum- 
mer months.  This  in  all  probability  arises  from  the  bad  situation  which 
has  been  chosen  for  the  town,  the  high  head  to  the  southward  excluding 
the  benefit  of  the  refreshing  sea  breeze,  which  generally  sets  in  about 
noon.    There  is  one  hospital  at  Arica. 

Arica  to  southern  ports. — From  Arica,  the  coast  being  nearly  north 
and  south,  vessels  bound  to  the  southward  should  make  an  offing  of 
not  more  than  45  to  60  miles  (so  as  to  insure  keeping  the  sea  breeze), 
and  work  upon  that  meridian  till  in  the  parallel  of  the  place  to  which 
they  are  bound.  But  on  no  account  is  it  advisable  to  make  a  long 
stretch  off;  for  as  the  limit  of  the  trade  wind  is  approached  it  gradually 
hauls  to  the  eastward,  and  great  difficulty  will  be  found  in  even  fetching 
the  port  from  which  they  started. 

The  coast — Arica  is  situated  in  the  depth  of  the  bight,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  continent  of  South  America,  from  whence  the  coast,  which 
has  preserved  a  general  direction  N.  8°  E.  (N.  3^  W.  mag.)  from  the 
western  entrance  of  Magellan  strait,  takes  a  sudden  turn  to  the  north- 
westward. For  20  miles,  as  far  as  the  Juan  Diaz  river,  is  a  low  sandy 
beach  with  regular  soundings.  It  then  gradually  becomes  more  rocky, 
and  increases  in  height  till  it  reaches  the  morro  de  Sama,  where  it 
attains  the  elevation  of  2,500  feet.  This  is  the  highest  and  most  con- 
spicuous land  near  the  sea  about  this  part  of  the  coast,  and  at  a  dis- 
tance appears,  from  its  boldness,  to  project  beyond  the  neighboring 
coast  line. 

Off  Juan  Diaz  heights,  28  miles  NW.  by  W.  from  Arica,  the  sound- 
ings are  regular.  At  2  or  3  miles  off  shore  the  depths  are  from  14  to 
27  fathoms,  mud. 

Azapa  valley,  seen  at  the  head  of  and  beyond  the  town  of  Arica, 
rises  gradually  into  the  interior.  The  river  which  flows  through  it  is 
scantily  supplied  with  water,  but  the  valley,  nevertheless,  poduces  an 
abundance  of  excellent  fruit,  its  olives  being  particularl  renowned. 


HOBRO  DE   SAMA.  329 

Chacayuta  valley  joins  that  of  Azapa  and  extends  north  of  Arica 
with  a  very  notable  ascent.  Toward  the  interior  the  lofty  and  perpet- 
ually snow-covered  mountains  of  Tacora  are  seen. 

The  coast  hereabouts  is  sandy  and  low.  The  sea  always  breaks  upon 
it  very  heavily,  on  which  account  there  is  no  safe  place  for  lying-to. 

Quiaca  point  is  a  low  sandy  tongue,  with  cliffs  making  off  to  the 
northward,  from  where  the  tongue  joins  the  beach. 

Monro  de  Sama  is  very  conspicuous  on  account  of  its  elevation  of 
3,890  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  From  its  summit  it  descends 
gradually  toward  the  sea  in  a  convex  form,  and  can  be  recognized  from 
a  great  distance  without  mistake,  as  it  is  the  highest  land  about  this 
part  near  the  sea.  The  rocks  off  the  morro  are  very  near  it  and 
visible. 

Sama  point  is  the  prolongation  of  one  of  the  spurs  of  the  mountain 
which  shoots  from  the  morro  and  descends  into  the  sea. 

Sama  cove.    See  page  334. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

COAST  OF  PERU-MORRO  DE  SAMA  TO  THE  GDLF  OF  GUAYAQUIL. 

(H.  O.  Charts  Noa.  121«,  1178, 1177.) 

General  Description. — Peru  extends  on  the  seacoast  in  a  north- 
westerly direction  1,300  miles,  with  a  breadth  varying  between  50  and 
600  miles.  It  is  divided  into  ten  departments,  with  a  population  of 
about  3,000,000,  consisting  of  descendants  of  the  Spaniards,  Indians, 
negroes,  and  mixed  races. 

The  country  is  naturally  divided  into  three  regions :  The  first,  between 
the  Apdes  and  the  sea;  the  second,  composed  of  the  table-lands  of  the 
Andes,  and  the  third,  situated  to  the  eastward  of  these  mountains  and 
forming  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Amazon. 

The  country  between  the  Andes  and  the  sea  is  very  contracted,  and 
is  traversed  by  torrents.  There  are  vast  sandy  plains  called  arenalesj 
which  are  barren  and  without  irrigation;  but  if  a  valley  is  watered 
by  even  the  smallest  stream  vegetation  flourishes.  Eain  is  almost 
unknown,  but  is  replaced  by  fogs  and  dews. 

The  country  is  generally  healthy,  the  most  common  maladies  being 
bilious  and  inflammatory  diarrhea,  colic,  smallpox,  and  hydrophobia. 

Products. — Peru  is  rich  in  mineral  and  vegetable  products.  The 
mines  of  precious  metals  and  (Quicksilver  yielded  considerably  even 
before  the  Spanish  conquest,  and  if  the  production  has  now  dimiuished 
it  is  more  especially  due  to  the  high  price  of  labor.  The  mineral  king- 
dom is  represented  by  iron,  copper,  tin,  coal,  granite,  and  porphyry,  to 
which  must  be  added  iodine,  which  is  drawn  from  the  mother  water  of 
saltpeter,  nitrate  of  soda,  borate  of  lime,  and  sulphate  of  alumina. 
The  nitrate  of  soda  is  found  between  the  two  chains  of  the  Cordillera 
around  the  lake  of  Titicaca  in  quantities  sufficient  to  supply  the 
demands  of  one-half  the  world. 

The  borate  of  lime  is  found  in  the  western  part,  opposite  the  Cordil- 
lera of  the  Pampa  de  Tamarugal,  under  a  bed  of  salt  and  hard  earth 
from  one  to  3  feet  thick,  in  fine  siliceous  sand.  Like  the  guano,  it  is  a 
monopoly  of  the  Peruvian  Government. 

Labor  is  always  largely  repaid  where  the  country  is  even  slightly 
watered.  In  the  hot  region  sugar,  rice,  tobacco,  yams,  olives,  sweet 
potatoes,  and  cocoa  nuts  are  produced.  In  the  colder  climate  grapes, 
wheat,  and  potatoes.  Corn  is  the  principal  nourishmeut  of  the  inhabit- 
ants. Cotton  grows  well,  and  is  hardly  inferior  to  that  of  Georgia  or 
Egypt.  There  are  many  tropical  fruits  and  vegetables. 
330 


WINDS.  331 

Probably  the  most  important  of  all  the  agricultural  products  of 
Peru  is  the  qninqaina  tree,  the  bark  of  which  is  gathered,  dried,  and 
sent  to  the  ports  for  exj^rtation. 

There  are  a  few  deer,  bat  the  animals  from  which  hides  and  wool  are 
obtained,  as  the  llama,  alpaca,  gaanaco,  vicuna,  are  numerous,  as  are 
also  European  animals  which  have  become  acclimated  to  Peru. 

Guano  is  found  on  many  parts  of  the  coast,  especially  on  the  southern 
portions,  and  all  the  islands  along  the  coast  are  more  or  less  covered 
with  it. 

The  coast  is  generally  straight  and  precipitous,  and  is  beaten,  espe- 
cially in  winter,  by  a  heavy  SW.  to  SSW.  swell.  There  are  but  few 
coves  in  which  small  v<essels  or  boats  can  find  shelter  from  the  waves. 

The  swell  is  less  heavy  in  the  summer,  and  the  communication  with 
the  shore  therefore  easier;  10  or  15  miles  to  seaward  this  swell  is  not 
experienced.  The  lines  of  the  cliffs  are  sometimes  broken  by  sand 
beaches  of  great  exteut,  especially  to  the  northward,  but  the  surf  is 
equally  violent. 

Immediately  back  of  the  coast  is  the  Cordillera  of  the  Andes.  Its 
proximity  to  the  coast  and  its  elevation  change  all  the  water  courses 
into  torrents. 

The  rivers  are  generally  ftill  in  the  summer  months,  and  often  over- 
flow in  February  and  March.  They  fall  in  the  winter  months,  and  are 
nearly  dry  during  August  and  September.  As  it  seldom  if  ever  rains, 
it  is  difficult  to  procure  fresh  water.  None  is  found  within  a  radius  of 
40  miles  of  Iquique.  The  wells  on  the  shore  often  give  brackish  water; 
nearly  all  the  water  used  is  distilled,  and  consequently  expensive. 

Winds. — The  prevailing  winds  on  the  shores  of  Peru  blow  from  8SB. 
to  SW. — seldom  stronger  than  a  fresh  breeze,  and  not  often,  on  certain 
parts  of  the  coast,  more  than  sufficient  to  enable  shipping  to  make  a 
passage  from  one  port  to  another.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  the 
district  between  Oobija  and  Callao.  Sometimes  during  the  summer  for 
three  or  four  successive  days  there  is  not  a  breath  of  wind,  the  sky 
beautifully  clear,  and  a  nearly  vertical  sun.  The  zone  between  morro 
Ohala  and  the  port  of  Iquique  is  most  subject  to  them. 

Land  and  sea  breeze. — On  the  days  that  the  sea  breeze  sets  in  it 
generally  commences  about  10  o'clock  in  the  morning;  light  and  vari- 
able at  first,  but  gradually  increasing  till  1  or  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
From  that  time  a  steady  breeze  prevails  till  near  sunset,  when  it  begins 
to  die  away,  and  soon  after  sundown  all  is  a  dead  calm.  About  8  or  9 
o'clock  in  the  evening  light  winds  begin  to  come  off  the  land,  and  con- 
tinue until  sunrise,  when  it  again  falls  calm  until  the  sea  breeze  after 
midday.  All  winds  from  SB.  to  BSE.  are  called  the  terral,  or  land 
winds;  those  from  SB.  to  SSW.,  or  from  seaward,  the  virazon,  or  sea 
breeze. 

The  virazon  is  lighter  in  proportion  as  it  comes  up  later  or  as  it  blows 
more  directly  from  seaward;  it  then  dies  out  earlier.  The  land  and  sea 
breezes  are  often  separated  by  an  interval  of  calm. 


332  COAST  OP  PERU. 

The  coast  of  Peru  is  never  visited  by  storms  or  hnnicanect.  The 
barometric  variation  is  insignificant;  there  is  no  thunder  or  lightning; 
the  rains  which  take  place  from  June  to  Aughst  are  so  inconsiderable 
that  they  hardly  deserve  the  name  of  showers.  When  sailing  a  short 
distance  from  the  coast,  the  sky  and  horizon  have  often  an  appearance 
so  dark  and  threatening  as  to  alarm  those  who  do  not  know  the  want 
of  significance  of  such  signs  in  these  latitudes ;  the  most  violent  squalls 
under  these  circumstances  do  not  necessitate  taking  in  the  topsails  or 
courses.  When  the  sea  breeze  is  only  a  little  fresh  it  always  scatters 
these  dark  mists. 

During  the  winter  (from  April  to  August)  light  northerly  winds  may 
be  expected  frequently,  and  are  generally  accompanied  by  thick  fogs  or 
dark,  lowering  weather;  but  this  seldom  occurs  in  the  summer  months, 
although  even  then  the  tops  of  the  hills  are  frequently  enveloped  in 
this  mist. 

Korthward  of  Gallao  the  winds  are  more  to  be  depended  on;  the  sea 
breeze  sets  in  with  greater  regularity  and  more  vigor  than  on  the 
southern  parts  of  the  coast,  and  near  the  limit  of  the  Peruvian  terri- 
tory (about  Paita  and  off  cape  Blanco)  a  double-reefed-topsail  breeze  is 
not  uncommon. 

Sudden  gusts. — ^It  is  to  be  remarked  that  although  these  moderate 
winds  are  the  general  rule  on  the  coast  of  Peru,  yet  sudden  and  heavy 
gusts  often  come  over  the  high  land  after  the  sea  breeze  sets  in;  and 
from  the  smallness  of  the  ports  they  are  attended  with  some  inconven- 
ience if  precautions  be  not  taken  in  duly  shortening  sail  previous  to 
entering  them. 

Weather.— The  only  difference  between  winter  and  summer  as  far 
as  regards  the  winds  is  the  frequency  of  light  northerly  airs  during  the 
former  months;  but  in  the  winter  the  difference  in  climate  is  far  greater 
than  one  would  imagine  in  so  low  a  latitude.  In  the  summer  the 
weather  is  delightfully  fine,  with  the  thermometer  (Fahr.)  seldom  below 
70O,  and  often  as  high  as  80^,  in  a  vessel's  cabin ;  but  during  winter 
the  air  is  raw  and  damp,  with  thick  fogs  and  a  cloudy,  overcast  sky. 
Cloth  clothing  is  then  necessary  for  the  security  of  health;  whereas  in 
summer  the  lighter  one  is  clad  the  more  conducive  it  is  to  comfort  and 
health. 

The  devrs  at  night  in  the  province  of  Piura  (Paita),  where  the  fogs 
are  less  dense  and  occasional  rains  are  noted,  are  caused  by  the  land 
winds  which  sweep  along  the  perpetual  snows  of  the  Andes. 

Earthquakes. — The  coast  of  Peru  is  subject  to  frequent  earthquakes, 
though  some  of  them  are  light  and  hardly  felt  on  shipboard;  others 
have  been  fearful,  especially  the  memorable  earthquakes  of  October  28, 
1746,  and  of  August  13, 1868. 

Tides. — The  action  of  the  tide  is  feeble  along  the  whole  coast,  the 
rise  and  fall  being  at  no  place  more  than  7  feet. 

Currents. — ^The  waters  of  the  South  Pacific  ocean  form  a  current  on 


CURRENTS — PASSAGES.  333 

the  west  coast  of  South  America,  which  extends  as  a  river  of  cooler  water 
from  the  latitude^  of  Ohiloe*  to  the  equator,  along  which  it  sets  to  the 
westward.  From  its  becoming  more  evident  in  the  warmer  latitude  of 
Peru,  it  has  been  denominated  the  Peruvian  current.  Its  westerly  set 
is  felt  on  the  coast  between  Arica  and  Pisco,  especially  to  the  southward 
of  the  latter  port.  Its  greatest  force  on  the  American  coast  is  between 
Paita  and  the  Galapagos,  where  vessels  have  occasionally  been  drifted 
50  miles  to  the  WNW.  in  twenty-four  hours. 

The  general  set  of  the  current  on  the  coast  of  Peru  is  along  the  shore 
to  the  northward  from  |  to  one  knot,  and  yet  occasionally  it  sets  to  the 
southward  with  equal  or  greater  strength.  The  periods  at  which  this 
southerly  movement  takes  place  can  not  be  foreseen  with  any  degree 
of  certainty.  Neither  the  seasons,  the  age  of  the  moon,  nor  any  of 
those  causes  to  which  we  so  freely  ascribe  the  currents  of  other  coasts 
seem  to  have  any  influence  here.  The  oldest  navigators  in  the  coasting 
trade  can  neither  predict  these  changes  by  their  exi)erience  nor  con- 
nect them  by  the  closest  observation — they  only  know  that  they  will 
suddenly  take  place,  and  endeavor  to  profit  by  them  accordingly. 

{Southerly  sets  are  frequently  experienced  immediately  preceding  or 
during  northerly  winds;  but  this  is  far  from  being  always  the  case, 
and  no  general  rule  can  be  found  to  hold.  However,  it  appears  natural 
that  there  is  some  connecting  link  between  them,  for  at  times  the  cur- 
rent is  found  to  change,  and  to  set  to  the  southward  after  a  fresh  wind 
had  for  several  days  been  blowing  from  that  quarter.  Again,  no  ine- 
qualities or  irregularities  in  the  coast  line  seemed  to  have  any  effect 
on  the  main  body  of  the  current,  and  every  fresh  observation  'made 
serves  to  awaken  fresh  curiosity,  without  helping  to  elicit  the  source  of 
these  singular  but  interesting  anomalies.  These  irregular  currents  may 
be  connected  with  the  causes  of  the  remarkable  meeting  of  oceanic 
currents  about  the  Galdpagos. 

Passages. — With  regard  to  making  passages  in  sailing  vessels  along 
this  coast,  little  difficulty  is  found  in  going  to  the  northward.  A  fair 
offing  is  all  that  is  requisite  to  insure  any  vessel  making  a  certain  port 
in  a  given  number  of  days.  But  in  working  to  the  southward  some 
degree  of  skill  and  constant  attention  are  necessary. 

Passages. — Callao  to  Valparaiso.— For  a  sailing  vessel  bound  from 
Gallao  to  Valparaiso  there  is  no  question  but  that  by  running  off*  with 
a  full  sail  the  passage  will  be  made  in  much  less  time  than  by  working 
inshore,  for  she  may  run  quite  through  the  trade,  and  fall  in  with  the 
westerly  winds,  which  are  always  found  beyond  it.  But  for  the  inter- 
mediate ports  (except  Ooquimbo)  the  case  is  different,  as  they  lie  con- 
siderably within  the  trade  wind,  and  must  be  attained  through  that 
medium  alone.  A  very  dull  sailor  might  indeed  do  better  by  running  * 
through  the  trade  and  making  southing  in  the  offing,  so  as  to  return 
to  the  northward  along  the  coast,  than  by  attempting  to  work  to  wind- 
ward against  a  trade  wind  which  never  varies  more  than  a  few  points. 


334  COAST  OF  PEBU. 

The  average  passage  in  a  well-conditioiied  merchant  vessel  from 
Guayaquil  to  Gallao  occupies  from  fifteen  Jto  twenty  days,  and  from 
Callao  to  Valparaiso  about  three  weeks. 

Commodore  E.  A. Powell,  H.  M.  S.  Topaze  (1867),  says:  "Ships  mak- 
ing the  passage  from  Callao  to  Valparaiso  wUl  generally  have  to  pass 
through  a  calm  belt.  When  they  meet  with  it  the  best  plan  is  to  use 
steam,  or  they  may  be  six  or  seven  days  rolling  about  before  getting 
through  it.''  The  belt  of  calm  is  generally  found  on  the  edge  of  the 
trade  wind  between  September  and  April  as  far  south  as  latitude  31^ 
S.,  and  between  April  and  September  at  latitude  18°  S. 

In  making  the  passage  from  Vancouver  island  to  Valparaiso  in 
November,  in  1872,  H.  M.  S.  Scylla  went  to  the  parallel  of  41°  S.  before 
making  her  easting,  making  a  good  passage  of  forty-six  days. 

For  the  intermediate  i)orts  it  may  be  recommended  to  work  along- 
shore, as  above  directed,  as  far  as  the  island  of  San  Gallan,  from 
whence  the  coast  trends  more  to  the  eastward,  so  that  a  long  leg  aud 
a  short  one  may  be  made  (with  the  land  just  in  sight)  to  Arica,  or  to 
any  port  between  it  and  Pisco. 

When  proceeding  from  Callao  to  Pisco  it  is  recommended  to  stand  oft* 
the  land  at  night  and  toward  it  during  the  day  until  to  the  southward 
of  latitude  13^,  when  it  is  advisable  to  keep  within  4  or  5  miles  of  the 
shore  down  to  Pisco.  The  currents  are  uncertain  at  the  Chincha 
islands,  but  generally  set  to  the  northward  about  1^  knots  an  hour. 

(H.O.  Chart  No.  1218.) 

Sama  cove. — On  the  western  side  of  morro  de  Sama  there  is  a  cove 
formed  by  Sama  point,  45  miles  from  Arica,  where  coasting  vessels 
occasionally  anchor  to  unload  guano  for  the  interior,  and  three  or  four 
miserable  looking  huts,  the  residences  of  fishermen.  It  would  be 
impossible  to  land  in  the  cove,  except  on  a  balsa,  and  even  then  with 
difficulty.  Should  a  vessel  be  drifted  down  here  by  baffling  winds  and 
a  heavy  swell,  which  has  been  the  case,  she  should  endeavor  to  pass 
the  morro  (as  a  number  of  rocks  surround  it)  about  a  mile  to  the  west- 
ward, where  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  16  fathoms. 

Ite  cove,  about  4  miles  NW.  of  Sama  cove,  is  a  landing  place,  and 
may  be  recognized  by  the  block  houses,  with  a  road  immediately  behind 
them,  perpendicular  to  the  coast,  and  showing  well  against  the  dark- 
colored  hills.  A  reef  of  rocks  projecting  from  the  north  side  breaks 
the  heavy  swell  and  shelters  the  passage.  During  the  autumn  and 
winter  the  heavy  sea  makes  it  unapproachable. 

Korth  of  the  rocks  above  mentioned,  as  far  as  Locumba  river,  there 
is  anchorage  in  10  fathoms,  sand,  or  with  Sama  point  bearing  S.  34P  E. 
(S.  450  E.  mag.),  and  the  conspicuous  road  N.  16°  E.  (K  5^  E.  mag.). 

Tike  point. — To  the  NW.  of  Sama  point  9  miles  is  a  low,  rocky  point 
named  Tike,  and  3 J  miles  farther  northward  another  such  point  named 
cape  Picata.    Both  are  small,  with  nothing  remarkable  about  them, 

Locumba  river. — ^This  small  river,  with  low  cliffs  on  each  side,  issues 


COLES  ponrr — ^yebba  buena  point.  335 

between  Sama  aud  Tike  points.  Like  most  of  the  streams  on  the  eoast, 
it  has  not  strength  to  make  an  outlet,  bat  is  lost  in  the  shingle  beach 
at  the  foot  of  the  cliffs.  From  Febrnary  until  June  there  is  abundance 
of  water,  but  during  the  remainder  of  the  year  it  is  nearly  dry.  Eeg- 
ular  soundings,  which  continue  as  far  as  Coles  point,  may  be  obtained 
at  a  distance  of  2  miles  off  shore,  in  from  15  to  20  fathoms. 

Coles  points — The  shore  between  Sama  and  Coles  points,  30  miles  to 
the  NW.  by  W.,  is  alternately  sandy  beach,  with  low  cliff',  and  moder- 
ately high  table-land  a  short  distance  in  the  interior. 

Coles  point  is  a  remarkable  low,  sandy  spit,  running  out  from  an 
abrupt  termination  of  high  table-land.  Near  its  extremity  there  is  a 
cluster  of  small  hummocks,  and  at  a  distance  it  appears  like  one  island. 
Off  the  point  to  the  SW.  there  is  a  group  of  rocks  or  islets. 

This  point  should  be  carefully  avoided  by  vessels  running  along  the 
coast,  as  at  night  it  is  difficult  to  see,  and  if  inside  they  may  be  among 
the  foul  ground  to  the  northward  of  it  before  they  can  haul  out. 

Considering  the  rocky  nature  of  the  locality  aud  the  swell  which  is 
constantly  thrown  upon  this  part  of  the  coast,  it  would  be  extremely 
imprudent  for  a  vessel  to  attempt  to  pass  between  Coles  point  and  the 
islets  off*  that  point. 

Ho  road  is  5^  miles  NE.  by  K.  of  Coles  point.  At  the  village  and 
roadstead  of  Ilo,  water  is  scarce  and  wood  is  brought  from  the  interior, 
so  that  it  is  not  on  any  account  a  suitable  place  for  shipping. 

Facocha  cove. — The  best  anchorage  in  Ilo  road  is  in  13  fathoms, 
about  li  miles  to  the  southward  of  Ilo,  off  the  village  of  Facocha;  it 
may  be  known  by  the  buildings  along  the  beach  and  the  mole. 

The  mole  affords  every  facility  for  landing,  and  Pacocha  is  the  ter- 
minus of  a  railway  leading  from  the  rich  valley  of  Moquegua,  distant 
55  miles. 

When  steering  for  Ilo  road  the  shore  should  not  be  approached  nearer 
than  one  mile,  as  many  sharp  rocks  and  blind  breakers  exist;  anchor- 
age may  be  taken  abreast  of  the  village  of  Pacocha  as  convenient. 

English  cove,  2|  miles  south  of  Pacocha  cove,  affords  the  best  land- 
ing, but  boats  are  forbidden  that  cove,  to  prevent  the  contraband  trade 
carried  on  there. 

Sopladera  point,  5  miles  north  of  Ilo,  has  some  scattered  rocks 
near  it  which  show  above  water. 

Chuza  cove,  just  north  of  Sopladera  point,  is  easily  known  by  the 
olive  groves  extending  close  to  the  coast.  The  anchorage  is  in  9  or  10 
fathoms,  600  yards  off  shore.  Drinkable  water  can  be  obtained  from  a 
waterfall.    Landing  can  be  effected  north  of  the  point. 

Terba  Buena  point  and  cove. — ^At  3^  miles  from  Sopladera  point 
the  coast  projects  slightly,  forming  Yerba  Buena  point.  One  mile 
farther  north  is  a  cove  of  the  same  name,  which  affords  anchorage  at 
about  400  yards  off  shore  in  8  to  10  fathoms  water.  Landing  is  diffi- 
cult on  account  of  the  heavy  surf,  but  can  be  effected  at  times  by 


338  COAST  OF  PERU. 

beaching  on  the  sandy  shore  to  leeward  of  the  point,  where  drinkable 
water  may  be  found. 

Pacay  cape  and  cove. — ^At  22  miles  NW.  by  IS.  from  Ilo  is  a  high, 
rocky  projection  named  cape  Pacay.  To  leeward  (or  northward)  of  the 
cape  is  Pacay  cove,  with  anchorage  in  18  or  20  fathoms,  rocky  bottom, 
800  yards  off  shore.  Guano  is  landed  here  for  agricultural  purposes 
of  the  country,  but  the  place  is  difficult  of  access  on  account  of  the 
breakers. 

Jesus  islet,  3 J  miles  KW.  of  cape  Pacay  and  i  mile  from  the  shore, 
is  high,  free  from  danger,  and  having  a  slight  covering  of  guano  is 
easily  seen. 

Cocotea  cove,  just  north  of  Jesus  islet,  affords  anchorage  in  8  to  13 
fathoms,  suitable  for  coasting  vessels  with  guano  tor  the  country,  but 
generally  a  heavy  sea  sets  in. 

Cape  Peje-Perro  is  a  little  promontory  3  miles  !trw,  by  W.  of  Coco- 
tea  cove.  There  is  neither  shelter  nor  easy  landing  on  account  of  the 
heavy  swell  and  constant  surf  on  the  beach. 

Tambo  valley. — From  Ilo  the  coast  trends  to  the  northwestward  for 
37  miles,  with  a  cliffy  outline  as  far  as  the  valley  of  Tambo,  which  is  of 
considerable  extent,  and  may  be  easily  distinguished  by  its  fertile 
appearance,  contrasting  strongly  with  the  barren  and  desolate  cliffs  on 
either  side,  those  to  the  eastward  maintaining  their  regularity  for  sev- 
eral miles,  while  to  the  westward  they  are  broken,  and  from  the  near 
approach  of  the  hills  the  aspect  is  bolder. 

Mejico  point,  the  outer  extreme  of  the  low  land  of  the  Tambo  valleyi 
is  covered  with  brushwood  to  the  water's  edge,  and  projects  consider- 
ably beyond  the  general  trend  of  the  coast,  but  there  is  no  safe  anchor- 
age; neither  is  it  prudent  to  approach,  as  there  is  always  a  heavy  swell, 
breaking  some  distance  off  shore. 

There  are  from  5  to  6  fathoms  at  one  mile,  and  20  to  27  fathoms  at  3 
or  4  miles  off  Mejico  point.  At  2  miles  southward  of  the  point  sound* 
ings  may  be  obtained  in  10  fathoms,  muddy  bottom;  from  that  depth, 
in  the  same  direction,  it  increases  to  20  fathoms;  but  on  each  side  of 
the  bank  there  are  50  fathoms. 

Arequipa  volcano  (Volcan  Misti). — In  clear  weather  the  volcano 
of  Arequipa,  20,200  feet  high,  can  be  seen  at  a  distance  of  100  miles 
from  the  coast  through  the  Tambo  valley.  The  mountain  is  of  conical 
form  and  perpetually  covered  with  snow. 

Mejia  cove,  7  miles  NW.  by  W.  of  Mejico  point,  is  an  unsheltered 
anchorage  in  10  fathoms  1,100  yards  off  shore;  there  is  constantly 
a  heavy  surf.  In  Chute  cove,  just  east  of  Mfjia  cove,  a  moderate 
quantity  of  drinkable  water  may  be  obtained. 

Port  Mollendo,  in  latitude  17^  1'  S.,  is  the  port  of  Arequipa.  It  has 
advanced  considerably  in  importance  during  late  years  since  the  con- 
struction of  the  railway  connecting  Arequipa  with  the  coast.  This 
railway  crosses  the  Andes  at  an  elevation  of  UfidO  feet,  and  extends 


MOLLENDO — ^AEEQ  UIPA.  337 

to  Puno,  on  lake  Titicaca.  Water  is  brought  to  Mollendo  from  Are- 
quipa  in  iron  pipes.  There  are  telegraph  and  cable  lines  here,  and  thft 
trade  has  so  increased  that  usually  from  two  to  five  vessels  are  in  port, 
while  half  a  dozen  steamers  call  weekly  with  freight  for  the  interior. 
The  houses  are  of  wood.    Population  about  3,000.    There  is  no  tug. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

Anchorage. — ^The  anchorage  is  very  rongh  and  landing  at  times  is 
impracticable.  Anchor  just  outsight  the  fleet  of  lighters.  Steamers 
lie  to  the  southward.  At  the  anchorage  there  are  from  20  to  25 
fathoms  of  water,  and  one  anchor  with  about  75  fathoms  chain  is  suffi- 
cient. A  strong  stern  mooring  is  necessary  to  keep  the  ship's  head  to 
sea.  A  mooring  lighter  will  lay  out  or  lift  these  moorings  at  a  charge 
of  about  $17.60  (25  sol).    There  are  no  mooring  buoys. 

Toro  rock  breaks  heavily  with  an  ordinary  sea,  and  the  channel 
between  the  rock  and.  shore  is  not  passable  for  boats. 

Landing. — ^A  whaleboat  should  always  be  used  to  land.  Pass 
between  Toro  and  Spar  rocks,  and  land  at  the  railway  wharf  where 
there  are  steps. 

Supplies. — Watering  is  done  by  ship's  boats  irom  a  pipe  at  the 
wharf.  Fresh  beef  is  obtainable  at  9  or  10  cents  a  pound.  Groceries, 
fruit,  and  all  kinds  of  vegetables  are  dear.  Ko  salt  provisions.  Sand 
ballast,  the  only  kind  procurable,  is  delivered  on  board  at  about  94 
cents  a  ton. 

Lighters. — ^The  loading  is  done  by  lighters,  and  at  times  it  is  seri- 
ously interfered  with  by  the  heavy  swell;  in  winter  it  is  often  entirely 
prevented.    Steamers  arriving  monopolize  the  lighters. 

Directions. — After  making  Tambo  valley  (Mejico  point  being  low, 
and  not  readily  seen),  steer  in  toward  the  southerly  extremity  of  the 
white  patches  of  ashes  on  shore;  these  patches  are  not  conspicuous 
southward  of  Mollendo. 

Do  not  mistake  the  islands  off  Islay  for  the  Mollendo  island,  which 
is  hardly  discernible,  and  is  now  joined  to  the  mainland.  Vessels  have 
steered  for  the  Islay  islands,  fallen  to  leeward  of  Mollendo,  and  only 
reached  the  latter  port  with  difficulty,  the  wind  and  current  being 
against  them. 

Arequipa,  the  second  in  importance  of  the  towns  of  Peru,  50  miles 
"KE.  of  Mollendo,  stands  on  the  elevated  plain  of  Quilca,  at  a  height 
of  7,850  feet  above  the  sea. 

Chiguas  cove  is  a  small  bight,  3  miles  west  of  Mollendo,  where 
coasters  can  anchor  in  fine  weather. 

Guerreros  valley. — This  Is  the  largest  valley  opening  between  the 
mountains  in  the  interior.  The  railway  to  Arequipa  passing  along  its 
side,  is  distinctly  seen. 

Islay  pointy  at  5  miles  west  of  Mollendo,  projects  slightly  toward 
the  sea,  under  some  whitish  patches  on  the  mountain  sides;  the  point 
makes  as  a  dark  belt,  and  may  be  readily  distinguished.    Several  high^ 

1943— No,  89 ^22 


338  COAST  OP  PERU. 

rocky  islets  are  scattered  about  the  x>oint  for  a  short  distance,  one  of 
which,  named  Lecky  island,  makes  as  a  conspicuous  round  islet  from 
seaward. 

Alvizuri  islets. — The  three  white  islets  lying  to  the  northwestward 
of  Islay  point  mark  the  entrance  into  Port  Islay;  they  are  of  moderate 
height,  white,  and  &ee  from  offlying  dangers.  Between  these  islets  and 
the  rocks  off  Islay  point  there  is  a  channel  250  yards  wide,  with  from 
11  to  18  fathoms.  The  passage  inside  the  islets  may  be  used  with 
advantage,  but  a  sailing  vessel  without  local  knowledge  should  pass 
outside  Alvizuri  islets,  which  may  be  rounded  at  a  prudent  distance,  as 
there  are  23  fathoms  close  to  the  westward  of  them. 

St  Malo  rock,  i  mile  south  of  Islay  point,  or  400  yards  south  of  the 
southernmost  islet  off  it,  is  a  rock  awash,  for  which  a  lookout  should  be 
kept.    The  sea  nearly  always  breaks  on  it,  and  it  is  therefore  easily 

seen.    To  clear  St.  Malo  rock  the  westernmost  islet  should  not  be 

* 

brought  to  bear  to  the  westward  of  N.  18°  W.  (N".  28°  W.  mag.)  when 
south  of  the  rocks  off  Islay  point. 

Islay  road,  formerly  the  port  of  Arequipa,  is  capable  of  containing 
20  or  25  sails.  The  town  is  built  on  the  west  side  of  a  gradually  declin- 
iDg  hill,  sloping  toward  the  anchorage,  but  since  the  building  of  the 
railway  from  Port  MoUendo  to  Arequipa  this  place  is  almost  deserted* 

Islay  road  is  a  better  anchorage  than  Port  Mollendo,  and  were  the 
railway  carried  to  the  former  it  is  probable  the  trade  would  revive. 
In  1888  Islay  was  reported  as  no  longer  inhabited. 

Landing. — The  swell  is  sometimes  so  heavy  as  to  make  landing  diffi- 
cult even  at  the  pier.  Formerly  none  but  active  men  in  a  well-managed 
boat  could  land  during  the  prevalence  of  these  rollers,  which  are  gen- 
erally bad  about  full  and  change  of  the  moon^  especially  during  the 
equinoxes. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Islay  bay  at  8h.  50m.  j 
springs  rise  7  feet. 

Directions. — ^Vessels  bound  to  Islay  from  the  southward  should 
make  the  land  abreast  of  Tambo,  beiug  conspicuous,  and  which  may 
be  seen  from  a  distance  of  9  to  12  miles.  The  course  should  then  be 
shaped  toward  a  gap  in  the  mountain  to  the  westward.  Through  this 
gap  lies  the  road  to  Arequipa,  which  winds  along  the  foot  of  the  hill 
from  Islay. 

As  the  coast  is  approached  the  foot  of  the  hills  will  be  seen  to  be 
covered  with  white  ashes,  not  found  on  any  other  part  of  the  coast. 
This  peculiarity  commences  a  little  to  the  westward  of  Tambo  and 
continues  as  far  as  Oornejo  point.  When  within  10  miles  of  Islay 
point  Alvizuri  islets  will  be  plainly  seen,  and  should  be  steered  for. 

These  islets  are  the  best  marks  for  making  Islay.  Those  to  the 
northward  oft'  Cornejo  point,  however,  are  similar  when  first  seen,  but 
the  dark  bay  to  the  northward  of  that  point  and  the  road  to  Arequipa, 
which  shows  plainly  when  approaching  Islay,  will  be  a  sufficient  guide 


ISLAY DIRECTIONS.  339 

to  distingaish  them.  There  is  also  a  rather  remarkable  bell-topped 
mountain  (mount  Islay,  3.340  feet  high)  to  the  NE.  of  the  town,  which 
is  useful  in  making  the  port  when  the  fog  hangs  on  the  lowland. 

Sailing  vessels  have  frequently  been  in  sight  to  the  westward  of  the 
port,  yet  from  the  set  of  the  current,  i  knot,  and  at  full  and  change 
often  as  much  as  one  knot  to  the  westward,  they  have  been  prevented 
from  anchoring  for  several  days. 

Care  must  be  taken  in  closing  Islay  i)oint  to  avoid  St.  Malo  rock. 

It  is  the  custom  to  go  to  the  westward  of  Alvizuri  islets,  but  with  a 
commanding  breeze,  after  a  first  visit,  it  would  be  better  to  run  between 
them  and  the  next  islets,  which  enables  a  vessel  to  choose  her  berth  at 
once,  for  the  wind  heads  on,  passing  the  outer  island,  and  obliges  a  ves- 
sel to  bring  up  and  use  warps,  or  endangers  her  being  thrown  by  the 
swell  too  near  the  main  shore. 

The  mark  to  run  inside  Alvizuri  islets  is  Brennan  point  and  Flat 
Eock  point  in  line  bearing  N.  30^  E.  (N.  20^  E.  mag.).  Pass  close  to 
Flat  rock,  or  the  vessel  will  get  off  the  bank,  and  anchor  directly  the 
town  is  well  open  in  20  fathoms,  with  Flat  rock  bearing  South  (S.  10^ 
E.  mag.)  and  Brennan  point  K  65^  E.  (N.  45°  E.  mag.). 

Vessels  from  the  eastward  should  observe  the  same  directions,  allow- 
ing for  the  KW.  current  of  one  mile  an  hour. 

Islay  from  the  "westward.-i-Run  in  on  the  parallel  of  17o  5',  which 
will  lead  about  3  miles  to  the  southward  of  Islay  point,  and  if  the 
longitude  can  not  be  trusted,  Oornejo  point,  being  the  most  remarkable 
land,  and  easily  seen  from  that  parallel,  should  be  recognized  in  pass- 
ing. If  the  weather  be  clear  the  valley  of  Quilca  will  be  seen,  which  is 
the  first  green  spot  west  of  Tambo.  Cornejo  point,  however,  must  be 
searched  for,  and  when  abreast  of  it  Islay  point  will  be  seen  topping  to 
the  eastward  like  two  islands  off  a  sloping  point.  The  bell-topped 
mountain  before  mentioned  will  also  be  visible  if  favorable  weather, 
and  shortly  after  the  town  will  appear  like  black  spots  in  strong  relief 
against  the  white  ground,  when  a  course  may  be  shaped  for  the  anchor- 
age as  before. 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  is  just  within  Flat  Rock  point,  off 
the  landing  place,  in  10  or  12  fathoms.  A  hawser  is  necessary  to  keep 
the  bow  to  the  swell,  to  prevent  rolling  heavily,  even  in  the  most 
sheltered  part. 

Moorings  for  steamers  are  laid  down  in  30  fathoms,  shell,  with  the 
landing  place  bearing  S.  74°  E.  (S.  84°  E.  mag.),  and  the  west  end  of 
the  largest  Alvizuri  island  S.  50°  W.  (S.  40o  W.  mag.). 

La  Fuente  islet. — On  the  NE.  side  of  the  pier  there  is  a  lofty  islet 
named  La  Fuente,  which  separates  the  port  of  Islay  from  Matarani  cove. 

Matarani  cove  is  at  the  foot  of  a  gully  formed  by  this  part  of  the 
coast,  and  has  a  small,  sandy  beach  in  front  of  it.  This  cove  is  the 
best  anchorage  in  the  bay,  but  it  is  not  suitable  for  vessels  which  have 
to  discharge  at  the  pier^  on  account  of  the  great  distance  from  the 


340  COAST  OF  PEBU. 

same.  It  is  from  11  to  15  fathoms  deep  very  near  the  land.  The  land- 
ing is  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  which  leads  toward  the  place.  In  the  middle 
of  the  cove  is  seen  a  small  pointed  rock  named  Burt  rock,  abont  10 
feet  high. 

Coast — Between  Port  Islay  and  Oornejo  point,  14  miles  farther  N  W., 
the  coast  is  an  irregular,  black  cliff,  50  to  200  feet  high,  bounded  by 
scattered  rocks  to  the  distance  of  200  yards.  About  3  or  4  miles  NW. 
of  Islay  is  Mollendito  cove,  the  residence  of  a  few  fishermen.  There 
is  a  similar  cove  named  Santa  Ana  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  Cornejo 
point. 

Cornejo  point  is  about  200  feet  high,  and  has  the  appearance  of  a 
fort  of  two  tiers  of  guns,  and  is  of  a  reddish  color,  sometimes  appear- 
ing white.  The  coast  to  the  westward  of  the  point  is  dark,  and  forms 
a  bay;  to  the  eastward  there  are  low  black  cliffs,  with  ashes  on  the 
top,  extending  halfway  up  the  hills. 

Off  the  western  extreme  of  Oornejo  point  there  are  three  small  rocks, 
upon  which  the  sea  always  breaks,  and  they  should'  be  given  a  good 
berth.  A  rock  with  13  feet  of  water  on  it  lies  one  mile  S.  22o  W.  (S. 
120  W.  mag.)  of  the  point. 

Nonato  gully,  one  mile  northward  of  Oornejo  point,  is  fronted  by  a 
cove  of  the  same  name,  ^  mile  long,  from  80  to  130  yards  wide,  and 
which  affords  good  anchorage  for  small  vessels. 

Between  400  and  600  yards  from  the  entrance  of  !N"onato  cove  is  a 
rock,  with  5 J  fathoms  water,  and  10  to  20  fathoms  close-to.  It  lies  on 
the  following  bearings,  namely,  Oornejo  point,  S.  15^  E.  (S.  25°  B. 
mag.),  and  a  bluff  head  in  the  cove  on  the  south  side  S.  63°  E.  (S.  73^ 
E.  mag.).  There  is  reason  to  suppose  that  there  is  very  little  water  on 
this  rock,  and  great  caution  should  be  used  when  in  the  vicinity. 

Guata  cove,  3  miles  north  of  Cornejo  point,  affords  anchorage  for 
small  craft.    At  the  head  of  the  cove  there  is  a  well  of  brackish  water. 

Aranta  cove,  3  miles  KW.  of  Guata  cove,  may  be  known  by  a  small 
white  islet  to  the  southward  of  it.  The  bottom  is  stony  in  19  to  21 
fathoms,  300  yards  off  shore.  There  is  frequently  a  heavy  swell,  and 
no  shelter  at  any  time  for  a  large  vessel. 

Quilca  valley. — At  12  miles  NW.  of  Oornejo  point  is  the  valley  and 
river  of  Quilca,  off  which  vessels  occasionally  anchor.  This  anchorage 
is  much  exposed,  and  the  bank  steep.  A  red  buoy  is  laid  down  to 
indicate  the  best  anchorage  for  steamers. 

Watering  is  sometimes  attempted  by  filling  at  the  river  and  rafting 
off,  but  it  must  always  be  attended  with  diflSculty  and  danger. 

The  valley  is  about  |  mile  in  breadth,  and  differing  from  the  others, 
which  are  level,  has  a  rapid  descent.  The  village  of  Quilca  is  on  the 
west  cliff  of  the  valley,  about  J  mile  inland,  and  has  a  chapel  or  church, 
but  it  is  not  readily  distinguished. 

Quilca  cove  is  not  easily  recognized.  Its  west  entrance  is  a  dark 
red  cliff,  about  200  feet  high,  with  a  flagstaff  on  it.    A  depth  of  22^ 


PANO  POINT — ^ATICO  POINT.  341 

fathoms  was  obtained  about  300  yards  S.  6°  W,  (S.  6°  E.  mag.)  from 
the  red  cliff.  Landing  is  good  in  the  cove,  and  anchorage  may  be 
obtained,  for  coasters  only,  in  6  fathoms. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  at  Quilca  river  at  8h.; 
springs  rise  6  feet. 

Pano  point  is  about  9  miles  WKW.  of  Quilca  cove.  All  the  inter- 
vening coast  is  very  bold. 

Monte  Fuerte,  6  miles  NW.  of  Pano  point,  is  near  the  seaj  and 
resembles  the  curtain  of  a  fort  when  seen  from  outside.  It  is  a  remark- 
able point,  and  easily  distinguished. 

Camcuia  valley. — ^The  coast  between  Quilca  and  Gamana  valley,  17 
miles  to  the  westward,  is  nearly  straight,  with  alternate  sandy  beach 
and  low  broken  cliff,  the  termination  of  the  barren  hills  immediately 
above.  The  valley  is  from  2  to  3  miles  broad,  and  apparently  well  cul- 
tivated. The  village  stands  about  one  mile  from  the  beach,  but,  being 
small  and  surrounded  with  thick  brushwood,  is  scarcely  perceptible 
from  seaward.  On  approaching  from  the  eastward  uionte  Fuerte, 
will  be  seen  near  the  sea.  This  is  an  excellent  guide  till  the  valley 
becomes  open. 

Gamana  valley  produces  quantities  of  olives,  in  which  there  is  a  large 
trade,  as  also  with  olive  oil,  with  the  interior  and  ports  on  the  coast. 
The  water  of  the  river  is  good  throughout  the  year. 

Anchorage. — There  is  anchorage  in  10  to  12  fathoms,  muddy  bottom, 
about  one  mile  south,  or  in  from  7  to  11  fathoms  1^  miles  off  shore  in 
front  of  the  village,  with  monte  Fuerte  bearing  Korth  (K.  10  ^Wl  mag.) ; 
but  landing  would  be  dangerous  at  all  times  for  ship's  boats. 

Ocoila  valley,  the  next  remarkable  place,  23  miles  westward  of  Gam- 
ana valley,  is  smaller  and  less  conspicuous  than  the  latter,  but.similar 
in  other  respects,  with  a  constant  supply  of  good  water.  An  islet  lies 
at  the  southern  extremity  and  several  rocks  near  the  end  of  the  cliff, 
on  its  eastern  side.  There  is  no  safe  anchorage  nor  convenient  landing; 
but  ships  have  ridden  temporarily  in  19  fathoms,  sand,  2  miles  S.  22^  W. 
(S.  120  W.  mag.)  of  the  middle  of  the  valley. 

Fescadores^^oint,  11^  miles  westward  of  Ocona  valley,  is  a  project- 
ing bluff;  it  has  a  cove  on  its  eastern  side  surrounded  by  islets.  North- 
ward of  the  point  there  is  a  cove  having  good  shelter,  with  anchorage 
in  from  6  to  11  fathoms.  Gfhe  point  may  be  recognized  from  the  south- 
ward by  four  dark  cliffs  from  600  to  1,000  feet  high,  the  westernmost 
being  the  highest  and  the  easternmost  the  lowest;  the  point  is  com- 
paratively low,  and  extends  from  the  second  cliff  from  the  eastward. 
About  3  miles  to  the  westward  of  Pescadores  point  is  a  large  tract  of 
sandy  ground,  which  contrasts  with  the  cliffs  in  the  vicinity. 

Flora  rock,  which  dries  1^  feet  at  low  water,  lies  with  Pescadpres 
point  bearing  N.  19?  E.  (N.  9^  E.  mag.),  distant  one  mile;  no  bottom  was 
obtained  with  40  fathoms  midway  between  the  rock  and  the  point. 

Atico  point. — ^The  coast  from  Pescadores  Doint  trends  about  WNW. 


342  COAST  OP  PERU. 

for  26  miles  to  Atico  point,  a  rugged  peninsula^  with  a  number  of  irreg- 
ular hillocks  on  it,  and  barely  connected  with  the  coast  by  a  sandy 
isthmus.    At  a  distance  the  point  appears  like  an  island. 

Atico  road. — There  is  a  tolerable  anchorage  on  the  western  side  of 
Atico  point  in  19  or  20  fathoms  at  Atico  road,  and  excellent  landing 
in  a  snug  cove  at  the  inner  end  of  the  peninsula.  By  keeping  200 
yards  off  shore  no  danger  need  be  feared  in  running  into  this  road.  The 
valley  of  Atico  lies  4J  miles  to  the  eastward,  where  there  are  about 
thirty  houses,  scattered  among  trees  which  grow  to  the  height  of  some 
20  feet. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Atico  road  at  8h.  53m.; 
springs  rise  5  feet. 

Chala  point. — From  Atico  point  the  coast  (low  and  broken  cliff,  with 
hills  immediately  above)  continues  its  northwesterly  direction  9  miles 
to  Loboso  point,  which  is  a  little  projecting,  with  black  rocks  forming 
its  western  termination.  About  8  miles  farther  on  is  Capa  point.  The 
coast  then  forms  a  curve  toward  Ohala  point,  49  miles  distant  from 
Atico  point.  In  the  interval  are  several  sandy  coves,  but  none  service- 
able for  shipping.  Chala  point,  high  and  rocky,  is  the  termination  of 
the  morro  Chala.  This  mountain  shows  prominently,  the  highest  part 
attaining  an  elevation  of  3,740  feet;  on  the  east  side  there  is  a  valley, 
separating  it  from  another  but  lower  mountain,  with  two  remarkable 
paps,  and  on  the  west  it  slopes  suddenly  to  a  sandy  plain.  The  nearest 
range  of  hills  to  the  northward  is  considerably  inshore,  making  morro 
Chala  still  more  conspicuous. 

Saguas  cove. — At  30  miles  ^W.  from  Atico  point  is  the  small  cove 
of  Saguas.  Anchorage  is  found  in  8  to  15  fathoms  600  yards  off  shore. 
There  is  no  shelter  from  the  heavy  SW.  swell,  which  makes  landing 
frequently  impossible.  The  bed  of  a  dried  torrent  is  seen  in  the  ravine 
extending  from  the  valley. 

Port  Chala. — At  12  miles  eastward  of  Chala  point  is  a  small  cove 
with  15  to  20  fathoms,  protected  by  some  offlying  rocks,  where  the 
Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company  have  established  a  port  of  call  for 
their  steamers,  but  it  is  a  difficult  place  even  for  a  boat  to  land.  The 
wharf  was  destroyed  some  years  since,  and  it  is  not  known  whether  it 
is  rebuilt.  Ko  vessel  should  go  within  the  rocks,  as  the  heavy  rollers 
will  sometimes  come  in  without  warning,  and  then  it  is  all  broken  water. 

Port  Chala  is  the  nearest  port  to  the  city  of  Cuzco.  Of  recent  years 
business  has  been  opened  up  with  the  interior.  There  are  several  good 
veins  of  copper  in  this  vicinity,  some  of  which  have  been  worked.  The 
place  is  destitute  of  all  necessaries;  even  water  is  difficult  to  obtain. 

Unsafe  cove  is  merely  a  slight  indentation  of  the  coast,  about  3 
miles  to  the  northward  and  westward  of  Port  Chala. 

Faqu^a  point. — At  18  miles  NW.  by  W.  of  Chala  point  is  Paquija 
point,  which  appears  like  a  rock  on  the  beach.  Between  these  points 
there  is  a  sandy  beach  with  little  green  hillocks  and  sand  hills,  and  two 


TANACA  COVE — PORT  SAN  JUAN.  343 

rivulets  running  from  the  valleys  of  Atiquipa  and  Lomas.  These  val- 
leys are  seen  at  a  considerable  distance.  Half  mile  west  of  Paquija 
point  is  a  small  white  islet  and  a  cluster  of  rocks. 

Tanaca  cove. — From  Ghala  point  the  coast  trends  NW.  7  miles  to 
a  small  cove,  having  depths  of  7  to  8  fathoms,  at  700  to  800  yards  off 
shore.  It  is  entirely  without  shelter,  the  beach  is  covered  with  rocks, 
the  sea  breaks  heavily,  and  the  holding  ground  is  bad. 

Atiquipa  valley  is  3^  miles  to  northward  and  westward  of  Tanaca 
cove.  Through  it  iiows  the  river  of  the  same  name  between  planta- 
tions until  close  to  the  sea.  The  beach  in  front  of  the  valley  is  low  and 
sandy.  There  is  no  safe  anchorage  nor  good  landing  for  boats,  owing 
to  the  heavy  surf. 

Ocopa  cove  is  small.  The  bottom  is  rocky  in  7  to  9  fathoms  ^  mile 
from  the  beach.  The  country  appears  cultivated,  but  the  place  is  with- 
out shelter;  the  heavy  swell  makes  landing  dangerous,  and  is  therefore 
not  suitable  for  shipping. 

Lomas  or  Chavina  valley,  6  miles  ISTW.  by  W.  of  .Atiquipa  valley, 
is  wide,  covered  with  vegetation,  and  bounded  north  and  south  by  high 
mountains.  A  rivulet  flows  through  the  valley,  but  there  is  neither 
anchorage  nor  safe  landing. 

Lomas  point — From  Paquija  point  to  Lomas  point  a  sandy  beach 
continues  10  miles,  with  regular  soundings  in  from  20  to  22  fathoms  at 
2  miles  from  the  shore.  The  point  projects  at  right  angles  to  the  general 
trend  of  the  coast,  with  rocks  a  short  distance  off  it,  and,  like  Atico 
point,  is  nearly  an  island.  Although  low,  it  may  easily  be  distinguished 
from  the  adjacent  coast  by  its  marked  difference  in  color,  being  a  bla^ek 
rock. 

Lomas  road. — On  the  west  side  of  Lomas  point  is  Lomas  road,  the 
port  of  Acari,  which  affords  a  good  anchorage  in  from  5  to  15  fathoms, 
and  there  is  tolerable  landing.  A  few  fishermen  reside  here,  and  it  is 
used  as  a  bathing  place  by  the  inhabitants  of  Acari,  which,  from  the 
information  obtained,  is  a  populous  town  27  miles  inland.  All  supplies, 
even  water,  are  brought  here  by  those  who  visit  it.  The  fishermen  have 
a  well  of  brackish  water,  scarcely  fit  to  use.  Boats  occasionally  call 
here  for  otters,  which  are  plentiful  at  particular  seasons. 

A  heavy  SW.  swell  and  strong  gusts  are  frequent  in  the  road.  It 
will  therefore  be  prudent  to  enter  under  topsails,  to  let  go  a  good  anchor, 
and  run  a  long  scope  of  chain. 

Lobos  or  Sombrero  point. — ^This  is  a  small  point  7  miles  north- 
westward of  Lomas  road.  It  is  formed  by  high  hills  projecting  into 
the  sea,  off  which  are  various  rocks  at  a  short  distance;  the  sea  breaks 
upon  them  all. 

Penotes  point,  13  miles  ISIV.  by  W.  of  Lomas  point,  has  a  chain  of 
rocks  extending  one  mile  seaward  just  eastward  of  it.  The  outer  rock 
just  covers,  but  the  inner  ones  are  about  40  feet  high. 

Port  San  Juan. — ^At  23  miles  N  W.  by  W.  of  Lomas  point  is  a  good 


344  COAST  OP  PEBU. 

harbor,  indeed  mncli  better  than  any  other  on  the  SW.  coast  of  Pera^ 
and  might  be  an  excellent  place  to  ran  for  if  in  distress.  It  also  offers 
a  fit  place  for  a  vessel  to  undergo  any  repairs  or  to  heave  down  in  case 
of  necessity,  without  being  inconvenienced  by  the  swell;  but  all 
materials  must  be  brought,  as  well  as  wood  and  water,  none  being 
found  there.  The  shore  is  composed  of  irregular  broken  cliffs,  and  the 
head  of  the  bay  is  a  sandy  plain.  The  port  may  be  recognized  by  the 
morro  de  Acari,  a  remarkable  sugarloaf  hill,  1,660  feet  high,  rising  very 
steeply  from  the  cliff  on  the  north  side  of  the  bay.  Korth  of  it  there 
is  a  small  peak  not  quite  so  high.  Yery  lofby  mountains  lie  to  the  north, 
as  well  as  in  the  interior. 

Directioxi  bluS — ^At  9  miles  to  the  southeastward  of  Port  San  Juan, 
a  short  distance  from  the  coast,  a  high  bluff  head  forms  the  termination 
of  a  range  of  table  land,  which  is  called  Direction  bluff,  1,000  feet  high. 
Between  this  bluff  and  the  port  the  land  is  low  and  level,  with  few 
exceptions,  and  has  a  number  of  rocks  lying  off  it  to  the  distance  of 
i  mile. 

San  Juan  point  is  the  southern  point  of  Port  San  Juan.  Its  most 
projecting  part,  about  f  mile  farther  south,  is  named  Steep  point  on 
the  charts.  About  one  mile  east  of  San  Juan  point,  and  near  the 
southern  shore  of  the  port,  stand  two  hummocks  with  a  very  large 
base  but  of  little  height,  the  one  farthest  from  shore  being  the  larger, 
about  340  feet  high,  aud  named  Needle  hummock.  When  northward 
or  southward  of  these  hummocks  they  are  apt  to  be  taken  for  islets,  as 
the  side  where  they  connect  is  very  low.  Off'  Steep  point  lies  a  small 
black  rock,  always  visible,  with  a  reef  of  rocks  extending  J  mile  to  the 
northwestward;  nearly  If  miles  to  the  SB.  lies  Coutt  islet,  which  also 
shows  distinctly. 

Directions. — A  passage  may  exist  between  the  reef  above  described 
and  Steep  point,  but  prudence  would  forbid  its  being  attempted.  The 
sure  plan  is  to  pass  to  the  southward  of  the  reef,  giving  it  a  berth  of 
200  yards,  and  not  close  the  shore  until  well  within  San  Juan  point,  off 
which  lies  a  sunken  rock.  Then  haul  to  the  wind  and  work  up  to  the 
anchorage  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  and  come-to  in  any  depth  &om  5  to 
15  fathoms,  muddy  bottom.  In  working  up,  the  northern  shore  may 
be  approached  boldly,  as  it  is  steep-to,  and  has  no  outlying  dangers. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  San  Juan  at  5h. 
10m.;  springs  rise  3  feet. 

Fort  San  Nicolas,  8  miles  KW.  of  Port  San  Juan,  is  quite  as  com- 
modious and  free  from  danger  as  Port  San  Juan,  but  the  landing  is  not 
so  good.  San  I^icolas  (Harmless)  point,  the  south  horn  of  the  port,  sepa- 
rating it  from  Port  San  Juan,  may  be  rounded  at  J  mile.  There  is  a 
small  islet  off  its  western  extremity  and  there  are  a  number  of  scat- 
tered rocks  to  the  southward  of  it,  but  they  all  are  visible.  There  are 
no  permanent  inhabitants.  Steamers  visit  the  port  to  ship  cotton,  cochi- 
neal, and  other  products  of  the  neighborhood. 


CAPE   NAC^ — ^DONA  MARIA  POINT.  345 

Anchorage. — The  usual  berth  is  in  from  6  to  15  fathoms,  on  the 
southern  side  of  the  bay,  near  the  shore,  where  boats  may  be  beached 
in  safety  with  care. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  San  Kicolas  at  5h: 
15m.;  springs  rise  3  feet. 

Cape  Nazca. — At  8J  miles  NW.  of  St.  Nicolas  point  is  Beware  point, 
high  and  cliffy,  with  a  number  of  small  rocks  and  blind  breakers  in  its 
immediate  vicinity.  From  thence  the  coast  is  alternately  cliffs  and 
small  sandy  bays,  for  14  miles  in  the  same  direction,  to  cape  Kazca. 
The  cape,  1,020  feet  high,  may  be  readily  distinguished,  having  a  bluff 
head  of  a  dark-brown  color,  with  two  sharp-topped  hummocks,  moder- 
ately high,  at  its  foot. 

Changuillo  river  flows  into  the  sea  3^  miles  SE.  of  cape  Kazca,  where 
some  fields  are  in  cultivation.    There  is  no  anchorage  off  the  river. 

Caballos  Nazca  road. — ^The  coast  to  the  westward  of  cape  I^azca 
falls  back  to  the  distance  of  2  miles,  and  is  composed  of  white  sand 
hills;  in  the  depth  of  this  bight  is  Caballos  road,  a  rocky,  shallow 
spot,  and  should  only  be  known  to  be  avoided.  Boats  can  not  effect  a 
landing;  the  wind  comes  around  the  cape  in  heavy  gusts  which,  with  a 
long  ground  swell,  makes  it  doubtful  if  two  anchors  would  hold. 

Caballos  road  is  uninhabited,  and  only  visited  by  vessels  which  go 
to  load  cotton,  cochineal,  wines,  and  other  products  of  the  neighboring 
estates.  Generally  strong  southerly  winds  prevail  from  10  a.  m.  till 
midnight. 

Vessels  entering  should  select  the  morning,  and  be  prepared  for 
strong  gusts.  After  rounding  two  small  points  inside  cape  l!^azca  the 
flagstaff*  should  be  seen;  but  if  it  be  down  the  place  where  it  stood 
would  be  a  guide  for  anchoring,  being  a  small  hill  or  mound  on  the 
beach. 

The  most  sheltered  berth  from  wind  and  sea  is  in  6  fathoms,  sand, 
with  the  flagstaff  S.  78o  W.  (S.  68o  W.  mag.),  about  300  yards  distant. 
Vessels  should  moor  with  70  fathoms  of  cable.  The  work  of  loading, 
etc.,  must  be  done  when  the  wind  subsides,  and  sometimes  at  full  and 
change  of  the  moon  the  winds  continue  through  the  night. 

Dona  Maria  point. — From  cape  Kazca  the  coast  continues  in  the  same 
northwesterly  direction  for  28  miles  to  Dona  Maria  point,  which  is  low, 
rugged,  Jind  surrounded  by  rocks  and  bowlders.  From  Caballos  road, 
the  coast  to  a  short  distance  west  of  the  lea  river,  7  miles  distant,  is  a 
sandy  beach,  with  ranges  of  moderately  high  sand  hills;  from  thence 
to  Dona  Maria  point  it  is  rocky^  with  grassy  cliffs  immediately  over  it, 
and  some  small  white  rocks  off'  the  shore. 

Several  vessels  have  anchored  northward  of  Olleros  point,  at  15  miles 
northwestward  of  cape  Nazca,  to  load  local  produce;  the  depths  are  7 
fathoms  at  600  yards  off  shore,  and  there  is  no  shelter  whatever.  There 
are  two  rocks  S.  56^  W.  (S.  46^  W.  mag.)  of  the  point,  which  is  low  and 
sandy. 


346  COAST  OP  PERtr. 

La  Mesa  de  Dona  Maria  is  a  remarkable  flat-topped  mountain,  2,160 
feet  high,  which  may  be  seen  in  clear  weather  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  seaward,  and  from  its  height  and  x)eculiar  shape  is  a  good 
mark  for  this  part  of  the  coast. 

Los  InfiemilloB  are  a  number  of  rocks  making  out  from  Dona  Maria 
point.  Conspicuous  among  them  is  a  black  rock,  in  the  form  of  a  sugar- 
loaf,  about  50  feet  high  and  lying  nearly  a  mile  from  the  northern  end 
of  Dona  Maria  point. 

There  are  54  fathoms  at  2  miles  distant,  and  the  rock  should  not  be 
passed  under  that  distance. 

Mayro  rock  is  reported  to  lie  IJ  miles  K  62o  W.  (N.  72o  W.  mag.) 
of  Infiernillos  rock. 

Azua  point,  10  miles  KKW.  of  Dona  Maria  point,  is  a  high  bluff  with 
a  low  rocky  point  off  it.  Between  it  and  Dona  Maria  point  th<ttre  is  a 
sandy  beach,  interrupted  by  rocky  projections  and  a  small  stream  run- 
ning from  the  hills.  Dardo  head  is  the  KW.  point  of  Viejas  island, 
forming  the  southern  point  of  the  northern  entrance  to  Independencia 
bay. 

Independencia  bay  is  in  latitude  14^  18'  S.  This  extensive  bay,  15 
miles  long,  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  islands  of  Viejas  and  of 
Santa  Eosa,  and  on  the  east  by  the  mainland,  which  is  moderately  high, 
cliffy,  and  broken  by  a  sandy  beach,  at  the  end  of  which  is  the  small 
fishing  village  named  Tungo,  inhabited  occasionally. 

Approaching  the  coast  mount  Garretas  on  the  mainland  and  Lecky 
cone  on  Viejas  island,  both  nearly  the  same  height,  are  good  marks. 
Mount  Quemado,  2,070  feet  high  and  very  conspicuous,  slopes  gradually 
to  the  water's  edge,  and  is  much  lighter  in  color.  A  few  miles  inland 
are  Garrasco  heights,  3,000  feet  high. 

Santa  Rosa  islets. — ^At  the  southern  extremity  of  Viejas  island 
there  is  a  remarkable  black  lump  of  land  in  the  shape  of  a  sugarloaf, 
off  which  lies  the  white  level  islets  of  Santa  Eosa,  the  SW.  side  of 
which  is  studded  with  rocks  and  breakers;  but  there  is  no  danger  a 
mile  from  the  shore.  The  passages  between  Santa  Eosa  islets  and 
Vieja«  island  are  choked  by  rocks. 

Serrate  channel — The  bay  has  two  entrances :  The  southern,  named 
Serrate  channel,  is  formed  by  Santa  Eosa  islets  on  the  north  and  Que- 
mado point  on  the  south.  It  is  f  mile  wide,  with  depths  of  10  to  20 
fathoms. 

Tnqillana  channel^  the  northern,  is  formed  by  Garretas  head  on  the 
north  and  by  Dardo  head  on  the  south.    It  is  4f  miles  wide,  and  clear. 

Current. — After  strong  southerly  winds  the  current  sets  to  the  north- 
ward across  Trujillana  channel  with  considerable  strength.  Due 
allowance  must  be  made  for  this  current,  especially  when  leaving  the 
bay  under  sail,  that  the  vessel  is  not  set  down  on  Garretas  head. 

Anchorage. — There  is  anchorage  in  any  part  of  this  spacious  bay; 
the  bottom  is  quite  regular,  about  20  fathoms  all  over,  excepting  off  the 


RALINILLO   COVE — ^PISCO   BAT.  347 

shingle  spit  on  the  NE.  side  of  Yiejas  island,  where  a  bank  extends  to 
the  northward,  on  which  there  is  5  and  6  fathoms  at  If  miles  from 
the  island;  and  this  is  the  best  place  to  anchor,  for  on  the  weather 
shore,  near  Quemado  point,  there  are  such  sudden  gusts  off  the  high 
land  that  great  difficulty  would  be  found  in  landing;  whereas,  at  the 
spit,  a  vessel  is  not  inconvenienced  by  the  wind. 

Landing. — There  is  a  snug  cove  or  basin  within  the  spit  at  the  l^B, 
side  of  Yiejas  island,  where  boats  may  land,  or  lie  in  safety  at  any  time. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Independencia  bay  at 
4h.  60m.;  rise  4  feet. 

Mount  Wilson,  1,420  feet  high,  is  near  the  shore,  about  41  miles 
northward  of  mount  Carretas. 

Salinillo  cove  is  in  latitude  13°  59'  S.  Salt  is  exported  from  this  cove, 
being  shipped  in  small  lighters,  which  are,  however,  frequently  capsized 
by  the  heavy  sea,  breaking  in  5J  fathoms  at  times.  The  anchorage  is 
in  8  fathoms,  ^  mile  N.  10^  E.  (I^orth  mag.)  of  Zarate  island;  the  holding 
ground  is  bad. 

Valdivia  rock  lies  one  mil6  S.  77o  W.  (S.  67°  W.  mag.)  from  Zarate 
Island;  the  sea  breaks  over  it  at  long  intervals. 

Boqueron  de  PiscOc — From  Carretas  head  the  coast  trends  to  the 
north  and  N  W.  for  20  miles  to  Huacas  point,  the  SE.  point  of  entrance 
of  the  boqueron  de  Pisco,  and  the  shore  between  is  a  deep,  angular 
bay,  with  the  island  of  Zarate  near  its  center.  The  boqueron  is  formed 
by  the  mainland  on  the  east,  and  the  island  of  San  Gallan,  2f  miles 
distant  on  the  west,  and  has  deep  water.  Mount  Lechuza,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  boqueron  and  about  IJ  miles  northward  of  Huacas  point, 
rises  1,581  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  It  is  of  light  color,  and  at 
its  greatest  height  is  sharp  pointed. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1178.) 

San  Gallan  island. — This  island,  about  2  miles  in  diameter,  is  1,3G8 
feet  high,  is  of  a  light  color,  with  a  bold-cliff  outline.  There  is  a  deep 
valley  dividing  the  hills,  which,  when  seen  from  the  SW.,  gives  it  the 
appearance  of  a  saddle.  The  south  end  of  the  island  terminates 
abruptly,  while  its  northern  end  slopes  more  gradually,  and  off  it  there 
are  some  detached  rocks,  the  northernmost  of  which  is  180  feet  high 
and  has  the  appearance  of  a  ninepin. 

Pineiro  rock,  south  of  San  Gallan  island,  is  much  in  the  way  of 
vessels  bound  to  Pisco  bay  from  the  southward.  The  rock  covers  at 
times,  but  when  it  blows  hard  and  the  weather  tide  is  running  there 
is  such  a  confused  cross  sea  that  the  whole  space  is  covered  with  foam, 
rendering  it  difficult  to  distinguish.  At  such  a  time  the  mainland 
shore  should  be  kept  well  aboard  until  past  the  rock. 

Pisco  bay. — This  extensive  bay,  formed  by  the  peninsula  of  Paracas 
on  the  south  and  the  Ballesta  and  Ohincha  islands  on  the  west,  is  the 
principal  port  of  the  province  of  lea.    The  town  of  Pisco  is  built  on 


348  COAST  OF  PERU. 

the  eastern  side  about  a  mile  from  the  sea.  Qaantities  of  a  spirit 
named  pisco  are  annually  exported  to  different  parts  of  the  coast;  sugar 
is  also  an  article  of  trade,  but  pisco  is  the  staple  commodity.  Supplies 
can  be  obtained  on  reasonable  terms.  Wood  is  scarce.  Pisco  is  in 
communication  with  lea,  the  capital  of  the  province,  by  means  of  a 
railway;  also  by  telegraph. 

Paracas  bay. — There  is  excellent  anchorage  in  Paracas  bay.  A  good 
berth  for  a  large  ship  is  in  7  fathoms,  with  Blanca  island  (El  Novillo) 
in  line  with  Eipio  point,  distant  1,200  yards.  Care  must  be  taken  not 
to  shut  in  Blanca  island  with  the  point.  In  this  berth  there  is  more 
shelter  and  a  convenient  landing.  There  is  good  anchorage  off  the 
watering  place,  2  miles  south  of  Paracas  village,  in  4  fathoms.  There 
is  no  surf,  and  the  wells  are  near  the  beach. 

Landing. — The  iron  pier,  600  yards  long,  extending  in  a  westerly 
direction  from  the  north  end  of  the  town  of  Pisco,  renders  landing  and 
communication  with  the  shore  comparatively  easy;  but  when  the  swell 
sets  in  during  an  afternoon  a  confused  sea  is  driven  through  the  piles 
on  which  the  pier  is  erected,  making  landing  in  small  boats  difficult. 
Fresh  water  may  be  obtained  from  a  pipe  leading  along  the  side  of  the 
pier.  There  is  a  depth  of  18  feet  at  low  water  at  the  extremity  of  the 
pier. 

Light. — ^At  the  end  of  the  pier  in  Pisco  bay  stands  an  octagonal  tower, 
painted  white,  from  which  is  exhibited,  at  46  feet  above  the  sea,  a  fixed 
white  light,  which  can  be  seen  in  clear  weather  from  a  distance  of  10 
miles.  It  illuminates  an  arc  of  180°  seaward,  90°  on  each  side  of  the 
axis  of  the  pier. 

San  Andres. — ^About  5  miles  north  of  Paracas  is  the  small  hamlet 
and  fishing  village  of  this  name.  It  is  used  as  a  summer  resort  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  interior. 

Tres  Marias  islets  are  three  small  pointed  rocks,  free  from  danger, 
lying  in  a  north  and  south  direction  in  the  northern  part  of  the  channel 
or  boqueron.  The  northern  islet  is  IJ  miles  to  the  southward  of  Bal- 
lesta  islands  and  the  southernmost  islet  is  2J  miles  SW.  by  N.  from 
cape  Paracas. 

Salcedo  rock,  with  only  3  feet  on  it  at  low  water,  and  4  fathoms 
close- to,  lies  600  yards  N.  33o  E.  (N.  23^  E.  mag.)  from  the  northern- 
most of  the  Tres  Marias  islets. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Pisco  bay  at  7h.; 
springs  rise  about  4  feet. 

Anchorage. — On  the  east  side  of  Blanca  island  there  are  12  fathoms, 
muddy  bottom;  and  from  this  depth  the  water  decreases  gradually  to 
the  anchorage.  A  good  berth  is  in  4  fathoms,  muddy  bottom,  with  the 
church  open  of  the  road,  bearing  K  87^  E.  (N.  77^  E.  mag.)  f  mile  off 
shore;  or  for  receiving  or  discharging  cargo,  a  convenient  berth  is  in  4 
fathoms  on  the  S  W.  side  of  the  pier,  but  vessels  drawing  more  than'  17 
feet  should  anchor  farther  out  to  protect  themselves  from  the  frequent 


PISCO  BAY.  349 

heavy  swell  and  rollers.  From  noon  till  sunset  traffic  is  often  inter- 
rupted by  a  strong  southerly  wind,  known  as  the  par  ocas.  A  heavy 
surf  beats  on  the  beach,  with  rollers  to  the  distance  of  J  mile  oif. 

Directions. — When  approaching  from  seaward,  the  coast  about  Pisco 
may  easily  be  known  by  the  island  of  San  Gallan  and  the  high  penin- 
sula of  Paracas  at  the  back  of  it,  which  make  like  large  islands,  the 
land  on  each  side  being  considerably  lower,  and  falling  back  to  the  east- 
ward, so  as  not  to  be  visible  at  a  moderate  distance.  As  the  shore  is 
approached  the  Chincha  and  Ballesta  islands  will  be  seen,  which  will 
confirm  the  position,  there  being  no  other  islands  lying  off  the  coast 
near  this  parallel. 

Vessels  bound  from  the  southward  for  Pisco  bay,  or  the  Ghinchas, 
should  endeavor  to  make  the  land  about  Oarretas  head,  as  a  current  of 
from  12  to  20  miles  a  day  will  generally  be  found  setting  along  this  part 
of  the  coast.  From  thence  a  course  should  be  shaped  for  the  boqueron, 
which,  though  narrow,  is  bold-to  on  both  sides,  and  is  the  best  passage 
into  the  bay,  as  it  is  usually  free  from  fog,  and  the  wind  blows  right 
through  it.  The  description  of  Pineiro  rock  should  be  attended  to,  as 
from  the  broken  sea  before  mentioned  it  is  so  difficult  to  make  out  that 
in  a  fast  steamer  there  would  hardly  be  time  to  clear  it.  By  keeping 
close  to  the  Paracas  side,  however,  it  will  be  avoided.  When  hauling 
into  Pisco  bay  round  cape  Paracas,  care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  some 
shoal  ground  to  the  NE.  of  the  cape,  which  looks  dangerous.  Vessels 
have  had  to  haul  to  the  northward  in  less  than  4  fathoms  from  turning 
the  point  too  sharp.  The  safest  plan  is  to  run  one  mile  past  the  cape, 
when  a  K.  50^  E.  (N.  40°  E.  mag.)  course  should  be  steered  for  Blanca 
island,  which  should  not  be  passed  too  closely  on  its  southern  side, 
and  then  toward  the  church  of  Pisco,  which  will  lead  directly  to  the 
anchorage. 

Coming  from  the  northward. — ^After  passing  the  Chincha  islands 
stand  in  boldly  to  the  anchorage.  The  water  shoals  quickly  on  that 
side  of  Blanca  island,  but  there  is  no  danger  whatever.  Vessels  hav- 
ing to  ballast  in  Paracas  bay  should  work  up  and  anchor  under  Eipio 
point,  on  the  NE.  side  of  the  peninsula.  They  can  lie  close  to  the  shore, 
and  boats  may  land  with  expedition. 

Chincha  islands. — These  three  small  islands  have  been  of  the  utmost 
Importance  to  Peru.  The  immense  quantity  of  guano  exported  from 
thence  brought  a  large  revenue.  It  is,  however,  reported  (1881)  that 
the  guano  deposits  are  completely  worked  out. 

North  island. — On  the  NE.  side  of  the  island  are  two  sunken  rocks, 
with  6  and  7  feet  water  on  them,  lying  nearly  400  yards  from  the  shore. 
The  east  point  of  the  Middle  Chincha  kept  open  of  the  SE.  point  of 
North  island  until  the  Northwest  rock  opens  of  that  island  will  clear 
these  dangers. 

Although  the  depth  of  water  off  the  Ohincha  islands  is  great,  there 
being  upward  of  40  fathoms  at  f  mile  from  the  shore,  the  anchorage 


350  COAST  OP  PERU. 

may  be  considered  secare,  as  it  never  blows  strong,  except  from  the 
southward.  The  best  anchorage  is  in  the  passage  between  !N^orth  and 
Middle  islands,  in  18  or  19  fathoms,  white  sand  and  shell. 

South  island  is  separated  from  Middle  island  by  a  channel  400  yards 
wide.  The  anchorage  is  neither  good  nor  adapted  to  large  ships,  as  the 
water  in  the  center  of  the  channel  is  shoal  and  a  namber  of  rocks  are 
scattered  about.  A  good  lookout  should  be  kept  for  reefs  that  lie  400 
yards  S.  68^  E.  (S.  78°  E.  mag.)  of  the  east  part  of  the  island,  as  the 
sea  does  not  always  break  on  them,  and  500  yards  eastward  of  the  east 
end  of  the  island  there  is  a  patch  of  12  feet  with  7  fathoms  inside  it. 

The  best  anchorage  in  the  channel  between  Middle  and  South  islands 
is  at  the  eastern  entrance.  The  8W,  side  is  filled  with  rocks,  and  should 
not  be  approached. 

Ooleta  (Sugarloaf)  islet  lies  f  mile  to  the  southwestward  of  the 
South  Chincha  island.  It  is  the  highest  of  three  islets,  being  170  feet 
high,  surrounded  by  rocks  on  which  the  sea  always  breaks..  Half  mile 
SE.  of  Sugarloaf  is  a  small  hummock  named  Flat  rock. 

Pisco  river. — ^Two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  the  Pisco  warehouses 
is  the  mouth  of  Pisco  river,  which  has  a  large  quantity  of  water  during 
the  summer,  but  is  apt  to  be  perfectly  dry  in  winter. 

Caucato  heights. — North  of  Pisco  river  are  some  hills,  commencing 
on  the  beach  and  extending  inland,  known  to  the  natives  as  the  Altos 
de  Caucato  (Caucato  heights).  They  are  the  only  hills  near  the  sea  at 
this  part. 

Port  Caucato. — Korth  of  the  heights  the  coast  forms  a  small  bend, 
called  Port  Caucato.  The  anchorage  is  unsheltered;  there  is  a  heavy 
swell,  and  the  surf,  which  always  beats  upon  the  beach,  usually  renders 
it  impracticable  to  land  in  ships'  boats.  Launches  are,  therefore, 
taken  from  Pisco  for  that  purpose.  Anchorage  is  in  4  to  5  fathoms  at 
i  mile  from  shore. 

Chincha  river.^From  the  Caucato  heights  northward  the  coast  con- 
tinues low  and  sandy  for  about  8  miles  to  the  Chincha  river,  which 
has  usually  an  abundance  of  water  from  January  to  May,  but  is  almost 
dry  during  the  rest  of  the  year. 

Port  Tambo  de  Mora  is  15  miles  north  of  Pisco,  and  will  be  recog- 
nized by  the  range  of  cliffs  of  a  light  color  extending  from  Topara 
river  to  the  roads.  Upon  the  lower  part  of  these  cliffs,  at  a  distance  of 
IJ  miles  south  of  the  river,  is  a  conspicuous  clump  of  underwood  j  also  a 
noticeable  white  house  upon  the  beach. 

The  steamers,  which  frequently  call  here,  anchor  in  4|  fathoms,  with 
the  white  house  bearing  S.  6So  E.  (S.  78°  E.  mag.). 

Landing  is  always  dangerous,  and  should  not  be  attempted  in  a  ship's 
boat. 

Cerro  AzuL — From  Pisco  a  low,  sandy  beach  with  regular  soundings 
off  it  trends  in  a  northerly  direction  12  miles,  as  far  as  Chincha  river, 
and  from  thence  to  Canete  river,  27  miles  to  the  NW.,  the  coast  is  a  line 
of  clay  cliffs  from  430  to  640  feet  high.    From  this  river  to  Fraile  point 


LOBERIA   POINT — SANTA   MARIA   BAT.  351 

a  beautiful  and  fertile  valley  fringes  the  shore,  and  to  (he  northeast- 
ward of  Fraile  point  stands  the  town  of  Cerro  Azul.  The  valley  of 
Canete  produces  rum  and  sugar,  for  which  it  is  resorted  to  by  coasters. 
The  anchorage  is  N.  57 o  W.  (K  67^  W.  mag.)  of  the  bluff  that  forms 
the  cove,  |  mile  distant,  in  7  fathoms;  nearer  the  shore  the  water  is 
shoal,  which  causes  a  long  swell. 

Landing.— The  landing  place  is  on  the  northern  side  of  Fraile  point, 
on  a  stony  beach,  where  a  heavy  surf,  however,  constantly  breaks.  A 
wooden  pier  connected  with  the  works  of  Quebrada  and  Oasa  Blanca 
also  affords  facilities  for  landing  and  commerce. 

Cauete,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  that  name^  is  situated  5  miles 
from  the  coast.    It  carries  on  considerable  trade  with  neighboring  towns, 

Loberia  point — This  point  is  about  5  miles  north  of  Gerro  Azul.  It 
projects  but  little,  and  off  it  are  three  rocks,  above  water,  which  form 
on  the  north  a  small  cove,  in  which  there  is  no  convenient  landing. 

Malpaso  de  Asia  point,  9  miles  to  the  northward  of  Loberia  point, 
is  a  small,  cliffy  point  detaching  itself  from  a  low  and  sandy  beach. 

Asia  island,  lying  one  mile  off*  shore,  17  miles  N.  28°  W.  (N.  38o  W. 
mag.)  of  Cerro  Azul,  is  round,  white,  and  about  one  mile  in  circumference, 
with  some  rocks  extending  from  it  to  the  shore.  The  coast  between  it 
and  Cerro  Azul  forms  a  bay,  but  scarcely  affording  anchorage.  The 
coast  line  is  partly  a  rocky  and  partly  a  sandy  beach;  inshore  are 
heights  of  about  1,400  feet,  declining  gradually  toward  the  coast. 

Chocalla  point,  3  miles  north  of  Asia  island,  is  but  slightly  project- 
ing, and  is  formed  by  black  rocks  with  white  patches.  To  leeward  of 
the  point  is  a  bight  in  which  there  is  no  conveuient  place  for  lying-to 
on  account  of  the  heavy  surf.  This  bight  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
a  hill  580  feet  high,  known  as  Alto  de  Salazar  (Salazar  height). 

Mala  river  and  valley. — At  1^  miles  north  of  Salazar  height  is  the 
mouth  of  the  small  Mala  river.  It  flows  through  a  rough  valley  which 
opens  in  this  part.  There  is  no  place  to  lie-to  on  account  of  heavy 
breakers. 

Calavera  Head. — ^Low  cliffs  with  sandy  beach  continue  for  8  miles 
from  Mala  river  northward  to  Calavera  head,  an  isolated  mount  which 
projects  toward  the  sea,  and  is  composed  of  black  rocks  with  white 
patches.    On  the  west  side  it  is  steep  and  terminates  in  a  sharp  crest. 

Port  Chilca — ^At  20  miles  NW.  by  "S.  from  Asia  island  is  Chilca 
point.  It  has  several  rises  on  it,  and  terminates  in  a  steep  cliff',  with  a 
small,  flat  rock  close  off  it.  The  valley  of  Chilca  lies  3  miles  to  the 
eastward  of  the  point,  and  the  snug  little  port  of  Chilca,  protected 
from  the  sea  by  Chilca  island,  IJ  miles  to  the  northward  of  the  point. 
This  is  a  safe  cove,  but  very  confined.  Anchorage  is  good  in  any  part 
of  it,  in  5  to  7  fathoms,  and  landing  tolerable.  There  is  a  small  village 
at  its  head. 

Tides. — It  is  high^ water,  full  and  change,  at  Port  Chilca  at  5h.  30m. ; 
springs  rise  about  4  feet. 

Santa  Maria  bay  is  about  5  miles  northward  from  Chilca  island. 


352  COAST  OP  PERU. 

On  tlfe  SB.  side  of  the  bay  is  Ourayaco  cove,  where  landing  may  be 
effected  and  anchorage  obtained  in  from  12  to  17  fathoms,  400  yards  off 
shore.  A  sunken  rock,  with  12  feet  on  it,  lies  200  yards  K  32o  W.  (S. 
420  W.  mag.)  of  the  rocks  off  the  west  point  of  the  cove. 

Cruz  de  Palo  cove  is  a  little  less  than  half  the  distance  between 
Ohilca  and  Lurin. 

Pachacamac  island. — ^From  Ohilca  the  coast  forms  a  bend  for  13 
miles  to  the  valley  of  Lurin,  off  which  lie  several  islands,  the  north- 
ern and  largest  one,  i  mile  in  length  and  about  200  yards  broad,  being 
named  Pachacamac  island.  Two  small  islets,  named,  respectively,  San 
Francisco  and  Sauce,  lie  south  of  and  near  to  Pachacamac,  but  are 
inaccessible  on  account  of  the  heavy  breakers.  San  Francisco  islet 
is  most  remarkable,  being  350  feet  high,  like  a  sugarloaf  rounded  at 
the  top.  The  group  lies  nearly  parallel  to  the  coast  in  a  KW.  and  SE. 
direction. 

Viuda  rocks,  at  the  northern  extreme  of  Pachacamac  islands,  is  a 
small  reef  in  two  parts,  on  which  the  sea  always  breaks. 

Corcovado  reef,  nearly  a  inile  long,  is  one  mile  to  the  southeast- 
ward of  San  Francisco  island.  The  sea  u&ually  breaks  over  it,  but 
vessels  bpund  to  Lurin  should  keep  a  lookout  for  it. 

Pescadores  landing  is  a  mere  indentation  in  the  coast  1,600  yards 
wide.  A  reef  extends  600  yards  seaward  from  the  south  point  of  the 
cove.    Landing  can  be  effected  occasionally. 

Anchorage  in  9  to  10  fathoms  can  be  obtained  about  a  mile  off  shore, 
but  a  heavy  swell  is  thrown  in. 

Lurin  river. — To  the  north  of  Pachacamac  island  is  the  Lurin  river, 
which  is  well  supplied  with  water  from  February  to  May;  but  during 
the  other  months  it  has  not  sufficient  force  to  make  its  way  into  the  sea. 
The  valley,  however,  which  it  waters  appears  fertile,  and  well  cultivated 
when  seen  from  the  offing.  South  of  the  river,  about  i  mile  from  the 
shore,  stands  the  town  of  Lurin. 

Solar  point. — ^From  Lurin  to  Solar  point  the  coast  trends  NW.  for 
about  11  miles,  and  is  a  low  sandy  beach  with  moderately  high  hills  a 
short  distance  into  the  interior.  This  part  of  the  coast  is  known  as  the 
Playa  de  Oouchan  (Oouchan  beach). 

Morro  Solar,  the  summit  of  the  southern  point  of  the  Ohorillos,  is  a 
remarkable  cluster  of  hills,  890  feet  high,  standing  on  a  sandy  plain. 
When  seen  from  the  southward  it  has  the  appearance  of  an  island  in 
the  shape  of  a  gunner's  quoin,  sloping  to  the  westward,  and  falling  very 
abruptly  inshore.  Its  sea  face,  however,  terminates  in  a  steep  cliff, 
named  Oodo  point,  with  a  sandy  bay  on  each  side,  the  one  to  the  south 
being  named  Solar  bay  and  that  to  the  north  Salto  del  Fraile  bay.  In 
the  latter  there  is  tolerable  anchorage  in  from  5  to  9  fathoms  near  the 
land  and  a  convenient  place  for  lying-to.  Off  Solar  point  there  is  a 
small  islet  with  some  rocks  lying  about.  Off  Ohorillos  point,  2 J  miles 
to  the  northward^  a  reef  of  rocks  projects  about  400  yards.    Around 


CHORILLOS   BAY — CALLAO   BAY.  353 

this  reef,  on  the  NE.  side  of  a  hill  name  Salto  del  Fraile  (Friar's  leap), 
lie  the  town  and  road  of  Ghorillos. 

Chorillos  bay. — The  town  of  Ghorillos  is  built  on  a' cliff  at  the  foot 
of  one  of  the  slopes  of  the  morro  Solar,  and  is  used  chiefly  as  a  bathing 
place  for  the  inhabitants  of  Lima.  Should  circumstances  render  the 
road  of  Oallao  a  dangerous  berth,  vessels  may  go  to  Chorillos  bay, 
though  in  every  other  respect  an  unfit  place  for  anchoring,  as  the  bot- 
tom is  hard  sand,  with  patches  of  stone  and  clay  mixed  together,  called 
tosca,  and  the  heavy  swell  that  sets  around  the  point,  causing  almost 
a  roller,  brings  a  vessel  up  to  her  anchor  and  throws  her  back  again 
with  a  sudden  jerk,  which  endangers  dragging  the  anchor  or  snapping 
the  cable.    There  is  cable  communication  with  Valparaiso  and  Iquique. 

Anchorage  marks. — Sailing  vessels  anchoring  in  Chorillos  bay 
should  keep  Solar  point  open  off  Codo  point.  By  so  doing  they  will 
ride  in  7  or  8  fathoms  and  not  have  so  much  swell  as  there  is  farther  in. 

Steamers  may  anchor  nearer  the  town  in  6  fathoms,  but  the  islet  off 
Solar  point  should  not  be  shut  in  by  Ghorillos  point. 

Landing. — The  landing  in  the  bay  is  bad.  Ganoes  built  purposely, 
and  dextrously  managed,  are  the  usual  means  of  communication,  though, 
no  doubt,  there  are  times  when  a  ship's  boat  may  land  without  danger, 
yet  seldom  without  the  crew  being  thoroughly  drenched.  When  the 
swell  is  not  too  heavy  landing  may  be  had  at  the  pier,  on  the  end  of 
which  there  is  a  flagstaff'. 

El  Barranco. — ^A  village  with  a  church  named  El  Barranco  stands 
on  the  edge  of  the  high  level  land  1^  miles  north  of  Ghorillos.  The 
neighboring  beach  offers  no  safe  landing  on  account  of  the  continuous 
breakers. 

Miraflores. — This  place  is  2  miles  north  of  El  Barranco.  Its  build- 
ings can  be  clearly  distinguished  from  Ghorillos.  Both  Miraflores  and 
El  Barranco  are  on  the  railroad  from  Lima  to  Ghorillos,  and  are  used 
as  summer  resorts. 

Callao  point — From  Ghorillos  the  coast  takes  a  sweep,  with  cliffs 
diminishing  in  height,  to  Gallao  point,  which  is  a  shingle  bank  stretch- 
ing out  toward  the  island  of  San  Lorenzo,  and  which  with  it  forms  the 
extensive  and  commodious  bay  of  Gallao.  The  beach  between  Mira- 
flores and  Gallao  point  is  known  as  the  La  Mar  Brava  (the  boisterous 
sea),  on  account  of  the  heavy  surf  which  constantly  breaks  there  and 
which  makes  it  inaccessible  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year. 

Horadada  islet  is  3  miles  off  shore,  on  a  line  between  Ghorillos  and 
Fronton  island,  6  miles  from  Ghorillos  and  3  miles  from  Fronton,  near 
the  middle  of  the  bay.  The  islet,  70  feet  high,  may  be  known  by  its 
having  a  hole  through  it.  Several  rocks  are  scattered  a  short  distance 
around  it.  At  i  mile  there  is  no  danger,  but  in  passing  the  soundings 
should  not  be  reduced  under  9  fathoms. 

Callao  bay. — Gallao  is  well  known  as  the  seaport  of  the  city  of 

1943— No.  89 ^23 


364  COAST  OF  PEEU. 

Lima,  which  stands  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  7  miles  to  the  eastward, 
being  but  500  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  the  ground  having  a 
gradual  ascent.  It  is  well  seen  from  the  anchorage  in  clear  weather, 
and  has  a  very  imposing  appearance.  The  town,  castle,  and  forts  of 
Oallao  extend  about  2  miles  along  the  beach  that  fronts  the  bay.  The 
castle  is  now  used  as  a  customhouse. 

Oallao  bay  is  formed  by  Gallao  point  and  the  long  spit  that  stretches 
off  from  it  toward  San  Lorenzo  island.  A  part  of  this  spit,  termed  the 
Whales  Back,  just  shows,  the  sea  breaking  violently  along  its  ridge. 
This  roadstead,  having  the  island  of  San  Lorenzo  protecting  it  from 
the  long  swell  from  the  ocean  and  the  prevalent  southerly  winds, 
becomes  a  fine  harbor. 

The  port  of  Gallao,  as  well  as  the  Oovernment,  and  indeed  the  whole 
country  of  Peru,  has  profited  much  by  the  vast  quantities  of  guano 
exported  from  the  Ghincha  and  other  islands.  All  vessels  that  come 
here  for  this  purpose  are  obliged  to  clear  at  Gallao  on  their  arrival  and 
departure. 

Position. — According  to  latest  determinations,  St.  Lorenzo  light- 
house is  considered  to  be  in  latitude  12^  4'  3"  S.,  longitude  7iO  15' 
44"  W. 

Wharf  accommodation,  etc. — ^There  are  several  piers  forming 
commodious  basins,  in  which  vessels  lay  alongside  the  wharves  and  dis- 
charge cargo  by  means  of  steam  cranes.  A  railway  connects  the  port 
with  the  capital.  A  mole,  named  Muelle  Darsena,  is  used  for  the  dis- 
charge of  corn  and  flour.  A  railway  leading  to  the  neighboring  town, 
Eellavista,  has  a  terminus  here. 

There  are  also  moles  belonging  to  the  dock  company.  Pacific  Steam 
Navigation  Gompany,  and  others,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  are  the  ware- 
houses, factories,  etc. 

The  mole  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  bay  forms  the  terminus  of  the 
great  railway  which  traverses  the  Andes.  The  station  at  Oroya  is 
12,000  feet  above  the  sea  and  is  distant  160  miles  from  Gallao. 

Vessels  can  be  coaled  alongside  a  wharf  at  which  the  depth  is  24  feet 
at  low  water,  or  from  the  coal  hulks. 

There  is  ample  means  for  the  repair  of  either  ships  or  machinery. 

Landing. — The  custom-house  is  at  the  entrance  to  the  mole.  At  the 
south  end  there  is  a  basin  with  steps  for  men-of-war.  No  shore  boats 
are  permitted.  Boats  are  not  allowed  to  lie  at  the  steps  but  must 
haul  out  to  buoys  provided. 

Port  Regulations,  etc. — Pilotage  is  not  compulsory  at  Gallao,  con- 
sequently there  are  no  charges  fixed  by  the  authorities  for  such  service; 
no  payment  should  be  made  to  any  pilot  for  services  rendered  in  the 
bay  of  Gallao,  unless  such  services  have  been  voluntarily  called  for  by 
the  master  of  a  vessel  entering. 

By  article  41  of  the  Port  Regulations  it  is  directed  that  before  the 
captain  of  the  port  has  made  his  visit  to  merchant  vessels  entering 


CALLAO.  355 

the  bays  such  vessels  shall  not  communicate  with  any  boats  whatever, 
including  those  belonging  to  the  customhouse. 

Article  43  sets  forth  that  on  ships  entering  ports,  (Peruvian)  and! 
while  under  sail  or  steam,  port  captains  will  make  the  official  visit,  and 
point  out  the  place  of  anchorage  they  should  occupy. 

In  the  second  paragraph  of  article  124  it  is  stated  that  sailing  vessels 
will  not  be  visited  after  sunset  save  in  exceptional  cases. 

In  article  129  of  the  same  regulations  it  is  laid  down  that  if  any  ves- 
sel arrives  during  the  night,  and,  by  reason  thereof,  anchors  outside 
the  situation  corresponding  to  the  order  established  in  said  regula- 
tions, the  captain  of  the  port,  on  making  his  visit  the  following  day, 
shall  direct  that  the  required  change  be  made,  and  designate  the 
position  the  ship  ought  to  occupy. 

Statistics,  etc. — ^The  population  in  1886  was  about  25,000.  The  prin- 
cipal exports  are  hides,  copper,  silver,  and  cocaine.  The  imports  are 
general  merchandise,  coal,  and  agricultural  machinery.  The  duties  on 
all  imports  are  very  high,  ranging  from  30  to  50  per  cent. 

Climate. — Oallao  may  be  said  to  enjoy  uninterrupted  fine  weather  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year.  From  October  to  the  middle  of  December  the 
temperature  varies  from  64^  to  68^j  and  during  the  summer  months 
from  69°  to  74°,  the  temperature  of  the  sea  water  in  the  bay  being 
generally  about  60°,  or  about  12°  to  14P  below  the  average  summer 
temperature  of  the  air.  The  heat  is  seldom  oppressive  5  the  sea  breeze 
from  SSB.  to  SE.  sets  in  regularly  between  the  hours  of  11  a.  m.  and 
2  p.  m.  with  the  force  of  a  royal  breeze,  when  the  anchorage  is  cool 
and  pleasant;  the  nights  are  generally  cool,  sometimes  even  chilly, 
although  the  sea  breeze  seldom  lasts  after  sunset,  and  the  crews  of 
ships  prefer  sleeping  in  hammocks  to  sleeping  on  the  ui)per  deck,  as 
they  are  often  compelled  to  do  from  the  heat  on  the  coast  of  Mexico  or 
at  Panama. 

The  early  mornings  are  frequently  damp  and  misty.  In  December 
and  March  fogs  are  common,  lasting  about  a  week  at  a  time;  northerly 
winds  are  rare,  light,  and  accompanied  by  gloomy  weather. 

In  May  cloth  clothing  is  worn  with  comfort,  and  people  return  to 
Lima  from  Chorillos. 

A  nauseous  smell,  usually  called  the  painter,  is  frequently  experi- 
enced by  vessels  in  this  port.  It  dei)osits  on  white  paint  and  whitewash 
a  thick  slime  of  a  chocolate  color,  washing  off  from  the  former,  but 
spoiling  its  after  appearance.  Some  ascribe  it  to  the  vast  number  of 
small  dead  fish  that  are  washed  in  by  the  swell  and  deposited  in  the 
sand ;  others  suppose  it  to  proceed  from  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of  the 
sea  or  to  be  of  volcanic  origin ;  this  latter  is  probably  the  cause. 

Yellow  fever. — Occasionally  visitations  of  yellow  fever  occur.  In 
1868  the  number  of  deaths  at  Callao  amounted  to  60  daily  and  at  Lima 
from  250  to  280  daily,  when  Chorillos  was  but  slightly  visited. 

During  that  period  the  weather  was  unusually  hot,  being  82^  In  the 


356  COAST  OF  PERU. 

shade,  and  the  temperatare  of  the  sea  increased  from  60^  to  74^.  In 
such  cases  the  anchorage  at  entrance  of  the  boqueron,  off  the  factory, 
will  be  found  healthy,  as  there  is  nearly  always  a  breeze,  and  crews  of 
ships  may  be  landed  on  San  Lorenzo  for  exercise  without  danger. 

Supplies  of  all  sorts  may  be  obtained  at  Callao  for  shipping,  fresh 
provisions,  as  well  as  vegetables,  with  an  abundance  of  fruit.  Water 
is  brought  off  in  tanks  and  pumped  on  board  at  $2  per  ton,  but  it  is 
not  considered  good;  it  can  also  be  obtained  from  pipes  on  the  mole, 
but  it  is  best  to  condense  all  drinking  water.  Abundance  of  coal  may 
be  had  at  moderate  prices.  Wood  is  scarce,  mostly  imi)orted,  and  dear. 
All  kinds  of  stores,  etc.,  are  to  be  had,  though  far  from  reasonable. 

Fish  are  plentiful,  and  there  are  good  places  to  haul  the  seine  at 
Lorenzo  island. 

There  is  a  hospital  where  seamen  can  be  received. 

Floatixig  dock. — The  floating  dock  is  300  feet  long  on  the  blocks,  76 
feet  wide  inside,  and  is  capable  of  taking  a  vessel  of  21  feet  draft,  and 
has  docked  a  vessel  of  4,350  tons  displacement. 

There  are  four  steam  pumps,  each  capable  of  discharging  6,000  gallons 
per  minute;  it  can  be  sunk  in  two  hours  and  pumped  out  in  the  same 
time.  A  wooden  gate  at  the  entrance  enables  the  vessels  of  less  than 
300  feet  over  all  to  take  the  blocks  without  apparently  striking  on  them. 
This  is  important,  as  frequently  at  full  and  change  of  the  moon  a  heavy 
swell  sets  into  the  bay,  although  sheltered  from  the  prevailing  south- 
erly winds.  If  circumstances  permit,  it  will  be  found  advantageous  to 
enter  the  dock  during  the  morning  before  the  breeze  commences.  The 
dock  company  has  generally  all  it  can  do. 

Telegraphs. — There  is  submarine- telegraph  communication  between 
Callao,  Iquique,  Valparaiso,  Santa  Elena,  San  Juan  del  Sur,  and  Salina 
Cruz. 

Lights. — On  the  north  point  of  San  Lorenzo  island  is  an  octagonal 
lighthouse.  The  light  is  poor,  and  not  a  reliable  light  to  run  for.  It  is 
946  feet  above  the  sea,  and  is  rarely  visible  12  miles.  From  the  harbor, 
at  a  distance  of  5  miles,  the  light  is  almost  invisible  at  times.  It  is 
often  enveloped  in  a  thick  fog  or  haze  which  hangs  over  the  land. 

Between  the  bearings  of  N.  25o  W.  (N.  35o  W.  mag.)  and  N.  60o  W. 
(N.  70°  W.  mag.)  it  is  hidden  by  the  peak  of  the  island,  and  when  just 
open,  bearing  K.  63^  W.  (K.  73°  W.  mag.),  leads  through  the  boqueron 
in  4^  fathoms. 

On  the  head  of  the  south  mole  at  entrance  to  the  harbor  is  a  fixed 
white  light,  and  a  red  light  is  shown  at  the  landing  place. 

The  faces  of  the  Lima  railway  station  clock  are  illuminated. 

A  lighthouse  is  in  course  of  construction  on  the  largest  of  Palomi- 
nos rocks,  southward  of  San  Lorenzo.    When  Palominos  light  is  exhib- 
^  ited,  the  light  at  present  shown  on  the  north  point  of  San  Lorenzo, 
will  be  discontinued. 

Lima,  the  capital  city  of  Peru,  stands  on  a  plain  at  the  foot  of  some 
granite  hills,  chiefly  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  BimaC;  which  river 


CALLAO.  357 

flows  into  the  sea  2  miles  north  of  Callao.  In  the  range  of  mountains, 
which  extends  north  and  SE.  of  the  city,  two  conspicuous  peaks,  one  3 
miles  to  the  north  and  the  other  8  miles  to  the  SB.,  rise,  respectively, 
3,000  and  3,420  feet  high,  and  are  visible  from  the  anchorage  in  Gallao 
bay. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  an  envoy  extraordinary  and 
minister  plenipotentiary  in  Linia,  and  by  a  consul  and  vice-consul  in 
Callao. 

San  Lorenzo  island  is  4J  miles  long,  NW.  and  SE.,  one  mile  broad, 
and  rises  to  an  elevation  of  1,220  feet  above  the  sea.  Off  its  SE.  end  at 
800  yards  lies  a  small  but  bold-looking  island,  521  feet  high,  named 
Fronton,  almost  connected  with  San  Lorenzo  by  a  reef.  Its  northern 
extreme,  or  cape  San  Lorenzo,  on  which  stands  the  lighthouse,  is  clear  of 
danger,  and  round  it  is  the  usual  passage  to  the  anchorage  of  Callao. 

Directions. — Sailing  vessels,  when  founding  cape  San  Lorenzo,  should 
not  close  the  land  nearer  than  J  mile,  for  within  that  distance  there  are 
light  baffling  airs,  caused  by  eddy  winds  round  the  island. 

Should  there  be  occasion  to  work  to  windward  to  reach  the  anchorage 
'  in  Callao  road,  the  long  spit  that  stretches  off  from  Callao  point,  and  a 
rock,  said  to  lie  off*  Galera  point  on  the  island  of  San  Lorenzo,  are  so 
far  to  the  southward  that  the  vessel  need  scarcely  apprehend  borrowing 
on  them;  but  great  caution  is  required  should  darkness  overtake  a  ship 
before  she  gained  the  anchorage. 

During  the  months  of  January  and  February,  when  the  freshets  come 
down  the  Rimac  river,  large  quantities  of  sand  and  bowlders  are  carried 
into  the  sea,  causing  the  shoal  water  on  the  north  side  of  Callao  bay  to 
be  extended  seaward. 

Vessels  of  23  feet  draft  should  not  approach  the  shore  in  this  vicinity 
nearer  than  1^  miles. 

Approaching  from  the  northward,  care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  the 
wreck  of  the  transport  Loa^  sunk  in  15  fathoms,  with  Carabaillo  river 
entrance  bearing  East  (N.  80°  E.  mag.),  distant  4  miles. 

Anchorage. — Ships  may  lie  with  the  greatest  safety  in  any  part  of 
Callao  bay  and  in  any  depth  of  water,  on  clear  ground  and  gradual 
soundings,  from  20  to  3J  fathoms  up  to  the  wharves  and  landing  place. 
A  good  berth  for  a  small  vessel  stationed  at  Callao  is  in  5^  fathoms, 
with  San  Lorenzo  lighthouse  bearing  S.  86°  W.  (S.  70°  W.  mag.)  and 
Bound  island  S.  24o  W.  (S.  14°  W.  mag.)  and  1,200  yards  off  shore. 

If  desirable,  a  berth  may  be  had  at  the  entrance  of  the  boqueron,  off 
San  Lorenzo  island,  to  the  northward  of  the  factory,  in  7  fathoms;  but 
care  must  be  taken  to  anchor  clear  of  the  remains  of  the  sunken  dock 
lying  about  500  yards  S.  80^  E.  (East  mag.)  of  the  point  on  which  the 
factory  stands;  the  wreck  has  14  feet  over  it. 

Occasionally  heavy  rollers  set  into  this  otherwise  quiet  anchorage 
without  any  apparent  cause,  breaking  with  great  violence  on  the  steep 
shingle  beach,  sometimes  injuring  the  embankments  of  piles  that  protect 


358  COAST  OP  PERU. 

the  foandations  of  the  railway  and  other  works;  bat  landing  is  seldom 
interrupted  at  any  of  the  piers. 

Port  charges. — Mole  dues.— Twelve  cents  per  register  ton  every 
time  ship  enters  port,  and  75  cents  per  ton  weight  or  measnrement  on 
all  cargo  discharged  or  embarked. 

Tonnage  dues. — Twenty  cents  per  ton  register  every  six  months. 

Light  dues. — ^One  and  one-fourth  cents  per  register  ton. 
dues. — Four  cents  per  register  ton. 
rocks,  140  feet  high,  he  about  3  miles  SW.  of  the  SE. 
extreme  of  San  Lorenzo  island,  with  18  fathoms  inside  them. 

Boqueron  of  Callao. — The  above  is  the  obvious  route  to  Gallao, 
but  there  is  another  which,  with  common  precaution,  may  be  used  with 
advantage  to  vessels  coming  from  the  southward  by  passing  through 
the  boqueron  between  the  island  of  San  Lorenzo  and  Gallao  point. 
There  is  no  regular  tide,  yet  a  little  drain  of  current  is  always  felt, 
sometimes  to  the  NW.  and  sometimes  to  the  contrary.  Should  the 
stream  be  adverse,  and  it  falls  calm  wtile  in  the  channel,  there  is 
anchorage.  With  a  heavy  swell  from  SW.  there  is  a  strong  northerly 
current  through  the  boqueron.  When  there  is  a  freshet  in  the  liimac 
there  is  a  strong  current  across  the  bay. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  this  channel  at  5h. 
47m.;  springs  rise  4  feet. 

Directions. — After  making  Fronton  island,  steer  so  as  to  keep  its 
southern  end  about  a  point  open  on  the  port  bow,  until  Gallao  castle  is 
seen,  which,  with  its  two  martello  towers,  stands  on  the  inner  part  of 
the  shingle  bank  that  forms  the  point;  then  steer  for  that  castle,  bear- 
ing !N^.  10°  B.  (North  mag.),  until  the  scar  is  in  line  with  a  large  house 
northwestward  of  Seabird  point,  bearing  N.  63^  W.  (N,  73o  W.  mag.). 
This  will  lead  through  in  not  less  than  5  fathoms,  passing  about  600 
yards  westward  of  the  SW.  spit  of  Gamotal  bank.  The  lighthouse,  in 
line  with  the  large  square  house,  leads  over  Fronton  shoal  in  4  fathoms. 

When  the  western  martello  tower  in  the  castle  comes  in  one  with  the 
northern  part  of  Gallao  point,  she  will  be  off  the  pitch  of  the  Gamotal 
bank,  and  may  haul  gradually  round  to  the  northward  till  that  tower 
opens  clear  of  the  breakers  on  the  spit,  when  a  course  may  be  shaped 
for  the  anchorage,  taking  care  not  to  come  nearer  the  Whales  Back 
than  the  depth  of  6  fathoms,  as  the  SW.  side  is  steep-to  and  dangerous, 
and  its  position  is  often  changed  by  the  heavy  surf. 

The  SW.  spit  of  Gamotal  bank,  composed  of  course,  white  sand  and 
broken  shell,  is  dangerous  and  steep-to,  the  water  deepening  from  22 
feet  to  10  fathoms  in  a  ship's  length.  The  heavy  surf  also,  that  sets  in 
about  full  and  change,  frequently  alters  it,  making  the  channel  much 
narrower. 

Vessels  drawing  more  than  18  or  at  the  most  20  feet  should  not 
attempt  this  channel  unless  well  acquainted  with  it,  the  leading  marks 
being  more  frequently  obscured  than  otherwise. 


C ARAB AILLO   RIVER— ANCON  BAY.  359 

Carabaillo  river  empties  into  Callao  bay  5  miles  north  of  Eimac 
river.  It  carries  more  water  than  the  Eimac,  notwithstanding  the 
heavy  drains  made  upon  it  for  the  irrigation  of  the  adjacent  valleys. 

It  is  shoal  near  all  this  part  of  the  coast,  and  not  prudent  to  approach 
within  one  mile  for  9  miles  north  of  Callao,  as,  by  the  discharge  of  the 
rivers,  sand  has  accumulated  in  their  vicinity,  and  in  all  this  distance 
there  is  but  1^  to  2  fathoms  of  water. 

Cerro  Monton  de  Trigo. — At  9^  miles  to  the  northward  of  Gallao  an 
isolated,  sharp-pointed  mountain  of  moderate  height  is  to  be  seen  upon 
the  low  beach.  It  derives  its  name,  Monton  de  Trigo,  from  its  resem- 
blance to  a  wheat  stack,  and  owing  to  its  position  is  noteworthy. 

Bernal  point. — Bernal  point,  in  front  of  the  Monton  de  Trigo,  is  a 
small  and  low  sandy  tongue,  which  projects  but  little.  It  is  of  no 
importance. 

Hormigas  de  Afnera.  are  a  small  cluster  of  rocks  31  miles  westward 
of  San  Lorenzo  island.  The  largest,  25  feet  high,  is  about  f  mile  in 
circumference.  There  is  no  sign  of  vegetation;  it  is  merely  a  resting 
place  for  birds  and  seals.  Landing  may  be  effected,  if  requisite,  on  its 
north  side,  but  with  difficulty.  The  northern  rock  (above  water)  is 
one  mile  from  the  southern,  or  highest.  From  it  a  reef  extends  a  short 
•distance  to  the  northward,  and  frotn  the  southern  rock  breakers  extend 
to  the  southeastward  about  300  yards.  Being  somewhat  in  the  way 
of  vessels  bound  to  Gallao  from  the  northward  and  of  those  leaving 
that  port  for  the  westward,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  approach  these 
rocks  within  one  mile,  for  fear  of  being  overtaken  by  one  of  those  dense 
fogs  which  are  so  frequent  on  the  Peruvian  coast.  The  water  is  deep 
close-to  around,  and  no  warning  would  be  given  by  the  lead,  and  the 
current  usually  sets  to  the  northwestward  at  the  rate  of  J  mile  an  hour. 

The  coast. — From  Callao  the  coast  is  a  sandy  beach,  trending  in  a 
northerly  direction  13  miles,  until  it  reaches  Paiicha  point.-  It  then 
becomes  higher  and  breaks  into  cliffs,  and  maintains  this  character  for 
4  miles,  as  far  as  Mulatas  point,  around  to  the  eastward  of  which  is 
Ancon  bay. 

Pescadores  islands.— To  the  West  and  SW.  of  Mulatas  point  are 
the  Pescadores  islands,  ten  in  number,  the  outer  of  which  is  the  largest. 
A  sunken  rock  lies  to  the  eastward  of  the  large  islet,  otherwise  there 
appears  to  be  no  danger  among  the  group;  they  are  steep-to,  with  10 
to  30  fathoms  near  them.  The  easternmost  islet,  named  Splitario,  is  i 
mile  off  shore,  with  a  passage  for  coasters  inside  it. 

Hormigas  de  Tierra,  or  the  inshore  Hormigas  or  Ants,  are  two  rocks 
above  water,  about  one  mile  l^W.  of  the  largest  qf  the  Pescadores 
islands.  Caution  is  required  in  approaching  Ancon  bay  from  the  west- 
ward, as  the  lead  would  give  no  warning  of  these  rocks. 

Ancon  bay. — The  bay  is  not  easily  made  out  from  the  southward 
until  abreast  Mulatas  point,  but  there  is  no  difficulty  in  finding  it,  as 
the  ship's  position  can  be  ascertained  by  bearings  of  Pescadores  islands 


360  COAST  OP  PERU. 

and  a  direct  coarse  steered  for  it;  the  passages  between  the  islands  are 
clear  of  dangers. 

Anchorage  may  be  taken  up  in  from  5  to  7  fathoms  600  or  800  yards 
NW.  of  tbe  town.  The  bay  affords  shelter  from  all  winds  except  those 
between  KNW.  and  West.  Ancon  is  a  rising  town,  and  is  connected  by 
railway  with  Lima,  also  with  Ohancay  to  the  northward. 

Provisions  of  all  kinds  must  be  brought  from  Lima,  and  water  is 
scarce. 

Tomacalla  point. — North  of  Ancon  bay  the  hills  approach  the 
coast,  leaving  in  some  places  not  even  a  path  at  their  base.  Several 
detached  rocks  lie  a  distance  of  400  yards  to  the  northward  of  this 
point.  In  calm  weather  boats  can  make  a  landing  on  a  small  beach 
north  of  the  point. 

Pasamayo  point. — ^North  of  Tomacalla  point  the  coast  continues 
high  and  rocky  3^  miles,  to  Pasamayo  point.  North  of  this  point  is  a 
small  cove  which  is  inaccessible  on  account  of  the  heavy  surf. 

From  Pasamayo  point  northward  the  coast  is  a  low  and  sandy 
beach;  3  miles  northward  of  the  point  is  the  Pasamayo  or  Ghancay 
river,  which  is  tolerably  well  supplied  with  water  in  summer. 

Chancay  bay,  at  12  miles  NN W.  of  Mulatas  point,  is  a  confined  place, 
and  fit  only  for  small  coasters.  It  may  be  known  by  the  bluff  head  that 
forms  the  point,  and  has  three  hills  on  it  in  an  easterly  direction. 

At  the  head  of  the  bay  are  two  small  coves,  the  eastern  of  which 
has  the  more  convenient  landing.  The  little  promontory  which  sepa- 
rates them  is  of  a  blackish  color  and  surrounded  by  rocks,  some  of 
which  appear  above  water.  Vessels  intending  to  remain  for  several 
days  should  have  an  anchor  astern,  with  the  head  toward  SW.,  to 
avoid  the  inconVenient  rolling.  The  town  stands  on  the  plateau  IJ 
miles  distant,  and  is  connected  by  rail  and  telegraph  with  the  capital. 

From  Chancay  a  shingle  beach  named  Playa  Grande,  with  a  few 
broken,  cliffy  points,  extends  to  Salinas  point.  The  hills  are  near  the 
coast,  and  from  400  to  500  feet  high. 

A  sunken  wreck  lies  in  11  fathoms  water  1,700  yards  N.  4^  W.  (N. 
140  W.  mag.)  of  Ohancay  head. 

Salinas  point,  at  27  miles  NW.  of  Chancay  head,  is  the  southwestern 
extremity  of  the  broad  promontory  of  Salinas.  Off  its  southern  point 
there  is  a  reef  of  rocks  J  mile  from  the  shore,  and  at  its  northwestern 
angle,  named  Bajas  point,  there  is  an  islet  20.0  yards  distant.  There 
are  two  coves  in  the  sea  face,  but  they  are  fit  for  boats  only.  The 
southern  cove,  named  Herradura  de  Salinas,  has  7  fathoms  600  yards 
off  shore,  but  there  is  always  a  heavy  swell. 

Misteriosa  rock  lies  midway  between  Salinas  and  Bajas  points, 
nearly  one  mile  off  shore. 

This  sunken  danger,  on  which  the  sea  sometimes  breaks,  lies  nearly 
in  the  track  of  vessels  bound  from  Callao  to  Huacho.  Care  should  be 
taken  when  passing  its  neighborhood  to  preserve  a  proper  oflBng. 

bay. — Eastward  of  Bajas  point  is  Salinas  bay  of  large, 


SALINAS  BAT — HUACHO   BAT.  361 

dimensions  and  aflfording  roomy  anchorage.  The  remarkable  Tound 
hill  of  Salinas,  899  feet  high,  rises  at  a  short  distance  from  the  coast, 
from  a  level,  sandy  plain,  and  at  the  south  side  of  the  plain  lie  the 
Salinas  or  salt  lakes,  which  givQ  the  promontory  its  name,  and  which 
are  visited  occasionally  by  people  from  Huacho. 

Playa  Chica  is  in  the  easternmost  part  of  Salinas  bay,  and  off  it 
is  the  best  anchorage,  in  4  to  8  fathoms  near  the  shore.  Shipments  of 
the  famous  Huacho  salt  are  made  from  here.  There  is  a  pier,  and  large 
boats  can  lie  alongside  at  all  tides.  The  loading  proceeds  rapidly,  as 
there  is  always  an  abundance  of  salt.  The  salinas  are  5  miles  south 
of  it,  and  are  connected  with  this  place  by  a  tramway.  There  is  a  fair 
supply  of  water,  and  provisions  can  be  obtained  from  Huacho. 

Huaura  islets  is  the  name  of  a  chain  of  islets  extending  14  miles 
in  a  SW.  direction  from  Salinas  point.  The  largest,  named  Mazorca, 
is  I  mile  long,  200  feet  high,  and  yellow  with  guano.  Sealers  occasion- 
ally frequent  this  island,  as  there  is  a  landing  place  on  its  north  side. 
The  southwesternmost,  named  Pelado  islet,  is  about  150  feet  high 
and  conical.  Between  it  and  Mazorca  a  safe  passage  exists,  and  may 
be  used  without  fear  in  working  up  to  Oallao.  Between  Mazorca  islet 
and  Salinas  point  are  several  other  islets,  with  passages  between  them 
clear  of  danger. 

Two  of  these  passages  are  generally  used;  the  inner  one  is  between 
the  mainland  and  Tambillo  island  (which  is  rather  a  blind  object  at 
night),  but  the  outer  one  between  the  Mazorca  and  Pelado  islets  is 
much  used,  being  6  miles  wide  and  quite  free  from  danger.  Pelado  islet 
is  generally  the  first  seen  at  night,  forming  a  good  mark  for  vessels 
bound  to  Huacho. 

Huacho  bay. — From  Salinas  bay  the  coast  is  moderately  high  and 
cliffy,  without  any  break  for  5  miles,  as  far  as  the  small  bay  of  Huacho, 
which  lies  NE.  of  Huacho  head;  the  anchorage  is  good  in  5  fathoms 
just  within  the  two  rocks  off  the  northern  part  of  the  head.  The  hold- 
ing ground  is  good,  but  a  heavy  swell  sets  into  the  bay  at  times  from 
the  westward,  rendering  a  stern  anchor  necessary. 

Coming  from  seaward,  the  best  distinguishing  marks  for  Huacho  bay 
are  the  three  Beagle  mountains,  4,000  feet  high,  in  the  near  range, 
each  having  two  separate  peaks.  They  rise  inland  about  8  milQs,  and 
on  closing  the  coast  mount  Salinas  tx)  the  southward,  as  well  as  the 
island  of  Don  Martin  to  the  northward,  will  be  seen;  about  midway 
between  them  is  Huacho  bay,  under  a  light-brown  cliff,  the  top  of  which 
is  covered  with  brushwood.  To  the  southward  the  coast  is  a  dark, 
rocky  cliff 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Huacho  bay  at  4h.  45m. ; 
springs  rise  3  feet. 

Town. — The  town  of  Huacho  is  built  about  a  mile  northward  of  the 
bay,  and  when  seen  from  seaward  has  a  pleasant  appearance;  it  is  con- 
nected by  telegraph  with  Lima,  to  which  town  large  daily  supplies  of 
provisions  of  aU  kinds  are  sent. 


362  COAST  OF  PERU. 

Supplies. — ^Fresh  provisions,  vegetables,  and  fruit  are  abandant; 
wood  is  also  plentiful,  and  a  stream  of  fresh  water  runs  down  the  side 
of  the  cliff  into  the  sea.  Landing  is  tolerably  good,  and  there  is  a  pier 
for  loading  and  unloading  goods. 

Population  (1880)  about  6,000. 

Carquin  bay  is  2 J  miles  NNW.  from  Huacho  bay,  but  is  scarcely  as 
large,  and  is  useless  to  shipping  on  account  of  the  constant  heavy  sur£ 
Garquin  point  is  low  and  flat,  but  one  mile  north  of  it  is  a  steep  cliff 
with  a  sharp-topped  hill  over  it,  off  which  are  some  rocks  above  water, 
and  Garquin  islet  is  a  short  mile  distant. 

Don  Martin  island. — Korthward  of  Garquin  islet  4  miles  is  Don 
Martin  island,  and  northward  of  the  point,  abreast  of  it,  is  Begueta 
bay,  no  place  for  a  vessel,  being  full  of  rocks  and  breakers  and  having 
nothing  to  induce  one  to  go  there. 

Tomas  point — From  Begueta  bay  the  coast  is  moderately  high, 
with  sandy  outline  to  Atahuanqui  point,  8  miles  Nl^W.  of  it.  This  is 
a  steep  point  with  two  mounds  on  it,  and  is  partly  white  on  its  south 
side;  there  is  a  small  bay  on  its  north  side,  fit  only  for  boats.  Between 
this  point  and  the  south  part  of  Tomas  point,  at  3^  miles  farther  north, 
the  coast  fonns  a  sandy  bay,  low  and  shrubby,  with  the  town  of  Snpe 
about  a  mile  from  the  sea.  Tomas  point  is  similar  in  appearance  to 
Atahuanqui  point,  without  the  white  on  the  south  side. 

Supe  bay,  to  the  northward  of  Tomas  point,  in  latitude  10^  50'  S., 
is  a  snug  little  bay  capable  of  containing  four  or  five  sail,  and  is  the 
port  of  Supe  and  of  Barranca.  These  places  produce  chiefly  sugar 
and  com,  cargoes  of  which  are  taken  by  the  coasting  steamers.  At  the 
south  end  of  the  bay  there  is  a  fishing  village,  which  is  used  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Barranca  during  the  bathing  season.  Supplies  may  be 
obtained,  but  water  is  scarce,  the  greater  part  of  which  is  brought 
from  Supe. 

Landmarks. — ^Mount  Usborne,  8,060  feet  high,  the  highest  and  most 
remarkable  mountain  in  the  second  range,  is  the  best  guide  ^by  which 
to  recognize  Supe  bay.  It  bears  from  the  anchorage  N.  60°  B.  (1^.  50^ 
E.  mag.).  It  is  something  of  the  shape  of  a  bell,  and  has  three  distinct 
rises  on  its  summit,  the  highest  at  the  north  end.  On  that  side  it 
shows  distinctly,  there  being  no  other  peak  within  a  considerable  dis- 
tance. Mount  Darwin  (Pico  de  Pativilca),  6,800  feet  high,  20  miles  N. 
by  W.  and  8  miles  from  the  shore,  is  next  in  height.  It  is  a  sharp  cone 
and  light  in  color.  In  Supe  bay  there  is  a  white  rock  off  Barranca 
head,  its  northern  point,  and  can  not  be  mistaken,  for  there  is  no  other 
like  it  near  this  part  of  the  coast. 

Tides.— It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Supe  bay  at  4h.  45m.; 
springs  rise  3  feet. 

Directions. — ^When  entering  no  danger  need  be  apprehended.  Tomas 
I)oint  is  bold,  with  regular  soundings  from  10  to  15  fathoms,  extending 
I  mile.  Off  Patillo  point  there  are  a  few  rocks,  but  there  is  no  neces- 
sity for  hugging  the  shore  closely,  as  a  vessel  can  always  fetch  the 


BARRANCA   HEAD — HUARMEY   BAY.  363 

anchorage  by  keeping  at  a  moderate  distance  while  standing  in.  The 
best  anchorage  is  in  4  fathoms,  with  Tomas  point  shut  in  by  Patillo 
point,  about  200  yards  from  the  rocks  off  that  point  and  rather  more 
than  J  mile  from  the  village.  Anchorage  for  large  ships  may  be  obtained 
farther  out,  in  6  or  7  fathoms,  though  but  little  sheltered  from  the  swell. 

Barranca  head  and  bay. — Barranca  head,  2^  miles  !N'NW.  of  Tomas 
point,  projects  slightly,  and  just  northward  of  it  is  Barranca  bay,  which 
is  useless  on  account  of  the  heavy  surf  that  constantly  breaks  and  the 
dangerous  nature  of  the  coast.  One  mile  !^r.  12o  W.  (N.  22°  W.  mag.) 
of  Barranca  head  several  breaking  rocks  lie  about  400  yards  off  shore. 

The  spit  at  Barranca  (Pativilca)  river  entrance  is  reported  to  be  grad- 
ually extending  to  the  westward.  Vessels  navigating  this  part  of  the 
coast  should  not  approach  the  Barranca  river  spit  within  the  distance 
of  3  miles,  especially  in  thick  or  hazy  weather. 

At  the  extreme  north  of  the  Pativilca  valley  are  two  notable  objects 
near  the  sea,  one  named  La  Fortaleza,  from  the  ruins  of  an  Indian  fort, 
and  Horca  hill  (cerro  de  la  Horca),  a  dark-colored  rock,  over  a  projecting 
point  of  the  coast. 

The  coast  from  Supe  bay  is  a  clay  cliff,  about  100  feet  in  height,  to 
Barranca  river;  it  then  becomes  low  and  covered  with  brushwood  to  the 
foot  of  Horca  hill,  6  miles  farther  north ;  here  it  again  becomes  hilly 
near  the  sea,  with  alternate  rocky  points  and  small  sandy  bays,  which 
continue  for  the  distance  of  18  miles  to  Jaguey  point. 

Santander  point. — Two  and  one-half  miles  to  the  northwestward  of 
Horca  hill  is  a  low,  rocky  point  of  a  dark  color,  with  an  islet  very  near 
its  western  extreme.    The  point  is  clear,  and  can  be  passed  close-to. 

Port  Bermejo  lies  17  miles  NW.  of  Supe  bay.  The  anchorage  is 
good,  but  exposed  to  the  westerly  swell;  the  bay  being  shallow,  large 
vessels  are  not  sheltered  by  the  point. 

In  the  middle  of  the  shore  of  the  bay  there  are  some  red  cliffs,  divided 
by  a  white  mound,  which  forms  an  unmistakable  landmark. 

Directions. — When  from  the  southward,  give  Bermejo  point  a  wide 
berth,  as  foul  ground  extends  400  yards  all  round.  The  best  anchorage 
is  with  the  white  mound  above  mentioned  bearing  S.  62°  E.  (S.  62°  E« 
mag.)  and  Bermejo  point  S.  13°  W.  (S.  3^  W.  mag.),  in  5J  fathoms,  sandy 
bottom. 

Callejones  point,  7  miles  I^TW.  of  Port  Bermejo,  is  an  elevated  salient 
point;  the  rocks  in  its  immediate  vicinity  are  all  visible. 

Jaguey  point,  nearly  6  miles  NW.  from  Callejones  point,  is  low  and 
surrounded  by  rocks,  over  which  the  sea  constantly  breaks. 

Gramadal  bay,  on  the  north  side  of  Jaguey  i)oint,  is  a  wild-looking 
place,  with  a  heavy  swell  rolling  in;  but  it  is  visited  occasionally  for 
hair  seal,  with  which  it  abounds;  there  is  anchorage  in  6  or  7  fathoms, 
sandy  bottom,  with  the  bluff  that  forms  the  bay  bearing  S.  12°  E, 
(S.  220  E.  mag.),  about  i  mile  from  the  shore;  landing  is  scarcely 
practicable. 

Huarmey  bay. — ^The  coast  northward  of  Gramadal  bay  maintains 


364  •  COAST  OP  PERU. 

its  rocky  character,  with  deep  water  off  it  for  9  miles,  as  far  as  Bnfad^o 
cliff,  which  is  steep,  having  two  paps  1,620  feet  high  on  it  a  little  in- 
shore. From  Bofadero  a  rocky  cliff  from  200  to  300  feet  high,  with 
a  more  level  country,  extends  for  12^  miles  to  Lagarto  head,  which  is 
also  a  steep  cliff,  with  the  laud  falling  immediately  inside  it,  and  rising 
again  to  about  the  same  height.  Eastward  of  this  head  is  Huarmey  bay, 
considered  a  tolerable  roadstead  in  comparison  with  other  places,  hav- 
ing anchorage  everywhere  in  from  3^  to  10  fathoms,  over  a  fine  sandy 
bottom. 

Firewood  is  the  principal  commodity,  for  which  it  is  the  best  and 
cheapest  place  on  the  whole  coast.  There  are  also  some  saltpeter  works, 
but  little  business  is  done  in  that  line.  The  town  is  an  oasis  in  a  sandy 
desert,  and  lies  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  about  2  miles  from  the 
anchorage,  but  is  hidden  by  the  surrounding  trees;  near  the  anchorage 
there  are  a  few  houses  temporarily  inhabited. 

Harbor  islet,  rocky,  of  a  whitish  color  and  moderate  height,  is  near 
the  middle  of  Huarmey  bay,  about  1,600  yards  from  shore,  with  8 
fathoms  200  yards  from  it. 

Directions. — When  coming  from  seaward,  the  best  way  to  make 
Huarmey  bay  is  to  stand  in  on  the  parallel  of  lOo  6'  S.,  and  when 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  coast  a  sharp-peaked  hill  with  a  large  white 
mark  on  it  will  be  seen  standing  alone  a  little  north  of  the  bay:  the 
break  in  the  hills  through  which  the  river  runs  is  high  and  cliffy  on 
each  side.  The  land  is  also  much  lower  to  the  northward  of  Lagarto 
head;  there  is  a  large  white  islet  at  the  north  part  of  Huarmey  bay. 

In  sailing  in,  after  having  passed  Lagarto  head,  Harbor  islet  will  be 
seen  toward  the  middle  of  the  bay;  steer  for  it,  that  the  vessel  may 
not  border  on  the  southern  shore,  for  there  are  many  straggling  rocks 
extending  from  the  points;  and  when  sufficiently  northward  to  shape  a 
mid-channel  course  between  Harbor  islet  and  the  point  opposite  it  to 
the  southward,  do  so,  and  it  will  lead  to  the  anchorage.  In  standing 
in,  in  this  direction,  the  water  shoals  gradually  to  the  beach,  but.  the 
southern  shore  must  on  no  account  be  approached  nearer  than  J  mile. 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  is  in  4  fathoms,  about  i  mile  from 
the  landing  place  on  the  beach.  This  landing  place  does  not  seem  to 
be  so  good  .as  a  steep  rock  on  the  outer  side  of  the  bluff,  where  the 
sandy  beach  commences;  but  probably  it  is  the  most  convenient  for 
loading  boats.  The  sea  breeze  sets  in  so  strongly  occasionally  that  it 
is  difficult  for  boats  to  pull  against  it;  this  is  particularly  the  case 
under  the  high  land,  whence  it  comes  in  sudden  gusts  and  squalls. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions,  vegetables,  and  fruit  are  plentiful  nn  ] 
moderate,  but  water  is  not  to  be  depended  on. 

For  several  months  after  March  a  plentiful  supply  of  water  may 
be  obtained  from  the  river.  In  the  summer  season  great  drought  is 
sometimes  experienced. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Huarmey  bay  at  about 
6h.;  springs  rise  2  feet. 


CULEBBAS  COVE — CASMA  BAY.  365 

The  coast  from  Huarmey  bay  trends  in  a  northwesterly  direction 
9^  miles,  to  Gulebras  point;  the  intervening  coast  is  a  mass  of  broken 
cliffs  and  innumerable  detached  rocks,  with  moderately  high  land  near 
the  shore.  From  this  point  the  coast  to  the  northward  is  broken  into 
small  sandy  bays,  and  the  Erizos  rocks,  3  miles  to  the  northward,  and 
the  Conejos  islands,  5  miles  to  the  northward,  lie  about  f  mile  off  sbore. 

Culebras  cove  has  a  depth  of  6  to  8  fathoms  500  to  600  yards  from 
the  south  shore.  There  are  some  houses  and  a  flagstaff  in  front  of 
them.  The  beach  is  low,  and  boats  effect  a  landing  in  the  eastern 
corner,  where  the  breakers  are  not  so  heavy.  Some  cotton  is  exported 
from  here.    The  place  is  without  resources. 

Colina  Redonda  point  and  cove. — Northward  5  miles  from  Guleb- 
ras point  are  the  white  cliffy  islets  of  Conejos,  and  from  thence  the  coast 
curves  inward,  forming  a  bay,  which  terminates  at  Mongoncillo  point, 
7  miles  farther  north.  A  straight  shore  of  10  miles  then  extends 
toward  Colina  Bedonda  point,  having  two  hummocks,  and  which,  when 
seen  from  the  southward,  appears  like  an  island.  On  its  north  side  is 
a  cove  bearing  the  same  name,  having  temporary  anchorage  near  the 
south  shore  in  8  fathoms. 

"  Mount  Mongon,  3,900  feet  high,  is  the  highest  and  most  conspicuous 
object  on  this  part  of  the  coast,  although  its  lower  part  is  often  envel- 
oped in  fog.  When  seen  from  the  westward  it  has  a  rounded  appear- 
ance, though  with  rather  a  sharp  summit;  but  from  the  southward  it 
shows  as  a  long  hill  with  a  peak  at  each'end.  It  is  said  there  is  a  lake 
of  fresh  water  on  the  range  between  these  peaks,  and  that  its  valleys 
abound  with  deer;  but  the  truth  of  this  depends  on  report. 

Casma  bay. — From  mount  Mongon  a  range  of  hills  trends  parallel 
to  the  coast,  which  is  high  and  rocky,  with  some  white  islets  lying  off', 
to  Calvario  bluff,  a  steep  and  rocky  headland,  forming  the  southern 
head  of  Casma  bay,  at  10  miles  N.  by  W.  of  Colina  Eedonda. 

Cotton  of  a  superior  quality  is  grown;  also  coru.  These,  with  fire- 
wood and  charcoal,  form  the  articles  of  exx)ort. 

The  best  distinguishing  mark  for  Casma  is  the  sandy  beach  in  the 
bay,  with  the  sand  hills  inshore  of  it,  contrasting  strongly  with  the  hard 
dark  rocks,  of  which  the  heads  at  the  entrance  are  formed.  There  is 
also  a  small  black  islet  (Black  rock)  lying  IJ  miles  S.  83^  W.  (S.  74o  W. 
mag.)  of  North  cheek.  This  rock  is  of  a  very  dark  color,  some  feet 
above  water,  steep-to,  with  17  fathoms  midway  between  it  and  the 
shore. 

Casma  bay  is  a  snug  anchorage,  something  in  the  form  of  a  horse- 
shoe.   The  two  entrance  points  are  called  cheeks. 

The  best  anchorage  is  with  the  inner  part  of  South  cheek  bearing 
about  S.  120  E.  (S.  21©  E.  mag.j,  J  mile  off  shore,  in  7  fathoms,  for  by 
not  going  farther  in  a  vessel  escapes  in  a  great  measure  the  sudden 
gusts  of  wind  that  come  down  the  valley  with  great  violence. 

There  is  a  pier  with  convenient  landing  opposite  the  houses. 

Quito  rock,  on  which  the  steamer  Quito  struck,  has  on  it  a  depth  of 


366  COAST  OP  PEEU. 

12  feet,  and  lies  with  Galvario  bluff  bearing  N.  6o  E,  (N.  3°  W.  mag.)  2J 
miles,  and  White  islets  S.  43©  E.  (S.  52°  E.  mag.).  Yiuda  island,  about 
6  miles  north  of  Oasina  bay,  seen  well  open  west  of  Black  rock,  leads 
westward  of  Quito  rock. 

Rock. — A  rock  with  a  least  depth  of  llj  feet  water  on  it,  steep-to 
witlk  deep  water  around  has  been  reported  as  lying  about  1^  miles  S. 
240  W.  (S.  150  W.  mag.)  of  the  extremity  of  Oalvario  bluff. 

Fergusson  rock  — Captain  Fergusson,  of  H.  M.  S.  Mentepj  mentions 
a  rock  on  the  south  side  of  the  bay,  ^  mile  off  shore,  having  only  9  feet 
water,  and  sometimes  breaking.  It  was  not  seen  by  the  Beagle^  but,  as 
doubtless  it  exists,  it  has  been  inserted  in  the  plan. 

The  coast  from  Gasma  bay  trends  in  a  northwesterly  direction  14 
miles,  and  continues  bold  and  rocky  to  Samancp  bay;  and  midway 
between  them  the  shore  recedes  into  a  deep  bight,  with  two  islands, 
Tortuga  and  Viuda,  fronting  it.  Neither  the  bay  nor  the  islands  were 
examined  as  to  their  capabilities. 

After  passing  this  bight  the  coast  continues  in  the  same  direction 
and  with  the  same  aspect  3  miles  farther  to  Los  Chinos  rocks,  which 
lie  about  400  yards  off  shore,  without  any  offlying  danger. 

Saxnanco  head  is  a  steep  bluff  with  some  rocks  lying  northward  of 
it.  North  of  the  Chinos  rocks  the  coast  forms  a  bight  IJ  miles  wide, 
with  a  low  sandy  beach,  on  which  the  sea  always  breaks,  and  which  is, 
therefore,  dififtcult  of  access;  but  sometimes  boats  land  easily  in  the 
southern  part.  At  the  northern  extremity  of  this  bight  a  range  of  hills 
with  dark  rocks  extend  from  the  interior  range  westward  to  Samanco 
head.  A  small  islet  lies  south  of  the  head,  but  is  without  offlying 
dangers. 

Bird  island. — ^Inside  the  bay,  about  %  mile  from  the  NE.  coast,  is  an 
island  named  Pajaro,  or  Bird  island.  It  is  of  ordinary  height,  and 
covered  with  guano  patches  of  whitish  color.  Some  rocks  on  which  the 
sea  breaks  extend  400  yards  westward. 

Lobo  or  Seal  island  forms  the  southern  extremity  of  a  mountain 
range,  and  the  NW.  limit  of  the  entrance  of  Saraanco  bay.  It  is  about 
400  yards  from  the  shore,  high,  and  bears  the  same  aspect  as  the  rest 
of  the  coast  (dark  rocks  with  white  patches).  The  rocks  near  it  are 
all  awash,  and  the  sea  breaks  on  them. 

Samanco  bay  is  the  most  extensive  on  the  coast  of  Peru  northward 
of  Callao.  It  is  6  miles  deep,  NW.  and  SE.,  and  3  miles  wide.  The 
entrance  is  2  miles  across,  between  Samanco  head  and  Seal  island. 
There  are  regular  soundings  all  over  the  bay,  with  a  depth  of  20 
fathoms  at  the  entrance,  shoaling  gradually  to  leeward.  At  its  SE. 
corner,  in  a  sandy  bay  named  Guambacho,  stands  a  small  village  (the 
residence  of  some  fishermen)  at  the  termination  of  the  Nepena  river, 
which,  like  most  rivers  on  the  coast,  has  not  suflBcieut  strength  to 
force  a  passage  for  itself  through  the  beach,  but  terminates  in  a  lagoon 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  sea.    The  town  of  Guambacho  is  about  3 


SAMANCO   BAY — FEEEOL   BAY.  367 

miles  distant,  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  valley,  and  Kepena,  which 
is  the  principal  town,  lies  to  the  northeastward  about  15  miles.  Bice, 
cotton,  cereals,  and  firewood  are  exported. 

Supplies  may.  be  obtained  from  the  neighboring  towns.  The  water 
of  the  river  is  brackish  and  unfit  for  use,  but  there  are  wells  on  the 
left  bank  a  short  distance  from  the  huts.  When  taken  on  board  this 
water  is  not  good,  but  after  it  has  been  sometime  confined,  it  becomes 
wholesome. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Samanco  bay  at  6h. 
30m.;  springs  rise  2  feet. 

Directions. — When  at  a  distance  the  best  mark  to  distinguish 
Samanco  bay  is  mount  Division,  1880  feet  high,  with  three  sharp  peaks 
rising  from  the  peninsula  between  Samanco  and  Ferrol  bay.  There  is 
also  a  bell-shaped  hill,  which  shows  very  distinctly,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  bay.  Mount  Tortuga,  a  short  distance  inland  to  the  eastward, 
will  also  be  seen.  It  is  higher,  but  similar  in  appearance  to  the  BeU 
mount  (Campana  de  Samanco). 

On  opening  the  bay  Leading  bluff  will  be  seen,  a  large  mass  of  rock, 
on  the  sandy  beach  at  the  NE.  side,  and  looking  like  an  island. 

Anchorage. — When  going  in  give  Samanco  head  a  fair  berth  in 
passing.  A  vessel  may  then  stand  in  as  close  as  convenient  to  the 
weather  shore,  and  anchor  off  the  village  in  4,  5,  or  6  fathoms,  sandy 
bottom.  When  rounding  the  inner  points  take  care  of  the  small  spars, 
for  the  wind  comes  off  the  Bell  mount  in  sudden  and  variable  puffs. 
A  considerable  swell  sets  into  the  bay,  causing  a  ship  to  roll  unless 
sprung  head  on  by  a  stern  anchor. 

Ferrol  bay  (Fort  Chimbote),  northward  of  Samanco,  is  nearly 
equal  in  size  and  is  separated  from  it  by  a  low  sandy  isthmus.  The 
entrance  is  clear,  but  600  yards  west  of  Blanca  island  there  is  a  reef 
named  Blanca,  awash  at  times,  and  extending  about  i  mile  westward 
of  the  island. 

The  harbor  of  Chimbote  is  the  northern  portion  of  Ferrol  bay, 
between  Blanca  island  and  the  mainland  to  the  eastward.  Chimbote  is 
an  important  and  rising  town,  connected  by  rail  way  with  Huaras,  about 
100  miles  distant. 

Fassages  to  Ferrol  bay. — ^There  are  three  passages  to  the  bay 
available  for  vessels.  The  main  passage,  between  Blanca  island  and 
Korth  Ferrol  islet,  is  IJ  miles  wide,  and  free  from  dangers.  The  pas- 
sage between  North  and  Middle  Ferrol  islets  is  about  i  mile  wide,  with 
plenty  of  water,  and  is  used  by  the  steamers  of  the  Pacific  Steam 
Navigation  Company,  but  it  is  not  deemed  advisable  for  sailing  vessels 
to  use  it  on  account  of  the  swell.  The  northern  passage,  between 
Blanca  rocks  and  Chimbote  point,  is  considered  safe  for  a  steamer. 
The  passage  between  Blanca  rocks  and  Blanca  island,  between  Middle 
and  South  Ferrol  islets,  and  between  South  Ferrol  islet  and  the  main- 
land, should  not  be  used  by  any  class  of  vessels. 


368  COAST  OF  PERU. 

Directions. — ^The  appearance  of  land  on  entering  any  of  these  pas- 
sages is  that  of  a  low  sandy  beach  with  high  hills  and  mountains  rising 
in  its  rear.  That  portion  of  the  bay  north  of  Middle  Ferrol  islet,  and 
which  would  be  used  by  vessels  bound  to  Ghimbote,  is  perfectly  free 
from  rocks  and  shoals.  It  is  sandy  bottom  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
bay,  but  on  the  western,  toward  Blanca  and  at  the  anchorage,  it  is 
partly  muddy,  with  good  holding  ground. 

During  the  full  and  change  of  the  moon  a  swell  sets  in  through  the 
main  passage,  making  it  rough  at  the  mole  for  landing,  but  never  dan- 
gerous to  vessels  at  anchor.  Heavy  draft  vessels  can  not  lie  close 
enough  to  obtain  shelter  from  Blanca  island,  but  it  is  smooth  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  bay  at  such  times. 

Vessels  bound  to  Chimbote,  after  passing  through  Main  or  Ferrol 
passages,  should  steer  direct  for  the  mole,  and  anchor  at  a  sh(H:t  dis- 
tance from  it,  in  4:J  or  5  fathoms. 

As  the  prevailing  winds  and  currents  are  from  the  southward,  ves- 
sels bound  to  Chimbote  from  distant  ports  should  make  the  land  well 
to  the  southward  of  the  port,  and  follow  the  shore  along  until  opposite 
the  passages,  taking  care  under  no  circumstances  to  fall  to  leeward  for 
with  a  head  wind  and  current  they  will  be  much  delayed  in  beating  up. 

A  mole,  200  feet  long,  has  been  constructed,  and  has  the  necessary 
derricks  for  discharging  heavy  weights.  The  prevailing  winds  come 
through  the  main  passage  in  line  with  the  mole,  and  during  the  full 
and  change  of  moon,  when  the  swell  is  greatest,  it  will  sometimes  be 
difficult  to  land  cargo.    The  landing  place  is  at  the  outer  end. 

Supplies. — Fresh  beef  and  mutton,  if  ordered,  might  be  obtained. 
Ballast  for  vessels  can  be  delivered  alongside,  or  it  could  be  obtained 
by  anchoring  near  the  north  end  of  Blanca  island,  and  loading  with 
the  crew. 

Mails  and  telegraph. — The  mail  is  received  &om  Oallao  by  steamer 
weekly,  and  mails  are  sent  from  Santa,  which  is  10  miles  from  Chim- 
bote. The  steamers  do  not  touch  at  Chimbote  on  their  return  to 
Callao.    There  is  a  line  of  telegraph  between  Santa  and  Lima. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Ferrol  bay  at  6h.  30m. ; 
springs  rise  2  feet. 

Santa  island,  at  3^  miles  NW.  from  Chimbote  point,  is  about  1^ 
miles  in  length  N.  by  W.  and  S.  by  E.  It  is  white  colored  and  has 
two  sharp-pointed  rocks,  20  feet  above  the  sea,  about  ^  mile  outside. 

Coisca  bay. — Northward  of  Ferrol  bay  the  coast  is  formed  by  the 
Chimbote  mountains,  with  a  precipitous  shore,  without  dangers,  fol- 
lowed by  a  bay  with  a  low  beach,  named  Coisca,  inside  Santa  island, 
having  an  anchorage  in  the  SB.  part  in  5  or  6  fathoms  400  yards  off  * 
shore,  opposite  the  fishing  village.  The  place  is  exposed  to  a  heavy 
swell,  which  makes  landing  difficult.  In  the  north  part  of  the  bay  is 
an  islet  without  dangers  around  it.  The  valley  of  Santa  commences 
here,  and  its  cultivation  can  be  seen  from  sea. 

Santa  bay,  although  small,  is  a  tolerable  port.    The  soundings  are 


SANTA  RIVER — CHAO   RIVER.  369 

regalar  from  some  distance  oatside,  and  vessels  may  anchor  anywhere 
in  a  moderate  depth  of  water,  but  "exposed  to  the  swell. 

Santa  head  makes  as  an  island.  Olf  the  small  rocky  point  which  pro^ 
jects  into  the  sea  lies  a  rock,  about  200  yards  distant,  on  which  the  sea 
does  not  always  break.  Attention  is  therefore  necessary  when  rounding 
this  point. 

The  best  anchorage  is  in  4  or  6  fathoms,  with  the  NW.  extremity  of 
the  head  bearing  S.  55o  W.  (S.  46o  W.  mag.),  distant  from  600  to  800 
yards.  Fresh  provisions  and  vegetables  may  be  obtained  on  moderate 
terms,  but  water  is  expensive. 

Santa  river. — The  town  of  Santa  stands  about  2  miles  east  of  the 
anchorage,  and  the  mouth  of  the  Santa  river  is  1^  miles  north  of  it. 
This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  rapid  rivers  on  the  coast  of  Peru; 
but  at  its  mouth  it  branches  off  and  becomes  shallow,  with  only  suffi- 
cient strength  to  make  a  narrow  outlet  through  the  sandy  beach,  on 
which  there  is  such  a  heavy  and  dangerous  surf  that  no  boat  could 
enter  the  river  with  any  degree  of  safety. 

This  part  of  the  coast  may  be  known  by  the  wide  spreading  valley 
through  which  this  river  runs,  bounded  on  each  side  by  ranges  of  sharp- 
topped  hills,  and  in  approaching,  Santa  island  will  be  plainly  seen,  as 
well  as  Santa  head,  as  also  by  Gorcovado  island. 

Corcovado  island,  small  but  very  white,  lies  3  miles  off  the  coast, 
3J  miles  northwestward  of  Santa  bay.  There  are  9  fathoms  inside  the 
island,  and  at  about  J  mile  "N.  35^  W.  (N.  44°  W.  mag.)  of  it  there  is  a 
cluster  of  rocks  on  which  the  sea  generally  breaks. 

Viuda  island,  3  miles  N.  by  W.  of  Corcovado,  is  little  smaller.  At 
3^  miles  'N.  44©  W.  (N.  53°  W.  mag.)  of  Yiuda  island,  and  nearly  2 
miles  off  shore,  there  is  a  low  rock,  against  which  the  sea  always  breaks. 
There  are  9  fathoms  close  outside  the  rock,  and  8  fathoms  midway 
between  it  and  Viuda  island. 

Chao  point. — From  Santa  bay  to  Chao  point  the  coast  trends  in  a 
northwesterly  direction  15  miles  and  is  low,  with  a  sandy  beach,  and 
moderately  high  lands  a  few  miles  inshore.  The  same  character  of 
shore  continues  through  some  shallow  bays  as  far  as  the  hill  of  Guanape, 
20  miles  farther  NW.,  which  is  rather  sharp  at  its  summit,  and  when 
seen  from  the  southward  it  appears  like  an  island.  It  is  about  700  feet 
high. 

Chao  islands. — Off  Ghao  point,  at  a  distance  of  If  miles,  are  the 
Ghao  islands.  The  southernmost  and  largest  is  one  mile  in  circumfer- 
ence, and  quite  white.  There  are  regular  soundings  from  10  to  20  fathoms 
at  one  mile  outside  of  them.  The  channel  between  Ghao  island  and 
the  shore  is  clear  and  deep.  A  group  of  rocks  on  which  the  sea  always 
breaks  lies  2  miles  NW.  J  N.  of  the  islands. 

Chao  river,  in  the  depth  of  the  bight,  7  miles  north  of  Ghao  point, 
has  anchorage  off  it  for  coasters.    There  is  also  anchorage  in  Goscomba 
cove,  2^  miles  S.  by  E.  of  the  river,  but  it  is  bad  and  exposed* 
1943— No.  89 ^24 


370  COAST  OP  PERU. 

Vim  river. — ^From  Ohao  river  the  coast  extends  for  11^  miles  in  a 
northwesterly  direction  to  Yira  river;  which  contains  bat  little  water 
and  empties  into  the  sea  on  an  inaccessible  beach. 

Oaaiiape  islands,  lying  16  miles  !NW.  from  Ohao  point,  consists  of 
two  inlands,  with  some  islets  and  rocks  lying  abont  them.  The  southern 
one,  492  feet  above  the  sea,  is  the  highest  and  most  conspicuous. 
There  is  a  safe  passage  between  them  and  the  shore,  from  which  they 
are  distant  about  6  miles. 

During  night  or  fog  careful  allowance  should  be  made  for  the  cur- 
rent, as  the  Guanape  islands  maybe  passed  without  being  seen. 

The  northern  island  is  slightly  larger  than  the  southern.  The  best 
anchorage  is  ^  mile  off  its  NE.  extremity  in  11  fathoms,  sand  and  mud. 

O-oddard  shoaL — ^The  large  rocks  NW.  of  North  island  are  named 
Sea  Lion  rocks;  vessel^  should  not  pass  between  these  and  the  island. 
A  danger  named  Goddard  shoal  lies  200  yards  JS.  21©  W.  (N.  30°  W. 
mag.)  from  Goddard  islet;  this  shoal  has  only  3  feet  water  on  it,  and 
should  be  avoided  by  boats,  as  the  sea  rises  or  breaks  over  it  suddenly, 
and  when  least  expected. 

Onafiape  cove. — On  the  north  side  of  GualLape  hill  is  a  small  cove, 
with  tolerable  landing  just  inside  the  rock  that  lies  off  the  point.  The 
best  anchorage  is  i  mile  off  shore.  There  is  generally  a  heavy  swell, 
but  large  quantities  of  cotton  and  firewood  are  shipped. 

The  coast  from  Guanape  cove  continues  to  be  a  sandy  beach  with 
regular  soundings^  in  7  to  10  fathoms  2  miles  off  shore,  and  ranges  of 
high,  sharp-topped  hills,  between  4,000  and  5,000  feet  high,  about  6 
miles  inland,  till  interrupted  by  the  little  hill  of  Oarretas,  which  stands 
on  the  beach,  with  Garita  hill  3,720  feet  above  the  sea,  overlooking  it. 

Salaverry,  in  latitude  8^  14'  S.,  has  risen  to  some  importance  since  the 
building  of  the  railway  to  Trujillo,  and  thence  through  the  fertile  val- 
leys of  Ohicama  and  Ohimu,  terminating  at  Ascope.  Sugar  is  grown  in 
the  above-mentioned  valleys,  and  forms  the  principal  article  of  export. 
There  is  telegraphic  communication  with  lama,  and  mails  for  Europe 
are  sent  through  Oallao. 

Approaching  the  land  from  the  southward,  It  is  advisable  to  make 
the  Guanape  islands,  after  passing  which  the  coast  may  be  closed  to  a 
depth  of  8  fathoms;  the  lead  is  of  great  use  upon  this  gradually  shoal- 
ing coast,  for  the  fogs  frequently  last  for  days.  Oare  must  be  taken 
not  to  be  carried  to  the  N  W.  of  the  i)ort  by  the  current,  or  many  days 
will  be  lost  in  beating  up  only  a  few  miles. 

Oarretas  hill,  350  feet  high,  rises  abruptly  from  the  sea;  it  has  a 
signal  staff  upon  the  summit. 

Garita  hill,  with  its  sharp  peaks,  is  most  conspicuous,  and  is  in  line 
with  Oarretas  hill  when  bearing  K.  35o  E.  (N.  26©  B.  mag.). 

When  approaching  from  the  northward,  Huanchaco  peak  and  mount 
Oampana,  3,450  feet  high,  are  good  marks,  and  when  closer  in  the  town 
of  Trujillo  is  seen;  also  a  large  white  house  about  a  mile  inland  4  miles 
north  of  Salaverry. 


SAL  AVERRY — HUANCH  AGO.  371 

Anchorage. — The  best  anchorage  is  in  6  to  7  fathoms,  sand  and  mnd, 
with  Carretas  hill  between  the  bearings  of  S.  81o  E.  (east  mag.)  and 
N.  770  E.  (K  680  E.  mag.)?  I  ^ail^  off  shore.  Vessels  lie  at  single  anchor, 
and  should  be  prepared  for  slipping. 

It  is  advisable  not  to  anchor  nearer  to  the  shore  than  ^  mile,  for  an 
inshore  current  occasionally  sets  to  the  southward  against  the  wind, 
especially  about  springtides,  causing  vessels  to  ride  uneasily. 

Landing. — ^The  iron  pier  has  been  largely  destroyed  by  heavy  seas, 
and  it  is  no  longer  possible  to  use  the  pier  for  a  landing.  Passengers 
and  freight  must  land  from  launches  on  the  beach.  Landing  is  not 
possible  with  a  heavy  sea,  which  causes  at  times  delay  for  a  day  or  two. 

Light. — A  fixed  white  light  is  shown  on  the  slope  of  Carretas  hill  at 
Salaverry  point.    It  is  visible  4  miles. 

Supplies. — Fresh  meat,  vegetables,  and  fi'uit  can  be  obtained  in 
small  quantities.  Ships'  provisions  are  to  be  had  occasionally  at  high 
prices.    Eepairs  on  a  limited  scale  can  be  effected. 

Water  is  brought  by  rail  from  Trujillo,  and  is  expensive.  Notice 
must  be  given  if  any  large  quantity  is  required. 

Trtgillo  is  7  J  miles  northward  of  Salaverry,  Here  commenced  the 
rich  valley  of  Chimu,  in  which  Pizarro  built  the  city.  At  6  miles  far- 
ther NW.  we  find  the  village  and  road  of  Huanchaco.  Eice  and  sugar 
are  the  principal  productions  of  the  valley,  and  it  is  for  those  articles 
and  spice  and  for  the  supply  of  Trujillo  that  vessels  call  at  Salaverry. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

Huaman  cove. — One  mile  north  of  the  Moche  river  and  in  front  of 
the  city  of  Trujillo  is  a  small  village  near  the  shore  called  Huaman. 
The* anchorage  is  bad  in  from  5  to  6  fathoms  i  mile  from  land.  It  is 
unsheltered  and  exposed  to  heavy  swell. 

Huanchaco  road  is  westward  of  the  point  of  the  same  name.  A 
few  rocks  extending  from  the  point  shelter  the  beach  in  a  slight  degree, 
but  afford  no  protection  to  shipping.  The  village  is  under  the  cliff  and 
not  distinguishable  until  to  the  northward  of  the  point;  but  the  church, 
which  is  on  the  rising  ground,  shows  very  distinctly,  and  is  a  good 
guide  when  near  the  coast. 

A  reef  consisting  of  detached  pinnacles,  with  depth  of  10  to  16  feet 
on  them  at  low  water,  600  yards  long  !NE.  and  SW.  and  350  yards 
across,  lies  with  Huanchaco  church  bearing  about  N.  29°  E.  (N.  20° 
E.  mag.),  distant  1^%  miles  from  its  SW.  extreme,  close  outside  which 
the  depth  is  7  fathoms. 

The  usual  anchorage  is  with  the  church  bearing  about  S.  81^  E. 
(east  mag.),  distant  IJ  miles  from  the  shore,  in  7  fathoms,  dark  sand 
and  mud.  Vessels  often  have  to  weigh  or  slip  and  stand  off,  owing  to 
the  heavy  swell  that  sets  in;  it  is  also  cdstomary  to  sight  the  anchor 
once  in  twenty-four  hours,  to  prevent  its  being  imbedded  so  firmly  as 
to  require  much  time  to  weigh  it  when  required. 

A  vessel  should  use  a  light  anchor  and  a  long  scope  of  cable.  Many 
anchors  have  been  lost  here. 


372  COAST   OP  PERU. 

There  is  a  small  pier  extending  from  Huanchaco  village,  bat  the 
landing  is  frequently  bad,  and  can  not  be  effected  in  ships'  boats  unless 
the  weather  be  very  fine;  but  there  are  launches  constructed  for  the 
purpose,  manned  by  Indians  of  the  village,  who  are  skillful  in  theur 
management.  They  come  off  on  every  arrival  when  the  surf  admits, 
and  will  land  passengers  safely,  for  which  they  charge  $6.  No  more 
is  charged  for  a  cargo  of  goods,  the  risk  of  the  surf  being  that  for 
which  you  pay.  Fresh  provisions  may  be  had  from  Trujillo,  but  the 
surf  renders  watering  nearly  impracticable. 

Chicama  river. — North  of  Huanchaco  tor  a  few  miles  the  coast  is 
formed  of  very  steep  earth  cliffs  so  near  the  seashore  that  there  is  very 
little  beach ;  low,  sandy  soil  with  bushes  on  it  then  commences,  and 
continues  to  Malabrigo  road. 

There  is  a  heavy  surf,  with  regular  soundings  in  8  to  10  fathoms,  3 
miles  distant;  14  miles  from  Huanchaco  is  the  mouth  of  Chicama  river, 
which  dries  up  during  the  latter  months  of  the  year. 

Brigo  cove. — About  3  miles  north  of  Chicama  valley  is  Brujo  or 
San  Bai  tolome  cove.  The  anchorage  is  in  5  fathoms  one  mile  from 
land;  ^t  is  very  bad,  being  full  of  loose  rocks,  and  is  without  shelter. 
The  heavy  cross  sea  which  breaks  upon  the  shore  renders  landing  in 
ships'  boats  impossible. 

Malabrigo  road  is  just  to  the  northward  of  Malabrigo  point  and 
30  miles  NW.  of  Huanchaco.  The  coast  is  cliffy  for  a  few  miles  to 
the  northward  of  Huanchaco;  low,  sandy  soil  with  bushes  on  it  then 
commences,  and  continues  to  Malabrigo  road. 

Malabrigo  hill,  790  feet  high,  rises  from  the  point,  and  at  a  distance 
appears  like  an  island.  This  anchorage,  though  badly  sheltered,  ^is 
considerably  preferable  to  Huanchaco. 

^  The  whole  road  of  Malabrigo  is  very  shallow.  From  noon  to  sunset 
a  fresh  breeze,  accompanied  by  strong  squalls,  is  felt  at  the  anchorage, 
nor  is  it  advisable  when  rounding  the  point  and  entering  the  bay  to 
carry  topsails.  A  heavy  swell  is  frequently  experienced;  vessels  will 
be  obliged  to  moor  with  two  anchors  or  run  to  sea  for  one  or  two-days 
to  avoid  accidents. 

There  is  telegraphic  communication  with  the  capital. 

Garcia  yoao;  in  Malabrigo  road,  is  the  shoalest  part  of  a  rocky 
patch,  consisting  of  pinnacles  with  sand  between.  The  least  water 
found  was  12  feet,  with  14  and  18  feet  on  other  parts  of  the  shoal.  It  is 
little  more  than  J  mile  from  shore,  with  Observation  point  (which  may 
be  known  by  Black  rocks  off  it)  bearing  S.  32°  W.  (S.  23©  W.  mag.) 
distant  1,800  yards. 

Anchorage. — ^Vessels  may  anchor  in  Malabrigo  road  in  4  fathoms, 
sand,  with  the  center  of  the  village  bearing  S.  59°  E.  (S.  68^  E.  mag.), 
distant  about  f  mile,  and  not  bringing  Observation  point  to  bear  west- 
ward of  S.  6°  W.  (S.  30  E.  mag.)  to  avoid  the  above  rocky  ground. 

Rocks. — ^The  following  rocks  have  been  reported  as  lying  in  the 
entrance  to  Malabrigo  road:  A  rock  with  18  feet  water  over  it  and  5 


MAC  AVI  ISLANDS — ^PACASMAYO  ROADS.  373 

fathoms  close-to  lies  with  Malabrigo  point  bearing  S.  17^  W.  (S.  8^  W. 
mag.)  and  Eanch  S.  51©  E.  (S.  60o  E.  mag.) 

A  small  patch  with  a  depth  of  18  feet  over  it  in  a  position  with 
Malabrigo  point  bearing  S.  29o  W.  (S.  20o  W.  mag.)  distant  about  1-^ 
miles.    It  is  possible  that  these  rocks  are  the  same. 

Landing  is  bad,  but  the  fishermen  have  what, they  call  caballitos, 
bunches  of  reed  tied  together,  and  turned  up  at  the  bow  like  a  balsa  of 
Chile,  but  much  higher.  They  are  so  light  that  they  are  thrown  from 
the  top  of  the  surf  to  the  beach,  when  the  people  jump  off  and  carry 
them  to  the  huts.  It  seems  that  each  different  bay  or  road  has  its  own 
peculiarly  constructed  caballito,  adapted  to  the  surf  which  it  has  to  go 
through. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Malabrigo  road  at  6h.; 
springs  rise  2  feet. 

Macavi  islands. — These  two  islands  lie  6  miles  SSW.  from  Malabrigo 
point,  with  a  safe  passage  of  10  fathoms  inside  them.  The  northern  or 
smaller  island  is  the  higher.  The  channel  between  is  about  40  yards 
wide,  but  only  fit  for  boats  in  fine  weather,  as  with  the  least  swell  the 
sea  breaks  in  this  passage  and  renders  it  dangerous.  An  iron  suspen- 
sion bridge  joins  these  islands.    The  guano  deposits  are  exhausted. 

The  north  island  is  about  100  feet  high.  The  best  anchorage  is  off 
the  NE.  part  of  the  island  in  9  to  18  fathoms,  sand,  100  yards  from  the 
north  point,  on  account  of  the  heavy  swell  from  the  South  and  SW. 
There  are  no  dangers  around  this  island.  From  11  to  20  fathoms  are 
found  300  yards  off*  shore. 

There  is  neither  anchorage  nor  shelter  near  the  southern  island. 

Arcana  (Puemac)  point,  12J  miles  north  of  Malabrigo,  projects  but 
little  and  should  not  be  passed  closer  than  one  mile,  as  rocks  and  foul 
ground  extend  from  it. 

Puemac  cove  lies  to  leeward  of  Arcana  point.  It.  has  anchorage  in 
4  to  5  fathoms,  600  yards  from  land,  in  front  of  the  fishermen's  village 
on  the  southern  side.  The  anchorage  is  tolerably  good,  and  although 
there  is  a  cross  sea,  landing  on  the  beach  is  nevertheless  practicable. 

Pacasmayo  point;  7  miles  distant  from  Arcana  point,  can  be  clearly 
distinguished  from  the  vicinity.  The  coast  between  the  two  points  is  a 
low  sandy  beach,  on  which  a  heavy  surf  beats. 

Pacasmayo  roads  is  just  north  of  Pacasmayo  point  and  extends 
eastwardly  lor  2J  miles. 

There  is  a  pier  about  1,000  yards  long,  including  the  head,  330  feet 
by  150  feet  wide,  extending  west  from  the  north  side  of  Pacasmayo 
river.  There  are  cranes  capable  of  lifting  10  tons  on  the  pier  and  a 
depth  of  4J  fathoms  at  its  outer  end. 

A  railway  connects  the  port  with  Guadalupe  and  other  places,  and 
the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company's  steamers  call  regularly. 
There  is  telegraphic  communication  with  the  principal  places  in  the 
Eepublic. 

The  chief  exports  are  sugar  and  rice. 


374  COAST  OF  PEBU. 

Lights. — OrdiDarily  a  fixed  white  light  is  sbowB,  but  when  the  mail 
steamer  is  expected,  two  lights  placed  horizontally  are  exhibited  from 
a  flagstaff  at  the  extremity  of  the  pier.  One  light  is  fixed  red,  the 
other  fixed  white,  elevated  65  feet  above  the  sea,  and  visible  in  clear 
weather  from  a  distance  of  3  miles. 

Anchorage. — Ps^casmayo  is  a  tolerably  good  roadstead,  under  a  pro- 
jecting sandy  point,  with  a  flat  extending  off  it  to  the  distance  of  4 
mile. 

Snpplies. — ^Fresh  provisions  may  be  obtained  from  San  Pedro,  about 
6  miles  inland.  Wood  and  water  may  be  had  at  the  village  on  the  beach, 
which  is  principally  inhabited  by  Indians  employed  by  the  merchants 
of  San  Pedro. 

Caution. — ^There  are  several  shoal  heads  with  about  22  feet  water, 
and  4  to  5  fathoms  close  around  at  600  to  1,000  yards  from  the  pier  head, 
with  the  lighthouse  bearing  from  N.  69^  B.  (N.  60°  E.  mag)  to  S.  51o  E. 
(S.  60O  E.  mag.).  Vessels  of  heavy  draft  should  not  have  Pacasmayo 
point  bearing  southward  of  8.  4P  W.  (8.  6°  E.  mag.). 

Directions. — When  coming  from  the  southward  or  westward,  Macavi 
island  should  be  made  or  Malabrigo  hill  will  be  seen  like  an  island 
sloping  gradually  on  each  side;  and  a  little  to  the  northward  mount 
Arcana  over  Arcana  point,  rugged,  with  sharp  peaks.  As  the  vessel 
approaches,  low,  yellow  cliffs  will  appear  (those  north  of  the  road  the 
highest),  on  the  summit  of  which,  on  the  north  side  of  the  point,  there 
is  a  dark,  square  building  that  shows  very  distinctly. 

Jequetepeque  river  empties  3  miles  north  of  Pacasmayo,  but  is  dry 
from  May  to  December.  The  cultivated  land  extends  to  the  shore  and 
is  seen  from  the  sea.  IS'orth  and  south  of  the  valley  are  some  huts 
inhabited  by  flshermen,  or  occupied  by  families  from  the  interior  during 
the  bathing  season. 

Zana  point,  15  miles  northward  of  Pacasmayo  point,  projects  con- 
siderably, and  can  be  seen  clearly  from  Pacasmayo.  Several  rocks  lie 
off  the  point,  and  no  vessel  should  pass  within  a  distance  of  1^  miles 
from  it. 

Antarctique  rock,  having  16  feet  on  it,  with  from  5  to  7  fathoms 
close  westward,  lies  with  Zana  point  bearing  S.  71°  E.  (S.  80°  E.  mag.), 
distant  1,160  yards.  The  wreck  of  the  Antarctique^  which  struck  upon 
this  rock  in  1882,  lies  in  7^  fathoms,  with  Zana  point  bearing  N.  83^  E. 
(N.  740  E.  mag.),  distant  1,400  yards. 

Cherrepe  cove  is  one  mile  l^E.  of  Zana  point.  Coasting  craft 
anchor  in  from  5  to  6  fathoms,  600  yards  off  shore,  but  the  swell  is  gen- 
erally heavy  and  landing  in  boats  often  impracticable.  Sugar  is  the 
principal  shipment  from  this  cove. 

Frogreso  cove,  7  miles  NNW.  of  Cherrepe,  is  used  for  exportation 
of  wood  and  other  products  of  the  neighboring  places,  but  is  frequented 
only  by  vessels  chartered  for  this  purpose.  It  has  no  resources.  The 
anchorage  is  without  shelter,  one  mile  off  shore,  the  swell  heavy,  and 
the  beach.only  accessible  by  native  craft  during  fine  weather. 


ETEN  HEAD — LAMBAY^QUE  ROAD.  875 

Et^i  head. — From  Pacasmayo  road  the  coast  trends  northwesterly, 
and  continues  low,  with  broken  cliffs,  for  a  distance  of  33  miles  to  Eten 
head,  over  which  is  a  double  hill  (the  southern  one  the  higher)  with  a 
steep  cliff  facing  the  sea.  The  north  side  of  this  cliff  is  white  and 
shows  conspicuously. 

There  is  an  iron  pier,  878  yards  long  and  32  feet  wide,  extending  from 
the  shore  beyond  the  broken  water,  where  lighters  and  boats  are  easily 
laden.  From  the  pier  a  railway  runs  through  Monsefu,  Ghiclayo,  Lam- 
bay  eque,  and  Ferrenafe,  the  latter  place  distant  13  miles.  There  is 
telegraphic  communication  with  the  principal  towns  of  the  Eepublic. 

Light. — From  a  flagstaff  at  the  extremity  of  the  pier  a  fixed  white 
light  is  exhibited  at  an  elevation  of  (jQ  feet,  which  in  clear  weather  is 
visible  from  a  distance  of  3  miles. 

Anchorage. — The  usual  anchorage  off  Eten  head  is  in  5  to  6  fathoms, 
good  holding  ground,  IJ  miles  northwestward  of  the  head,  and  f  mile 
off  shore.    In  this  berth  the  lighters  can  conveniently  lay  off  to  ships. 

A  flagstaff  fixed  on  a  white  pyramid  serves  at  present  as  a  guide  to 
those  not  acquainted  with  this  part  of  the  coast. 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  and  water  can  be  obtained,  the  latter 
from  a  pipe  on  the  pier. 

The  coast  north  of  Eten  head  is  low  and  sandy  and  fiiuged  with 
breakers  one  mile  off  shore,  the  noise  of  which  is  sometimes  heard  8 
miles. 

Four  miles  to  the  northward  of  Eten  head  on  the  beach  is  the  village 
of  Santa  Eosa,  the  residence  of  fishermen  and  a  bathing  resort  for  the 
inhabitants  of  Ghiclayo.  The  beach  is  inaccessible,  landing  in  launches 
or  boats  being  impracticable. 

Pimentel  road  is  about  9  miles  KNW.  of  Eten  head.  The  beach  is 
low,  and  forms  a  plateau  of  little  depth,  on  which  the  sea  breaks,  mak- 
ing the  anchorage  very  uncomfortable.  The  anchorage  is  in  5  fathoms 
li  miles  off  shore,  with  the  flagstaff  of  the  captain's  house  bearing 
K.  720  B.  (N.  63°  B.  mag.),  but  it  is  without  shelter  and  exposed  to  the 
constant  and  heavy  swell  from  the  SW.  In  landing,  ships'  boats  should 
not  be  used. 

There  are  no  resources  of  any  kind  excepting  water,  obtained  from  a 
small  rivulet  which  empties  into  the  sea.  The  bottom  here,  as  well  as 
at  Lambayeque  road,  consists  entirely  of  moving  sand,  which  prevents 
the  construction  of  any  mole. 

Lambayeque  road,  14  miles  "NJ^W.  of  Eten  head,  is  one  of  theVorst 
anchorages  on  the  coast  of  Peru.  There  is  a  small  village  on  the  rising 
ground,  with  a  white  church,  off  which  vessels  anchor  in  6  fathoms, 
with  the  church  spire  bearing  InT.  89°  E.  (N,  80°  B.  mag.),  IJ  miles  from 
the  shore.  The  bottom  is  hard  sand  and  bad  holding  ground;  it  is 
always  necessary  to  have  two  anchors  ready,  for  the  heavy  swell  that 
sets  on  this  beach  renders  it  almost  impossible  to  bring  up  with  one, 
particularly  after  the  sea  breeze  sets  in. 


376  COAST   OF   PERtt. 

A  shoal  with  19  feet  of  water  on  it  is  reported  as  lying  about  4  miles 
S.  680  W.  (S.  590  W.  mag.)  from  the  town  of  Lambayeqne. 

Eice  is  the  chief  commodity,  but  since  the  building  of  the  pier  at 
Eten  head,  ships  rarely  anchor  here.  The  only  method  of  discharging 
or  taking  in  a  cargo  is  by  means  of  the  balsa  of  this  country.  It  sel- 
dom happens  that  any  damage  is  sustained  by  their  peculiar  mode  of 
proceeding.  Supplies  of  fresh  provisions,  fruit,  and  vegetables  maybe 
obtained,  but  cieither  wood  nor  water. 

Lobos  de  Afuera  or  isla  Alta  are  a  small  group  of  islands,  and  lie 
about  50  miles  west  of  Eten  head,*  they  consist  of  two  principal  islands, 
with  a  channel  40  yards  wide  between  them,  with  4  fathoms  in  it.  They 
are  about  100  feet  high,  2J  miles  in  extent  north  and  south,  of  a  mixed 
brown  and  white  color,  and  may  be  seen  several  miles. 

Great  care  should  be  used  when  approaching  these  islands  from  the 
southward,  as  the  currents  near  them  are  strong  and  the  islands  are 
generally  obscured  by  fog  in  the  early  morning. 

They  are  quite  barren  and  afford  no  water.  The  guanOyWith  which 
the  islands  are  more  or  less  covered,  is  not  so  good  in  quality  nor  so 
plentiful  as  that  formerly  found  on  the  Ohincha  islands. 

A  governor  and  a  small  guard  reside  on  the  western  island,  but  there 
are  no  supplies  of  any  kind  to  be  obtained. 

Anchorage. — There  is  a  cove  on  the  north  side  formed  by  the  two 
principal  islands,  though  with  deep  water  and  rocky  bottomj  within 
this  cove  there  are  some  little  nooks  in  which  a  small  vessel  might 
careen  without  being  much  interrupted  by  the  swell. 

When  making  for  the  anchorage  in  the  NW.  bay  care  must  be  taken 
to  avoid  a  rock  named  Baja  de  el  Chile  (Gamarra  shoal),  in  the  center 
of  the  entrance,  a  little  within  the  line  of  the  points.  A  boat  should  be 
anchored  on  the  rock. 

Eiestra  rock,  with  a  depth  of  8  feet  over  it,  lies  on  a  line  joining  the 
north  points  of  the  two  principal  islands,  or  with  Punta  de  Yiejas  (the 
north  point  on  the  8W.  island)  bearing  8.  40o  W.  (S.  31o  W.  mag.), 
distant  700  yards. 

The  bay  on  the  SE.  side  is  exposed  to  the  prevailing  wind,  but  is  ijot 
considered  dangerous.  The  best  anchorage  is  well  up  at  the  head  of 
the  cove  in  from  8  to  20  fathoms. 

Puerto  Grande,  on  the  east  side  of  the  principal  northern  island,  also 
has  fair  anchorage  for  all  kinds  of  vessels  a  short  distance  from  land  in 
16  fathoms,  with  sandy  bottom.  There  is  an  abundance  of  good  fish 
around  these  islands. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  4h;  springs  rise  6 J  feet, 
neaps  5J  feet. 

Lobos  de  Tierra  island  or  isla  Baja,  about  28  miles  K  by  W.  of 
Lobos  de  Afuera,  is  nearly  6  miles  long  north  and  south  and  2  miles 
broad;  the  south  end,  from  which  shoal  water  extends  nearly  J  mile,  is 
295  feet  high  and  the  north  end  100  feet  high;  there  are  depths  of  5 


LOBOS  DE  TIERRA — ^AGUJA  POINT.  377 

and  9  fathoms  within  200  yards  of  the  NE.  extreme,  with  apparently 
no  outlying  dangers. 

Rock. — The  ship  Valdiria  in  1893  touched  a  rock,  with  a  depth  of  17 
feet  on  it  and  4J  fathoms  around,  lying  near  the  NE.  shore  of  Lobos  de 
Tierra,  in  a  position  with  the  extreme  NE.  point  of  that  island  bearing 
K  150  E.  (N.  60  E.  mag.),  distant  J  mile. 

Piers. — ^The  northern  pier  of  Lobos  de  Tierra  is  at  the  small  point 
200  yards  northwestward  of  the  position  of  the  above  rock  and  the 
southern  pier  at  the  middle  of  the  point  at  the  south  end  of  Juanchu- 
quita  bay. 

Anchorages. — Juanchuquita  bay,  on  the  NE.  side  of  Lobos  de  Tierra, 
affords  anchorage  in  from  6  to  10  fathoms  about  J  mile  from  the  shore; 
Oanevaro  bay,  on  the  west  side,  in  from  10  to  18  fathoms;  Vivero  bay, 
on  the  K W.  side,  in  about  7  fathoms,  with  the  house  on  the  south  point 
bearing  S.  2°  E.  (S.  11°  E.  mag.).  The  latter  is  said  to  afford  the  best 
anchorage  on  the  west  side  of  the  island,  and  is  the  residence  of  the 
Government  officials.  A  12-foot  shoal,  position  doubtful,  is  shown  on 
the  chart  almost  in  the  center  of  this  bay. 

Fair  anchorage  has  been  found  just  inside  and  north  of  the  SE.  point 
of  Lobos  de  Tierra;  also  good  lauding  on  a  sandy  beach  inside  the  reef, 
where  there,  is  a  small  fishing  establishment. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  4h.  12m. ;  springs  rise  5J 
feet,  neaps  4J  feet. 

Currents.— In  navigating  in  the  neighborhood  of  these  islands,  and 
especially  off  Aguja  point,  great  attention  must  be  paid  to  the  longi- 
tude, as  the  currents  seem  to  be  both  irregular  and  strong.  Vessels 
have  been  set  as  much  as  36  miles  to  the  westward  of  their  course  in 
twenty-four  hours,  and  at  other  times  as  much  to  the  eastward:  As  a 
general  rule,  after  a  strong  breeze  from  the  southward  a  westerly  set 
may  be  expected,  and  also  a  set  off  the  land  when  passing  from  Aguja 
point  to  the  northward. 

Agiqa  point. — From  Lambayeque  road  the  coast  continues  low  and 
sandy  for  75  miles  NW.  by  W.,  when  an  extensive  range  of  table-land 
of  considerable  height,  with  broken  rocky  points,  commences.  The  coast 
then  trends  "HW.  for  10  miles  to  the  low  sandy  tongue  named  False 
point,  and  thence  5  miles  north  to  Aguja  point.  This  point  is  long  and 
level,  terminating  in  a  steep  bluff,  and  has  a  needle-shaped  rock  a  short 
distance  off  it,  with  several  detached  rocks  round  the  point. 

Danger. — About  one  mile  west  of  Aguja  point  is  a  rock  just  above 
water  and  steep-to.  It  is  so  small  that  it  would  not  be  seen  at  night 
or  in  thick  weather,  so  that  vessels  should  give  it  a  wide  berth  when 
rounding  the  point. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1177.) 

Coast. — At  3J  miles  NKE.  of  Aguja  point  is  l^onura  point,  and  5 
miles  farther  in  a  NE.  direction,  is  Pizura  point,  the  south  point  of  the 


378  COAOT  OF  PEBU. 

bay  of  Sechnra.  Between  Aguja  and  Pizura  points  there  are  two  small 
bays,  where  anchorage  might  be  obtained  if  required.  The  land  about 
this  part  of  the  coast  is  much  higher,  and  has  deeper  water  off  it  than 
either  to  the  north  or  south.  It  may  be  known  by  its  regularity,  and 
table- topped  appearance. 

Sechura  bay  is  36  miles  wide  from  Pizura  point  on  the  south  to 
Foca  point  on  the  north,  and  15  miles  deep.  On  the  SB.  side  the  coast 
shows  low  sand  hills,  but  as  it  curves  round  to  the  northward  it  becomes 
cliffy  and  considerably  higher. 

La  Salina  is  in  the  SE.  part  of  Sechura  bay,  where  a  few  huts  will  be 
seen  and  at  times  salt  heaps  gathered  for  export.  Anchorage  may  be 
obtained  in  5  to  7  fathoms  at  3  miles  off  shore,  and  large  vessels  should 
not  go  nearer,  as  an  extensive  flat  extends  nearly  that  distance. 

Vessels  bound  to  La  Salina  to  load  with  salt  should  near  the  coast 
to  windward,  and  after  doubling  Pizura  point  the  southern  shore  of 
the  bay  may  be. approached. 

Piura  river. — Near  the  center  of  Sechura  bay  is  the  entrance  to 
Piura  river,  on  the  banks  of  which,  4  miles  inland,  is  the  town  of 
Sechura,  inhabited  chiefly  by  Indians.  Salt  is  exported  from  this  river, 
and  is  taken  over  the  bar  in  balsas. 

This  place  may  easily  be  distinguished  by  Sechura  church,  which  has 
two  high  steeples,  and  shows  conspicuously  above  the  surrounding 
sand  hills.  One  of  these  steeples  has  a  considerable  inclination  to  the 
northward,  which  at  a  distance  gives  it  more  the  appearance  of  a  tree 
than  of  a  stone  building. 

There  is  anchorage  anywhere  off  Piura  river  in  12  to  5  fathoms, 
coarse  sand,  the  latter  depth  being  more  than  a  mile  from  the  shore. 
The  holding  ground  is  good,  but  the  anchorage  is  exposed  to  strong 
winds  and  a  swell  that  breaks  on  the  beach.  Landing  in  boats  is  prac- 
ticable, but  care  and  skill  are  required. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

Foca  point  — From  Piura  river  the  coast  trends  1^  W.  for  28  miles  to 
Foca  point.  Foca  island,  of  moderate  height,  lies  nearly  one  mile  off 
Foca  point,  the  passage  inside  it  being  obstructed  by  rocks. 

Saddle  or  SiUa  de  Paita — ^From  Foca  point  the  coast  is  clifff, 
about  20  feet  high,  and  continues  so  to  Paita  point,  which  is  9  miles 
NKE.  Between  these  points,  and  at  1^  miles  inland  from  the  coast,  is 
the  Saddle  of  Paita,  1,300  feet  high,  which  is  a  peculiar  range  of  3 
insulated  hills,  varying  in  color  from  bright  yellow  to  black,  according 
to  the  position  of  the  observer  and  the  sun;  only  from  the  KE.  they 
show  the  Saddle.  They  are  an  excellent  landmark,  and  the  port  of 
Paita  may  readily  be  found  by  knowing  that  they  are  nearly  on  the 
meridian  of  the  town,  and  6^  miles  south  of  it. 

Rocky  point. — At  6  miles  north  of  Foca  point,  Eocky  point  projects 
westward,  surrounded  by  rocks  and  shoals  for  a  distance  of  ^  mile  to 
the  northwestward.    Vessels  passing  here  during  the  night  should  be 


PORT  PAITA.  379 

careful  not  to  mistake  Eocky  i)oint  for  Foca  island,  as  they  resemble 
each  other. 

Port  Faita  is  the  best  open  port,  on  the  coast.  A  considerable  trade 
was  formerly  carried  on,  vessels  of  all  nations  touching  here  for  cargoes. 
The  place  is  considered  extremely  healthy. 

There  are  several  moles  for  landing  and  loading  cargo  at  this  port. 

The  railway  extends  from  Paita  to  Sulland,  and  thence  southward 
to  Piura,  a  distance  of  about  34  miles.  The  port  is  also  in  telegraphic 
communication  with  Oallao  and  Valparaiso. 

The  town  is  built  on  the  slope  and  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  the  SE. 
side  of  the  bay.  At  a  distance  it  is  scarcely  visible,  the  houses  being 
of  the  same  color  with  the  surrounding  cliff.  It  is  the  seaport  of  the 
province  of  Piura.  The  city  of  San  Miguel  de  Piura  stands  on  the  bank 
of  the  Piura  river,  in  an  easterly  direction  from  Paita  and  about  30  miles 
distant.    The  population  of  Paita  is  about  2,000. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agents 

Supplies. — Fresh  provisions  piay  be  had  at  Paita  on  reasonable 
terms,  but  neither  wood  nor  water,  except  at  a  high  price.  The  water 
is  brought  to  the  town  daily  by  railway  from  a  distance.  No  coal  or 
ship's  supplies  nearer  than  Oallao. 

Port  charges. — ^Tonnage  dues  are  20  cents  and  light  dues  1^  cents 
per  ton. 

Light. — On  the  customhouse  mole  a  fixed  red  light  is  exhibited  at 
an  elevation  of  26  feet  above  high  water.  Kot  easily  distinguished  from 
the  lights  in  the  town. 

Communication. — The  Pacific  Steam  N"avigation  Company  and  the 
Gentral  and  South  American  steamers  alternate  in  calling  at  Paita, 
there  being  a  north-bound  and  south-bound  steamer  each  week. 

Wrecks. — A  wreck,  with  one  mast  showing  above  water,  lies  350 
yards  K.  34©  E.  (N.  26°  E.  mag.)  from  Telegraph  point. 

Part  of  an  old  wreck  lies  in  the  SW.  part  of  the  port,  with  the  cus- 
tomhouse mole  bearinjg  about  S.  45o  W.  (S.  37°  W.  mag.),  distant  600 
yards. 

Position. — ^The  west  tower  of  the  cathedral  is  considered  to  be  in  lati- 
tude 6o  5'  2''  S.,  longitude  81Q  7'  17"  W. 

Boat  landing. — The  landings  are  on  the  east  side  of  the  mole  about 
halfway  of  its  length ;  plenty  of  water  at  all  stages  of  the  tide  for  ship's 
boats. 

The  climate  is  hot,  rain  is  almost  unknown,  and  all  buildings  are 
constructed  very  lightly. 

Directions. — When  running  for  Port  Paita  with  a  strong  trade  wind, 
care  should  be  taken  to  have  the  vessel  under  snug  canvas  before  haul- 
ing around  Paita  point,  as  heavy  squalls  occasionally  blow  off  the  land. 
There  is  no  danger  in  entering.  After  rounding  Paita  point,  which  has 
a  signal  station  on  its  ridge,  Tierra  Golorada  bay,  which  is  rocky,  will 
open.    This  must  be  passed,  as  the  true  bay  (the  beach  of  which  is 


380  COAST  OF  PERU. 

sandy)  is  around  Telegraph  point,  the  eastern  point  of  Tierra  Golorada 
bay  and  western  point  of  Port  Paita.    Telegraph  })oint  ought  not  to^ 
be  hugged  closely,  for  there  are  some  rocks  at  the  distance  of  200 
yards,  and  the  wind  often  baffles. 

At  night. — When  leaving  Paita  for  the  southward  at  nighttime, 
take  care  not  to  mistake  Rocky  point  for  Foca  island,  as  they  are  then 
much  alike,  the  black  rocks  of  the  point,  relieved  by  the  sandy  bays  on 
each  side,  showii^g  at  that  time  precisely  like  an  island,  and  should  the 
course  be  then  altered  for  Aguja  point  it  would  most  likely  lead 
among  the  rocks  and  foul  ground  to  the  northward  of  the  island  before 
the  mistake  is  found  out. 

Anchorage. — After  having  passed  Telegraph  point  and  opened  the 
town  of  Paita,  stand  in  toward  its  center,  and  anchor  in  10  to  7  fathoms, 
mud,  tough  holding  ground;  but  do  not  shoal  to  less  than  6  fathoms, 
as  the  bank  stretches  off  some  distance  from  the  town,  toward  which 
the  water  shoals  suddenly. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Paita  at  3h.  20m. ;  rise  3 
feet;  springtides  are  reported  to  rise  10  feet. 

Chira  river. — At  9  J  miles  north  of  Paita  point  the  Chira  river  enters 
the  sea.  During  the  summer  there  is  plenty  of  water;  occasionally 
small  boats  or  balsas  can  cross  the  bar.  The  water  is  shoal  some  dis- 
tance to  seaward,  the  depth  of  8  fathoms  being  2  miles  off  shore;  the 
beach  is  generally  inaccessible. 

Farinas  point,  27  miles  NNW.  from  Paita  point,  is  the  western 
extremity  of  the  continent  of  South  America.  The  point  rises  to  a  bluff 
80  feet  high,  and  a  reef,  on  which  the  sea  breaks,  extends  ^  mile  on  its 
western  side.  About  J  mile  NW.  of  this  reef  there  is  a  sunken  rock  on 
which  the  sea  breaks  in  heavy  weather.  Between  Parinas  point  and 
Paita  the  coast  is  low  and  sandy,  with  table-land  of  a  moderate  height 
at  a  short  distance  from  the  beach. 

Amotape  or  Brea  mountains. — At  about  16  miles  east  of  Parinas 
point,  and  thence  extending  40  miles  to  the  ^E.,  is  the  range  named 
Amotape  or  Brea  mountains,  rising  from  3,000  to  4,000  feet  in  height. 

Talara  point. — From  Parinas  point  the  coast  trends  to  the  north- 
ward, becoming  higher  and  more  cliffy  to  Talara  point,  12  miles  distant. 
This  is  a  double  point,  the  southern  part  of  which  is  cliffy,  about  80 
feet  high,  with  a  small  black  rock  lying  off  it;  the  northerly  part  is 
much  lower,  and  has  a  few  breakers  near  it.  Burro  rock,  on  which  the 
sea  at  times  breaks,  is  abopt  IJ  miles  southward  of  Talara  point.  On 
the  northern  side  of  this  point  there  is  a  shallow  bay,  in  the  bight  of 
which  the  high,  cliffy  coast  again  commences,  and  continues  for  11 
miles  to  cape  Blanco. 

Talara  bay,  about  7  miles  north  of  Parinas  point,  is  open  to  the 
NW.,  about  400  yards  in  width  within  the  5-fathom  line,  with  a  length 
of  about  600  yards,  and  affords  anchorage  in  10  to  20  fathoms  water. 
It  is  formed  by  a  projecting  headland  about  110  feet  in  height,  inside 
of  which  is  a  flat  shore* 


TALARA  BAY — CAPE  BLANCO.  381 

On  the  east  and  soutlx  sides  of  the  bay  banks  extend  some  distance 
from  the  shore,  while  the  west  side  is  tolerably  steep.  Abreast  Eocky 
point,  the  north  extreme  of  the  headland  which  forms  the  west  side  of 
the  bay,  there  is  a  detached  ledge  of  rocks,  with  shoal  water  extending 
some  distance  northward. 

On  either  side  of  the  entrance  there  is  a  buoy  marking  the  6-fathom 
line  of  soundings,  but  owing  to  the  shifting  nature  of  the  bottom  the 
depths  are  very  variable,  and  neither  the  buoys  nor  the  edges  of  the 
banks  can  be  relied  on. 

There  are  three  mooring  buoys  in  the  bay  for  large  vessels,  and  a 
wharf,  which  will  accommodate  vessels  of  26  to  30  feet  draft  alongside. 

Talara  has  a  population  (1892)  of  400,  mostly  employed  at  the  petro- 
leum works.  The  petroleum  wells  are  at  Negrito,  on  the  north  side  of 
Pariiias  point,  and  the  oil  is  brought  to  Talara  by  a  pipe,  where  it  is 
refined  and  shipped. 

Supplies. — Fresh  beef  of  good  quality  and  soft  bread  can  be  obtained 
from  the  company,  but  no  vegetables.  A  good  supply  of  fresh  water 
can  also  be  obtained  from  a  pipe  on  the  large  pier^  but  it  is  scarcely  fit 
for  drinking. 

Mails. — There  is  no  regular  steam  communication,  but  mails  are  con- 
veyed to  and  from  Paita  by  sailing  boats. 

Light. — From  a  lighthouse  70  feet  high,  painted  in  red  and  white 
bands,  on  the  summit  of  the  west  point,  a  fixed  white  light  is  exhibited 
at  an  elevation  of  160  feet  above  the  sea,  visible  in  clear  weather  from 
a  distance  of  13  miles. 

A  white  light  is  also  shown  from  a  tower  150  feet  high  at  the  head 
of  the  bay,  to  guide  vessels  entering  during  the  night.  The  lights  are 
private,  and  may  not,  therefore,  always  be  relied  upon. 

Tides.  ~  It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Talara  bay  at  3h.^  rise 
and  fall  about  3  feet. 

Directions. — The  entrance  to  Talara  bay  is  not  easily  distinguished 
from  seaward ;  but  as  there  are  no  known  dangers  in  the  ofBng  the  land 
can  be  approached  until  the  high  beacon  on  the  summit  of  the  west 
point  is  seen.  Proceeding  into  the  bay,  a  S.  37°  E.  (S.  45^  E.  mag.) 
course  should  be  steered,  passing  midway  between  the  buoys  in  the 
entrance;  and  when  the  beacon  on  the  south  beach  bears  S.  8^  W. 
(South  mag.),  steer  for  it  on  that  bearing  until  the  high  beacon  bears 
S.  760  W.  (S.  680  W.  mag.).  A  vessel  will  then  Be  in  a  good  berth,  and 
may  anchor  in  about  16  fathoms. 

Cape  Blanco,  24  miles  north  of  Parinas  point,  is  high,  and  slopes 
gradually  toward  the  sea.  Near  its  extremity  there  are  two  sharp 
hillocks,  and  midway  between  them  and  the  commencement  of  the 
table-land  is  another  rise  with  a  sharp  top.  There  are  some  rocks 
above  water  about  J  mile  off  the  cape,  but  no  danger  exists  beyond 
that  distance. 

Mount  OrganoSi  about  6  miles  'SB.  of  cape  Blanco,  near  the  coast^ 


382  COAST  OF   PBBU. 

is  a  high  cliff  or  mounts  the  western  side  of  which  resembles  the  pipes 
of  an  organ. 

Mancora  cove,  4  miles  north  of  mount  Organos,  is  to  leeward  of  a 
small  point,  for  which  mount  Organos  is  an  excellent  guide.  There  is 
considerable  trade  in  wood  between  this  place  and  Gallao,  and  orders 
to  load  must  be  obtained  at  Port  Paita.  Vessels  anchor  in  4  to  6 
fathoms  at  300  yards  off  shore,  and  load  from  balsas.  Fo  supplies  can 
be  obtained. 

Sal  point. — From  cape  Blanco  the  general  trend  of  the  coast  is  NE. 
in  nearly  a  direct  line  to  Malpelo  point,  which  is  Q6  miles  distant.  Sal 
point,  23  miles  from  cape  Blanco,  is  a  brown  cliff  120  feet  high.  The 
coast  between  it  and  cape  Blanco  is  a  sandy  beach,  with  high  cliffs  as 
far  as  the  valley  of  Mancora,  where  it  is  low,  with  brushwood  near  the 
sea,  the  hills  being  a  distant  inland.  Northward  of  Sal  point  the  coast 
is  cliffy  to  about  midway  between  it  and  Picos  point;  it  then  becomes 
lower  and  similar  to  that  of  Mancora. 

Picos  point,  at  19  miles  from  Sal  point,  is  a  sloping  bluff,  with  a 
sandy  beach,  and  has  a  similar  point  a  little  to  the  northeastward; 
behind  there  is  a  cluster  of  hills  with  sharp  peaks  710  feet  above  the  sea. 

Boca  de  Pan  covo,  at  4|  miles  KE.  of  Picos  point,  affords  anchor- 
age in  4  to  7  fathoms,  close  iushore,  for  vessels  engaged  in  the  coasting 
trade,  consisting  chiefly  of  carob  wood. 

Zorritos  settlement  and  petroleum  wells  lie  about  5  miles  NE.  of 
Boca  de  Pan  cove.  Good  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  3;^  fathoms 
600  to  800  yards  from  the  shore. 

There  are  a  number  of  wells,  tanks,  and  houses  quite  near  the  beach 
which  are  plainly  visible  to  passing  vessels. 

Light. — A  natural  gas  jet  is  burned  at  night  in  front  of  the  superin- 
tendent's house  and  is  visible  from  5  to  9  miles. 

Malpaso  cove,  at  10  miles  from  Picos  point,  is  small,  but  has  good 
anchorage  in  5  to  7  fathoms  at  300  yards  off  shore.  The  head  of  the 
cove  is  between  steep  hills,  on  the  top  of  which  several  houses  can  be 
seen  from  some  distance  seaward.  Coal  has  been  found  at  this  place, 
but  it  has  not  been  worked.  Large  quantities  of  mineral  oil  are  taken 
from  wells  in  the  neighborhood  of  this  cove. 

Malpelo  point,  the  south  entrance  point  of  the  gulf  of  Guayaquil, 
may  readily  be  known  by  the  marked  difference  between  it  and  the 
coast  to  the  southward.*  It  is  low  and  covered  with  bushes,  and  at  a 
short  distance  inshore  there  is  a  clump  of  bushes  higher  and  more  con- 
spicuous than  the  rest,  which  shows  plainly  on  approaching.  A  shoal 
extends  2  miles  seaward  of  the  point. 

Tumbez  bay. — This  shallow  bay  is  between  Malpelo  point  and 
Payana  point,  16  miles  to  the  NE.  Here,  in  the  year  1527,  the  first 
Spanish  colony  in  Peru  was  formed  at  a  city  named  Tumbez. 

Tuznbez  river. — A  new  mouth  has  opened  to  Tumbez  river  in  lati- 
tude 3^  30^'  S.    The  old  mouth  is  now  3  miles  farther  east,  the  spit  to 


TUMBEZ    RIVER.  383 

seaward  having  extended.  The  bar  in  the  new  entrance  (1894)  may  be 
easily  passed  at  half  tide  in  moderate  weather  by  boats. 

Abottt  2  miles  up  the  river  there  is  a  village  named  Cockroach,  and 
at  6  miles  farther  is  Belvedere,  where  excellent  river  water  can  be 
obtained.  Tumbez  is  about  11  miles  by  the  river  from  Belvedere,  but 
only  2J  miles  by  road.  Fresh  meat  and  vegetables  can  beobtained  and 
sent  down  to  vessels  at  the  anchorage. 

The  northern  branch  of  the  river  is  the  boundary  between  the  states 
of  Peru  and  Ecuador. 

Anchorage. — Vessels  anchor  anywhere  off  Malpelo  point  in  6  or  7 
fathoms.  The  best  anchorage  is  3  miles  eastward  of  the  point  in  5^  to  6 
fathoms,  with  the  entrance  of  Tumbez  river  bearing  S.  3^  E.  (S.  ll^E. 
mag.),  about  one  mile  off  shore. 

Landing. — During  spring  tides  the  river  has  several  mouths.  Those 
nearest  Malpelo  point  are  sometimes  dangerous,  but  the  widest  mouth 
opposite  the  anchorage  is  so  safe  that  boats  can  pass  through  easily, 
and  with  a  knowledge  of  the  channel  the  town  of  Tumbez  may  be 
reached. 

Caution. — ^There  are  sharks  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  inside 
alligators  abound.    Mosquitoes  are  intolerable. 

Fayana  shoals  extend  5^  miles  to  the  'NE.  of  Payana  point,  and  are 
dry  at  low  water  to  a  distance  of  2^  miles  from  shore.  It  is  said  that 
these  shoals  are  constantly  increasing. 

Buoy. — ^A  bell  buoy  is  moored  on  the  north  part  of  the  shoals. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

COAST  OF  ECUADOR-GULF  OF  GUAYAQUIL  TO  PORT  TUMACO-THE 
GALiPAGOS,  MALPELO,  AND  COCOS  ISLANDS. 

ECUADOR. 

The  Eepublic  of  Ecuador  embraces  that  portion  of  western  South 
America  which  reaches  across  the  Andes  from  the  Pacific  into  the 
basin  of  the  Andeis  under  the  equator.  It  is  bounded  on  the  south  by 
Peru,  and  on  the  north  by  Colombia.  The  territory  has  an  area  of 
about  120,000  square  miles,  with  a  population  of  1,270,000.  The  great 
features  of  Ecuador  are  given  by  the  enormous  mass  of  the  Andes, 
which,  rising  near  the  Pacific  coast,  forms  the  high,  cool  table-land  of 
Quito,  along  the  edges  of  which  the  dome-shaped  Chimborazo,  21,424 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  the  Ilinissa,  Pechiucha,  Antisana,  Gay- 
ambe,  Cotopaxi,  and  other  lofty  mountains  of  the  Andes  rise  in  two 
parallel  chains.  Characteristic  of  the  high  plateau  are  the  paromas  or 
punas,  covered  with  scanty  sun-dried  grass,  but  along  the  inner  slope 
to  the  Amazon  basin  is  covered  with  forests  and  enclosed  savannahs. 

Rivers. — The  rivers  of  the  steep  slope  of  Ecuador  to  the  Pacific  are 
comparatively  small  and  short.  The  Guayaquil,  the  most  considerablCi 
is  navigable  for  vessels  drawing  19J  feet  as  far  as  the  city,  33  miles 
from  the  entrance.  The  inward  slope  is  watered  by  some  of  the  great 
feeders  of  the  Amazon,  the  Japura,  Putumayo,  and  Kapo  being  the 
largest. 

Chief  toixrns. — Quito,  the  capital  of  Ecuador,  with  a  population  of 
about  50,000,  is  situated  on  the  table-laud  at  an  elevation  of  9,500  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  commands  splendid  views  of  the  snow- 
clad  cones  of  the  Andes.  Cuenca,  the  capital  of  the  southern  province 
of  Ecuador,  is  situated  at  an  elevation  of  about  8,500  feet  above  the 
sea,  and  has  a  population  of  20,000.  Loja,  near  the  southern  boundary 
of  Ecuador,  is  also  an  important  town.  Guayaquil  is  the  chief  port^ 
The  town  lies  in  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Guayas,  and  has  a  population 
(1890)  of  45,000.  The  houses  are  built  entirely  of  bamboo  cane,  and 
are  considered  safer  than  stronger-built  houses,  as  earthquakes,  which 
are  of  frequent  occurrence,  cause  little  or  no  damage  to  such  structures. 

Productions. — The  most  important  production  of  the  extensive 
forests  of  Ecuador  is  the  cinchona  (quinine)  tree.  Its  agricultursd 
products  consist  of  cocoa,  nuts,  cotton,  coffee,  orchilla  weed,  yams, 
384 


CLIMATE WINDS CURRENTS.  385 

tobacco,  fruits,  sarsaparilla,  wheat,  etc,    Its  minerals  consist  of!  gold, 
quicksilver,  lead,,  irop,  copper,  and  emeralds. 

Institutions  and. enterprises. — In  Ecuador  there  are  three  banks 
of  issue.  Two  of  them  are  located  at  Quito,  and  the  other  bank  of  cir- 
culating issue,  the  Bank  of  Ecuador,  is  at  Guayaquil. 

Telegraph  lines  and  cables. — There  are  two  telegraph  lines.  One, 
completed  in  1884,  extends  from  Quito  to  Guayaquil,  owned  and  to  be 
operated  by  the  National  Government;  the  other,  the  Central  and 
South  American  Telegraph  Company,  whose  lines  extend  from  Guaya- 
quil to  the  coast,  where  the  line  oonneots  with  the  cable,  The  Central 
and  South  American  Telegraph  Company  is  incorporated  under  the 
laws  of  thellnited  States,  and  is  usually  denominated  a  United  States 
enterprise,  though  nearly  all,  if  not  quite,  all,  its  stock  is  held  by 
Englishmen,  by  whom  it  is  managed.  The  charge  betyreeii  Guayaquil 
and  liTew  York  is  f  1.77  per  word  in  United  States  currency. 

Communication. — Many  lines  of  steamers  can  at  irregular  intervals* 
The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company's  steamers,  in  connection  with 
the  Chilean  line,  constitute  the  regular  weekly  service  between  Valpa- 
raiso and  Panama..  Two  small  steamers  make  bimonthly  trips  between. 
Guayaquil  and  Panama,  stopping  at  intermediate  poi:ts. 

Port  cbargea. — Harbor  dues  on  vessels  of  under  500  tons  re^ster, 
2  cents  per  tonj  over  500  tons,  IJ  cents  per  ton. 

Tonnage  dues,  per  ton,  50  cents^ 

Light  due3,  per  ton,  37^  cents. 

Whalers *and  mail  steamers  are  exempt  from  port  charges. 
'Climate.— The  most  remarkable  features  of  the  coast  of  Ecuador  are 
the  sudden  changes  in  the  aspect  and  climate  of  the  country.    Places 
separated  but  a  few  miles  differ  widely  from  each  other. 

At  Guayaquil  there  are  mangrove  swamps  and  impenetrable  thick- 
ets, at  Santa  Elena  aridity  «,nd  a  scanty  vegetation,  at  Salango  a  moist 
atmosphere  and  a  soil  densely  covered  with  plants,  at  Manta  a  desert, 
and  in  the  bay  of  Atacama  again  thick  forests  and  much  rain. 

Winds. — ^Along  the  whole  coast  the  wind  is  generally  from  south  to 
west  all  the  year  round,  following  in  some  measure  the  trend  of  the 
shores^  thus,  southward  of  the  equator  there  is  more  southing  and 
westing  in  the  wind,  and  northward  the  reverse.  In  the  latter  case 
the  wind  veers  to  the  southward  as  a  vessel  leaves  the  coast.  The 
exceptions  to  these  rules  are  few  and  generally  occur  in  the  fine  season. 

Currents. — ^Within  60  miles  of  the  land  there  is  a  constant  current 
to  the  northward,  of  great  assistance  to  vessels  bound  to  Panama. 

The  waters  of  the  South  Pacific  ocean  form  a  current  on  the  west 
coast  of  South  America,  which  extends  as  a  river  of  cooler  water  from 
the  latitude  of  Chiloe  to  the  equator,  along  which  it-  sets  to  the  west- 
ward. From  its  becoming.more  evident  in  the  warmer  latitude  of  Peru 
it  has  b^en  denominated  the  Peruvian  current.  Its  westerly  set  is  felt 
on  the  coast  between  Arica  and  Pisco,  especially  to  the  southward  of 
1943^^0.8^ 26^ 


386  COAST   OF    ECUADOR. 

the  latter  port.  Its  greatest  force  on  the  South  American  coast  is 
between  Paita  and  the  Gal&pagos  islands,  where  vessels  have  occa- 
sionally been  drifted  50  miles  to  the  NNW,  in  twenty-four  hours. 

Passages  to  and  from  O-uayaquil. — There  is  no  difficulty  in  getting 
to  the  northward  upon  the  west  coast  of  South  America,  both  wind 
and  current  being  generally  fair.  Vessels  bound  to  Guayaquil  should 
make  the  land  at  Picos  point,  which  is  easily  known  by  its  sand  dunes. 
A  few  miles  farther  north  is  the  low  wooded  point  of  Malpelo.  Vessels 
should  pass  about  5  miles  to  the  southward  of  Santa  Clara  island. 

On  leaving  Ouayaquil,  if  bound  to  Gallao,  work  close  inshore  to  about 
the  islands  of  Lobos  de  Afuera,  Endeavor  to  be  near  the  coast  as 
soon  as  the  sun  has  set,  so  that  advantage  may  be  taken  of  the  land 
wind,  which  begins  about  that  time.  This  will  frequently  enable  a  ship 
to  hug  the  shore  throughout  the  night,  leaving  her  in  a  good  situation 
for  the  first  of  the  Seabreeze.  After  having  passed  the  before-men- 
tioned islands  it  is  advisable  to  work  up  on  their  meridian  until  the 
latitude  of  Gallao  is  approached ;  then  stand  in,  and  if  it  be  not  fetched, 
work  up  alongshore  as  above  directed,  remembering  that  the  wind 
hauls  to  the  eastward  on  leaving  the  coast.  Some  vessels  attempt  this 
passage  by  standing  off  for  several  days,  hoping  to  fetch  in  on  the  other 
taok,  but  this  will  generally  be  found  impossible,  owing  to  a  northerly 
current. 

Sailing  vessels  bound  from  Guayaquil  to-  Valparaiso  should  stretch 
out  to  sea,  crossing  the  Peruvian  current  before  passing  the  meridian  of 
920  W.  From  this  they  should  push  to  the  southward,  not  caring  about 
being  driven  to  the  westward  if  southing  can  be  made,  as  they  will 
have  no  difficulty  in  making  their  easting  on  the  parallel  of  Valparaiso. 

(H.  O.  Charts  Nos.  1391  and  1177.) 

The  gulf  of  Guayaquil,  into  which  the  river  of  the  same  name  emp- 
ties itself,  is  the  largest  inlet  on  the  west  coast  of  South  America  north 
of  Ghiloe  island.  The  gulf  extends  inland  upward  of  50  miles,  and  is 
18  miles  wide  at  the  entrance,  between  Payana  point  on  the  south  and 
Puna  island  on  the  north.  It  is  encumbered  with  extensive  shoals,  but 
with  the  assistance  of  a  pilot  vessels  drawing  19 J  feet  may  cross  the 
bar  north  of  Puna  island  at  high  water  and  proceed  up  the  river  to 
the  city  of  Guayaquil,  80  miles  from  Amortajada  island,  at  the  entrance 
of  the  gulf,  with  tolerable  facility.  The  southern  shore  of  the  gulf  is 
low,  thickly  wooded,  and  fringed  with  shoals  which  extend  about  3 
miles  from  the  coast.  The  northern  or  Puna  island  shore  is  also  low  and 
well  wooded,  but  except  at  Salinas  point  the  bank  does  not  extend  more 
than  1^  miles  from  the  shore,  and  there  is  a  range  of  hiUs  named  Zampo 
Palo  about  4  miles  inland. 

Amortajada  island,  also  called  Santa  Glara,  is  the  best  mark  for 
making  the  gulf  of  Guayaquil,  being  high,  remarkable,  and  lying  near 
the  center  of  the  entrance,  14  miles  from  Payana  point  and  12  miles 


GULP   OP   GUAYAQUIL.  387 

SW.  from  Salinas  point,  the  SW.  extreme  of  Puna  island.  It  is  narrow 
and  about  IJ  miles  long,  NB,  by  N.  and  S W.  by  S.  A  spit  extends  for 
nearly  i  mile  off  its  NE.  end,  and  the  bottom  is  foul  for  about  one 
mile  in  the  direction  of  Puna.  It  was  named  ^^Amortajada  or  El 
Muerto"  by  the  Spaniards  from  its  resemblance  to  a  gigantic  shrouded 
corpse,  which  it  assumes  from  many  bearings,  especially  when  the  c^enter 
bears  K  86°  W.  (8. 86o  W.  mag.). 

Amortajada  shoals. — ^At  a  distance  of  2  miles  in  a  SW.  and  one 
mile  in  a  westerly  direction  from  the  south  end  of  Amortajada  island 
are  the  Amortajada  shoals,  which  consist  of  rocky  patches,  some  awash, 
others  with  12  and  15  feet  of  water  on  them,  with  4  to  6  fathoms  among 
them,  and  7  fathoms  on  their  outer  edge.  Vessels  approaching  the 
island  should  keep  the  lead  going  and  come  no  nearer  than  the  depth 
of  12  fathoms. 

Light. — The  lighthouse  on  Amortajada  or  Santa  Clara  island  is  an 
octagonal  tower  painted  white.  It  stands  on  the  summit  of  the  island, 
and  exhibits,  at  an  elevation  of  256  feet  above  the  sea,  a  fixed  and 
flashing  white  light,  showing  a  flash  of  four  seconds,  duration  every 
twenty  seconds,  and  in  clear  weather  should  be  seen  from  a  distance  of 
22  miles  for  the  flash  and  15  miles  for  the  fixed  light.  In  order  to  main- 
tain this  light,  sailing  vessels  entering  the  gulf  of  Guayaquil  must  pay 
a  tax  of  6^  cents  per  registered  ton.  Steamers  are  required  to  pay  half 
that  sum.  The  light  is  reported  as  irregular  and  sometimes  not  lighted 
ataU. 

TajBUB,  shoals  extend  5^  miles  KE.  of  Payana  point,  and  dry  at 
low  water  to  a  distance  of  2^  mUes  from  the  shore. 

Buoy. — ^A  bell  buoy  is  moored  on  the  north  part  of  the  Payana  shoals. 

Santa  Rosa  river. — ^Boca  Jambeli,  or  mouth  of  Santa  Itosa  river, 
is  13  miles  ElO).  from  the  NE.  extreme  of  the  Payana  shoals;  there  is 
8  fathoms  in  the  entrance,  which  is  not  quite  400  yards  broad,  between 
shoal  patches  of  16  and  18  feet.  The  river  trends  to  the  southward, 
with  6  and  7  fathoms  in  the  channel  as  far  as  Machala  creek,  nearly  5 
miles  within  the  entrance,  beyond  which  it  was  not  examined.  The 
town  of  Santa  Bosa  is  2  nules  from  a  landing  place  at  20  miles  up  the 
river.  Korthward  of  the  entrance  the  soundings  are  irregular  and 
the  patches  of  shoal  water  more  numerous.  The  land  is  low,  and  tends 
KE.  by  K.,  intersected  by  many  creeks,  for  a  distance  of  35  miles,  to 
Yalao  Ohico,  at  the  entrance  of  Moudragon  channel. 

Light. — ^From  a  square  lighthouse  on  the  west  side  of  Boca  Jambeli, 
an  occasional  fixed  white  light  is  exhibited,  and  should  be  visible  in 
clear  weather  from  a  distance  of  10  miles. 

Puna  island,  29  miles  long  NE.  and  SW.,  with  a  breadth  of  from  8 
to  13  miles,  occupies  the  northern  part  of  the  gulf  of  Guayaquil,  and 
is  separated  from  the  main  by  the  Morro  channel. 

At  Puna  the  Guayaquil  river  commences^  and  no  vessel  should 
attiempt  its  passage  without  a  pilot. 


388  COAST   OP  ECUADOR. 

Salinas  point,  the  S  W.  extreme  of  Pana  island,  is  low  and  woody. 
Mad  banks,  dry  at  low  water,  extend  2  mUes  on  its  western  and  neMrly.: 
one  mile  on  its  southern  shore.  It  is  shoal  for  over  4  miles  .fiH>m  the 
point  toward  Amortajada  island  and  for  10  mUes  along  the  wesitenL . 
coast  of  Puna  island.  This  shoal  off  Salinas  point  is  reported  to  be 
extending,  and  although  well  defined,  should  be  given  a. good  bertbin 
rounding. 

The  south'bound  steamers  entering  the  river  use  the  Korth  channel, 
between  Amortajada  and  Puna  islands^  this  chaanri  is  cleaurof  dangCBS 
as  far  as  known. 

Ate&a  point,  the  BE.  extreme  of  Puna  island,  does  not  appear  sandy ^ 
as  its  namo  implies,  but  is  wooded  like  the  rest  of  the  coast.  It  is  9 . 
miles  eastward  of  Salinas  point,  the  shore  between  being  Mnged  with 
shoals,  which  extend  in  some  places  about  2  miles  from  the  land. 
About  2  miles  west  of  the  point  is  the  entrance  of  a  creek  called 
Salinas  river.  At  Arena  point  the  difficulties  of  navigation  may  be 
said  to  commence. 

Light— On  Arena  point  stands  a  square  tower,  from  whieh  is  exhib^ 
ited,  at  an  elevation  of  6^  feet  above  the  sea,  a  revolving  red  light,tshow> 
ing  a  flash  of  sixteen  seconds,  eclipse  forty 'four  seconds,  every  minute. 
It  should  be  visible  14  miles.  This  light  is  said  to^  be- obscured  ^i^dien 
bearing  westward  of  N.  69^  W.  (N.  77°  W.  mag.) 

Mala  hilL — From  Arena  point  the  coast  trends  N.  by  £>.  16  milea,-  to 
the  foot  of  Mala  hill,  which  is  useful  as  a  leading  mark,  being  doubler 
topped  and  visible  16  miles  to  the  southward,  making  like  amoderately 
high  island.  The  coast  of  the  gulf  on  the  south  side  of  Puna. i^nd 
is  of  a  similar  nature  to  the  southern  shore.  Between  Mala- hill  and. 
the  range  of  Zampa  Palo  the  island  is  .nearly  all  m€U)grove:'Swain4i^ 
intersected  by  several  inlets  or  creeks,  of  which  .Puna  Vie^a,  5  miles 
northward  of  Arena  point,  is  the  largest,  and  is  said  to  nearly  separate 
the  island. 

Espafiiola  point,  3^  miles  E.  by  K.  from  Mala  hill,  isairemarkaye 
clif^  point,  and  forms  a  useful  leading  mark  to  vessels  .from  thesouthri 
ward  for  clearing  the  Mala  bank.    To  the  westward  is^thC'  hcatset  and  • 
plantation  of  the  English  consul,  and  about  f  mili^  south. of  ^the-.point- 
is  a  lO'foot  patch,  with  4^  fathoms  close-to.    Espanola  point  >shQnId.4)e^. 
given  a  wide  berth,  as  the  shoal  is  extending,  from  it^ 

Light. — On .Espafiola  point,  from  a  housey  is  shown. at fUed> white 
light  131  feet  above  the  sea  level.  The  light  is  vi«bie  ^  miles^  it  haa 
been  seen  fipom  a  distance  of  16  miles. 

Mandinga  point. — ^From  Espanola  point  the  coast i  tcends: to.  tha^ 
north  3^  miles  to  Mandinga  point,  a  bold  bluff,  forming  the  KE.:exts8m6L 
of  Puna  island.  Just  westward  of  this  point  is  the  village  of  Punay  a 
place  famous  in  the  annals  >of  the  buccaneers..  Itis«  now>frequeaii^l[p 
the  resort  of  the  principal  persons^f  the  latter  ci^^duringt  tfaerffainy 
season. 


OULF   OF   GUAYAQUIL.  389 

The  coast  from  Maia  hill  to  Pana  village  is  much  higher  than  any 

other  on  the  island/  presenting  a  line  of  cliffs  fronted  with  a  beach, 

forming  a  pleasant  contrast  to  the  swampy  mangrove  shore  to  the 

southward.    Puna  is  considered  more  healthy  than  Guayaquil.    Yes- 

^seis  should  moor  if  intending  to  remain  at  that  anchorage.    Meat  and 

'Vegetables  can  be  obtained  at  the  village. 

Light. — ^A  square  tower  painted  light  green  stands  on  Maoidinga 
v^poifit^^  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Puna^  it  exhibits,  from  an  elevation 
6f  124  feetabove  thesea,  a  fixed  white  light,  which  should  be  visible  in 
.^lear  weather  from  a  distance  of  10  miles. 

Pilots. — ^The  only  pilot  station  now  in  existence  at  the  enta*ance  of 
Guayaquil  river  is  at  the  village  of  Puna^  so  that  although  the  rate 
oi  pilotage  from  Arena  point  has  been  fixed  by  the  Government  of 
'Eooador,  it- is  not<  possible  to  obtain  a  pilot  there.  The  pilots  have 
adopted  »  distiBgnisbing  flag,  marked  diagonally,  one  half  yellow,  the 
other  red,  the  yellow  color  being  next  to  the  staff  and  above  the  red. 
When  requiring  the  services  of  a  pilot,  the  above  flag  must  be  hoisted. 

-Good pilots  may  be  procured  at  Paita  for  the  Guayaquil  river. 

Pilotage  is  compulsory  for  all  vessels.  The  rates  are:  $1.40  per  foot, 
i  Pilots  are  discharged  at  Puna. 

Mala  bank  is  an  extensive  shoal,  consisting  of  a  chain  of  banks  16 
<imles  long  by  on0  broad,  with  from  2  to  15  feet  water  on  them.  It  is 
nearly  parallel  to  the  east  shore  of  Puna  island,  at  a  distance  of  about 
3J  miles.  The  shoalest  part  is  about  4J  miles  southward  of  the  north 
end  of  the  bank;  ismd  1^  miles  westward  of  it  are  three  small  patches 
with  18  and  16  feet  on  them.  There  is  a  channel  on  each  side  of  the 
'^Malarbank;  theeaatern  is  broader  and  deeper,  yet  the  western  is  the 
one  generally  preferred  by  the  pilots. 

.  Baoys. — Five  bell  buoys  are  moored,  to  mark  the  dangers  in  the  gulf, 
but  no  dependence  can  be  placed  on  their  beiug  in  position. 

•Sombreiro  buoy,  in  6  fathoms,  off  Payana  shoals,  with  Sombrero 
islet  bearing  8. 62o  E.  (S.  60o  E.  mag.). 

Arena  Point  buoy,  in  6  fathoms,  with  the  light  on  that  point  bear- 
ing S.  860  W.  (S.  780  W.  mag.). 

Bigo  de  Aiuera  buoy  is  red,  and  lies  with  the  summit  of  Mala  hill 
bearing  K 13^  E.  (N.  5°  E.  mag.). 

Mala  Bank  buoy  lies  in  4  fathoms,  with  Arena  point  light  bearing 
S.  680  W.  (S.  50O  W.  mag.). 

Oabeao  Ncnrte  buoy  lies  dose  to  the  north  end  of  Mala  bank,  south- 
eastward of  Espanola  lighthouse. 

Fnna  patch  is  a  small  bank  lying  in  the  route  of  vessels  using  the 
eastern  channel  when  bound  to  Puna  for  a  pilot.    It  is  about  i  mile  in 
eiroumference,  with  only  one  foot  on  it  in  the  shoalest  part  and  4  to  5 
:  iftthoms  close-to. 

-  Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Amortajada  island  at 
4h.y  at  Pana  village  at  Oh.,  and  at  Guayaquil  at  7h.,  the  rise  and  fall 


390  COAST   OF   ECUADOR. 

at  springs  at  each  place  being  12  feet,  neaps  7  to  8  feet.  In  the  gulf 
the  tide  appears  to  set  in  the  same  direction  as  the  trend  of  the  shores, 
from  3  knots  at  springs  to  one  knot  at  neaps,  the  ebb  being  the 
strongest. 

Off  Amortajada  the  ebb  sets  to  the  south  and  the  flood  to  the  east. 
In  all  parts  of  the  gulf,  in  a  sailing  vessel,  it  will  be  well  to  anchor 
with  light  winds  and  an  ebb  tide. 

Off  Puna  the  flood  sets  to  the  K  W.,  and  the  ebb  SSE.,  about  2|  knots 
an  hour  at  springs;  off  Guayaquil  the  stream  runs  from  3  to  4  knots, 
following  the  trend  of  the  shores,  but  during  the  rainy  season  the  flood 
stream  only  lasts  3  hours  and  the  ebb  runs  7  knots. 

Another  authority  adds : 

<<  Between  Mondragon  and  the  city  of  Guayaquil  there  is  no  regu- 
larity of  the  tides.  This  is  probably  caused  by  the  winds  and  state  of 
the  river.  There  is  a  difference  of  about  thirty  minutes  in  the  flood 
and  ebb  currents,  the  flood  being  shorter.  The  ebb  and  flood  do  aot 
commence  until  a  certain  time  after  high  and  low  water.  This  interval, 
which  is  never  less  than  ten  minutes,  has  an  average  length  of  time 
from  twenty  to  twenty-five  minutes,  and  sometimes  the  interval  is  as 
great  as  one  hour  and  thirty  minutes  with  the  ebb,  in  which  case  it  is 
never  greater  than  ten  minutes  with  the  flood. 

The  strength  of  the  current  is  very  variable  in  the  river.  It  is  gen- 
erally from  2  to  3  knots,  and  during  the  rainy  season  it  sometimes  runs 
at  the  rate  of  6  knots.  In  September,  1884,  the  flood  was  observed  to 
run  five  hours  and  the  ebb  seven  hours  off  the  city  of  Guayaquil.  This 
is  the  dry  season." 

Approach  to  the  gul£ — Vessels  bound  to  Guayaquil  from  the  south- 
ward should  make  the  land  about  Picos  point,  which  is  remarkable, 
having  many  small  sandy  peaks.  A  few  miles  farther  north  is  Malpelo 
point,  low  and  covered  with  trees.  Coming  from  the  northward  Amor- 
tajada or  Santa  Clara  island  may  be  made,  which  is  visible  about  16 
miles,  and  at  first  appears  like  three  hummocks,  and  Zampo  Palo,  the 
high  range  on  Puna  island,  will  generally  be  seen  at  the  same  time. 
Amortajada  island  should  not  be  approached  nearer  than  2^  mUes,  or 
within  the  depth  of  12  fathoms,  the  best  track  being  about  5  miles  to 
the  southward  of  it,  in  from  20  to  16  fathoms  of  water.  Steamers 
usually  use  the  !N^orth  channel  between  Amortajada  and  Puna  islands, 
the  shoals  off  Salinas  point  being  well  defined. 

Vessels  should  always  go  up  as  far  as  Puna  at  low  water,  as  then 
all  dangers  will  show  themselves.  The  rise  of  the  tide  is  about  12 
feet  at  springs. 

After  passing  eastward  of  the  south  extreme  of  the  Mala  bank,  steer 
to  the  KKE.,  taking  care  not  to  shoal  into  less  than  4  fathoms,  and 
when  the  houses  south  of  Espanola  point  are  shut  in  by  the  same  bluff, 
bearing  S.  87°  W.  (S.  79°  W.  mag.),  the  vessel  will  be  northward  of 
Mala  bank,  and  may  steer  for  Mandinga  bluff,  which  may  be  rounded 


GUAYAQUIL   RIVER.  391 

at  the  distance  of  }  mile.  Sailing  vessels  working  down  the  golf  should 
not  shoal  into  less  than  4  fathoms,  and  should  not  cross  the  Mala  bank. 

Guayaquil  river,  the  largest  river  on  the  west  coast  of  South 
America,  is  navigable  for  vessels  drawing  19^  feet  water  as  far  as  the 
city,  33  miles  from  the  entrance.  The  lower  part  of  the  river,  about 
one  mile  wide,  is  bordered  by  low  mangrove  islands,  upon  which  it  is 
scarcely  ever  practicable  to  obtain  a  footing.  Large  mud  banks,  dry 
at  low  water,  extend  from  these  islands,  where  cranes  and  herons  con- 
gregate in  great  variety.  There  are  numerous  alligators,  and  the  river 
is  infested  with  mosquitoes. 

Mondragon  and  Matorillos,  although  termed  islands,  are  nothiug  bat 
large  banks  covered  with  mangrove  trees  growing  in  the  water  and 
forming  a  grove  of  innumerable  pillars,  at  a  distance  quite  ornamental, 
but  from  their  monotony  soon  becoming  as  wearisome  as  a  barren  desert, 
this  being  the  general  appearance  of  the  banks  of  the  river.  Both  to 
the  northward  and  southward  of  Mondragon  and  Matorillos  are  exten- 
sive mud  flats  covered  at  .half  tide.  There  is  a  channel  to  the  east  of 
Mondragon  and  also  of  Matorillos,  but  both  are  barred  at  their  north- 
ern extremes  where  they  join  the  main  river.  The  iN'aranjal  and  Taura 
rivers  empty  into  the  Mondragon  channel,  down  which  there  is  con- 
siderable trade  to  Puna. 

The  western  or  main  bank  of  the  river  is  of  a  similar  nature  to  that 
of  these  islands,  having  occasionally  small  cleared  spots  on  which  land- 
ing may  be  effected  at  high  water.  The  first  of  these  is  at  Puerto  de 
Balsas,  just  above  the  bar,  about  9  miles  north  of  Puna.  Piedra  point, 
9  miles  farther  to  the  northward,  is  the  most  considerable  and  has  on 
it  an  earthwork  fort.  There  is  a  small  hill  over  it  which  is  remarkable 
amid  the  lowland.  At  2^  miles  southward  of  Piedra  point,  at  the 
entrance  of  Mondragon  channel  and  nearly  in  the  middle  of  the  river, 
is  a  small  rock  named  Baja  awash  at  low  water. 

The  next  landing  is  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river,  6  miles  above 
Piedra  point,  called  Estero  de  Tiramano,  and  there  is  also  one  on  the 
opposite  shore  at  the  northern  point  of  Masa  island.  At  Casa  de 
Josephina,  3  miles  farther  on  the  western  shore,  a  bank  extends  from 
Santay  island  nearly  to  the  middle  of  the  river  as  far  as  the  city. 
There  is  a  passage  on  either  side  of  Santay  island,  the  western  being 
the  only  available  one  for  ships. 

A  patch  with  only  13  feet  water  on  it,  caused  by  the  sinking  of  a 
ship,  lies  directly  off  the  center  of  the  town  300  yards  from  the  quay. 
The  marks  for  it  are  the  clock  tower  on  the  quay,  seen  midway  between 
the  cathedral  and  San  Augustin  church,  bearing  S.  87°  W.  (S.  79^  W. 
mag.),  and  the  western  Oerro  de  la  Cruz,  open  westward  of  San  Merced 
church,  N.  420  W.  (K  50°  W.  mag.). 

Above  the  city  the  river  is  navigable  by  river  steamers  for  80  miles 
to  Bodegas,  and  by  the  Dooli  branch  for  50  miles. 

The  bar  of  Guayaquil  river  lies  6^  miles  to  the  northward  of  Puna, 


392  COAST  OP  ECUADOR. 

between  the  south  tod  of  Mondragon  and  Green  islands.  It  is  2^  miles 
across,  and  the  least  depth  on  it  at  low  water,  springs,  is  12  feet.  A  long 
mud  flat,  dry  at  low  water,  extends  from  the  south  part  of  the  bar  for  4 
miles  in  the  direction  of  Puna  patch.  Isla  Yerde  or  Green  island,  on 
the  western  side  of  the  river,  has  also  a  bank  extending  to  the  south- 
ward in  the  same  direction,  and  it  is  bet  widen  these  banks  Uiat  the  main 
'  channel  lies. 

Above  Puna  the  channel  and  shoals  frequently  change.  The  pilots 
say  tfaatl^e  ehannel  across  the  bar  is  constantly  shifting.  According 
to  the  local  officials  there  is  25  feet  on  the  bar  at  high  water,  springs, 
and  11  feet  at  low  water,  springs. 

City  of  Ouayaqail  is  the  principal  seaport  of  the  Republic  of 
Ecuador.  It  stands  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  to  the  southward  of 
some  remarkable  hills  called  Los  Gerros  de  la  Gruz  (Gross  hills). 

Guayaquil  has  no  buildings  of  architectural  importance.  The  houses 
are  of  wood  or  bamboo  a^d  mud.  The  streets  are  at  right  angles,  but 
the  plan  though  regular  is  not  carried  out^  the  area  which  the  town 
occupies  being  but  half  built  upon  or  inhabited.  A  fine  quay  or 
^^marina"  extends  aloug  the  bank  of  the  river  the  whole  length  of  the 
town.    It  is  60  feet  broad,  capped  with  stone. 

At  Guayaquil  the  regular  boat  landing  is  at  either  end  of  the  muelle, 
'  a  long  wooden  wharf  built  on  piles,  near  the  governor's  house,  as  shown 
on  the  chart. 

The  office  of  the  <^ptain  of  the  port  is  across  the  street  from  the 
governor's  house  at  the  entrance  to  the  muelle.  At  short  intervals 
all  along  the  quay  (marina)  narrow  wooden  piers  run  out  to  floats,  or 
more  properly  wharf  boats,'  which  are  the  landing  places  for  the  river 
steamers.  Boats  can  conveniently  Itrnd  at  any  of  these  floats  at  any 
tin)e,  night  or  day.    Ko  regulations  or  charges. 

The  movements  of  vessels  are  signaled  from  a  mast  on  top  of  the 
office  of  the  captain  of  the  port.  Flags  are  used  by  day  and  a  combi- 
nation of  lanterns  at  night. 

There  aire  three  hospitals,  the  Givil,  Military,  and  Oharity. 

The  medical  officer  boards  vessels  at  Guayaquil. 

The  shipbuilding  yard  is  a  small  concern  established  only  for  repair- 
ing and  building  river  boats  and  small  craft. 

Guayaquil  is  the  residence  of  the  United  States  consul-general  and 
Viee-consul-general;  also  of  the  British  and  German  consuls. 

Official  visiltB  by  commanders  of  national  vessels  should  be  paid  to 
the  governor  of  the  province,  commander  in  chief  of  the  military  forces, 
and  the  captain  of  the  port. 

Salutes  are  answered  by  fleldpieces. 

Seasons. — Sickness. — There  is  no  adequate  sewerage  system.  The 
streets,  -except  a  few  of  the  principal  ones,  are  badly  kept.  The  sickly 
season  is  the  wet  or  rainy  season  and  the  transition  period  from  the  wet 
i^eason  to  the  dry.  Malarial  fevers,  dijirrliea,  dysentery,  and  catarrh 
are  the  prevalent  forms  of  disease,    l^o  late  epidemics. 


GUAYAQUIL.  393 

The  mean  temperature  is  about  83o  F.  It  is  always  hot,  arid  dur- 
ing the  rainy,  season  from  December  to  Jane  it  is  stifling.  The  rest  of 
the  ^ear  is  dry. 

Supplies. — Most  all  the  produce  of  the  interior,  consisting  of  every 
variety  of  tropical  fruits  and  vegetables,  is  brought  down  to  the  city. 
Good  beef  costs  from  12J  to  18  cents  per  pound.  The  water  off- the 
city  is  fresh  at  the  last  of  the  ebb,  bat  is  considered  unfit  for  drinking. 

Fresh  water  is  furnished  by  the  municipality.  It  is  run  down  in  iron- 
pipes  from  Agaa  Clara  (a  mountain  stream  60  miles  inland)  to  two 
large  reservoirs  on  Santa  Ana  hill,  just  below  the  military  hospital. 
Thence  it  is  distributed  to  consumers  by  regular  mains. 

Coal. — ^No  coal  is  kept  on  hand  for  supplying  vessels,  bat  at  the 
present  time  the  Government  has  on  hand  some  2,000  tons,  which  will 
be  sold  in  special  cases,  but  ordinarily  is  not  for  ss^e. 

Cable  to  Panama  and  Pesuvian  ports. 

Port  ehargos. — The  balsas  or  rafbs  used  in  place  of  lighters  earry 
about  15  to  20  tons.  Lighterage,  $4  to  $5  per  load.  The  pay  of  a 
laborer  is  $1.50  per  day. 

Bill  of  health,  $8.    Ballast,  $1  to  $2  per  ton. 

Whaling  and  steamers  are  free  of  all  port  dues. 

Directions  for  Guayaquil  river. — ^No  stranger  bound  to  Guayaquil 
should  leave  Puna  without  a  pilot.  Vessels  drawing  moi^e  than  19  feet 
should  wait  for  a  springtide. 

It  is  necessary  to  moor  off  the  city,  taking  care  to  avoid  the  shoal  off 
the  quay. 

Floating  islands  cotne  down  with  the  freshets,  ooeasioni^ly  in  num- 
bers, and  necessitate  clearing  the  hawse. 

With  a  sailing  vessel  the  passage  up  the  river  is  made  easy  by  the 
.  prevailing  fair  wind. 

Monro  cbannel  is  another  approach  to  the  Guayaquil  river  to^  the 
westward  and  northward  of  Puna  island,  but  the  entrance  is  encum- 
bered with  shoals  and  the  land  so  low  that  no  good  leading  marks  can 
be  obtained.  There  is  but  little  occasion  to  use  this  dangerous  passage. 
The  western  coast  of  Puna  island  is  fronted  by  shoals  for  a  distance  of 
10  miles.    Northward  of  these  is  the  entrance  to  the  Morro  channel. 

Estero  Salado  is  a  singular  creek  to  the  westward  of  and  parallel 
with  the  Guayaquil  river,  the  head  of  it  being  only  2  miles  distant  fr()m 
the  south  end  of  the  city.  It  is  deep  and  free  from  shoals, bat  withan 
extensive  bar,  only  partly  examined,  on  which  no  greater  depth  than  7 
feet  could  be  found.  Like  the  Morro  channel,  this  creek  is  of  littde 
value  to  shipping. 

The  coast,  from  the  entrance  of  the  Morro  channel  as  far  as  Oamero 
point,  a  distance  of  48  miles  to  the  NW.,  has  not  been  examined.  This 
piece  of  coast,  therefore,  should  be  carefully  avoided. 

The  heights  of  Chanduy  are  midway  between  Pana  island  and  Gar- 
nero  point,  distant  about  11  miles  from  the  seacoast.  Leaving  Guaya- 
quil for  the  northward,  these  heights  form  a  conspicuous  object.    While 


394  COAST   OF   ECUADOR. 

m 

standing  toward  Ghanday  in  1883  soandings  were  obtained  in  12  fath- 
oms, decreasing  to  9  fathoms  with  Oamero  point  N".  9^  W.  (N.  17^  W. 
mag.),  distant  9  miles. 

Cantion. — The  indraught  of  the  Morro  channel  mast  be  guarded 
against.  A  heavy  swell  and  strong  tides  wiU  be  found  between  Amorta- 
jada  island  and  Oarnero  point.    The  latter  is  low  and  flat. 

ShoaL — ^A  dangerous  shoal  (reported  in  1893)  is  said  to  exist  S.  13^ 
W.  (S.  50  W.  mag.)  3  miles  from  Oarnero  point. 

Santa  Elena  pointy  11  miles  NW.  of  Oarnero,  is  an  abrupt  hill  424 
feet  high,  flat  on  the  top,  and  forms  the  southern  side  of  Santa  Elena 
bay.  When  made  either  from  the  northward,  southward,  or  eastward 
it  appears  like  an  island,  the  isthmus  connecting  it  with  the  mainland 
being  low.  The  point  projects  some  distance  and  appears  yellow  and 
bare,  neither  trees  nor  bushes  being  visible,  except  on  the  upper  edge. 
On  the  south  side  of  the  point  is  a  rock  aa^ash  one  mile  off  shore,  about 
3  miles  northwestward  of  Oarnero  point.  At  IJ  miles  N".  26°  W.  {1^. 
330  W.  mag.)  of  Santa  Elena  lighthouse  is  a  shoal  with  4^  fathoms  on  it. 

KoTE. — Spanish  Ohart  No.  48  (1867)  shows  three  rocks  (Blanco 
shoal)  nearly  south  of  St.  Elena  point,  distant  about  9  miles.  British 
Admiralty  and  French  charts  do  not  show  these  rocks,  nor  do  the  late 
sailing  directions  mention  them. 

Light. — On  the  hiU  over  Santa  Elena  point  stands  a  lighthouse,  from 
which,  at  an  elevation  of  470  feet  above  the  sea,  is  exhibited  a  fixed  and 
flashing  white  light  showing  as  follows:  A  fixed  light  for  fifty  seconds, 
obscured  three  seconds;  flash  four  seconds,  obscured  three  seconds;  and 
in  clear  weather  should  be  visible  from  a  distance  of  20  miles;  has  been 
seen  about  30  miles. 

Santa  Elena  bay»  formed  to  the  eastward  of  Santa  Elena  point,  is 
a  good  anchorage,  with  convenient  depths.  Vessels  must  not  anchor 
over  the  submarine  telegraph  cables,  which  extend  in  a  northerly 
direction  from  the  cable  house  near  Ohepillo  point. 

Santa  Elena  town  is  about  8  miles  eastward  of  the  point  and  1^ 
miles  from  the  shore,  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  about  400  feet  high. 

Columbia  shoals  lie  f  mile  off  Ballenita  point.  They  consist  of 
two  shoals,  with  from  12  to  18  feet  of  water  on  them  and  5^  fathoms 
between  them.  The  anchorage  is  outside  of  the  buoy  which  marks 
these  shoals,  in  about  6  fathoms.  Bun  in  with  the  buoy  in  line  with 
customhouse,  anchoring  about  J  mile  outside  of  the  buoy. 

Landing. — There  is  no  regular  landing  in  the  bay,  the  beach  abreast 
the  customhouse  being  the  usual  place,  though  apt  to  be  bad,  with  a  mod- 
erate surf;  there  is  3J  fathoms  at  low  water  close  to  the  customhouse. 

Supplies. — ^Neither  supplies  nor  fresh  water  can  be  obtained  here. 
The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Oompany's  steamers  call  here  once  a 
month.  In  1884  the  population  was  something  over  1,000.  The  chief 
trade  is  in  Panama  hats  and  salt. 

Telegraphic  cable. — The  coast  telegraphic  cable  lands  at  Ohepillo 


AYANGUE   POINT — PORT   CALLO.  395 

point,  1^  miles  to  the  eastward  of  the  lighthouse,  and  runs  out  due 
north  from  the  land  for  some  distance. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Santa  Elena  bay  at 
Ih.  18m.  5  springs  rise  8  feet. 

Ayangue  point  is  a  rocky  peninsula  20  miles  to  the  KE.  of  Santa 
Elena  point,  the  coast  between  forming  a  deep  bay,  with  alternate 
beaches  and  rocky  bluflfe.  Three  miles  southward  of  Ayangue  point, 
at  the  north  extreme  of  a  long  beach,  is  a  small  creek  called  Estero 
Balsa,  on  the  south  bank  of  which  is  a  large  village,  well  marked  by  a 
table  hill  260  feet  high  rising  to  the  southward  of  it,  and  the  hill  of 
Golonche  6  miles  inland. 

Pelado  islet — Three  miled  to  the  WW.  of  Ayangue  point  is  the  small 
rocky  islet  named  Pelado,  72  feet  high,  with  a  reef  extending  about  200 
yards  from  its  northern  side. 

Valdivia. — ^North  of  Ayangue  is  a  village  called  Valdivia,  at  which 
bullocks  can  be  obtained,  but  the  landing  is  bad. 

Coast — From  Ayangue  point  the  coast  runs  !NKW.  for  24  miles  to 
Salango  island,  clear  of  shoals,  with  the  two  projecting  points  of  Mon- 
tanita  and  Tampa.  Two  miles  KW.  of  the  latter,  with  a  clear  passage 
between,  are  the  Ahorcados,  a  small  group  of  rocky  islets.  Inland  is 
a  high  ridge  running  parallel  to  the  shore,  rising  to  an  elevation  of 
2,400  feet. 

Salango  island,  524  feet  high,  is  2  miles  in  circumference  and  cov- 
ered with  luxuriant  vegetation.  The  island  formerly  was  an  anchorage 
much  resorted  to  by  whalers,  who  came  for  water  and  fresh  provisions, 
which  are  to  be  obtained  from  a  neighboring  plantation. 

There  are  a  few  rocks  oif  the  west  point  of  the  island,  but  they  are 
steep-to;  the  passage  between  the  island  and  the  main  should  not  be 
used.  Large  bamboos  are  found  here,  and  fish  are  plentiful.  The 
greatest  surf  prevails  with  a  rising  tide. 

Anchorage. — ^The  anchorage  is  northward  of  Salango  island,  in  15 
to  20  fathoms  water,  on  a  line  from  the  north  point  of  the  bay  to  the 
east  point  of  the  island,  and  about  i  mile  from  a  rivulet  on  the  main 
shore,  which  forms  the  watering  place.  The  Pacific  Steam  Navigation 
Company's  steamers  call  at  Salango  and  at  Machatillo,  8  miles  farther 
north. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  frill  and  change,  at  Salango  island  anchorage 
at  Oh.  41m. ;  rise  12  feet. 

The  coast  between  Salango  island  and  Oanoa  point,  22  miles  farther 
north,  recedes,  and  forms  a  bay  8  miles  deep.  Oallo  point  is  a  bluff  in 
the  bight  of  the  bay  14  miles  NE.  of  Salango  island,  with  a  small  islet 
named  Gallo  just  north  and  a  rock  named  Daphne  just  south  of  it. 

Port  Callo,  about  2  miles  KE.  of  Gallo  island,  is  an  open  roadstead, 
but  good  anchorage  may  be  obtained  in  5^  fathoms  at  i  mile  from  the 
shore,  with  Daphne  rock  seen  midway  between  Oallo  island  and  the 
mainland. 


396  (X)AST  OF  ECUADOR. 

During  the  winter-season  heavy  rollers  are  experienced,  rendering 
commnnication  with  the  shore  diffienlt,  and  at  times  imposinble. 

The  shipment  and  discharge  of  cargo  is  performed  by  comies,  but 
owing  to  the  heavy  surf  it  is  difficult  and  dangerous. 

There  are  only  four  houses  in  the  port,  occupied,  severally,  by  the 
captain  of  the  port  and  launehmen.  About  one  mile  inland  there  is  an 
inn  for  Iravelers  from  Jipijapa,  of  which  important  town  Oallo  may  be 
considered  the  seaport.  The  journey  from  one  place  to  the  other  occu- 
pies 1^  hours  on  horseback.  The  principal  exports  consist  of  hats, 
ivory,  nuts,  hides,  small  quantities  of  coffee,  and  rubber. 

La  Plata  island,  790  feet  high,  about  19  miles  WNW.  J  W.  of  Gallo 
point,  is  covered  with  large  bushes  or  low  trees ;  it  presents  a  brownish, 
dried-up  appearance,  cut  up  by  gray  furrows.  The  western  side  forms 
precipitous  cliffs,  off  which  are  a  few  small  islets.  The  landing  is  On 
the  beach  on  the  eastern  side.  The  anchorage  is  in  a  deep,  small,  sandy 
bay,  i  mile  from  shore,  in  18  or  20  fathoms.  Salango  bay  is  x)referable. 
Wood,  and  frequently  turtle,  can  be  obtained  here. 

'  Light. — ^A  fixed  white  light  is  shown  from  a  white  mast,  with  keejiet's 
dwelling  near,  on  the  NW.  end  and  snmmit  of  the  island.  It  is  elevated 
about  750  feet  above  the  sea  and  visible  10  miles. 

CapoBanLoreazo,  inlatitndel^  3'  S.,  is  the  outer  part  of  a  high  pro- 
jection of  the  coast,  terminating  in  a  tongue  of  land  about  J  mile  long, 
off  which  Are  three  detached  rocks,  one  of  them  resembling  a  pinnacle; 
eastward  of  the  cape  are  some  hills,  the  principal  of  which  is  Monte- 
cristi,  1^29  feet  high.  The  water  deepens  off  this  cape,  the  100-£s^thom 
line  being  only  5  miles  from  the  land,  with  40  fathoms  at  a  distance  of 
one  mile. 

Manta  bay. — From  cape  San  Lorenzo  the  coast  trends  to  theosorth- 
eastward  8  miles  to  San  Mateo  point,  7  miles  eastward  of  which  i» the 
village  of  Manta,  the  seaport  of  the  town  of  Monte  Ghristo,  situated 
eastward  of  the  hill  of  the  same  name. 

The  United  Sta/tes  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

Light. — A  fixed  white  harbor  light  is  shown  from  a  scaffolding  68 ifeet 
above  high  water  at  the  north  side  of  the  village,  and  in  clear  weather 
should  be  seen  from  a  distance  of  12  miles. 

Directions. — Coming  from  the  southward,  bound  to  Manta  bay,  it  is 
advisable  to  make  the  coast  at  Santa  Elena  point,  as  a  strong  current 
generally  sets  along  the  coast  to  the  northward  and  the  atmoi^herc^  is 
usually  hazy. 

After  passing  San  Mateo  point,  Manta  road  will  open  to  view.  A 
berth  of  at  least  2  miles  should  be  given  the  shore  until  the  bay  opens 
and  the  lighthouse  bears  S.  16^  W.  (S.  9o  W.  mag.),  for  on  this  bearing, 
at  a  distance  of  about  1^  miles  from  the  shore  line,  is  a  sunken  rock  with 
from  7  to  8  feet  of  water  over  it.  The  sea  seldom  breaks  over  it.  The 
light  is  of  no  great  service  to  mark  this  dangerous  spot,  as  sailing  ves- 
sels can  not  enter  the  port  at  night  on  account  of  calms  which  prevail, 
and  the  coasting  steamers  always  wait  for  daylight  before  entering. 


MANTA   BAY — CAEAQUES   RIVER.  397 

Care  must  be  taken  of  the  sboal  patches  which  extend  about  f  mile 
from  the  shore,  but  there  will  be  no  danger  if  attention  is  paid  to  the 
soaudings. 

Anchorage. — The  usual  anchorage  is  in  5  fathoms  at  about  f  mile 
from  the^hore  in  good  holding  ground;  but  vessels  anchor  farther  out 
during  the  rainy  season  (December  to  April),  as  there  is  usually  at  that 
time  a  heavy  swell,  the  sea  breaking  iu  16  feet. 

Tide&r— It  is  high  water,  fuU  and  change,  in  Mauta  bay  at  3h.  4m.; 
springs  xise  6  feet. 

Winds  and  weather. — ^In  the  dry  season  the  weather  is  uniform  and 
pleasant.  A  light  breeze  prevails  from  southward  from  esurly  morning 
until  about  10  a.  m.,  when  it  hauls  to  the  westward,  increasing  to  a  fresh 
breesse  until  about  4  p.  m.,  and  then  dies  out  to  a  calm^  At  midnight 
a  gontie  land  breeze  sets  in.  The  wet  season  is  from  January  to  April, 
when  calms  alternate  with  breezes  from  the  northward. 

Laading.)— The  landing  is  abreast  the  town  and  is  good.  Boats  will 
find  the  landing  easier  in  the  morning  and  evening,  as  the  afternoon 
sea  breezes  often  produce  a  high  surf. 

Siafiplies. — Vessels  bound  to  Manta  should  be  supplied  with  pro- 
visions and  water,  as  the  latter  can  not  be  obtained  there,  that  used 
by  the  natives  being  brought  on  mules  from  Monte  Ohristo,  The  few 
provisions  that  can  be  purchased  are  excessively  dear.  Beef  may  be 
obtained  at  Monte  Ghristo.  The  best  place  for  watering  near  Manta  is 
at.Salango  bay.  It  must  be  done  by  casks,  which  must  be  towed  off, 
as  there  is  always  a  surf. 

Cliarapoto  river.. — From  Manta  the  coast  trends  east  4  miles  to 
Jaramijo  bluff,  from  which  it  curves  to  the  north  for  15  miles  to  Ghara- 
poito.  river,  which  flows  through  an  extensive  plain  bounded  by  white 
cliff's  789  feet  high.  The  mouth  of  the  river  is  barred  and  landing  is 
difi&eult.  Northeast  of  the.  Gharapoto  river  are  the  mountains .  of 
BalsamOtf 

Qaraqnes  rnrer. — At  11  miles  northward  of  Gharapoto  river  is  Bel- 
laca  point,  eastward  of  which  is  the  entrance  of  Garaques  river,  shoal 
aftd  di£l<mlt  of  access^  but  much  used  by  coasters,  there  being  a  con- 
siderable: trade  in  cocoa.  Santa  Marta  bank,  a  rock  ledge  on  which 
the  sea  always  breaks,  lies  IJ  miles  northward  of  Bellaca  point,  with 
d^thfi  of  5  and  6  fathoms  in  the  channel  between.  There  are  only  5 
feet  water  in  the  old  channel  eastward  of  this  bank,  round  Playa  point, 
which. is  low  and  grassy,  with  a  small  rock  which  shows  just  above  water 
oft*  it*  Northward  of  this  are  two  banks  dry  at  low  water.  Manavi 
cbttDnjel  ^long  the.  northern  shore  has  silted  up. 

Town. — ^The  village  of  Bahia  is  about  J  mile  to  the  southward  of. 
Playa  point,  from  which  the  river  runs  in  a  southeasterly  direction, 
and  has  been  exavuned  only  6  miles  up. 

A  United  States  consular  agent  resides  here. 

Siif>plle0.^-FreBh  water  can  be  procured  by  sending^boats  3  miles  up 
the  riv«r.    Beef  can  be  obtained  at  the  town,  and  fish  are  plenttftd. 


398  COAST   OF   ECUADOR. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  wator,  fall  aud  change,  at  2h.  30in.;  rise,  II  feet. 
The  tide  runs  6h.  flood  aud  6h.  ebb,  except  in  the  rainy  seanon,  viz, 
January,  February,  March,  and  April,  when  the  flood  is  5h.  and  the 
ebb  is  7h. 

Cape  Pasado  is  a  high  round  point,  apparently  split,  the  land  on 
both  sides  covered  with  short  trees,  that  to  the  southward  being 
bounded  by  white  cliffs.  A  reef  of  rocks  extends  J  mile  to  the  north- 
ward of  the  cape,  and  in  a  small  bay  formed  by  them  is  a  fair  anchor- 
age in  6  fathoms,  about  one  mile  IS.  30^  E.  (N.  23^  E.  mag.)  from  the 
cape.    Fresh  water  may  be  obtained  in  the  bay. 

Jama  point. — ^Between  cape  Pasado  and  Borrachos  point,  11  miles 
to  the  KE.,  the  beach  is  studded  with  rocks,  with  wooded  cliffs  of  a 
uniform  height  a  short  distance  inshore.  !Near  Borrachos  point  the 
bare  white  clifts  again  make  their  appearance,  fronted  with  long  sandy 
beaches. 

At  Jama  point,  5  miles  farther  to  the  KE.,  the  coast  takes  a  sudden 
turn  to  the  southeastward,  forming  a  wide  but  shoal  bay,  in  the  bight 
of  which  is  an  extensive  plain,  with  two  rivers  running  through  it.  The 
northern  shore  is  bordered  by  the  high  land  of  Guaques,  a  white  patch 
in  which  is  remarkable  from  the  sea. 

Pedemales  point  (Shingle  point),  nearly  20  miles  KE.  of  Jama 
point,  is  a  narrow  cliffy  ridge  with  a  few  rocky  islets  off  it.  In  the 
bay,  about  one  mile  to  the  eastward  from  the  point,  is  the  mouth  of  a 
small  river,  on  the  bank  of  which  is  a  village,  very  conspicuous  from 
the  sea,  but  the  landing  is  difficult  and  the  supplies  indifferent. 

Cojimies  shoals. — ^The  Gojimies  shoals  commence  18  miles  north- 
ward from  Pedemales  point,  and  appear  to  be  a  bar  formed  by  the 
mouth  of  a  large  river.  Their  outer  edge  extends  4  miles  from  the 
shore,  and  has  the  form  of  a  semicircle  over  5  miles  in  diameter,  with 
the  depth  of  6  fathoms  about  one  mile  from  the  edge,  deepening  sud- 
denly to  40  fathoms  at  a  distance  of  3  miles.  Ko  rocks  were  seen  and 
no  passage  could  be  found  through  the  breakers.  The  land  in  the 
vicinity  is  low  and  mangroves  grow  on  Zapotal  (Mangles)  point. 

Soundings. — ^The  whole  coast  from  cape  Pasado  to  these  shoals  is 
fronted  by  a  bank  of  5  fathoms  water  and  under,  which  extends  off- 
shore from  one  to  3  miles. 

Portete  river  is  a  stream  of  some  magnitude  which  has  its  entrance 
at  2  miles  to  the  northward  of  Zapotal  point,  but  with  a  dangerous 
bar.  Here  the  cliffs  begin  again.  At  2  miles  farther  to  the  northward 
is  a  small  village  eastward  of  Mompiche  point,  which  in  some  measure 
protects  the  landing,  where  water,  cattle,  and  especially  pigs  may  be 
obtained  in  great  abundance. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1176.) 

Cape  San  Francisco  forms  the  southern  end  of  a  large  round  bluff 
which  trends  in  a  northerly  and  northeasterly  direction  for  II  miles  to 
Galera  point,  a  low  shelving  point  forming  its  northern  extreme.  This 
bluff*  is  composed  of  abrupt  cliffs  of  a  moderate  height,  clothed  with 


CAPE    SAN    FRANCISCO ATACAME8   LEDGE.  399 

tall  trees  and  generally  steep- to,  thoagli  in  some  places  the  rocks  lie  a 
little  distance  off  the  coast,  but  the  heavy  breakers  always  show  their 
position.    The  country  inland  is  mountainous  and  wooded. 

Cape  San  Francisco  is  the  northern  and  Mompiche  point  the  south- 
ern extreme  of  a  bay,  into  which  flow  several  rivers,  the  largest  being 
the  Muisne,  about  6  miles  from  the  cape,  tracing  its  course  for  some 
distance  along  the  beach,  but  a  bar  at' the  entrance  renders  its  naviga- 
tion precarious  even  for  boats.  The  Banche  river,  3  miles  NW.  of 
Muisne  river,  may  be  known  by  four  remarkable  rocks.  To  the  north- 
ward of  these  rocks  is  a  small  bay,  in  which  is  the  town  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  on  its  western  shore  is  a  little  river  that  may  be  entered  at 
high  water.    The  landing  is  at  all  times  good. 

Anchorage. — This  small  bay,  having  only  2^  to  3  fathoms  in  it,  will 
not  permit  a  large  vessel  to  go  nearer  than  a  mile.  The  usual  anchor- 
age is  about  i  mile  S.  53°  W.  (S.  46o  W.  mag.)  of  the  four  rocks. 

Supplies. — Water  and  refreshments  of  all  kinds  may  be  obtained 
on  this  part  of  the  coast.  The  Bunche  river  offers  the  most  convenient 
place  for  procuring  bullocks,  pigs,  or  vegetables.  The  small  bay  under 
the  cape  is  advantageous  for  watering,  the  water  being  very  good. 

The  coast  from  G-alera  point  trends  in  an  easterly  direction  7  miles, 
thence  more  northerly  for  about  2  miles  to  Same  point,  and  consists, 
as  far  as  Sua  point,  a  distance  of  about  3  miles  farther  east,  of  low 
white  cliffs  crowned  with  trees  and  fronted  by  beaches  studded  occa- 
sionally with  black  rocks.  Just  east  of  Oalera  point  there  is  a  small 
bay  with  convenient  landing.  Same  and  Sua  points  are  remarkable, 
being  small  clifiy  peninsulas,  each  connected  with  the  main  by  a  sandy 
isthmus. 

Sua  Supplies. — Sua  river  empties  into  Sua  bay,  and  about  a  mile 
inland  is  Sua  village,  where  there  are  extensive  plantations  of  sugar 
cane,  for  manufacturing  aguadiente.  Tobacco  is  grown  on  a  large 
scale.    Oranges  and  pineapples  are  abundant. 

Atacames  bay  and  river. — Atacames  bay  is  on  the  east  side  of  Sua 
point,  which  is  a  good  mark  for  it.  On  the  east  side  of  the  bay  is  the 
Atacames  river,  which  can  only  be  entered  at  high  water.  The  landing 
on  the  beach  is  sometimes  dangerous. 

Atacames  village. — On  the  east  bank  is  the  small  village  of  Ata- 
cames, containing  about  600  persons.  Vegetables  and  fruit  are  to  be 
had  in  abundance.  It  has  been  a  great  resort  for  the  whalers  for  water, 
fresh  provisions,  and  yams.  Water  is  obtained  from  a  river  which 
flows  into  a  cove  just  around  Aguada  point,  the  river  being  accessi- 
ble at  all  times  of  the  tide.  On  its  eastern  bank  is  a  small  village  and 
plantation. 

Atacames  ledge. — At  Galera  point  a  bank  commences,  and  extends 
nearly  2  miles  from  the  shore.  Off  Atacames  it  juts  out  to  the  north- 
ward and  westward,  and  terminates  7  miles  from  the  land  in  a  danger- 
ous ledge  of  coral  1^  miles  long  "NW.  and  SE.,  by  i  mile  broad,  with 
an  average  depth  on  it  of  12  feet,  and  6  feet  of  water  on  its  shoalest 


400  COAST   OF   ECUADOR. 

part.    The  slioal  has  extended  farther  northward  than  indicated  on 
the  charts. 

Atacames  ledge  is  dangerous  to  sailing  vessels  working  to  the  south- 
ward out  of  Panama  bay,  as  both  wind  and  current  generally  cause 
them  to  make  the  land  about  Atacames^  care  must  therefore  be  taken 
not  to  go  in  less  than  10  fathoms,  and  not  to  bring  Galera  point  to  the 
westward  of  S.  41^  W.  (S.  34^  W.  mag.).  Vessels  bound  to  Atacames 
bay  should  make  Galera  point,  and  run  along  the  land,  anchoring 
about  IJ  miles  north  of  the  former  in  6  fathoms,  with  the  town  bearing 
8.  430  B.  (S.  500  E.  mag.). 

Tidea — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Atacames  bay  at  3h.  37m. ; 
rise  13  feet. 

Gorda  point  is  a  steep  bluff  with  a  small  reef  off  it  about  8  miles 
NE.  from  Atacames,  the  coast  between  being  low  land  and  beach,  with 
an  occasional  cliff  near  the  point. .  The  shoal  water  of  Atacames  lodge 
apparently  stretches  into  this  part  of  the  coast,  and  therefore  vessels 
from  Atacames  to  Eameraldas  drawing  more  than  12  feet  water  should 
pass  outside  it. 

Esmeralda?  river. — The  Esmeraldas  river  is  a  very  rapid  stream, 
of  considerable  length,  fiill  of  shoals,  and  formed  by  the  junction  of 
numerous  rivers  about  40  miles  from  its  mouth.  The  entrance  of  the 
river  is  6  miles  to  the  eastward  of  Gorda  point  5  it  is  well  marked  by 
the  narrow  and  precipitous  gorge  through  which  it  runs  and  a  small 
round  peak  over  the  eastern  point  of  entrance, 

The  bottom  of  the  bar  of  the  river  is  deep  and  uneven,  84  fathoms 
being  found  alongside  of  7  fathoms.  The  stream  runs  out  with  great 
velocity  J  the  water  is  fresh  2  miles  from  the  mouth.  Well-defined 
light  sandstone  cliffs  extend  from  Gorda. point  to  Coqnito  point,  west 
side  of  entrance  to  Esmeraldas  river.  The  spit  off  Coquito  point 
extends  J  mile  in  an  easterly  direction  from  the  point.  It  is  covered 
at  half  tide,  and  there  are  no  huts  on  it.  The  shoal  or  spit  off  East 
point  doeS:  not  show  as  a  ledge.  It  is  probably  similar  to  the  spit  off 
Coquito  i)oint,  and  extends  about  one  mile  northward  from  East  point, 
but  does  not  uncover.  There  are  a  number  of  huts  on  the  west  side  of. 
East  point  about  J  mile  from  its  extremity^  Bb,q^  of  and  near  these 
huts  iS:  a  conspicuous  tree  showing  darker  green  than  the  adjacent 
vegetation.  This  tree  and  a  round  hill  make  good  landmarks.  The 
hill  is  bare  of  the  trees  peculiar  to  the  point,  and  being  covered  with 
a  light-green  vegetation  is  prominent  by  contrast. 

The  entrance  to  the  river  between  Coquito  and  East  points  is  very, 
shallow  and  the  current  strong. and  always  running  out.  An  ordinary 
boat  is  liable  to  get  aground  at  any  stage  of  the  tide;  also  apt  to  strike 
a  snag  or  sunken  log,  of  which  the  riyer  is  fiill.  It  is  best  to  go  in  at 
low  water,  keeping,  close  to  the  west  bank,  where  the  deepest  water  can 
be  seen.  The  landing  is  on  the  bank  abreast  the  town.  There  are  no 
licensed  pilots.  Natives  acquainted  with  the  river  and  roadstead  can 
be  found  in  the  town. 


ESMERALDAS SAN  LORENZO  BAY.  401 

The  latitude  of  the  castomhouse  is  1©  V  60"  N. 

It  is  said  that  the  hydrographic  features  in  the  vicinity  of  Bsmeraldas 
river  are  continually  changing,  and  earthquakes  are  liable  to  cause 
most  erratic  transformations. 

Bsmeraldas  is  about  1^  miles  southward  of  Ooquito' point,  and  its 
population  is  now  about  800.  There  is  no  town  nor  any  settlement  of 
importance  farther  up  the  river. 

The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consular  agent. 

Anchorage  may  be  obtained  off  the  entrance  in  8  to  10  fathoms,  mud 
bottom,  with  Gorda  point  bearing  S.  53^  W.  (S.  46^  W.  mag.)  and 
Ooquito  point  S.  37o  E.  (S.  44o  E.  mag..). 

The  small  steamers  that  visit  the  port  anchor  on  the  edge  of  a  deep 
hole  about  halfway  between  the  river  banks  just  inside  of  Ooquito  and 
East  points.  This  anchorage  is  a  very  undesirable  one,  however,  and 
the  steamers  only  nse  it  while  discharging  or  talking  cargo.  Whem 
using  it  the  anchor  should  be  sighted  at  least  once  in  twenty-four  hours. 

The  holding  ground  in  the  roadstead  is  very  good — sticky  bine  mud. 

Light. — ^The  lighthouse  on  Ooquito  point  'is  about  f  mile  sotfthwest- 
ward  from  the  extremity  of  the  point.  It  is  a  frail  structure,  consisting 
of  a  hut  built  on  piles.  The  light  is  in  a  cupola  on  top  of  the  hut,  but 
is  not  to  be  relied  upon,  and  sometimes  is  not  lighted.  Th«  light  is 
fixed  white,  36  feet  above  the  sea  level,  and  should  be  visible  9  miles. 

Supplies. — The  principal  trad«  at  this  port  is  cocoa  and  tobacco,  the 
latter  said  to  be  the  best  on  the  coast.  A  considerable  quanitity  of  grain 
is  produced,  also  cotton,  and  a  small  export  of  caoutchouc.  The. 
steamers  of  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Oompany  call  here  once  a 
month  each  way. 

Verde  point,  the  next  remarkable  place  on  the  coast,  is  a  cliffy  bluff 
with  a  hill  over  it,  13  miles  eastward  df  Bsmeraldas  river,  the  bight 
between  forming  the  bay  of  San  Mateo.  The  Verde  river,  at  one  mile 
westward  of  Verde  point,  has  a  bar  navigable  at  high  water,  and  a 
small  town  named  Eio  Verde  stands  on  the- eastern  bank. 

The  coast  from  Verde  point  trends  eastward  13  miles  to  the  Vainillfta 
river.  The  shore  is  lower,  with  fewer  cliffs,  but  the  seveual  ^hats  and 
cultivated  spots  near  them  give  the^oast  a  more  civilized  appearance. 
The  cliffs  cease  altogether  at  the  Vaiuillita  river,  at  which  point  the  low 
land  commences,  continuing  with  only  two  breaks  as  far  as  cape  Oorri- 
entes,  a  distance  of  300  miles. 

Santdago  riv^er,  F^osa  karbor,  and  San  Lorenzo  bcqr.— The  eosait 
between  Vainillita  river  and  Mangles  point,  at  32  ^miles  farther  morlSi, 
is  a  shallow  bight  in  which  are  tiiree  large  openings,  apparent^  the 
mouths  of  rivers,  forming  the  entrances  to  a  Gonsiderable  inlaaid  ^na£d- 
gation,  a^d  leading  to  the  Pailon,  a  deep  basin  of  some  extent. 

Ko  vessel  should  approach  this  coast  within  the  depth  of  10  fathonls, 
which  is  generally  found  at  a  distance  of  4  miles  from  the  land,  unless 
bound  into  the  anchorages. 
1943—1^^0.89 2& 


402  COAST  OF  ECUADOR. 

Santiago  River,  11  miles  northeastward  of  Yainillita  river,  is  of  con- 
siderable width,  and  formerly  had  three  passages  through  the  breakers, 
the  southern  being  the  best,  but  they  probably  alter  with  the  freshets. 
There  are  several  houses  on  the  southern  bank,  and  numerous  cattle 
were  seen.  About  one  mile  within  the  mouth  is  the  village  of  Tola, 
firom  which  there  is  an  inland  communication  by  a  channel,  with  a 
depth  of  3  fathoms  for  30  miles. 

Posa  harbor  is  4  miles  northeastward  of  the  Santiago  river,  the 
coast  between  being  fringed  with  shoals  on  which  the  sea  breaks  con- 
tinually and  extending  4  miles  from  shore.  The  passage  into  the  har- 
bor is  through  shoals  about  one  mile  wide,  with  a  depth  of  12  feet  at 
low  water.    When  inside,  the  harbor  is  capacious  and  secure. 

San  Lorenzo  bay. — The  breakers  extend  to  San  Lorenzo  bay,  the 
best  of  the  three  openings,  into  which  the  channel  is  broader,  with 
about  the  same  depth  of  water.  No  vessel  bound  to  any  of  these  ports 
should  attempt  to  enter  without  a  pilot,  who  can  be  easily  obtained  at 
Tola,  the  coast  being  so  low  and  similar  that  no  leading  marks  can  be 
given,  distinguishable  by  a  stranger.  There  are  apparently  two  more 
openings  on  the  northern  shore  of  the  bight,  but  they  have  not  been 
examined.  ISo  vessels  should  approach  the  coast  within  the  depth  of 
10  fathoms,  which  is  generally  found  at  a  distance  of  4  miles  from  the 
land. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  fiill  and  change,  in  San  Pedro  entrance  at 
3h.  30m.;  springs  rise  13  feet. 

Mangles  pointy  39  miles  NE.  of  Verde  point,  is  the  SW.  extreme  of 
a  low  narrow  island,  forming  the  northern  point  of  Pianguapi  bay. 
The  point  is  low  and  sandy,  and  the  water  is  deep  off  it,  there  being  38 
fathoms  within  ^  mile  of  the  point,  and  100  fathoms  at  a  distance  of  3^ 
miles.  Bullocks  and  fresh  water  can  be  obtained  from  a  small  village 
close  to  the  point.  From  thence  the  coast  runs  in  a  northeasterly  direc- 
tion for  19  miles,  low  and  intersected  with  esteros,  or  creeks,  said  to  be 
the  mouths  of  the  Mira  river,  as  far  as  Boca  Grande,  which  is  the 
largest,  and  rendered  conspicuous  by  a  considerable  village  surrounded 
with  cocoanut  trees. 

oalApaoos  islands. 

(B.  A.  ChartB  Nob.'  1375  and  1376.) 

General  description. — These  islands,  situated  nearly  on  the  equa- 
tor, are  about  600  miles  from  the  coast  of  Ecuador,  to  which  politically 
they  belong,  but  there  is  no  government. 

There  are  six  principal  islands,  nine  smaller,  and  many  islets  scarcely 
to  be  distinguished  from  rocks.  The  largest  island,  Albemarle,  is  72 
miles  in  length.  The  formation  of  the  whole  group  is  volcanic.  With 
the  exception  of  some  ejected  fragments  of  granite,  which  have  been 
curiously  glazed  by  the  heat,  every  part  consists  of  lava  or  of  sand- 
stone.   The  higher  islands  generally  have  one  or  more  principal  craters 


galApagos  islands.  403 

• 

toward  their  centers,  with  smaller  ones  on  their  flanks.  It  is  said 
there  are  not  less  than  2,000  craters  among  the  islands. 

There  is  a^  great  similarity  in  their  appearance,  which  consists  of  a 
rounded  outline  with  peaks  or  extinct  craters  throughout.  A  marked 
difference  is  observed  between  the  south  sides  of  the  islands  and  the 
opposite  sides.  The  southern  sides  are  covered  with  soil  and  luxuriant 
vegetation.  The  northern  sides  are  principally  of  uncovered  lava,  from 
the  crevices  of  which  spring  a  thick  undergrowth. 

Currents. — The  currents  are  remarkable,  for  in  addition  to  their 
velocity,  which  is  from  one  to  2^  miles  an  hour,  and  usually  toward  the 
West  and  KW.,  there  is  a  surprising  difference  in  temperature  of  the 
bodies  of  water  moving  within  a  few  miles  of  each  other.  On  one  side  of 
Albemarle  island  the  temperature  of  the  sea  a  foot  below  the  surface  was 
80O,  but  on  the  other  side  it  was  less  than  60^.  These  differences  are 
owing  to  the  cool  current  coming  from  the  southward  along  the  coasts 
of  Chile  and  Peru,  which,  at  the  Galdpagos,  meets  a  warmer  body  of 
water  moving  from  the  bay  of  Panama. 

Kear  cape  Blanco  the  current  leaves  the  coast  and  bears  toward  the 
Galdpagos  islands,  passing  them  on  both  the  northern  and  southern 
sides.  Here  it  sets  toward  the  WNW.  and  West.  The  breadth  of  the 
bed,  on  the  meridian  of  the  Galdpagos,  is  from  400  to  500  miles;  beyond 
this  it  widens  rapidly  and  is  lost  in  the  equatorial  current  near  108^  W. 

Climate. — ^Although  these  islands  are  nearly  on  the  equator,  the 
climate  is  not  excessively  hot,  which,  perhaps,  is  owing  to  the  low  tem- 
perature of  the  surrounding  sea.  The  rainy  season  is  said  to  commence 
in  January  and  lasts  until  April.  Sometimes  for  two  or  three  consecu- 
tive years  the  fall  of  rain  is  slight.  This  season  is,  therefore,  more 
characterized  by  the  cessation  of  the  SE.  trade  winds.  During  these 
months  calms  prevail,  varied  by  occasional  squalls  from  the  North  and 
KW.,  accompanied  by  thunder  and  lightning.  They  are  said  never  to 
reach  the  eastern  islands,  but  are  attracted  by  the  higher  land  of 
Albemarle  and  Karborough.  These  squalls  are  not  heavy  or  of  long 
duration.  The  long  calms  and  strong  currents  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
islands  during  this  season  render  the  navigation  for  vessels  under  sail 
hazardous  and  dif&cult.  From  the  middle  of  April  to  the  end  of 
December  the  trade  wind  blows  with  regularity,  and  gales  are  unknown. 

The  colonists  of  Chatham  island  divide  the  year  into  two  seasons; 
wet  seasons  from  July  to  November,  and  the  remainder  of  the  year  is 
the  dry  season.  The  latter  is  subject  to  frequent  heavy  squalls,  while 
in  the  wet  season  a  continuous  flue  rain  falls,  similar  to  the  heavy 
dews  of  Peru.  Heavy  rollers  occasionally  break  upon  the  northern 
shores  during  the  rainy  season,  though  no  wind  of  any  consequence 
accompanies  them.  They  are  probably  caused  by  the  Northers  from 
Tehuantepec  and  the  Papagayos  or  NB.  winds. 

Supplies. — In  about  the  year  1845  a  number  of  cattle,  goats,  horses, 
and  pigs  were  landed  on  Charles,  Chatham,  and  Albemarle  islands. 


404  GALAPAGOS   ISLAND& 

• 

Tbese  have  greatly  increased,  and  6,000  of  all  kinds  are  now  repoxied 
to  be  on  Chatham  island.  The  cattle  are  wild,  and  hard  to  getaL  The 
ifilands  produce  sugar  cane,  cotton,  vegetables,  and  fruit  oi  all  kinds; 
also  grain,  except  rice.  The  principal  exports  are  hides^^sagar,  and  tuwl 
(pisco).    Tortoise  oil  is  no  louger  exported. 

Water  is  found  on  many  of  the  islands  in  the  raoiy  season,  and  the 
watering  places  at  Charles  and  Chatham  islands  can  be  d^ended 
upou,  though  that  at  Chatham  island  (Freshwater  bay)  4)an  not  be 
approached  at  times  on  account  of  the  surf.  Fish  are  plMitiAil,  and 
can  be  easily  caught  where  the  seine  can  be  hauled. 

Chatham  (San  Cristobal)  islaiid,  the  eastern  of  the  group,  ds  24: 
miles  long  by  8  miles  broad,  the  peaks  at  the  •southwesteim  «nd  bein^ 
nearly  2,500  fbet  high.  This  island  has  od  it  a  settlement  named  Pro- 
greso,  with  a  population  (1892)  of  about  300.  The  settlement  is  reached 
by  a  good  road  from  Wreck  bay,  whence  it  is  5  miles  distant.  The 
island  has  a  fertile  soil,  several  good  anchorages  on  its  western  ooast^ 
and  plenty  of  water. 

There  are  several  acres  of  land  under  cultivation,  producing  fruit, 
vegetables,  and  sugar  cane;  the  latter  is  said  to  thrive  wellsuid  to  be 
of  excellent  quality.  There  are  also  several  herds  of  wild  •cattle  4ind 
numerous  wild  dogs. 

Supplies. — ^Fresh  meat,  fruit,  a  moderate  quantity  of  vegetables,  and 
.firewood  can  be  obtained  on  Chatham  island. 

Freshwata:  bay,  possessing  the  watering  place  before  mentioned, de 
an  open  roadstead  on  the  south  side  of  the  island.  The  anchoi^i^c^ 
which  is  in  20  fathoms,  is  about  800  yards  off  the  watciring  i^ace,  a^fine 
stream  falling  from  a  lava  cliff  about  30  feet  high.  Ships  well  provided 
with  ground  tackle  may  lie  here  and  water. 

IVreck  point  is  the  SW.  extremity  of  the  island,  and  hasr^efs  o& 
it  extending  to  the  westward.  «The  currents  off  the  point  are  «aid  to 
be  strong  and  uncertain. 

Wreck  bay  (Porto  Chico)  is  a  snug  anchorage  just  north  of  Wreofe 
point.  It  is  sheltered  from  the  NW.  by  Schiavoni  reef.  In  smootb 
weather  this  reef  gives  no  indication  of  its  existence.  There  is  no  piei:, 
and  landing  at  times  is  difficult.  Care  must  be  used  in  approaohi^ 
the  bay,  more  especially  from  the  westward,  and  in  all  oases  Dalrya»plfi 
rock,  62  feet  high,  2  miles  north  of  the  bay,  should  be  closed,  and  fthe 
bay  entered  to  the  eastward,  to  avoid  Schiavoni  reef.  These  is  a  store- 
house at  the  head  of  the  bay,  where  the  road  toProgreso  colony 'b^gina. 

A  rock  with  11  feet  water  over  it  lies  with  Lido  point  beariitg 
K.  220  E.  (K 130  E.  mag.),  about  400  yards  off  shore. 

The  following  is  from  the  report  of  Commander  Mdhan,  Wibo  vifiuted 
Stephens  bay  and  Wreck  cove  in  the  U.  S.  S.  Wachtis^in  1884: 

^<The  settlement  or  the  hacienda  of  Senor  Manuel  I.Cobos  is  4iiaQ%B 
back  of  Wreck  cove.  Communication  with  Guayaquil  is  maintaned 
by  a  small  sailing  sloop,  which  makes  the  r(mnd  trip  <onoeinithirt{ror 


GALAPAGOS    ISLANDS.  405^ 

fortjR  days.  An  excellent  road  leads  from  Wreck  cove  to  the  house. 
Pepolatioii  at  present,  177» 

^^wo-thkds  of  the  island  is  fit  for  caltivation.  Soil  is  fertile,  and 
produces  sugar  cane,  coffee,  hemp,  potatoes,  corn,  bananas,  and  fruitb 

^^Trees  are  small  and  used  only  for  firewood. 

'^ni^ly  of  water  is-  bountiful  and  very  good.  It  is  difficult  for  ships 
to  get  water  aboard. 

'^Eforses,  cattle^  dogs,  donkeys,  and  cats  are  found.  The  horses  are  all 
domestic,  but  the  others  are  both  domestic  and  wild.  Birds,  terrapin,. 
turtle,  iguanas,  and  snakes  are  found.    Fish  abundant. 

'<Ko  metals  on  Chatham,  but  sulphur  is  abundant  on  Albemarle. 
Lime  is  made  on  Ohatham. 

"The  exports  amount  to  $30,000  a  year. 

"The  landing  at  Wreck  cove  is  good  but  the  harbor  is  small;  vessels 
call  frequently,  especially  whalers  and  ships  of  war." 

TidecK — ^Across  the  entrance  of  the  bay  the  flood  stream  sets  to  the 
NE.  and' the  ebb  to  the  SW.  Strength  of  current  about  IJ  knots,  the 
ebb  being' a  little  the  stronger.  It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at 
2h;  ^m-;  springs-rise  6^  feet. 

Light. — ^A  fixed  white  light  is  exhibited  from  a  staff  36  feet  above  the 
sea  level,  in  Wreck  bay,  visible  4  miles. 

Stephens  bay  (Forto  Gkrande),  having  good  anchorage  in  10  to  12 
fathoms,^  mile  from  the  shore,  is  about  8  miles  to  the  NE.  of  Wreck 
bay.  This  bay  may  be  easily  known  by  the  Kicker  rock,  a  curious 
mass  of  stone,  486  feet  high,  and  rising  almost  perpendicularly.  Finger 
point,  onthe  NB.  side  of  thel)ay,  is  a  remarkable  pinnacle,  516  feet  high. 

Commander  Mahan,  United  States  Kavy,  says  of  Stephens  bay : 

"The  bearings  from  the  anchorage  were  as  follows:  Dalrymple  rock, 
S.  580  W.  (S.  490  W.  mag.);  Kicker  rock,  N.  660  W.  (N.  75°  W.  mag.); 
Finger  point.  If.  31°  B.  (N.  22o  B.  mag.).  The  ship  rode  mainly  to  the 
trade  wind,  blowing  from  South  to  SB.,  but  a  strong  tidal  current  was 
observed,  bringing  the  wind  alternately  on  either  bow.  From  observa- 
tions made  it  was  found  that  the  flood  sets  NB.  and  the  ebb  SW.  along 
the  north  shore  of  the  island,  and  when  under  way  with  the  flood,  the 
bearings  showed  that  the  current  of  the  tide  nearly  neutralized  the  set 
of  the  Humboldt  current  of  the  islands.  A  more  satisfactory  anchor- 
age in  12  fathoms  than  the  one  taken  can  be  found  by  standing  in  to 
the  east  side  of  the  bay,  Kicker  rock  bearing  K.  69°  W.  (N.  68^  W. 
mag.),  and  (keeping)  the  west  point  of  the  bay  on  line  with  Dalrymple 
rock.^ 

Sappho  cove,  at  the  head  of  Stephens  bay,  affords  anchorage  in  4 
to  5  fathoms  water. 

Terrapin  road  is  an  open  anchorage  on  the  "NW.  side  of  the  island, 
with  12  and  14  i&thoms  J  mile  from  the  shore, 

Hobbs  reef  is  a  dangerous  ledge  extending  over  one  mile  from  the 
ISB.  point  of  Ohatham  island. 


406  oalXpagos  islands. 

Hood  (Espaftola)  island,  the  southernmost  of  the  group,  lying  27 
miles  from  Chatham,  is  small,  round,  and  rugged,  covered  with  small, 
sunburnt  brushwood,  and  bounded  by  a  bold,  rocky  shore.  It  is  640 
feet  high. 

Gardner  bay  is  an  anchorage  on  the  ms.  shore  of  Hood  island, 
inside  Gardner  island,  160  feet  high,  but  care  must  be  taken  of  Magi- 
cienne  rock,  lying  near  the  center  of  the  bay.  This  rock  has  only  14 
feet  of  water  on  it,  and  lies  with  the  outer  part  of  the  island,  at  the 
eastern  part  of  the  bay,  bearing  S.  62^  E.  (S.  71°  E.  mag.)  §  mile;  a 
rocky  islet  in  the  SW.  part  of  the  bay,  S.  60°  W.  (8.  51©  W.  mag.),  i 
mile;  center  of  Gardner  island,  "N.  66°  E.  (N.  66°  B.  mag.). 

The  rock  is  about  30  feet  long  in  a  NW.  and  BE.  direction,  10  feet 
wide,  and  has  a  depth  of  8  and  SI  fathoms  on  the  outside,  and  6^  and  6 
fathoms  inside,  and  may  be  avoided  by  keeping  close  to  the  shore  of 
the  small  island  at  the  eastern  part  of  the  bay. 

Charles  (Santa  Maria)  island,  at  37  miles  westward  of  Hood  island, 
is  24  miles  in  circumference,  and  peculiar  in  its  outline,  from  a  succes- 
sion of  round-topped  hills,  similar  in  shape,  though  differing  in  size, 
which  show  on  every  point  of  view.  The  highest  and  largest  of  these 
hills  rises  1,780  feet. 

Black  Beach  road,  on  the  western  side  of  Oharles  island,  affords 
good  anchorage  in  10  to  20  fathoms,  sandy  bottom,  600  to  1,000  yards 
from  the  shore,  fairly  protected  from  the  swell  by  several  small  reefs 
lying  between  it  and  Saddle  point.  Vessels  should  not  anchor  in  less 
than  10  fathoms,  to  avoid  a  rock  with  6  feet  of  water  on  it,  lying  some 
distance  from  the  shore.  The  highest  peak  of  Oharles  island  bearing 
S.  620  E.  (8.  710  E.  mag.)  will  lead  to  the  anchorage  in  Black  Beach 
road,  and  well  to  the  southward  of  the  6- foot  rock.  Landing  is  always 
practicable  on  a  small  sandy  beach  between  the  black  rocks. 

Supplies. — ^A  plentiful  supply  of  firewood  can  be  obtained  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  landing  place. 

Post  Office  bay,  on  the  !NW.  side  of  Oharles  island,  is  in  every  way 
superior,  being  a  sheltered  anchorage,  with  moderate  depth  of  water, 
easy  of  access,  and  only  wants  fresh  water  to  make  it  a  desirable  place 
for  shipping.  The  anchorage  is  in  9  fathoms,  with  Onslow  island  bear- 
ing N.  720  E.  (N.  630  E.  mag.),  open  at  the  east  point  of  the  bay.  The 
best  way  of  reaching  the  settlement  is  to  land  in  Black  Beach  road  at 
a  hut  about  4  miles  from  Post  Office  bay.  The  island  was  uninhabited 
in  1886. 

Supplies. — ^There  are  said  to  be  upwards  of  2,000  head  of  wild 
cattle  on  Oharles  island;  pigs  and  goats  are  also  abundant.  Water  is 
plentiful  at  all  seasons  and  could  be  easily  led  to  the  coast  by  means 
of  pipes. 

Shoals. — A  patch  with  a  depth  of  4  fathoms  at  low  water,  spring 
tides,  and  5  to  6  fathoms  around,  lies  with  Observation  spot  bearing  S. 
390  E.  (S.  480  E.  mag.),  distant  650  yards,  and  Daylight  point  N.  87° 
W.  (S.  840  W.  mag.). 


gaj^Ipagos  islands.  407 

A  patch  with  a  depth  of  5  fathoms  lies  approximately  with  Observa- 
tion spot  bearing  S.  31^  E.  (S.  40^  E.  mag.),  distant  1,200  yards,  and 
Daylight  point  S.  73o  W.  (8.  64°  W,  mag.). 

Off  the  eastern  side  of  Charles  island  are  several  outlying  islets, 
Gardner,  the  outer  one,  being  4  miles  from  the  shore,  and  3  miles  S. 
64^  E,  (S.  730  E.  mag.)  of  this  islet  is  a  dangerous  rock  awash. 

Commander  Eastman,  United  States  Navy,  says: 

^^  The  anchorage  in  Black  Beach  bay  is  preferable  to  Post  Office  bay, 
if  you  wish  to  go  into  the  interior,  as  the  only  road  from  the  shore  is  in 
that  bay,  and  there  is  no  danger,  for  the  weather  is  uniformly  pleasant. 
I  do  not  know  where  a  crew  could  refresh  easier  than  here;  it  is  healthy, 
I  believe,  l^o  convenience  for  watering  ship  here,  as  the  wells  are  one 
mile  or  more  uphill  from  the  anchorage  at  Black  Beach  road.  We 
experienced  no  wind  but  a  pleasant  southerly  breeze,  and  the  anchor- 
age is  as  smooth  as  a  pond." 

Tides. — It.is  high  water,  frill  and  change,  at  Post  Office  bay  at  2h. 
10m.;  springs  rise  6  feet. 

Macgowen  reef  is  a  dangerous  shoal,  consisting  of  one  rock  awash 
and  another  only  a  few  feet  under  water.  It  lies  on  a  fine  drawn  from 
the  south  part  of  Charles  island  to  Chatham  island,  and  rather  nearer 
the  latter,  with  the  peak  of  Hood  island  bearing  8.  44°  E.  (S.  53°  E. 
mag.),  distant  22  miles.  The  lead  will  give  no  warning  of  this  shoal, 
50  fathoms  being  found  within  1^  miles  of  it. 

Indefatigable  (Santa  Cruz)  island,  27  miles  northward  of  Charles, 
is,  after  Chatham,  stated  to  be  the  best  one  of  the  group.  There  is  a 
convenient  watering  place  in  a  small  creek  on  the  ISTE.  side.  The  island 
consists  of  one  large  mountain,  and  the  only  anchorage  appears  to  be 
on  its  northern  side  in  Conway  bay,  which  may  be  known  by  the  Guy 
Fawkes  islets,  a  straggling  group  lying  to  the  northward  of  it.  There 
is  good  landing  in  this  bay  for  boats. 

Duncan  (Finzon)  and  Barrington  (Santa  Fe)  islands  are  small, 
the  former  lying  6  nules  off  the  west,  and  the  latter,  900  feet  high,  is  10 
miles  off  the  SE.  of  Indefatigable  island. 

James  (San  Salvador)  island  is  a  high,  large,  and  well-wooded 
tract  of  ground,  or  rather  lava.  It  has  abundance  of  water  on  the 
higher  lands,  but  the  lower  parts  are  so  broken  and  dry  that  little  ever 
reaches  the  coast.  On  this  island  is  a  salt  lake,  a  circular  crater,  from 
which  salt  may  be  obtained. 

Anchorage. — ^The  best  anchorage  at  James  island  is  in  James  bay, 
on  the  west  side,  to  the  northward  of  the  highest  land,  a  remarkable 
sugarloaf.  Vessels  may  anchor  here  in  14  fathoms  within  a  mile  of  a 
sandy  beach,  with  Albany  island  off  the  crater  at  the  north  extreme  of 
the  bay,  bearing  North  (N.  9^  W.  mag.).  Sullivan  bay,  at  the  east  end 
of  James  island,  is  another  anchorage,  but  it  is  open  with  deep  water. 

Albemarle  (Isabela)  island  is  a  singular  mass  of  volcanic  ejections, 
and  may  (with  ISTarborough  island  to  the  westward)  be  described  as  six 
huge  craters,  whose  bases  are  united  from  their  own  overflowed  lava. 


408  galIpagos  islands. 

Tlie  sonthem  side,  which  is  exposed  to  the  trade  wind^  completely 
intercepting  it^  is  green  and  thickly  wooded  and  doubtless  has  fireali 
water;  bat  the  heavy  swell  prevented  the  examination  of  this  portion 
of  the  island^  which  is  so  low  as.  not  to  be  diaoeiuible.  until  the  mirf  is 
Sevan,  on  the  shore.. 

The  foiir.  Croasman  i0letS|;the  remains  of  volcanoes,  lie  near  the 
SE.  extreme,  and,  with  Brattle,  island,  are  extremely  us^ul  in  warning 
vessels  of  their  approach  to  tiiis  dangerous  piece  of  ooastb  A  Iohr 
swell  setting  toward  the  land  and  tiie  generally  light  winds  are  addi- 
tional reasons  for  avoiding  this  shore.  There  is,  however,  anchoraigein 
case  of  necessity. 

Esftex.  pointy  the  SW.  extreme  of  tiie  island,  is  high;  and  to  the 
neipth  of  it^  at  the  foot  of  the  highest  crater,  is  Iguana  cove,  a  wild- 
looking  anGhQrAge,;abounding  in  iguanas*  Northward  of  Iguana  cove 
is  Christopher  point,  the  south  extreme  of  Elizabeth  bay,  the  northern 
shore:  of  which  is  formed  by  Narborcmgh  island.  The  passage  between 
this  island  and  Albemarle  is  from  2  to  3  miles  wide. 

Webb  cave;, about  7  miles  norUiward  of  Ohristopher  point,  is  »  m<»re 
convenient  anchorage  than  Iguana  cove.  The  water  is  smoother  and 
the  positi(Hi  more  sheltered.  A  depth  of  25  fathoms  will  be  found  about 
200  yards  from  the  shore. 

Tag|iSvQove.^-"On  the  Albemarle  side  of  the  above  passage  is  Tagos 
cove,  a  snug  anchorage  formed  by  the  old  crater,  capable  of  containing. 
six  vessels  with  from  6.  to.  14  fathoms  of  w>ater.  There  are  no  dangers 
in  entering,  and  the  shores  around  it  ace  so  steep  as<  to  be  almost 
inaccessible. 

About  i  mile  SE.  of  the  southern  entrance  of  Tagus  cove,  and  a  fyw 
feet  above  high- water  mark,  a  supply  of  good,  fresh  water  may  be 
obtained  from  some  pools  in.  the  rocks  at.  the  mouth  of  two  narrow 
gullies,  where  there  is  a  fair  landings 

Baaks  bay>  between  Narborough  island  and  cape  Berkeley,  the  NW. 
point  of  Albemarle,  has  no  anchorage  in  it,  the  water  being  deep,  no 
bottom  with  150  fathoms  ^  mile  from  l^arborough.  Albemarle  point, 
the  northern  point  of  Albemarle  island,  has  a  reef  extending  one  mile 
off  it. 

Redonda  rock.— At  13  miles  U*  76o  W.  (IST.  84p  W.  mag.)  of  Albe- 
marle point  is  Bedonda  rock,  85  feet  high,: barren,  and  about  ^  mile  in 
circumference. 

Narborough  (Femandina)  island  is  a  great  volcano  3,720  feethigh, 
whose  base  is  surrounded  by  an  extensive  field  of  lava,, utterly  barren 
and  desolate. 

Abingdon  (Finta),,  Bindloe  (Marchena),  and  Tower.  ialaxkd%. 
respectively,  form  the  northern  side  of  this  group.  The  two  former 
are  of  a  similar  nature  to  the  other  islands,  but  the  latter  is  different^ 
being  low  and  flat. 

Anchorage. — There  is  a  fair  anchorage  in  7  to  15  fathoms;  bottom, 


IfALPELO   ISLAOT) GOCOB   ISLAND  409; 

sand  and  roek,  600  to  800  yarde  &om  the  shore,  abreai^  of  the  high 
cliff  on  the  west  side  of  Abingdon  island,  at  aboat  1^  miles  north  oi 
cape  Chalmers.  The  clifis,  nearly  1,000  feet  high,  appear  from  sea- 
ward almost  perpendicular  from  the  water,  bat  on  a  nearer  approach  a 
narrow  sloping  shelf  of  rock,  with  patehes  of  black  sandy  beaeh,  will 
be  seen  at  their  foot. 

Directioiis. — ^Making  this  anchorage^  from  the  south,,  if  cape  Chal- 
mers be  roanded  within  a  mile,  which  can  be  done  with  safety,  a  green 
patch  will  be  seen  nearly  at  the  foot  of  the  highest  cliff,  off  which,  and 
400  to^GOO  yards  to  the  north  of  it,  lis  the  anchorage;  soundings  will 
not  be  obtained  until  within  ^  mile  of  the  shore.  Landing  can  be 
effected  about  1^  miles  to  the  uorUiward  of  the  anchorage. 

Culpepper  and  Wenman,  two  small  rocky  and  barren  islets,  lying. 
N  W.  and  BMsy  20  miles  of  each  otiier,  complete  the  group.  Wenman  is 
75  miles  K.  by  W.  f  W.  of  Albemarle  point,  and  consists  of  three  islets  ^ 
and  a  large  rock  near  together.  They  appear  as  one  when  seen  from  a 
distance.  Culpepper  islet,  550  feet  high,  has  a  reef  off  its  SE.  extreme. 
Fish  and  fur  seal  are  plentiful  among  these  northern  islands. 

MALPELO  ISLAND. 

Description. — ^Malpelo  island,  in  latitude  3^  69'  K.,  lougitude  81o  34' 
W.,  and  about  250  miles  west  of  the  San  Juan  river,  is  a  barren,  high, 
perpendicular  rock,  which  may  be  seen  in  clear  weather  at  the  distance 
of  50  miles,  the  summit  being  846  feet  above  the  sea  level.  A  small 
quantity  of  green  moss  and  a  few  dwarf  bushes,  which  grow  in  its 
cracks  and  gullies,  afford  the  only  verdure  it  possesses.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  islets,  and  the  whole  may  extend  about  9  or  10  miles  from 
north  to  south.  The  center  of  the  island  bears  a  resemblance  in  several 
points  of  view  to  the  crown  of  a  head.  The  strong  currents  in  the 
vicinity  cause  the  appearance  of  breakers,  but  it  is  believed  to  be 
steep-to,  40  fathoms  being  found  alongside  of  the  island,  and  110  at  the 
distance  of  i  mile.    The  island  has  never  been  surveyed. 

COCOS  ISLAND. 
(B.  A.  Chart  No.  1936.) 

Description. — Cocos  island,  in  latitude  6o  32'  67"  K,  longitude  87° 
2'  10"  W.,  was  much  frequented  by  whaleships.  It  is  about  13  miles  in 
circumference,  high  on  the  western  side,  and  visible  from  a  distance 
of  60  miles.  Its  southern  side  has  not  been  examined,  but  it  consists  of 
steep  rugged  cliffs,  rising  abruptly  from  the  sea.  The  northern  coast 
is  indented  into  small  bays,  with  rocks  and  islets  lying  off  them. 

Good  water  is  plentiful  and  easily  procured.  Fish  are  abundant  but 
difficult  to  take,  and  wild  pigs  numerous.  The  cocoanut  trees,  formerly 
so  plentiful,  have  been  cut  down  for  fuel,  and  few  remain  that  are  acces- 
sible without  some  trouble.    There  is  generally  a  heavy  surf. 


410  COCOS  ISLAND. 

Chatham  bay,  on  the  NE.  side  of  Oocos  island,  affords  anchorage  in 
about  14  fathoms  i  mile  from  the  shore,  with  Oonic  island  off  the  eastern 
horn  of  the  bay  quite  open  of  the  land,  beariDg  S.  59^  £.  (S.  66<^  E. 
mag.),  and  the  sandy  beach  in  the  bight  of  the  bay,  near  which  is  the 
watering  place,  bearing  8.  20°  W,  (S.  13o  W.  mag.).  This  bay  is  open 
to  the  north.  The  prevailing  winds  are  south  and  SW.,  with  occasional 
squalls  from  the  NE.;  these,  however,  are  of  short  duration. 

IVafer  bay,  on  the  west  side  of  Oocos  island,  about  one  mile  west- 
ward of  Chatham  bay,  separated  from  it  by  a  neck  of  land,  is  by  no 
means  such  a  good  anchorage,  having  deeper  water,  and  the  heavy 
swell  which  occasionally  rolls  in  makes  landing  difficult.  Boat  rock, 
small  and  rugged,  lies  off  the  mouth  of  the  bay,  about  i  mile  north- 
ward of  Swaine  point. 

Off  Lionel  head,  the  western  part  of  the  island,  are  the  two  Wafer 
islets,  about  |  mile  from  the  shore. 

Tides. — It  is  high'  water,  full  and  change,  in  Ohatham  bay  at  2h. 
10m.;  springs  rise  about  10  feet.  The  ebb  runs  to  the  east;  the  flood, 
which  is  weaker,  sets  to  the  west. 

The  current  off  the  island  is  strong  and  irregular,  but  generally  run 
ning  to  the  northeastward  at  the  rate  of  2  knots  per  hour. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

COAST  OF  COLOMBIA-PORT  TUMACO  TO  MARIATO  POINT,  INCLUDING 

THE  PEARL  ISLANDS. 

G^eneral  description. — Oolombia,  formerly  the  Bepublic  of  "New 
Granada,  has  a  Pacific  coast  Hue  which  extends  from  Tamaco  on  the 
south  to  Oosta  Kica  on  the  north. 

It  comprises  the  following  nine  states:  Magdalena,  Bolivar,  Panama, 
Oaaca,  Antioquia,  Tolima,  Sautandar,  Bojaca,  and  Gandinamarca. 
The  territory  has  a  coast  line  on  the  Atlantic  side  extending  from  the 
isthmns  of  Panama  to  the  peninsala  of  Goajira  and  on  the  Pacific  side 
as  far  as  the  parallel  of  1^  50'  IST.  The  interior  extends  as  far  as  the 
upper  waters  of  the  western  tributaries  of  the  Orinoco  on  the  Venezue- 
lan and  the  northern  tributaries  of  the  Upper  Amazon  on  the  Brazilian 
frontier.    The  area  of  this  vast  region  is  about  504,773  square  miles. 

Chief  towns. — Bogota,  tlie  capital  and  seat  of  government,  with  a 
population  of  about  100,000,  stands  on  a  plateau  of  the  eastern  Cor- 
dillera at  an  elevation  of  8,700  feet  above  the  sea.  Colombia  possesses 
on  the  Pacific  no  important  town  or  seaport  except  Panama,  which  is 
an  old  Spanish  town,  with  a  negro  quarter,  and  extensive  ruins  cov- 
ered with  a  thick,  verdant  clothing  of  creeping  plants.  Baranquilla, 
with  a  population  of  about  11,000,  is  the  center  of  the  import  and 
export  trade  of  all  the  federate  states. 

Productions. — Colombia  possesses  extensive  forests.  Among  the 
trees  are  mahogany,  cedar,  fastic,  and  other  dyewoods  and  medicinal 
plants.  Its  mineral  productions  are  gold,  silver,  platinum,  copper,  iron, 
lead,  coal,  and  precious  stones.  The  agricultural  products  consist  of 
tobacco,  coffee,  cocoa,  plantains,  bananas,  vegetable  ivory,  and  indigo; 
also  wheat  and  other  cereals. 

Port  charges. — Tonnage  daes. — One  dollar  on  every  ton  of  cargo 
landed. 

Light  dues. — Five  cents  per  register  ton  for  the  first  100  tons  and 
2^  cents  for  each  ton  in  excess  of  100. 

Vessels  carrying  ice,  brick,  tiles,  or  in  ballast  are  free  of  tonnage 
dues;  also  steamers  carrying  the  Colombian  mails. 

Wind  and  weather. — After  passing  Guascama  point  the  wind 
becomes  more  variable  and  the  rain  falls  more  frequently  than  on  the 
coast  of  Ecuador.  It  is  a  very  wet  coast  where  there  is  abundant  rain 
throughout  the  year.  There  are  few  fine  days,  as  there  is  but  little 
difference  between  the  rainy  and  dry  seasons.    This  kind  of  a  climate 

iu 


412  COAST   OF   COLOMBIA. 

is  foand  as  far  as  cape  Oorrientes,  the  prevailiDg  wind  being  SW.^ 
althoagh  a  wind  from  KE.  is  not  rare. 

Between  cape  Oorrientes  and  Panama  the  prevailing  winds  are  from 
the  northwestward  from  October  to  Jane,  but  frequent  sqnalls  and  wet 
weather  from  the  8W.  between  June  and  October. 

Off  the  coast  between-  the  imrallels  of  2^  and  6°  N.  the  winds  are 
very  light,  especially  in  the  months  of  March,  April,  and  May. 

Currents. — The  Peruvian  current  divides  at  cape.Parihas,  one  branch 
setting  to  the  westward  and  the  other  along  this  coast.  It  is  about  00 
miles  broad  and  sets  steadily,  at  the  rate  of  24  to  36  miles  per  day,  into 
the  bay  of  Panama.  The  meeting  of  such  x>owerful  currents  as  the 
Mexican,  Pacific  counter,  and  Peruvian  currents  in  the  great  bight  at 
Panama  probably  accounts  for  the  variable  weather,  wi^  the  tropical 
squalls  and  conflicting  currents,  experienced  in  that  neighborhood. 

(H.  O.  Chart.  No.  1176.) 

Port  Tuxnaco,  the  boundary  town  of  Colombia,  is  formed  by  the 
three  islands  of  Tumaco,  Viciosa,  and  El  Morro,  lying  at  the  mouth  of 
Laboza  river,  and  may  be  recognized  by  the  white  cliff  on  the  1?E.  end' 
of  the  latter  island.  The  port  is  increasing  in  importance,  and  has  con'' 
siderable  convenience  for  transporting  merchandise  to  the  interior.  It 
is  well  supplied  with  fruit,  and  exports  timber  (chiefly  mangrove  and 
cedar),  coffee,  hides,  and  ivory  nuts. 

The  population  of  Tumaco  in  1876  was  about  1,100. 

La  Viuda  is  a  small  rock  lying  about  If  miles  NE.  of  El  Morro' 
island,  and  is  useful  as  indicating  the  position  of  the  entrance  to  port 
Tumaco.  Farallon  de  Gastillo,  about  60  feet  high,  is  a  similar  rock 
200  yards  off  the  north  point  of  El  Morro  island,  to  which  it  is  con- 
nected at  low  water.  There  is  a  channel  with  7  feet  water  in  it 
between  Yiciosa  and  El  Morro  islands,  and  also  a  boat  channel  from- 
the  boca  Grande. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  ftill  and  change,  in  port  Tumaco  at  2hi 
33m.;  springs  rise  12  feet. 

DIrectioiiB. — ^The  current  in  the  of&ng  will  be  found  setting  to  the 
northeastward.  Vessels  bound  to  Tumaco  should  make  Mangles  point, 
and  then  run  along  the  land  until  the  cliff  of  El  Morro  island  is  seen^ 
and  when  it  bears  S.  54<^  E.  (S.  60^  E.  mag.),  shape  a  course  so  as  to 
pass  midway  between  the  Farallon  de  Castillo  and  La  Yiuda  rock^ 
keeping,  if  anything,  nearer  the  former.  This  will  lead  through,  a 
channel  with  not  less  than  12  feet  at  low  water. 

Vessels  should  proceed  slowly,  bringing  the  SB.  point  of  Bl  Morro 
island  open  of  Vernicita  point,  bearing  S.  46^  W.  (S.  39^  W.  mag.),  and* 
steer  for  it  on  that  bearing  ujitil  within  400  yards  of  the  point  j  thence 
steer  toward  the  southern  shore;  and  when  the  red-topped  house  near 
the  center  of  the  town  opens  out  (there  is  also  a  small  red-topped  house 
close  to  the  south  end  of  the  town),  steer  toward  the  town,  keeping 
nearly  in  mid-channel,  borrowing  a  little  toward  the  El  Morro  shore. 

Oare  must  be  taken  not  to  bring  the  SE.  point  of  El  Morro  anything 


CASCAJAL   P0INT — GnOASCEAMA   POINT.  413 

southward  of  S.  45^  W.  (S.  39^  W,  mag.),  to  avoid  the  northern  end  of 
the  shoal  ground  on  the  south  side  of  this  channeL 

Bl  'Morro  Chioo,  the  S  W.  point  of  El  Morro  island,  should  be  rounded 
at  tiie  difttaxiee  of  100  yards,  when,  anchor  as  oonvenient.  Vessels 
should  moor  in  Port  Tumaco. 

X^  western  channel  leading  to  the  anchorage  is  dangerous  (18d4), 
and  no  longer  used  by  the  PiieifLc  Steam  Navigation  Gompany^s 
vessels. 

AikGlliorage.—StraDg€i?s  should  anchor  in  Tumaco  I'oad  in  12  fathoms, 
with  La  Viuda  rock  bearing  S.  82^  E.  (8.  88°  E.  mag.). 

Caaticm.— ^reat  care  must  be  taken  when  near  the  extensive  banks 
off  Yiciosa  and  Tumaco  islands,  after  passing  Boea  Grande,  as  they 
are  i^eep-to,  having  14  fathoms  within  ^  mile  of  thcdr  edge.  The 
chart,  however,  will  be  the  best  guide. 

Cascajal  point  is  9  miles  to  the  northward  of  El  Morro  island,  the 
Ooast  between  them  forming  a  deep  but  shoal  bay.  The  point  consists 
of  a  red-colored  clift',  with  two  hills  over  it,  forming  a  remarkable 
Mature  in  this  singularly  flat  country. 

The  coast  from  Cascajal  point  to  Guascama  point,  a  distance  of 
about  45  miles  in  a  NNE.  direction,  is  a  low  and  thickly  wooded  flat, 
forming  the  delta  of  Patia  river,  which  reaches  the  sea  at  this  })0iBt 
after  a  NW.  course  of  200  miles.  A  sand  spit,  which  dries  at  low 
water,  extends  seaward  2  miles  from  San  Ignacio  bay,  11  miles  uovth 
of  Oascajal  point.  The  whole  coast  between  Mangles  and  Guascama 
points  should  be  approached  with  great  caution,  as,  with  the  exception 
of  Bl  Morro  island  and  Oascajal  point,  it  is  a  dead  flat,  the  tree  tops 
being  the  first  points  seen  on  the  horizon.  The  lead  gives  but  little 
warning,  a  depth  of  20  fathoms  being  found  within  one  mile  of  the 
banks. 

Off  Guascama  point  the  bank  which  fronts  the  lowland  extends  4 
miles  from  the  shore,  and  so  runs  parallel  to  the  coast  of  the  Ohoco  bay 
the  whole  way  to  the  Buenaventura  river,  a  distance  of  110  miles. 
About  5  miles  eastward  of  Guascama  point  is  the  mouth  of  the  'Ban- 
guianga  river,  into  which  there  is  a  passage  through  the  breakers 
nearly  a  =mfle  wide,  with  a  depth  of  5J  fathoms  in  it.  The  coast  from 
this  to  the  Buenaventura  river  is  flat  and  monotonous,  with  the  single 
exception  of  Tortuga  peak,  a  small  wooded  hill,  21  miles  south  of  the 
river,  and  presents  a  most  uninviting  appearance,  being  low  mangrove 
land  converted  into  swamps  by  the  overflowing  of  the  numerous  rivers. 
In  clear  weather  a  distant  range  of  mountains  may  be  seen,  clothed  to 
their  summits  with  trees. 

There  are  no  less  than  fourteen  mouths  of  rivers  on*  this  length  of  the 
coast.  These  streams,  although  not  large  nor  deep  for  a  continent,  still 
draining  as  they  do  a  country  of  «ome  elevation,  send  a  considerable 
volume  of  water  into  the  sea;  and  in  the  offing,  freshets,  rolling  swells, 
and  numerous  trunks  of  trees  are  continually  met  with.  The  inhab' 
itants,  although  not  numerous,  are  yet  frequently  met  with,  and  during 


414  COAST   OF  COLOMBIA. 

the  survey  in  1846  a  house  was  generally  in  sight,  especially  at  the 
entrance  of  the  rivers. 

Current. — Inshore  the  flood  sets  NNB.  and  the  ebb  SW.  by  S.  about 
1^  miles  an  hour,  but  40  miles  from  the  coast  there  is  generally  a  set  to 
the  NB. 

G-orgona  island,  24  miles  ISB.  by  IN',  of  Ouascama  point,  is  about  5 
miles  long  '^l^E.  and  SSW.  by  i  mile  broad,  and  remarkable  for  its 
three  peaks,  the  highest  and  center  one  being  1,296  feet  high. 

Gorgonilla,  a  rocky  island,  about  one  mile  in  length,  lies  ofl:'  its  SW. 
end,  and  1^  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  southern  point  of  the  penin- 
sula is  La  Boca,  a  singular  sail  rock,  60  feet  high.  This  part  of  the 
island  should  not  be  approached  by  a  ship,  as  it  is  foul'and  rocky. 

Gorgona  is  a  beautiful  island,  well  watered,  and  productive  where  it 
has  been  cultivated.  Water  is  good  and  easily  obtained.  The  current 
off  the  island  sets  to  the  NE. 

Anchorage. — The  anchorage  is  off  Watering  bay,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  island,  in  30  fathoms,  about  ^  mile  from  the  shore. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Gorgona  island  at  4h. 
10m.;  springs  rise  10  feet 

Buenaventura  river,  in  the  bight  of  the  bay  of  Ohoco,  75  miles  N£. 
of  Gorgona  island,  is  a  broad  stream  navigable  by  vessels  drawiug  24 
feet  as  far  as  the  town,  a  distance  of  10  miles  from  the  mouth.  This  is 
a  port  with  great  nataral  advantages,  and  promises  to  become  a  con- 
siderable emporium  for  the  commerce  of  Colombia.  There  being  no 
communication  by  land  between  Panama  and  Bogota,  the  capital^  all 
traffic  in  the  Pacific  must  go  by  way  of  Buenaventura.  The  roads, 
however,  of  the  interior  are  a  great  bar  to  its  prosperity,  being  rugged 
and  difficult.  The  town  stands  on  the  south  bank,  but  at  present  it  is 
a  poor  collection  of  houses,  with  a  small  barrack,  battery,  customhouse, 
and  the  residence  of  the  governor,  inhabited  by  negroes  and  mulattoes 
to  the  number  of  about  1,200.  It  has,  however,  a  considerable  trade, 
importing  salt,  garlic,  straw  hats,  and  hammocks,  and  exporting  rum, 
sugar,  and  tobacco.  It  is  not  considered  healthy,  and  provisions  are 
scarce  and  expensive. 

The  Gulo  de  Barca  and  Yigia  de  San  Pablo  are  two  small  islands 
lying  close  off  the  north  shore  outside  the  entrance.  This  shore  is 
composed  of  red  sandstone  cliffs  crowned  with  trees.  The  Vigia,  which 
has  a  triangular  shape,  is  4  miles  westward  of  Basan  point,  the  north 
entrance  point  of  the  river,  and  the  Gulo  de  Barca  is  2  miles  farther  to 
the  westward.  There  is  a  good  stream  of  water  in  the  sandy  bay  west 
of  the  Vigia,  with  a  depth  of  3^  fathoms,  within  i  mile  of  the  shore,  and 
easy  landing. 

Basan  point  is  low  and  wooded,  with  a  few  houses  on  it.  Soldado 
point,  the  south  point  of  entrance,  is  low  and  covered  with  mangroves. 
The  river  between  these  points  is  deep  and  clear,  with  the  exception  of 
a  small  shoal  with  2  fathoms  on  it  off  Basan  point.    The  northern  shore 


BUENAVENTURA   RIVER.  415 

of  the  river  is  a  low  wooded  bank  with  an  occasional  cliflf,  but  the 
southern  is  a  mangrove  swamp  intersected  by  small  rivers,  with  the 
usual  mud  flat  in  front.  Limones  point  appears  like  a  bluff,  the  trees 
being  higher  on  its  extremity.  Outside  the  entrance,  southward  of 
Soldado  point,  is  a  shoal  bay,  with  breakers  extending  5  miles  from  the 
land. 

Oaptain  Mohrman,  of  the  German  bark  Atlanta j  has  written  some 
information  regarding  Buenaventura  as  late  as  1885,  and  says: 

^'Goming  from  the  south  one  makes  Gorgona  island  and  approaches 
the  coast  at  Agi  point  to  within  a  distance  of  6  or  7  miles.  At  this 
distance  the  low  coast  is  plainly  visible,  even  though  no  striking  laud- 
marks  are  to  be  seen.  The  current  here  sets  northeastwardly  along 
the  coast  with  a  velocity  of  a  mile  an  hour.  Having  approached  the 
coast  to  within  the  above-mentioned  distance,  then  set  the  course  for 
Piedra  point  or  Oulo  de  Barca,  on  the  northern  side  of  the  entrance  to 
the  bay,  where  in  clear  weather  the  coast  comes  in  sight  at  a  distance 
of  16  miles,  and  is  easily  to  be  recognized  5  miles  distant  by  the  red 
sandstone  rocks.  At  a  distance  of  4  or  5  miles  to  the  south  Piedra 
point  can  be  recognized,  but  Gulo  de  Barca  can  not  be  made  out  until 
it  is  passed.  Yigia  de  San  Pablo  lies  diagonally  across,  very  near  the 
coast,  and  is  the  same  height.  From  Piedra  point  the  course  leads 
along  the  coast  at  a  distance  from  it  of  one  mile  to  Basan  point. 

"Yigia  de  San  Pablo,  which  can  be  passed  at  a  distance  of  4  to  5 
ship's  lengths,  can  be  made  out  clearly  3  to  4  miles  away. 

"Basan  point  is  low  and  sandy,  but  can  be  made  out  from  Vigia  de 
San  Pablo  on  account  of  several  cocoanut  trees  and  two  huts  which 
stand  on  it. 

"  Especial  attention  must  be  called  to  the  fact  that  a  ship  must  go 
within  at  least  a  mile  of  Piedra  point  and  Oulo  de  Barca,  on  the  north- 
ern side  of  the  bay,  as  on  the  opposite  coast,  next  Soldado  point,  sand 
banks,  dry  at  low  water,  stretch  out  into  the  sea  for  from  4  to  5  miles. 
The  charts  at  this  part  are  not  quite  correct. 

"During  our  stay  at  Buenaventura,  from  March  to  April,  1884,  the 
changes  from  land  to  sea  breeze  set  in  quite  fresh  usually  at  11  a.  m. 
The  land  breeze,  however,  was  faint  and  uncertain. .  The  latter  fact 
often  makes  it  difl&cult  for  a  ship  to  leave  this  port.  To  go  from  Buena- 
ventura to  Soldado  point  one  is  entirely  dependent  on  the  current, 
which  runs  out  with  a  velocity  of  from  2  to  3  miles  an  hour." 

Retriever  rock,  with  2  fathoms  over  it  at  low  water,  lies  in  the 
fairway  of  the  north  channel  into  the  river,  with  Basan  point  lying  IST. 
560  E  (N.  490  E.  mag.),  distant  1^  mUes,  and  Soldado  point  S.  6O0  B. 
(S.  660  E.  mag.). 

It  is  recommended  to  use  the  south  channel. 

Telegraph  cable. — The  cable  is  laid  from  Magdalena  point,*  north- 
ward of  Palmas  islands,  passes  400  yards  southward  of  Culo  de  Barca, 
thence  south wai:d  of  Vigia  de  San  Pablo,  to  the  shore  of  Buenaventura. 


416  COAST  OP   COLOMBIA. 

NegnUas  rodUK  lying  8  miles  WNW.  of  Galo  de  Barca  island,  and 
fronting  Magdalena  bay,  tbrm  a  low  and  dangeroas  reef,  about  2  miles 
in  Gurcamference,  eonsisting  of  one  large  and  several  d^acbed  rocks, 
nearly  eovered  at  high  water.  They  shoald  not  be  approached  under 
a  depth  of  10  fatiioms,  especially  in  the  thick  weather  so  freqaeutly 
met  with  on  this  coast. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  fall  and  change,  off  the  entrance  of  the 
Buenaventara  at  4h«,  bnt  at  the  town  it  is  said  to  be  at  6h.;  springs 
rise  13  feet.  The  streams  are  regular,  the  ebb  setting  fairly  out  of 
the  river,  and  running  2  knots;  the  first  of  the  flood  comes  from  the 
northward,  and  its  rate  is  rather  more  than  one  knot. 

DireK}tioiiB. — ^This  river  may  be  recognized  by  the  red  sandstone 
cliffs  on  the  north  shore  outside  the  entrance,  the  more  remarkable  as 
they  are  first  met  with  northward  of  Gascajal  point.  Large  vessels 
bound  for  Buenaventura  should  make  these  cliffs,  and  thus  avoid  the 
shoal  and  dangerous  bay  south  of  Soldado  point,  taking  care  at  the 
same  time  to  avoid  Kegrillas  rocks.  They  should  not,  however,  approach 
the  cliffs  within  8  miles,  nor  go  into  less  than  5  fathoms,  and  anchor 
with  Piedra  point,  the  western  extreme  of  the  cliffs,  bearing  K.  6^  B. 
(l^orth  mag.)  and  the  entrance  of  the  river  N.  73°  E.  (N.  67^  E.  mag.), 
or  proceed  up  the  river  with  Limones  point,  open  north  of  Soldado 
point,  bearing  1^.  71<=*  E.  (N.  65^  E.  mag.),  and  anchor  midway  between 
Basan  and  Soldado  points  in  10  or  11  fathoms. 

Small  vessels  may  approach  the  land,  and  run  along  at  a  distance  of 
i  mile  from  the  cliffs  as  far  as  Basan  x>oint.  Anchor  after  pas^g 
Arena  point.  It  is  a  free-port,  and  vessels  are  not  liable  for  any  tonnage 
or  entrance  dues.    There  are  no  pilots. 

Magdalena  bay  is  a  deep  and  spacious  inlet  to  the  northward  of 
Piedra  point.  It  was  not  examined  beyond  the  enta*ance  in  the  survey 
of  1846.  Unlike  the  rest  of  this  coast,  its  shores  are  cliffs  of  a  moder- 
ate height,  crowned  with  trees.  It  may  be  entered  to  the  eastward  or 
northward  of  Palmas  island,  but  the  passage  to  the  westward  between 
the  island  and  Kegrillas  rocks  is  rather  shoal.  The  northern  is  the 
best,  between  the  island  and  Magdalena  point,  a  good  leading  mark 
for  which  is  the  northern  rock  oft*  the  island  on  with  the  south  cliff 
of  Mangrove  bay,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  inlet.  This  will  lead  to 
abreast  of  Magdalena  point,  from  which  all  is  clear,  and  a  course  may 
be  steered  to  any  convenient  anchorage.  The  bank  on  the  west  side 
of  Magdalena  point  has  extended  nearly  a  mile  to  the  westward. 

A  rock  lies  in  the  middle  of  the  entrance  to  the  bay  1,400  yards  from 
the  north  extreme  of  Palmas  island,  bearing  N".  S4P  W.  (West  mag.). 

Magdalena  bay  forms  a  snug-looking  harbor,  nearly  3  miles  wide  at 
the  entrance  and  some  20  m^es  deep.  It  is  inhabited  by  a  dozen  or  4m^o 
indianB,  speaking  Spanish.  The  bay  is  studded  with  islets.  The  tide 
runs  ebb  for  «even  hours  and  flood  for  five. 

island  is  small  and  bold,  with  detached  rocks  off  each 


SAN   JUAN   RIVER — CHIRAMBIRA   RIVER.  417 

extreme;  the  eastern  and  northern  sides  appear  clear,  but  the  sound- 
iqgs  are  shoal  and  irregular  in  the  direction  of  the  Kegrillas  rocks. 
The  channel  between  it  and  the  coast  to  the  eastward  is  1^  miles  wide, 
and  forms  a  good  entrance  to  Magdalena  bay  for  vessels  drawing  less 
than  20  feet.    Wood  and  water  may  be  obtained. 

Delta  of  San  Juan  river. — ^About  2  miles  to  the  northward  of  Mag- 
dalena point  the  cliffs  cease,  and  the  low-river  mangrove  coast  recom- 
mences, running  in  a  NNW.  direction  to  Ohirambira  point,  a  distance  of 
25  miles,  forming  the  delta  of  the  San  Juan  river.  The  water  shoals 
quickly  on  approaching  the  coast,  there  being  20  fathoms  at  3  miles 
off  shore. 

The  San  Juan  river  is  a  considerable  stream,  said  to  communicate 
during  the  rainy  season  with  the  Atrato  river  (which  flows  into  the 
Atlantic)  by  means  of  a  canal  in  latitude  6o  10'  N.,  near  the  towns  of 
Oitera  and  Novita. 

Chirambira  point  forms  the  only  harbor  and  convenient  landing 
place  between  Magdalena  bay  and  cape  Oorrientes.  The  point  has 
nothing  to  distinguish  it,  a  rounding  series  of  low  spits  running  one  into 
the  other  being  all  that  can  be  seen.  There  is  a  considerable  set  from 
the  river,  and  the  bottom  off  the  entrance  is  uneven. 

Anchorage  may  be  had  by  vessels  drawing  less  than  15  feet  of  water 
inside  Ohirambira  point,  but  the  passage  should  not  be  attempted  by  a 
stranger,  the  tides  running  with  considerable  force  and  the  channel 
not  being  600  yards  wide.  The  river  is  not  deep  inside,  the  principal 
branch  only  having  a  depth  of  4  or  6  feet  at  a  distance  of  3  miles  from 
its  mouth;  the  water,  however,  is  fresh  half  that  distance.  There  are 
a  few  houses  on  the  north  bank  and  a  distillery.  Beef,  pigs,  and  vege- 
tables can  be  obtained,  but  are  dear,  and  two  or  three  days*  notice  is 
required  to  send  up  the  river  for  them. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Ohirambira  point  at 
6h. ;  springs  rise  12  feet.  The  ebb  stream  is  much  stronger  than  the 
flood;  this,  however,  does  not  extend  far  from  the  mouth  of  the  river. 

The  coast  from  Ohirambira  point  trends  northward  to  cape  Oorri- 
entes, a  distance  of  73  miles;  it  is  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  Ohoco 
bay,  being  low  land  with  numerous  rivers.  It  is  less  shoal  and  swampy, 
breakers  being  found  only  off  the  entrance  of  the  rivers,  many  of  which 
could  be  entered  by  a  boat  taking  the  ordinary  precautions  for  crossing 
the  bar.  The  water  also  shoals  more  gradually,  there  being  2  fathoms 
generally  within  one  mile  of  the  beach,  and  occasionally  much  nearer. 
There  is  a  low  table  land  to  the  northward  of  the  Usaraga  river,  about 
midway  between  Ohirambira  point  and  cape  Oorrientes;  two  low  peaks 
are  also  seen  to  the  northward  of  the  Usaraga  river  abreast  the  Baudo 
and  Oatripe  rivers,  about  halfway  to  the  cape;  these  are  the  only  ele- 
vationsj  as  the  mountain  range  visible  in  the  bay  of  Ohoco  was  not  seen 
on  this  part  of  the  coast.    Houses  are  frequently  found;  especially 

1943— No.  89 27 


418  COAST   OF   COLOMBIA. 

at  the  mouths  of  the  rivers;  inhabitants,  however,  generally  avoid 
communication. 

Cabita  bay,  on  the  south  side  of  cape  Gorrientes,  although  open  to 
the  southward,  forms  a  good  anchorage  and  watering  place.  Vessels 
may  lie  in  18  fathoms  about  J  mile  from  the  stream  in  the  bight  of  the 
bay.  On  the  eastern  side  of  the  bay  the  bold  land  suddenly  terminates, 
and  a  beach  and  low  river  land  commences,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
the  cliffs  north  of  the  Buenaventura  river  and  those  of  Cascajal  point, 
extend  as  far  south  as  the  Esmeraldas  river,  a  distance  of  400  miles. 
About  5  miles  to  the  SB.  of  the  watering  place  is  the  mouth  of  the 
Jeya  river,  to  the  southward  of  which  is  a  remarkable  perforated  rock 
named  Iglesia  de  Sevira.  There  are  a  few  houses  in  the  bay,  bat  the 
inhabitants  are  timid. 

Cape  Corrientes,  easily  known  by  the  dome-like  peaks  of  Anana, 
about  1,500  feet  high,  which  rise  directly  over  it,  is  the  first  high  land 
north  of  mount  Monte  Ohristo,  and  generally  makes  like  an  island  from 
the  southward.  It  is  densely  wooded  from  the  summit  to  high- water 
mark,  the  almost  constant  rains  giving  a  bright-green  color  to  the 
peaks.  Alusea  point,  8  miles  to  the  northward,  forms  the  extreme  of 
this  remarkable  promontory.  There  appears  to  be  a  constant  north- 
erly set  in  the  vicinity  of  the  cape. 

The  coast  from  Alusea  point  trends  to  the  northeastward  for  14 
miles  to  the  entrance  of  the  Nuqui  river,  a  small  mountain  stream,  the 
shore  between  being  alternate  bluffs  and  sandy  beaches,  with  a  fevr 
small  streams  similar  to  the  Nuqui.  About  7  miles  north  of  the  Nuqui 
is  a  cluster  of  high  rocks  2  miles  off  the  Chiru  river,  another  of  the 
mountain  streams;  and '3  miles  to  the  northward  of  these  rocks  is 
the  morro  Chico,  a  pinnacle  of  a  similar  nature.  From  thence  the  coast 
runs  in  the  same  direction,  high,  rugged,  and  woody,  for  nearly  8  miles, 
to  the  entrance  of  Port  Utria. 

Port  XTtria,  to  the  NE.  of  cape  Oorrientes,  is  a  snug  creek-like  har- 
bor, about  3  miles  long  in  a  northerly  direction  by  i  mile  broad,  with 
an  average  depth  of  12  fathoms.  It  is  formed  to  the  eastward  of  a 
lofty  but  narrow  peninsula,  which  has  two  islets  and  some  detached 
rocks  off  its  south  extreme.  The  entrance  to  the  port  is  to  the  south- 
ward of  these,  with  no  hidden  dangers,  the  shore  being  steep-to.  The 
eastern  side  is  a  sandy  beach  running  out  to  a  spit,  2J  miles  within  the 
entrance.  At  this  point  the  harbor  is  only  J  mile  across,  but  opens  out 
after  passing  it,  forming  a  commodious  basin. 

This  port  will  be  easily  known  by  Playa  Baia,  a  beach  about  4  miles 
long  fringed  with  cocoanut  trees,  to  the  northward  of  the  peninsula,  the 
land  behind  it  being  low,  and  its  extreme  is  the  mouth  of  the  little  Baia 
'  river,  with  a  rocky  islet  lying  off  it. 

Solano  point,  12  miles  northward  of  the  Baia  river,  is  a  long,  rocky, 
tongue-like  projection,  forming  the  western  side  of  the  deep  bay  of 
Solano.    Extending  1 J  miles  from  the  point  is  a  reef  consisting  of  rocky 


SOLANO   BAY — OCTAVIA   BAY.  419 

patches,  with  deep  water  between,  which  should  be  carefully  avoidedi 
The  coast  southward  of  this  point  is  high  and  rocky,  with  occasional 
small  beaches.  There  is  a  patch  of  rocks  600  yards  from  the  shore 
about  6  miles  to  the  southward,  and  the  water  is  deep — 40  fathoms 
within  a  mile  of  the  coast. 

Solano  bay  is  a  spacious  but  deep  anchorage  formed  by  Solano  point 
on  the  S W.  and  a  lofty  promontory,  which  juts  out  some  3  miles,  on  the 
north.  It  abounds  in  fish,  wood,  water,  and  a  great  quantity  of  wild 
cocoanut  palms.  There  are  also  large  groves  of  vegetable  ivory.  South 
of  the  north  point  of  the  bay  2  miles  is  a  small  chain  of  rocky  islets 
called  Sugarloaf. 

Chili  Ghiri  bay  is  about  10  miles  KKE.  of  the  Sugarloaf  islets.  The 
bay  is  nearly  4  miles  wide  and  over  a  mile  deep.  It  is  directly  open  to 
the  westward.  The  southern  half  of  the  head  of  the  bay  is  a  sandy 
beach,  with  Chorito  river  at  its  southern  and  Chiri  Chiri  river  at  its 
northern  end.  Off  the  Chorito  entrance  are  some  rocks  and  a  small 
islet  4  mile  off  shore.  Along  the  northern  shore  of  the  bay  are  some 
outlying  reefs,  and  a  spit  extends  SSE.  J  mile  from  the  middle  point 
of  this  shore. 

Tides. — ^It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  3h.  30m. ;  springs  rise 
13  feet. 

V 

Capica  bay,  22  miles  northward  of  Solano  point,  is  one  of  the  best 
anchorages  on  the  coast.  It  was  one  of  the  points  proposed  for  the 
junction  of  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans  by  means  of  a  canal  to 
the  Naipe  river. 

Anchorage. — ^Vessels  may  anchor  in  any  part  of  Cupica  bay  in  con- 
venient depth  of  water,  the  bay  being  only  exposed  to  southerly  winds. 
The  head  of  Cupica  bay  is  a  small  beach  4^  miles  long,  at  the  western 
extreme  of  which  is  th«  Cupica  river.  On  its  banks  there  is  a  small 
village  J  vegetables  and  fresh  provisions  may  be  obtained  here.  The 
houses  are  built  on  piles. 

Cruces  point  is  lofty,  with  outlying  islets  extending  2  miles  to  the 
southward. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Cupica  bay  at  3h.  30m.; 
springs  rise  13  feet. 

The  current  in  the  ofing  sets  to  the  northward. 

Octavia  bay. — From  Cruces  point  the  coast  trends  to  the  KN"W.  14 
miles,  as  far  as  cape  Marzo,  which  is  of  a  similar  nature,  having  detached 
islets  extending  IJ  miles  to  the  southward,  and  also  a  bay  to  the  east- 
ward named  Octavia,  which,  although  smaller  that  Cupica,  yet  like 
it  possesses  convenient  depth  for  anchorage.  In  addition  to  these 
detached  islets,  there  are  high,  barren  rocks  of  fantastic  shapes  lying 
about  IJ  miles  to  the  southward  of  them,  the  passage  between  being 
deep  and  clear. 

The  coast  on  the  western  side  of  cape  Marzo  is  bold  and  rugged,  but 
thickly  wooded,  running  in  a  northerly  direction  for  nearly  8  miles^ 


420  C0A8T  OP  COLOMBIA. 

where  there  are  detached  islets,  lying  one  mile  from  the  coast,  with  16 
fathoms  inshore  of  them.  From  thence  the  coast  bends  sharply  to  the 
eastward  for  2  miles,  the  cliffs  ceasing  at  the  mouth  of  the  Gorredor 
river,  a  small  stream  easily  entered  by  a  boat,  from  which  a  continuous 
line  of  beach,  with  low  lands  behind  it,  extends  to  the  N  W.  for  14  miles, 
as  far  as  Ardita  bay.  On  this  part  of  the  coast  are  the  mouths  of  two 
small  streams,  the  Ourachichi  and  the  Ouredo,  both  of  which  are  barred. 
This  whole  coast,  like  that  to  the  southward,  is  thinly  inhabited,  huts 
being  generally  found  in  the  bays  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  numerous 
small  rivers.  In  Ardita  bay,  which  may  be  known  by  a  small  islet 
lying  off  it,  several  canoes  were  seen;  and  some  little  distance  inland 
is  a  village  called  Jorado.  From  Ardita  bay  to  Pinas  point,  a  distance 
of  32  miles,  the  coast  is  high,  rugged,  and  thickly  wooded,  having  deep 
water  close  to  the  shore,  with  the  exception  of  two  small  bays  about 
21  miles  to  the  northward  of  Ardita.  The  northern  one,  Ousgava,  has 
convenient  anchorage.  There  is  also  a  beach  directly  south  of  Pinas 
point. 

Pinas  bay,  about  3  miles  northward  of  Pinas  point,  is  the  best 
anchorage  between  Octavia  bay  and  Garachine  point.  It  is  2  miles 
deep  by  1^  miles  wide,  with  an  average  depth  of  10  fathoms,  but  is 
open  to  the  SW.,  from  which  quarter  there  are  occasional  squalls  in 
the  wet  season,  which  throw  in  a  considerable  swell.  The  head  of  the 
bay  is  a  beach,  little  more  than  one  mile  in  length,  with  low  land 
behind  it;  the  sides  of  the  bay  are  high  and  rocky.  Good  water  may 
be  obtained  from  a  spring  running  into  the  sea  at  the  west  extreme  of 
the  beach,  protected  from  the  sw^  by  a  small  peninsula  on  its  western 
side. 

Anchorage. — ^Vessels  may  anchor  about  i  mile  from  the  watering 
place  in  8  fathoms.  In  the  wet  season  they  should  keep  more  on  the 
west  side  of  the  bay,  in  12  fathoms,  with  the  end  of  the  small  peninsula 
bearing  about  N.  by  £.  Off  the  western  point  of  the  bay  are  the 
Oentinelas,  two  high,  barren  rocks. 

G-arachine  or  South  bay.— From  Pinas  bay  a  high,  bold,  and 
wooded  coast  trends  35  miles  northward  to  Garachine  point,  the  eastern 
entrance  point  of  Panama  bay.  About  3  miles  SW.  of  the  point  is 
cape  Escarpado,  off  which  is  an  islet  named  Gajuala.  The  land  over 
Garachine  point  is  lofby.  Mount  Zapo  is  a  sharp,  conical  peak  rising 
to  an  elevation  of  about  3,000  feet  above  the  sea.  Garachine  bay,  12 
miles  across,  lying  to  the  ]!s£.  of  the  point,  is  shoal,  the  shore  being 
low  mangrove  land,  forming  the  mouths  of  the  Sambu  river,  with  mud 
banks,  extending  3  miles  from  the  coast.  Three  mouths  open  into  the 
bay.  At  the  entrance  to  the  western  is  the  village  of  Garachine,  a 
small  collection  of  huts.  Between  Garachine  and  Patena  points  is 
a  bank  6^  miles  long,  with  patches  of  15  feet  of  water  on  it,  and  4  and 
5  fathoms  inside;  and  4  miles  K  49°  W.  (K.  64°  W.  mag.)  of  the  former 
point  is  a  small  patch  of  4^  fathoms,  with  6  and  8  fathoms  close-to. 
Vessels  may  anchor  close  off  these  points  in  convenient  depths. 


OULf*  OF   PANAMA.  421 

GULP  AND  BAY  OF  PANAMA. 

(H.  O.  Chart  No.  1019.) 

General  description. — ^By  the  isthmus  of  Panama  is  sometimes 
understood  the  whole  neck  of  land  between  the  continent  of  l^orth  and 
South  America^  generally  the  name  is  restricted  to  the  narrow  cross- 
ing from  Panama  to  Oolon,  or  Aspinwall,  the  two  other  narrowest 
crossings  being  distinguished  as  the  isthmus  of  San  Bias  (31  miles) 
and  the  isthmus  of  Darien  (46  miles),  l^early  the  whole  isthmus  con- 
stitutes a  state  of  Colombia,  extending  from  the  frontiers  of  Costa  Bica 
to  those  of  the  state  of  Ganca.  Total  population  of  the  isthmus  in 
1870  was  221,062. 

Garacbine  point  on  the  east,  and  cape  Mala  on  the  west,  may  be  taken 
as  the  limits  of  what  is  known  as  the  gulf  of  Panama.  These  points 
lie  ENE.  and  WSW.,  103  miles  apart.  The  depth  of  the  gulf  within 
this  line  is  about  80  miles,  the  city  of  Panama  being  at  its  head,  and 
Panama  bay  is  the  space  between  the  main  and  the  Pearl  islands. 

Climate. — The  geographical  position  of  the  isthmus  of  Panama,  the 
absence  of  high  mountains,  and  the  vast  extent  of  forests  and  other 
uncultivated  parts  tend  t6  produce  a  hot  and  rainy  climate,  which, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  localities,  as  Ghagres,  Golon,  and  Puerto 
Gabello,  is  more  healthy  and  more  favorable  to  Europeans  than  that  of 
most  tropical  countries.  Diseases  of  the  digestive  and  integumentary 
systems  are  common,  and  malarial  fevers,  often  of  a  most  pernicious 
type,  prevail  throughout  the  year.  The  rainy  season  is  the  most  un- 
healthy, especially  at  its  end  when  the  weather  is  changing.  Yellow 
fever  has  prevailed  at  times  in  an  epidemic  form.  On  board  ship, 
Panama  is  the  most  healthy  place  on  the  coast  of  Gentral  America. 
Vessels  of  war  have  remained  here  many  months  at  a  time,  their 
crews  continuing  in  a  healthy  state. 

The  wet  season  commences  in  May  and  lasts  till  November.  The 
rainfall  gradusrily  increases  until  it  is  fairly  established  in  June,  and 
continues  through  July,  August,  and  September,  with  strong  southerly 
winds.  In  December  the  rains  cease;  the  NW.  and  N"KW.  winds  set 
in,  producing  an  immediate  change.  During  the  dry  season  regular 
land  and  sea  breezes  blow.  The  sea  breeze  sets  in  about  10.30  a.  m. 
from  SS W.,  and  generally  increases  in  force  until  about  3.30  p.  m.,  after 
which  it  gradually  subsides,  and  at  sundown  is  quite  calm. 

About  the  end  of  June  the  rains  are  regularly  suspended  for  a  short 
time.    The  average  temperature  of  the  year  is  very  high. 

Winds. — The  navigation  of  the  approaches  to  the  gulf  of  Panama 
becomes  to  a  sailing  vessel  one  of  the  most  tedious,  uncertain,  and  vex- 
atious undertakings  known  to  the  seaman.  Between  cape  Gorrientes 
and  Panama  the  prevalent  winds  are  from  the  northward  and  west- 
ward, with  frequent  squalls  from  the  SW.  between  the  months  of  June 
and  October.  In  the  gulf  of  Panama  the  winds  are  regulated  by  the 
seasons;  the  prevalent  wind  is  from  the  northward.    In  the  fine  season. 


422  GULP   OP   PANAMA. 

commencing  in  December,  the  winda  are  regular  and  constant,  bringing 
fine,  dry  weather.  To  the  southward  of  the  gultthey  blow  much 
harder,  and  off  the  coast  of  Veragua  a  double  reefed  topsail  breeze  ia 
January  and  February  is  not  uncommon.  In  April  and  May  the  north- 
erly winds  are  less  regular  and  have  more  westings  in  them,  with  calms, 
light  sea  and  land  breezes,  with  occasional  squalls  from  the  southwest- 
ward.  In  June  the  rainy  season  sets  in  and  the  southerly  winds  become 
stronger,  still  the  FW.  wind  occurs  at  times,  and  vessels  sailing  from 
Panama  at  all  seasons  will  generally  have  a  fair  wind  until  south  of 
cape  Mala. 

Between  the  GalApagos  islands  and  the  coast  westward  of  the  merid- 
ian of  800  w,  and  south  of  the  parallel  of  5^  K.  the  winds  are  between 
south  and  west  all  the  year  around,  and,  except  between  the  months  of 
February  and  June,  they  are  of  sufficient  strength  and  duration  to 
make  navigation  easyj  but  northward  of  latitude  5^  N.  and  between 
80°  W.  and  110^  W.  is  a  region  of  calms  and  doldrums  accompanied 
by  rains  and  squalls. 

Currents. — The  gulf  of  Panama  is  subject  to  irregular  currents^ 
partly  caused  by  the  formation  of  the  land  and  partly  influenced  by  the 
Peruvian  and  Mexican  streams,  according,  to  the  varying  strength  of 
each.  Malpelo  island  is  surrounded  by  atrong  and  rapid  currents. 
These  have  been  observed  to  set  in  opposite  directions,  sometimes  to 
the  NE.  and  sometimes  to  the  8W.  A  steady  current  has  been  found 
to  set  to  the  northward  after  passing  San  Lorenzo  point,  at  the  rate  of 
24  to  36  miles  per  day,  and  extending  off  shore  about  60  miles.  This 
stream  runs  along  the  coast,  following  the  direction  of  the  land,  enters 
and  makes  a  complete  circuit  of  the  gulf  and  the  bay  of  Panama,  and 
then  sets  with  considerable  force,  especially  in  the  dry  season,  to  the 
southward  down  the  western  side  of  the  bay. 

Alter  passing  cape  Mala  it  meets  the  Mexican  current  from  the 
WNW,,  causing  tide  rips,  eddies,  and  the  short,  choppy  sea  met  with 
at  the  entrance  to  the  gulf. 

San  Miguel  bay. — The  entrance  to  this  bay  is  6J  miles  wide  between 
the  Paul  rocks  off  San  Lorenzo  point  on  the  nortt  and  Patena  point  on 
the  south.  Off  San  Lorenzo  point  is  Iguana  island,  and  4  miles  to  the 
northward  the  mouth  of  the  Congo  river.  From  Iguana  island  the  bay 
expands,  being  nearly  11  miles  across.  At  7  miles  to  the  l^E.  is  Pierce 
point,  a  rocky  projection  on  the  north  shore;  the  eastern  side  has 
plenty  of  water  along  it.  Off  Patena  point,  which  is  just  separated 
from  the  main,  there  is  no  known  danger.  At  2^  miles  inside  this  is 
Colorado  point,  bold  and  rocky  with  a  conspicuous  patch  of  reddish 
clay  on  its  face,  the  coast  between  forming  a  bay.  The  land  then  for 
IJ  miles  gradually  gets  lower  to  Corales  (Hamilton)  point,  when  it 
falls  back  to  the  eastward  and  bends  around  again  to  the  north,  form- 
ing a  bay  3J  miles  across,  with  low  mangrove  shores,  having  a  village 
and  anchorage  in  it.    There  are  some  ledges  of  rocks  in  this  bay  that 


CEDAR  ISLAND — ^BOCA  CHICA.  423 

do  not  always  show.    Great  caution  is  necessary  in  using  it,  and  a  boat 
should  first  be  sent  in  to  point  out  the  deep  water. 

Buey  bank. — ^Buey  bank  is  an  extensive  shoal,  drying  in  patches  at 
low  water,  on  which  a  heavy  sea  breaks.  Its  inner  edge  lies  liV  miles 
SW.  of  San  Lorenzo  point,  the  passage  between  having  4J  fathoms  of 
water  in  it  and  generally  a  heavy  swell.  A  spit  with  12  feet  of  water 
extends  1^  miles  off  the  SW.  end  of  the  bank,  and  as  4^  fathoms  of 
water  only  are  found  6  miles  SW.  of  it,  vessels  should  not  stand  in 
within  that  depth. 

Marks. — Colorado  point  kept  open  of  Patena  point  bearing  IS.  50°  B. 
{IS.  450  E.  mag.)  is  a  good  mark  to  clear  the  Buey  bank  and  also  for 
running  into  San  Miguel  bay. 

Cedar  (Washington)  island,  nearly  3^  miles  NE.  of  Gorales  point,  is 
^  mile  in  diameter  and  densely  wooded,  with  several  islets  and  rocks 
south  of  it.  The  channel  up  San  Miguel  bay  is  northward  of  this 
island,  between  it  and  Jones  island,  a  conspicuous  little  rock  about  20 
feet  high  and  covered  with  grass. 

The  coast  irom  abreast  Cedar  island  takes  a  northerly  direction  for 
about  5  mUes  to  Stanley  island.  In  this  space  are  several  little  bays 
lined  with  mangrove,  the  points  generally  being  of  small  elevation, 
rocky,  and  covered  with  bush.  The  channel  is  between  the  coast  and 
a  group  of  islands  on  the  west  as  far  as  Strain  island,  the  eastern  of 
the  group.  This  little  island  is  about  25  feet  high,  covered  with  trees 
and  scrub,  and  surrounded  by  a  ledge  of  rocks  extending  a  short  dis- 
tance off  it  toward  the  channel,  but  connected  by  mud  banks  with  two 
islands  westward  of  it. 

Barry  rock,  20  feet  high  and  covered  with  cacti,  lying  about  j^  mile 
from  the  eastern  shore,  contracts  the  channel  to  f  mile  in  width.  Ap- 
parently there  is  deep  water  all  round  this  rock,  but  the  passage  on  its 
west  side  is  the  most  direct.  The  channel  continues  of  about  the  same 
breadth  to  Virago  point,  a  distance  of  2J  miles. 

Stanley  island,  a  low,  wooded  island,  divides  the  channel  into  two 
passages,  both  leading  into  Darien  harbor,  the  principal  one,  or  boca 
Grande,  being  a  continuation  of  San  Miguel  bay  in  a  northerly  direction 
past  the  west  and  north  sides  of  Stanley  island,  and  the  other,  or  boca 
Ohica,  between  its  southern  side  and  Virago  point.  The  latter  channel, 
although  much  shorter,  is  too  narrow  for  a  sailing  vessel  to  use  with 
safety  on  account  of  the  rapid  tide. 

Boca  Chica  has  two  dangerous  ledges  of  rock  at  its  outer  entrance, 
one  on  each  side,  the  passage  between  them  being  about  i  mile  wide. 
The  southern  ledge  (Columbia  rock)  lies  nearly  200  yards  west  of 
Virago  point,  and  only  shows  at  low  water,  springtides.  Foly  rock, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  entrance,  uncovers  at  half  tide  about  400  yards 
from  the  shore  of  Stanley  island.  The  middle  of  Mary  island,  the  north- 
ern of  the  group  before  mentioned,  kept  in  line  with  the  l^W.  extremity 
of  Jorey  island,  bearing  S.  58^  W,  (S.  53^  W.  mag.),  clears  the  rocks  in 


424  GULP   OP  PANAMA. 

the  entrance  to  boca  Ohica.  A  small  ledge  runs  oat  a  short  distance 
from  Dona  Vista,  the  SE.  point  of  Stanley  island,  haying  passed  which, 
the  vessel  will  be  in  Darien  harbor,  and  may  anchor  as  convenient  in 
5  and  10  fathoms  of  water,  sand,  and  mnd.  The  boca  Ohica  is  not 
recommended  unless  used  at  slack  water,  for  daring  the  strength  of  the 
tide  it  rans  6  or  7  knots,  the  eddies  making  the  steering  difficult. 

Boca  Grande. — The  boca  Grande,  between  the  rocks  outside  the 
boca  Ohica  and  Milne  island  on  the  western  shore,  is  one  mile  broad, 
and  continues  nearly  the  same  width  for  1^  miles  between  Stanley 
island  and  the  shore.  After  passing  the  boca  Ohica,  steer  N.  40^  W. 
(K.  450  W.  mag.),  so  as  to  shut  in  Mkry  island  by  Milne  island,  and  do 
not  approach  Stanley  island  within  600  yards.  Milne  island,  just 
touching  the  eastern  end  of  the  islands  connected  with  Strain  island, 
bearing  S.  3°  W.  (S.  2°  B.  mag.),  is  a  good  mark  for  running,  and  if 
working,  when  north  of  Milne  island,  tack  directly  Mary  island  opens 
off  it  on  the  one  side  and  when  Edith  island  is  shut  in  on  the  other. 
The  navigable  channel  at  this  point  is  f  mile  wide,  and  begins  to  turn 
to  the  eastward  round  the  north  end  of  Stanley  island,  narrowing  to  ^ 
mile  between  Bay  and  Jeannette  islands  on  the  north,  and  a  large  flat 
rock  nearly  always  uncovered,  and  a  little  wooded  island  about  200 
yards  off  Stanley  island  on  the  south;  following  the  channel  it  bends 
back  to  the  SE.,  and  continues  the  same  breadth  between  Ellen  and 
Palay  islands  on  the  west  and  the  mainland  on  the  east  mto  Darien 
harbor. 

Darien  harbor  extends  from  the  boca  Grande  for  11  or  12  miles  SE., 
as  far  as  the  village  of  Ohipigana.  It  is  formed  by  the  junction  of  the 
Tuyra  and  Savannah  rivers,  and  the  depth  of  water  in  it  from  Palay 
island  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Savannah  is  from  10  to  4^  fathoms, 
beyond  which  there  is  not  more  than  12  to  18  feet  at  low  water,  springs. 
The  shores  of  the  harbor  are  one  continuous  line  of  mangrove,  with 
densely  wooded  hills  from  100  to  300  feet  high  a  short  distance  inland. 

Palma  village  appears  to  be  built  on  the  best  spot,  and  has  an 
abundance  of  fresh  water. 

Anchorage. — The  best  place  is  in  from  7  to  10  fathoms,  off  the  village 
of  Palma,  at  about  600  yards  from  the  western  shore. 

Vaguila  rock. — The  Yaguila  rock,  showing  at  about  half  tide,  lies 
off  the  mouth  of  the  Savannah,  east  If  miles  from  Palma  point,  with  a 
good  channel  between  it  and  Savannah  point,  the  west  point  of  entrance 
to  the  river. 

Produce. — ^AU  tropical  produce  of  the  western  hemisphere  can  be 
grown.  Mahogany  can  be  had  in  abundance,  also  the  palm  and  india- 
rubber  tree.  Maize,  rice,  sugar,  coffee,  cocoa,  yams,  and  plantains 
grow  almost  wild. 

Climate. — The  climate  has  its  rainy  and  dry  seasons,  the  former, 
commencing  in  May  and  lasting  till  November,  accompanied  by  the 
winds  peculiar  to  the  gulf  of  Panama.  The  other  six  months  of  the 
year  are  fine.    With  common  care  the  country  is  comparatively  healthy. 


TUYRA   RIVER — PEARL   ISLANDS.  425 

Tnyra  river. — The  Tuyra  river  enters  Darien  barbor  near  the  village 
of  Chipigana.  Above  Santa  Maria  about  25  miles  from  Ghipigana  the 
river  is  not  navigable  for  craft  drawing  6  feet,  except  during  spring- 
tides and  freshets.    The  rise  and  fall  of  the  tide  is  15  feet. 

Savannah  river  meets  the  Loro  river  a  few  miles  from  its  source, 
where  the  bottom  is  level  with  the  half  tide.  From  this  point  the  depth 
increases  3  fathoms  at  low  water^  being  found  3|  miles  to  the  southward, 
and  from  thence  to  the  mouth,  a  distance  of  12  miles,  the  depth  varies 
from  9  to  2  fathoms,  over  a  soft,  muddy  bottom.  The  navigable  entrance 
is  nearly  a  mile  wide  between  Savannah  point  and  Haydon  bank,  and 
the  shores  are  low  mangrove  land,  skirted  with  hills  from  200  to  300 
feet  high  within  2  miles  of  the  banks.  The  anchorage  is  in  3^  fathoms 
one  mile  NE.  of  Savannah  point. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Darien  harbor  about 
4h.  15  m.;  mean  rise  and  fall  about  16  feet.  The  tides  in  the  Narrows 
of  Darien  harbor  run  strong,  and  great  care  should  therefore  be  taken. 

San  Jos^  bank. — This  dangerous  shoal,  in  the  center  of  which  is 
Trollope  rock,  with  only  2  feet  of  water  on  it,  lies  in  the  fairway  of  ves- 
sels bound  to  Panama  from  the  southward.  The  bank  has  3^,  5,  and  6 
fathoms  close  to  the  rock  and  7  and  8  fathoms  on  its  outer  edge;  vessels 
should  not  «tpproach  it  within  the  depth  of  10  fathoms. 

Marks. — ^The  Trollope  rock  may  be  easily  avoided,  either  by  keeping 
on  the  main  shore  until  Garachine  point  bears  to  the  southward  of  east 
or  by  passing  about  2  miles  from  Galera  island,  taking  care  of  the  shoal 
patch  and  rocks  off  its  southern  side. 

THE  PEARL  ISLANDS. 

The  Pearl  islands,  also  known  by  the  name  of  islas  del  Bey,  Perlas 
islands,  islas  del  Istmo,  and  islas  del  Colombia,  form  an  archipelago  on 
the  eastern  side  of  Panama  bay,  covering  an  area  of  about  450  square 
miles,  and  consisting  of  16  islands  and  several  rocks. 

Bey  island  is  the  largest,  San  Jose,  Pedro,  Gonzales,  Gasaya,  Saboga, 
and  Pacheca  are  of  secondary,  and  the  rest  of  minor,  importance.  There 
are  several  fishing  villages  about  these  islands,  the  inhabitants  being 
chiefly  engaged  in  the  pearl  fishery. 

The  pearl  shells  gathered  at  these  islands  are  what  are  known  as 
Panama  or  Bullock  shells,  and  are  shipped  to  San  Francisco  or  Panama 
in  barrels. 

These  islands  are  low  and  wooded,  t&e  soil  fertile,  but  not  much  cul- 
tivated, and  the  numerous  cocoanut  groves  and  bright  sandy  beaches, 
intersected  by  small  rocky  bluffs,  crowned  with  trees,  give  them  a 
pleasant  appearance. 

Pacheca,  Saboga,  and  Contadora  islands,  with  the  islets  of  Bar- 
tholomew and  Ghipre,  form  the  northern  part  of  the  archipelago,  and 
between  them  is  a  good  and  capacious  harbor.  Saboga,  the  largest 
island,  on  the  east  side  of  which  is  a  considerable  village,  has  a  reef 


GULF   OF  PANAMA. 

extendiD^  1^  miles  to  the  Borthward;  CoBtadora  has  5  fgithoms  dose  to 
its  NW.  shore,  which  is  low  and  well  adapted  lor  wharves. 

This  harbor,  whieh  is  aboat  2  miles  long  by  nearly  one  mile  broad,  with 
an  average  depth  of  9  fathoms,  has  Saboga  on  its  western  side,  Gonta- 
dora  on  its  SE.,  and  Pacheca  and  Bartholomew  on  its  northern  side, 
and  has  three  entrances. 

The  Pacheca  channel  lies  southward  of  Pacheca,  between  it  and  the 
reef  extending  from  Saboga;  the  Gontadora  channel  is  round  the' 
northern  part  of  Gontadora  island,  and  the  Saboga  channel,  which  is 
shallow  and  not  recomm^ided,  is  between  that  island  imd  Gontadora. 

All  these  channels  should  be  used  with  caution,  as  several  shoal 
patches  are  reported,  especially  in  the  Saboga  channel,  and  the  sound- 
ings are  changing. 

:  Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Saboga  island  at  ^. ; 
springs  rise  14  feet. 

Chapora  and  Figaros,  the  next  islands  to  the  southward,  have  a 
4-fathom  channel  between  them,  but  the  ground  is  foul,  and  it  should 
not  be  used.  A  shoal  with  13  feet  water  lies  one  mile  eastward  of 
Pajaros,  and  to  the  southward  the  bottom  is  rocky  and  irregular.  No 
vessel  should  attempt  the  passage  south  of  Ghapera  island,  between  it 
and  Eey  island. 

Caaaya,  Bayoneta,  and  Viveros  are  the  largest  of  a  cluster  of 
islands  on  what  may  be  termed  an  extensive  reef,  about  8  miles  l<mg  by 
5  miles  broad,  stretching  off  the  N W.  point  of  Bey  island.  There  are 
also  several  islets  and  rocks  on  the  reef,  and  the  passages  betweeoi 
them  are  all  foul,  and  strong  tides  set  through  them  at  times.  A  bank 
1^  miles  long  by  f  mile  wide,  having  only  9  feet  water  on  its  shoalest 
part,  lies  nearly  4  miles  eastward  of  the  north  point  of  Gasaya;  and 
the  Garaooles  and  Gangrejo  isletS;  with  foul  ground  around  them,  lie 
about  2  miles  off  the  NB.  point  of  Viveros  island. 

Clearing  marks-^The  whole  of  the  islands  stretching  to  the  north- 
westward from  the  northwestern  point  of  Bey  island  should  be  avoided 
by  vessels  bound  up  Panama  bay,  by  approaching  no  nearer  on  their 
western  side  than  just  to  open  the  eastern  part  of  San  Jos6  island  east- 
ward of  Pedro  Gonzales  island,  bearing  S.  6^  B.  (S.  11°  E.  mag.),  while 
on  their  eastern  side  they  should  not  open  San  Pablo,  a  small  islet  off 
the  !NE.  point  of  Bey  idand,  or  bring  it  to  bear  eastward  of  S.  31<^  E. 
(8.  360  E.  mag.). 

Rey  island  is  15  miles  long  b^  7  miles  wide,  with  several  peaks  on 
it,  the  highest  of  which  is  600  feet.  Numerous  islets,  having  deep 
water  between  them,  lie  3  miles  off  its  western  shore,  but  they  should 
not  be  approached  by  strangers  within  the  depth  of  10  fathoms.  Gocos 
I)oint,  its  southern  extreme,  is  a  remarkable  promontory,  jutting  out 
into  the  «ea,  its  extreme  cliff  being  crowned  by  an  umbrella  tree  (1859), 
which  makes  it  conspicuous. 

There  are  also  islands  off  the  eastern  shore  of  Bey  island,  but  they 


ST.   ELMO  BAT — ^PEDRO  KSIONZALEB  ISLAND.  427 

are  steep-to  and  may  be  approached  to  within  i  mile^  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Ganas  island,  where  there  is  a  d-fathom  patch  lying  outside  a 
sunken  rock  nearly  1^  miles  from  shore. 

St.  Elmo  bay,  on  the  east  side  of  Gooos  point,  has  oonvenient  anchor- 
age in  from  6  to  9  fathoms  and  a  good  stream  of  water  at  its  head  at 
Lemon  point. 

San  Miguel,  the  principal  town  of  these  islands,  is  on  the  north  side 
of  Bey  island.  It  is  of  some  size,  has  a  conspicuous  church,  but  is 
badly  situated,  landing  being  difficult  at  low  water.  Supplies  are 
uncertain  and  dear.  Vessels  having  to  lie  off  the  town  should  run  in 
between  Garacoles  and  Ganrejo,  using  caution,  as  the  bottom  is  irregu- 
lar and  rocks  abundant,  and  anchor  in  about  6  or  7  fathoms  when  the 
church  is  shut  in  behind  Afuera,  an  islet  lying  off  the  town,  bearing  S. 
290  E.  (8.  340  E.  mag.). 

Caution. — Gare  must  be  taken  in  approaching  San  Miguel,  as  the 
bottom  is  irregular,  and  rocks  abundant. 

Galera  island  is  small,  lying  7^  miles  eastward  of  Gocos  point,  like 
which  it  is  remarkable  for  its  umbrella  tree.  A  cliff' forms  its  southern 
side,  sloping  down  to  a  beach  on  the  north,  and  to  the  southward  a 
reef  runs  off  for  nearly  one  mile.  This  island  is  generally  the  first  land 
made  by  vessels  bound  to  Panama.  It  should  not  be  approached  within 
the  depth  of  10  fathoms,  but  there  is  a  good  passage  between  it  and 
Gocos  point,  by  using  which  the  vessel  will  be  clear  of  the  San  Jos6 
bank. 

Pedro  Gonaales  island  is  separated  from  the  rocky  islets  off  the 
west  side  of  Bey  island  by  a  broad  deep  channel,  and  has  on  its  north- 
ern side  two  bays  protected  from  the  north  by  the  islands  of  Senora 
and  Senorita.  The  bays  named  Perry  and  Magidenne  were  examined 
as  to  their  capabilities  for  a  depot  for  steamers,  and  although  not  so 
.good  nor  so  near  Panama  as  the  harbor  south  of  Pacheca  island,  yet 
they  still  have  some  advantages.  Trapiche  island,  which  is  connected 
with  the  shore  of  Pedro  Gonzales  island  at  low  water,  springs,  by  a 
sandy  neck,  divides  the  two  bays.  Off  the  east  point  of  Trapiche 
island  is  a  rocky  ledge  terminating  in  a  shoal  with  14  feet  water  at 
neaj*ly  600  feet  from  the  point.  Inside  this  to  the  southward  there  is  a 
small  anchorage  in  4^  fathoms.  A  large  stream  of  water  runs  into  the 
sea  on  the  western  side  of  Magicienne  bay.  This  bay  is  small  and 
shoal,  without  the  advantage  of  Perry  bay,  the  eastern  one,  which  runs 
backa  mile.  Senora  and  Senorita,  including  the  shoal  off  their  eastern 
side,  lie  nearly  a  mile  to  the  northward  of  Trapiche  island^  with  a 
7-fathom  channel  between  them  and  steep-to  on  both  sides. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Perry  bay  at  3h.  50m.; 
springs  rise  16  feet.  The  tidal  stream  is  not  felt  in  the  anchorage,  but 
there  is  a  considerable  set  off  the  island,  the  flood  running  to  the  north- 
ward, the  ebb  to  the  southward  being  generally  the  stronger. 

.<— Yessels  may  pass  on  either  side  of  Senora  and  Senorita 


428  GULP  OP  PANAMA. 

islands,  taking  care  to  avoid  the  shoal  eastward  of  them,  and  a  lookout 
mast  be  kept  if  going  into  Ferry  bay  for  the  shoal  off  Trapiche. 

San  Jo86  island,  4  miles  south  of  Pedro  Gonzales,  is  about  6^  miles 
long  by  3  miles  broad,  and  its  summit  forms  a  table-land  said  to  be  a 
considerable  grazing  ground,  l^early  2  miles  southeastward  from 
Iguana  point,  its  northern  extreme,  is  a  large  waterfall  flowing  into  the 
sea  and  forming  an  excellent  watering  place. 

On  the  SE.  side  of  the  island  is  a  deep  bay,  but  as  the  swell  sets  m 
there  with  great  violence,  it  is  not  convenient  for  shipping.  Off  the 
southern  point  are  a  number  of  rocks  of  singular  and  fantastic  shapes, 
lashed  by  a  violent  surf.  The  western  shore  is  bold  and  clif^  with  a 
small  bay  near  the  center. 

Passage  rock. — This  dangerous  sunken  rock,  with  12  and  9  fathoms 
alongside  it,  lies  near  the  center  of  the  channel  between  San  Jos6  and 
Pedro  Gonzales  island,  which  otherwise  is  deep  and  clear. 

The  peak  next  south  of  the  highest  on  Bey  island  just  open  south- 
ward of  Coco  islet,  one  of  the  outlying  islets  off  the  west  side  of  Bey, 
bearing  N.  78^  E.  (N.  73^  E.  mag.),  leads  well  southward  of  Passage 
rock.    Vessels  should  keep  between  the  San  Jos6  shore  and  this  mark. 

THE  MAINLAND. 

Brava  point  forms  with  San  Lorenzo  point  (page  422),  from  which  it 
is  distant  2  miles,  the  western  point  of  entrance  to  San  Miguel  bay. 
Both  these  points  are  fringed  with  reefs  and  outlying  rocks,  on  which 
the  sea  breaks  with  great  violence.  This  fact,  together  with  the  prox- 
imity of  the  Baey  bank,  makes  this  part  of  the  coast  dangerous,  and 
it  should  therefore  be  avoided  even  by  small  vessels. 

Farallon  Ingles  is  a  small  but  high  island  lying  at  the  edge  of  the 
shoal  off  Buenaventura  river,  about  5  miles  northward  of  Brava  point. 
There  is  12  and  15  feet  water  on  its  western  side.  At  4  miles  north- 
ward of  the  Farallon  is  Gorda  point,  bold  and  woody,  with  4  fathoms 
close-to.    There  is  less  swell  after  passing  this  point. 

The  P^jaros  are  two  small,  rocky  islets,  4  miles  "KNW.  of  Gorda 
point,  with  4  and  5  fathoms  off  their  west  sides,  but  only  12  feet 
between  them  and  the  shore.  At  these  islets  a  shoal  commences  with 
5  fathoms  on  its  outer  edge,  which  fronts  the  whole  shore  of  Panama 
bay  as  far  round  to  the  westward  as  Ghame  point. 

Trinidad  river,  2^  miles  northward  of  the  northern  Pajaros,  has  a 
low,  rocky  projection,  forming  its  south  point  of  entrance.  A  3-fathom 
channel  was  found  in  this  river,  extending  IJ  miles  from  the  point, 
beyond  which  it  was  not  examined.  The  northern  bank  of  the  river  is 
composed  of  mangroves,  continuing  along  the  coast  as  far  as  Panama. 
Shag  rock,  a  barren  islet,  with  shoal  water  round  it,  lies  2J  miles  north 
from  this  entrance. 

Mangne  and  Majaguay,  7  miles  from  the  entrance  of  Trinidad 
river,  are  high,  wooded  islets,  on  the  SW.  edge  of  a  large  mud  flat, 


GHIMAN   RIVER — CHEPO   RIVER.  429 

which  extends  from  the  north  bank  of  the  Trinidad  river  and  dries  at 
low  water.    There  is  10  to  12  feet  of  water  to  the  westward  of  them. 

Chixnan  river,  northward  of  these  islets,  is  wide  at  the  mouth,  bat 
shoal,  being  nearly  dry  at  low  water,  with  small  channels  for  canoes. 
The  entrance  is  well  marked  by  the  Mangue  islets  and  the  wooded 
blufifs  on  each  side.  On  the  eastern  side,  under  a  hill,  is  the  small 
town  of  Ghiman. 

Pelado  islet,  at  4  miles  westward  of  Mangue  islet,  directly  off  the 
mouth  of  the  Ghiman  river,  is  flat,  of  small  extent,  and  about  60  feet 
high.  It  has  no  trees,  but  is  covered  with  a  coarse,  prickly  shrub.  It 
is  steep-to  on  all  sides,  and  forms  a  useful  mark  to  vessels  bound  up 
the  bay  for  Panama,  who  need  not  go  inshore  of  it. 

The  coast  between  Pelado  islet  and  Ghepillo  island,  31  miles  to  the 
NW.,  is  low  river  land  with  mangrove  bushes.  There  are  several  small 
streams,  the  principal  being  the  Hondo  and  Gorutu  rivers,  but  both  are 
shoal  at  the  entrance.  The  land  north  of  these  rivers  is  of  some  eleva- 
tion. Golumn  peak  and  Asses  Ears,  about  12  miles  north  of  Ghiman 
river,  and  Thumb  peak,  at  the  west  extreme  of  the  range,  are  conspic- 
uous. Extensive  mud  banks,  dry  at  low  water,  are  from  2  to  4  miles 
off  the  coast.  Outside  these  again  the  water  is  shoal  for  some  distance, 
and  vessels  standing  toward  the  main  should  tack  in  9  fathoms. 

Chepillo  island  lies  off  the  mouth  of  the  Ghepo  river,  about  2  miles 
from  the  coast,  and  is  one  mile  long  by  ^  mile  broad,  very  fertile,  being 
low  on  the  north  side  and  rising  by  a  gentle  ascent  toward  the  south, 
over  which  is  a  remarkable  tree  that  forms  an  excellent  mark  to  ves- 
sels bound  up  the  bay.  The  southern  point  may  be  approached  to  one 
mile,  but  the  other  sides  are  shoal,  a  reef  running  off  its  northern  point 
in  the  direction  of  the  river. 

Chepo  xjver  comes  from  some  distance  in  the  interior,  having  its 
rise  near  the  head  of  the  Savannah  river.  The  entrance  to  the  west- 
ward of  Ghepillo  island,  through  a  10-foot  channel,  is  about  600  yards 
broad. 

At  the  west  bank  of  this  river  the  mud  flat  recommences,  and  con- 
tinues to  Petillo  point,  just  to  northward  of  Panama.  A  shoal  bank 
lies  in  front  of  the  flat,  and  vessels  should  not  stand  nearer  than  6 
fathoms  between  Ghepillo  island  and  L^anama. 

Panama,  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  is  the  capital  of  the  state  of 
Panama.  It  stands  on  a  rocky  x>eninsula,  jutting  out  into  the  shallow 
water  of  the  bay,  and  was  formerly  a  strongly  fortified  city.  It  has  a 
fine  appearance  from  the  sea,  the  churches,  towns,  and  houses  showing 
above  the  ruins  of  the  fortifications,  standing  out  from  the  dark  hills 
inland,  and  rendered  still  more  conspicuous  by  mount  Ancon,  a  hill  590 
feet  high,  nearly  a  mile  to  the  westward. 

Sanitary  conditions. — ^The  highest  and  lowest  temperature  at  the 
canal  company's  observatory  on  Naos  island  was  102°  and  66°  F.  The 
most  sickly  parts  of  the  year  are  at  the  changes  of  the  seasons.    It  is 


430  GULP   OF  PANAMA. 

considered  that  the  prevailing  direction  of  the  wind  has  some  influence 
npon  the  sanitary  state,  that  the  1S[W.  winds  are  healthful  and  the  SE. 
winds  have  a  contrary  effect.  During  the  wet  seasons  the  air  is  loaded 
with  moisture,  calms  and  light  variable  winds  prevail,  and  it  is  very 
oppressive.  The  sanitary  condition  is  bad.  The  habits  of  the  people 
in  general  are  filthy.  Yellow  fevw,  remittent,  bilious,  and  pernicious 
fevers  are  endemic,  and  yellow  fever  was  considered  epidemic  in  July, 
1885.  No  reliable  information  can  be  obtained  as  to  the  mortality  of 
the  port.  It  has  been  reported  as  high  as  40  per  diem  during  the  sickly 
season. 

Hospitals. — The  Foreign  Hospital,  built  and  owned  by  the  canal 
company,  is  on  high  ground  at  the  foot  of  mount  Ancon.  It  is  well 
managed  and  dean.  It  has  a  capacity  of  500  beds;  cost  of  occupation 
|2,  and  $5  per  day  for  a  separate  room»  A  sanitarium  on  Taboga 
island  is  connected  with  the  hospital. 

The  St.  Thomas  Hospital,  in  the  city,  is  subsidized  by  the  Govern- 
ment. It  is  not  well  kept  and  is  dirty.  Capacity,  small;  cost  of 
occupation,  $1  per  day.  * 

Peculation. — The  population  in  1892  was  estimated  to  be  15^000. 

Consuls. — The  United  States  is  represented  by  a  consul-generaL 
Great  Britain  and  France  have  consuls  at  Panama,  and  many  other 
countries  have  hont>rary  consular  officers. 

SnppMes  and  water. — Provisions  and  supplies  may  be  had,  but  it 
is  considered  unsafe  to  buy  them,  owing  to  the  bad  sanitary  condition 
of  the  place  and  the  consequent  danger  of  infection.  Lighters  for  the 
transportation  of  stores  may  be  hired  from  the  railway  company. 
Fresh  provisions  can  be  purchased  as  required.  Fresh  beef,  12  cents; 
Vegetables,  10  cents ;  bread,  10  cents.  All  kinds  of  fruits  are  obtain- 
able. Ice  can  be  obtained  in  large  quantities^  Sand  is  obtoined  fh>m 
Perieo  island.  Good  water  can  be  obtained  from  th«  Pacific  Mail 
Steamship  Company  at  Flamenco  island,  or  from  the  Pacific  Steam 
I^avigation  Company  at  Taboga  island.  From  this  place  it  is  brought 
alongside  and  pumped  into  the  tanks  1^  steam  pumps.  The  cost  is  2 
cents  per  gallon. 

Coaling.  laciMtias. — ^The  Panama  Bailroad  Company,  Pacific  Mail 
Steamship  Company,  and  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company  keep 
on  hand  large  quantities  of  coal.  Of  the  difi'erent  kinds,  Cumberland, 
Cardifi",  Welsh,  ISew  Castle,  and  Australian  coal  can  be  obtained, 
though  it  is  said  the' steamship  companies  will  not  part  with  any  coal 
when  it  can  be  purchased  elsewhere.  The  coal  is  delivered  alongside^ 
the  lighters  holding  from  150  to  250  tons.  The  cost  per  tcm  is  from  $13 
to  $17.  Coal  may  be  obtained  directly  from  the  ship  or  collier,  which, 
greatly  lessens  the  danger  of  fever. 

Telegraph,  and  postal  commnnicatian. — ^Panama  is  connected  with 
South  American  and  Central  American  ports  by  the  Mexico,  Central, 
and  South  American  cable,  also  by  a  land  line  to  Colon  and  thence  by 


PANAMA.  431 

cable  to  Jamaica  and  the  West  Indies.  The  line  to  the  United  States 
goes  via  city  of  Mexico  and  Oalveston,  Texas.  Postal  communication 
to  the  United  States  and  Europe  is  by  Pacific  mail  and  other  steamers 
from  Colon ;  for  Central  America,  Mexico,  and  San  Francisco  by  the 
Pacific  mail  steamers  from  Panama,  and  for  South  American  ports  by 
steamers  of  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company.  Mails  from  the 
United  States  are  irregular  at  times. 

Steamer  line&-^There  are  five  lines  of  steamers  which  make  Panama 
their  terminal  point,  viz : 

(1)  The  line  from  Panama  to  San  Francisco,  twice  a  month,  calling 
at  Central  American  and  Mexican  ports. 

(2)  The  line  from  Panama  to  Acapulco,  Mexico,  once  a  month,  calling 
at  way  ports. 

(3)  The  line  from  Panama  to  Champerico,  once  a  month^  calling  at 
way  ports. 

These  lines  are  owned  and  managed  by  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship 
Company  of  New  York. 

(4)  The  line  from  Panama  to  Callao,  weekly  each  way,  calling  at  way 
ports. 

(5)  The  line  from  Panama  to  OuayaquJl,  once  a  month  and  on  her 
return  :&om  Panama  to  Tumaco. 

The  last  two  lines  are  owned  and  managed  by  the  Pacific  Steauir 
Navigation  Company  of  Liverpool,  England. 

Esportff  and  port  duties. — The  commerce  and  trade  of  Panama 
naturally  divide  themselves  into  two  branches,  viz,  that  which  is  local- 
and  that  which  is  in  transit.  The  transit  trade  is  also  divided  into  two 
parts — ^that  to  and  from  the  United  States  and  that  to  and  from  Europe. 

The  local  ex{>orts  are  india  rubber  (growing  scarcer),  gold  dust, 
hides,  ivory,  nuts,  mangan^se^  shells,  tobacco,  cocobolo  (a  cabinet  wood), 
tortoise  shells,  vanilla,  whale  oil,  sarsaparilla,  cocoanuts,  and  fruit. 

From  South  America  the  bulk  of  the  shipments  consist  of  bark,  cot- 
tim,  cocoa,  and  rubber.  From  the  Central  American  states,,  coffee, 
sugar,  and  indigo. 

Th^e  is  a  captain  of  the  port,  and  also  a  health  officer.  These  officers 
board  all  incoming  vessels.  The  quarantine  station  is  near  Taboguilla 
island.    Pilots  are  not  required.    The  police  force  is  inefficient, 

Panama  is  nominally  a  free  port,  but  import  duties  are  levied  on 
tobacco  in  all  its  forms,  salted  or  pres^ved  meats,  wines  and  spirits, 
ale,  beer,  ginger  beer,  cider,  salt,  etc.  In  shippmg  stores  for  naval  ves- 
sels on  the  coast  to  the  care  of  the  consul-general  at  Fa/naina^  it  is  abso* 
lutely  necessary  that  they  should  be  accompanied  by  complete  invoices, 
stating  contents  of  each  package,  the  weight  thereof,  and  tiie  cost 
value. 

Small  parcels  must  also  be  accompanied  by  a  statement  of  contents 
and  value,  addressed  to  the  consul-general  or  to  the  person  to  whose 
care  they  are  consigned. 


432  GULF  OF   PANAMA. 


L — ^A  fixed  red  light  is  shown  on  end  of  railroad  wharf,  and  is 
visible  3  miles. 

An  electric  light,  shown  on  SE.  bastion  at  Panama,  is  utilized  as  a 
leading  light  by  the  Pacific  mail  steamers,  giving  them  at  night  the 
direction  of  San  Jos6  rock  by  shutting  the  light  out  behind  the  rock. 

The  light  is  made  on  rounding  Taboguilla,  being  then  distinctly 
visible  in  ordinary  weather. 

The  light  is  maintained  by  the  city  to  illuminate  the  promenade  on 
the  wall.  It  is  a  fixed  light,  elevated  64  feet  above  low  water  mark, 
and  shown  from  a  pole  erected  100  feet  north  of  the  corner  of  the  SE. 
bastion.    It  is  the  highest  electric  light  seen  from  the  bay. 

Docks  and  machine  shop. — ^There  are  no  docks  at  Panama,  nor  any 
Government  docks  near  by.  The  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company 
have  a  small  machine  shop  on  Naos  island  for  repairing  vessels  of  their 
line,  and  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation  Company  have  one  at  Taboga 
island  for  the  same  purpose.  The  gridiron  at  Taboga  is  the  only  means 
of  repairing  vessels'  hulls. 

Landing  place. — The  general  landing  place  at  high  water  is  around 
Buey  point,  inside  the  NE.  bastion,  at  the  market  place  known  as  ^^the 
steps."  Great  care  is  required  when  landing  at  Panama  in  steam 
cutters  or  other  heavy  boats,  which  can  only  be  effected  at  nearly  high 
water.  Boats  should  pass  southward  of  the  outer  white  beacon,  and 
leave  all  the  other  beacons  on  the  port  hand  when  going  in. 

Official  calls  and  salutes. — ^The  only  native  authorities  to  be  called 
upon  are  the  president  of  the  state  of  Panama  and  the  president 
of  the  Kepublic,  who  is  seldom  in  Panama.  There  are  no  saluting 
facilities. 

The  Panama  ship  canal,  to  connect  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans, 
is  under  construction  between  Colon  and  Panama.  On  the  Pacific 
slope  it  will  descend  the  valley  of  the  Bio  Grande,  and  be  continued 
seaward  to  the  island  of  Perico.    Total  length  is  54  miles. 

The  Panama  railway,  from  Panama  on  the  Pacific  to  Colon  or 
Aspinwall  on  the  Atlantic,  is  47  miles  long. 

Panama  road. — Petillo  point,  1^  miles  !NE.  of  Panama,  is  a  black, 
rocky  promontory  with  two  small  hills  over  it,  between  which  is  a 
rivulet  admitting  boats  at  high  water.  Bocky  ledges  extend  300  yards 
from  the  point.  The  shore  between  Petillo  point  and  Panama  forms  a 
bay  nearly  J  mile  deep,  its  head  being  mud,  edged  with  a  sandy  beach. 
A  great  portion  of  the  bay  is  dry  at  low  water,  springs.  It  is  termed 
"El  Puerto,'^  and  it  is  here  that  most  of  the  minor  trade  of  the  gulf  is 
carried  on  by  means  of  large  canoes.  These  canoes,  though  of  clumsy 
appearance,  are  well  fitted  for  the  navigation  of  the  gulf,  and  bring 
most  of  the  tropical  productions  of  the  isthmus  of  Panama. 

Buey  point,  only  seen  at  half  tide,  forms  the  southern  horn  of  this 
bay  and  the  northeastern  point  of  the  long  rocky  ledges  that  surround 
the  eastern  and  southern  shores  of  the  peninsala  of  the  city.    These 


GUINEA   POINT — FLAMENCO    ISLAND.  433 

ledges  extend  900  yards  from  the  NE.  bastion,  1,000  yards  from  the 
SE.  bastion  in  an  easterly  direction,  and  500  yards  in  a  southerly 
direction,  forming  a  bay  southward  of  Buey  i)oint  on  which  is  easy 
landing  after  half  flood  on  the  sandy  beach.  From  the  commencement 
of  the  suburbs,  on  the  southern  side,  another  ledge  runs  off  for  nearly 
f  mile,  SE.  of  which  are  Los  Hermanos,  three  black  rocks  visible  at 
firjst  quarter  ebb.  Detached  rocks  with  3  and  7  feet  of  water  between 
them,  visible  only  at  low  water,  springs,  lie  off  the  SB.  extreme  of  the 
rocks,  the  outer  one  being  600  yards  from  the  reef. 

G-uinea  point,  2  miles  SW.  of  Panama,  is  the  northern  extreme  of  a 
large,  round,  hilly  projection,  which  forms  the  western  side  of  Panama 
road.  Between  it  and  the  city  of  Panama  are  the  mouths  of  the 
Grande,  San  Juan,  and  Farfan,  •  small  rivers  with  cultivated  banks. 
The  water  on  this  side  of  Panama  road  is  shoal  as  far  as  Tortola  and 
Tortolita  islands,  which  lie  2  miles  southward  of  Batele  point,  the 
south  extreme  of  the  hilly  projection  above  mentioned.  One  mile  ESE. 
of  Batele  point  is  Ohangarmi  island,  surrounded  by  the  Pulperia  reefs, 
and  SW.  of  the  point  are  Bruja  and  Yenado  points,  rocky  and  project- 
ing, with  the  outlying  islets  of  Cocovi  and  Cocoviceta.  Although 
these  dangers  are  mostly  above  water,  yet  this  part  of  Panama  bay 
should  be  avoided. 

Naos,  Perico,  and  Flamenco,  and  the  ou-tlying  rock  of  San  Jos^, 
are  a  group  of  islands  forming  the  south  side  of  Panama  road. 

The  passage  between  Perico  and  Flamenco  is  shoal  and  should  not 
be  used,  but  that  between  Flamenco  and  San  Jos6  is  deep,  and  both 
islands  are steepto. 

Naos  is  the  headquarters  of  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company. 
The  bay  to  the  NE.  forms  a  convenient  anchorage.  The  isthmus  on  this 
side  is  sandy  and  steamers  of  2,500  tons  and  upwards  have  been  easily 
beached.  Large  vessels  drawing  over  20  feet  may  coal  at  Perico. 
Coal  is  brought  off'  in  lighters.  Vessels  using  the  anchorage  should, 
after  passing  Flamenco,  keep  close  round  the  north  end  of  Perico  and 
anchor  when  the  isthmus  opens.  Attention  must  be  paid  to  the  state 
of  the  tide.  As  before  mentioned,  fresh  water,  coal,  and  supplies  from 
the  mail  company  may  be  obtained  here. 

The  dredging  of  the  canal  company  has  practically  closed  the  chan- 
nel west  of  Naos  island  and  this  has  thrown  the  current  down  past 
Perico  island.  It  is  now  practicable  to  go  with  large  ships  quite  near 
the  island,  and  vessels  drawing  over  24  feet  can  anchor  to  the  north 
and  NNE.  of  Perico. 

Danaide  rocks. — These  patches  of  conical  rocks  have  only  from  15 
to  18  feet  on  them  and  3J  and  4  fathoms  on  all  sides.  They  lie  awk- 
wardly in  the  track  of  vessels  standing  in  for  the  anchorage.  This 
spot  is  a  favorite  fishing  place  and  vessels  should  avoid  canoes  seen 
in  its  vicinity,  as  they  are  probably  fishing  on  the  rocks. 

Sulphur  rocks.^This  dangerous  reef,  1,200  yards  long  by  600  yards 
1943— No.  89 ^28 


434  GULF  OF   PANAMA. 

broad,  has  a  rock  awash  in  its  center  with  6  and  9  feet  around  it  and 
oatlying  patches  of  12  and  14  feet.  The  railroad  flagstaff  on  with  the 
center  of  Ancon  bearing  N.  89°  W.  (8.  86^  W.  mag.)  leads  to  the 
northward  of  the  reef  in  15  feet,  but  this  passage  should  not  be  used 
at  low  water,  springs.  The  Hermanos  rocks,  in  line  with  a  round  peak 
over  the  Grande  river,  leads  to  the  anchorage  in  18  feet. 

The  Knocker  and  Taboga  rocks  have  only  6  feet  of  water  on 
them.  The  Knocker  lies  nearly  one  mile  S.  89°  E.  (F.  86^  E.  mag.)  of 
the  SE.  bastion;  the  Taboga  rock  lies  a  little  more  than  400  yards  to 
the  SW.  of  the  Knocker,  with  16  feet  of  water  between  them  and  12 
feet  inshore  of  them.  A  red  can  buoy  is  moored  on  the  SE.  side  of 
this  rock.    No  stranger  should  attempt  to  pass  west  of  the  buoy. 

Caution. — The  buoys  in  Panama  road  are  not  to  be  depended  upon. 

Taboga  island,  with  the  islands  of  Urava  and  Taboguilla,  forms  a 
pleasant  group,  situated  9  miles  southward  of  Panama.  Taboga,  the 
highest  and  largest,  935  feet  above  the  sea,  is  well  cultivated,  with  a 
considerable  village  on  its  KE.  side.  Northward  of  the  village  is  the 
morro  of  Taboga,  a  small  hill  connected  with  the  main  island  by  a 
sandy  neck  covered  at  high  water. 

This  was  formerly  headquarters  of  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation 
Company,  which  still  has  here  some  stores,  a  water  tank  with  abun- 
dant supply  of  water,  and  a  gridiron  300  feet  long. 

The  anchorage  off  the  village  is  convenient,  being  about  600  yards 
from  the  shore  in  10  fathoms. 

Urava  is  a  small  lofty  island  separated  from  the  SE.  point  of  Taboga 
by  a  narrow  and  shoal  channel;  off  its  extreme  is  the  small  islet  of 
Terapa. 

Taboguilla,  710  feet  high,  also  well  cultivated,  has  some  islets  off  its 
SW.  extreme,  and  forms  the  NE.  island  of  the  group,  having  a  wide 
and  deep  channel  between  it  and  Urava. 

In  the  center  of  this  channel  is  a  rock  which  is  said  to  uncover  4  feet 
at  low  springs.  The  sea  seldom  breaks  over  it  at  high  water,  and  it 
must  be  carefully  avoided  by  closing  either  island,  both  being  steep-to, 
or  vessels  may  pass  south  of  it  by  keeping  the  neck  of  the  morro 
open,  bearing  N.  65^  W.  (N.  60°  W.  mag.).  Farallon,  a  small  islet,  also 
lies  in  this  channel,  but  it  is  steep-to,  with  11  fathoms  between  it  and 
Taboguilla. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  in  Panama  road  at  3h. 
23m.;  springs  rise  from  15  to  20  feet,  neaps  from  10  to  15  feet. 

The  flood  tide  usually  sets  to  the  northward  and  eastward,  the  ebb 
to  the  southward  and  westward,  and  runs  in  strength  according  to  the 
winds  and  seasons  of  the  year  from  J  to  1 J  knots  per  hour.  The  ebb  is 
stronger  than  the  flood.  The  long  swell  which  occasionally  sets  into 
the  road  always  ceases  with  the  flowing  tide.  It  has  been  remarked 
by  the  officers  of  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company  that  there  is 
more  rise  in  the  small  bay  north  of  the  town  and  also  in  their  own 
anchorage  than  in  the  more  open  parts  of  the  roadstead. 


PANAMA — ^DIRECTIONS — CHAME   BAY.  435 

Commander  W.  H.  Whiting,  commanding  the  TJ.  S.  8.  Alliance^  reports 
that,  when  approaching  the  anchorage  at  Panama  road,  after  passing 
Tabognilla  island  and  before  reaching  San  Jos6  rock,  the  current  caused 
by  the  flood  tide  was  found  to  be  very  strong,  setting  the  ship  nearly 
a  mile  to  the  westward  of  her  course. 

The  flood  tide  sets  usually  through  the  islands  and  to  the  "NW.y  while 
the  ebb  chooses  the  same  channels,  but  runs  to  the  south  and  west. 
Due  allowance  should  be  made  for  these  tidal  currents. 

Directions. — Panama  road,  although  shoal,  may  be  considered  secure. 
With  good  ground  tackle  and  common  precaution  a  vessel  might  lie 
there  all  the  year  round  with  one  anchor  down.  The  bottom,  being 
muddy,  holds  well.  Attention  to  the  tides  and  soundings  will  enable  a 
vessel  to  lie  close  in  at  times  for  discharge  of  cargo. 

The  inner  anchorage  is  in  2  fathoms  about  a  mile  off  shore.  The 
outer  anchorage  is  in  3^  to  4  fathoms  about  2  miles  off  shore.  Yessels 
drawing  over  18  feet  may  round  the  SB.  side  of  Danaide  rocks  safely 
by  keeping  San  Jos6  rock  open  of  the  west  point  of  Taboga  island 
bearing  S.  37^  W.  (S.  32°  W.  mag.)  until  the  cathedral  towers  are  open 
to  the  eastward  of  mount  Ancon.  Having  passed  the  Danaide  rocks 
the  ship  will  be  fairly  in  the  road  and  may  anchor  according  to  her 
draft.  Hermanos  rocks,  visible  at  first-quarter  ebb,  in  line  with  the 
hill  between  Grande  and  Farfan  rivers,  bearing  S.  84^  W.  (S.  79^  W. 
mag.),  lead  northward  of  Danaide  rocks.  Vessels  drawing  over  20 
feet  may  anchor  to  the  NE.  of  Perico. 

'  The  coast  southwestward  of  Panama,  between  Bruja  point  and 
Ghame  point,  a  distance  of  16  miles,  forms  a  shoal  bay  having  several 
outlying  banks  and  rocky  islets.  Yessels  bound  to  Panama  should 
keep  near  Taboga  island,  and  not  approach  this  shore  within  the  depth 
of  6  fathoms.  Vique  cove,  in  which  is  a  small  village,  is  6  miles  west- 
ward from  Bruja  point.  About  one  mile  KB,  of  Yique  is  a  treble-peaked 
hill,  named  Gerro  de  Gabra,  1,610  feet  high,  a  conspicuous  object  to 
vessels  bound  to  Panama,  and  frequently  mistaken  for  Taboga  by  those 
coming  from  the  eastward.  Yacamonte  point,  the  western  side  of 
Yique  cove,  is  the  only  break  in  the  mud  flat  which  fronts  this  land, 
extending  nearly  2  miles  from  the  shore. 

Melones  island  is  a  small  rocky  islet  2^  miles  KW.  of  Taboga,  and 
Melones  rock,  above  water,  lies  about  i  mile  northward  of  it.  The 
island  is  steep-to,  but  vessels  should  be  carefiil  not  to  pass  westward 
of  it. 

Chome  isalnd,  with  Perique  rock,  of  a  similar  character  to  Melones, 
is  2J  miles  southward  of  Taboga.  Yalladolid  is  a  large  rock,  nearly 
2  miles  SW.  of  Ghame  island,  with  9  and  10  fathoms  close  to  it. 

Chaxne  bay,  at  the  head  of  which  is  a  small  river  of  the  same  name, 
is  nearly  filled  by  large  mud  banks,  the  largest,  named  Gabra  Loma, 
lying  in  the  middle,  with  Tabor  isle  on  it.  Ghame  point,  the  southern 
horn  of  this  bay,  is  a  low,  woody  promontory,  jutting  into  the  sea,  5 J 
miles  long  by  ^  mile  broad.    Between  it  and  Gabra  Loma  bank  is  a 


436  GULF  OF  PANAMA. 

convenient  harbor,  2  miles  in  length  by  about  f  mile  wide,  with  from 
8  to  3  fathoms  of  water  iu  it  and  from  16  to  18  feet  close  to  the  beach 
of  Chame  point.  Northwest  of  the  river  is  a  high  range  named  Sierra 
Cax)ero,  and  to  the  southward  are  the  Cerro  Ghame^  a  group  of  wooded 
hills. 

Otoque  and  Bona  <gia«iia  with  Estiva  island  and  Bedondo  rocks, 
6  miles  SE.  of  Chame  point,  form  a  group  similar  but  somewhat  smaller 
than  Taboga  and  Taboguilla,  being  cultivated,  and  having  a  consid- 
erable village,  named  La  Ooleta,  in  the  bay  on  the  western  side  of 
Otoque  island. 

Otoque  and  Bona  are  high  and  peaked,  and  form  good  landmarks  for 
vessels  entering  this  side  of  the  bay.  There  is  anchorage  in  from  10  to 
14  fathoms  in  any  part,  of  the  grqjap,  as  all  dangers  are  above  water. 

Parita  bay,  nearly  20  miles  wide  and  open  to  the  eastward,  lies  45 
miles  to  the  SW.  of  Ohame  point,  and  the  coast  between  is  a  continu- 
ous beach,  named  Playa  Grande,  in  front  of  a  low  wooded  bank. 
There  is  a  depth  of  4  and  5  fathoms  about  2  miles  off  this  beach, 
except  S.  220  E.  (S.  27^  E.  mag.)  of  the  Cerro  Chame,  where  there  are 
only  4  fathoms  nearly  7  miles  from  the  land,  the  bank  extending  from 
that  to  Chame  point.  To  avoid  this  bank,  vessels  from  Parita  bay 
should  shape  a  course  to  x>ass  about  2  miles  southward  of  Bona  island 
until  Taboguilla  is  nearly  touching  Otoque,  bearing  N.  22°  E.  (N.  17°  B. 
mag.),  when  they  may  steer  up  the  bay  inside,  but  nearer  to  the 
islands. 

The  mud  fiats  are  found  again  on  the  western  side  of  Parita  bay,  the 
coast  being  a  low  mangrove  shore,  intersected  by  the  mouths  of  no  less 
than  five  small  rivers.  The  land  to  the  westward  is  also  low,  with  sev- 
eral hummocks.  At  Lisa  point,  on  the  south  side  of  the  bay,  the  hard 
bank  with  sandy  beach  in  front  a^ain  commences,  and  continues  as  £ir 
as  cape  Mala,  a  distance  of  38  miles,  the  coast  trending  to  the  SE. 

Iguana  island,  lying  about  9  miles  to  the  northward  of  cape  Mala, 
is  a  little  higher  than  the  adjacent  coast,  and  thus  forms  a  conspicuous 
object.  A  ledge  extends  about  600  yards  from  its  southern  and  also 
from  its  eastern  point,  and  in  1858  a  reef  was  reported  to  stretch  to  the 
KKE.  from  its  north  point,  with  15  fathoms  in  the  channel  of  about  one 
mile  in  width  between  it  and  the  main. 

Tides. — It  is  high  water,  full  and  change,  at  Iguana  island  at  4h.; 
springs  rise  15  feet.  The  flood  sets  to  the  northward  and  the  ebb  to  the 
SE.,  the  latter  being  considerably  the  stronger,  especially  between  the 
months  of  December  and  June. 

Cape  Mala,  which  forms  the  western  point  of  entrance  to  the  gulf 
of  Panama,  is  a  low  but  clifly  point  with  outlying  rocky  ledges,  having 
deep  water  close  to  them.  The  land  from  the  NW.  slopes  gradually 
down  to  the  sea  at  this  point  from  a  considerable  distance,  making  the 
exact  cape  difficult  to  distinguish,  unless  the  breakers  are  seen.  On 
opening  the  gulf  around  this  cape  a  strong  southerly  set  is  generally 
experienced,  especially  in  the  dry  season. 


CAPE    MALA — ^MARTATO   POINT.  437 

North  and  South  Fraile  are  two  low,  barren  islets,  lying  WSW.  and 
SSB.  24  miles  from  each  other  and  11  miles  SW.  of  cape  Mala.  A  reef 
extends  aboat  200  yards  off  the  NW.  point  of  the  southern  islet,  bat 
with  that  exception  they  are  steep-to,  having  from  20  to  30  fathoms 
within  J  mile  of  the  rocks.  This,  however,  makes  them  dangerous  to 
vessels  keeping  under  the  land  of  cape  Mala  to  avoid  the  current  in 
the  thick,  squally  weather  of  this  coast. 

Monro  Puercos. — The  coast  from  cape  Mala  trends  southwestward, 
and  continues  low  for  22  miles  to  Guanieo  point.  From  this  point  it 
gradually  rises  for  7  miles,  to  morro  Puercos,  a  lofty  headland  which 
forms  the  commencement  of  a  range  of  high  coast  land.  A  3-fathom 
patch  lies  about  3  miles  i^E.  of  the  morro,  and  4  miles  westward  of  the 
morro  is  a  reef  of  rocks  above  water  lying  one  mile  from  the  shore. 
I^ortheast  of  Guanieo  point  is  an  open  bay,  into  which  two  small  rivers, 
the  Tomosi  and  Juera,  empty.  There  is  a  patch  of  rocks  close  to  the 
shore  in  the  KW.  part  of  this  bay  and  another  off  Raia  point  at  its 
eastern  side. 

Mariato  point  is  a  bold  headland  at  the  termination  of  the  high 
land  which  commences  at  the  morro  Puercos.  The  point  is  27  miles 
westward  of  the  morro,  and  the  water  off  this  coast  is  deep  close  to 
the  rocks,  no  bottom  being  found  with  100  fathoms  within  3  miles  of 
the  shore.  At  5  miles  KW.  of  Mariato  point  is  Karanjas  island,  a 
rugged  and  rocky  but  wooded  islet,  lying  about  ^  mile  westward  of  a 
blnff,  northward  of  which  the  low  land  again  commences,  the  coast 
trending  to  the  northward  toward  the  great  bay  of  Montijo. 

Landfall. — Mariato  point  is  a  good  landfall  for  vessels  bound  to 
Panama  from  the  westward,  as  by  keeping  under  this  land  they  will 
avoid  the  southerly  set  out  of  the  gul£ 

Passages. — ^Bonnd  to  Panama. — ^The  passage  from  the  southward 
into  the  gulf  of  Panama  is  easily  made  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
year  by  keeping  abont  60  miles  from  the  coast  north  of  Guayaquil,  and 
after  crossing  the  line  shaping  a  course  for  Galera  island,  at  the  same 
time  taking  care,  especially  in  the  dry  season,  to  stand  inshore  with 
the  first  northerly  wind.  By  so  doing  vessels  will  most  probably  have 
the  current  in  their  favor  along  the  coast,  whereas  by  keeping  the  center 
or  on  the  western  side  of  the  gulf  a  strong  southerly  set  will  be  expe- 
rienced. After  making  Galera  and  clearing  the  San  Jose  bank,  the  nav- 
igation between  the  Pearl  islands  and  the  main  is  clear  and  easy,  with 
the  advantage  of  being  able  to  anchor  should  the  wind  fail  or  the  tide 
be  against  the  vessel.  As  a  rule  this  passage  should  be  taken,  but  with 
a  strong  southerly  wind  the  navigator  is  tempted  to  run  up  the  bay,  in 
which  case  he  should  still  keep  on  the  western  shore  of  the  Pearl  islands, 
where  anchorage  and  less  current  will  be  found  should  the  wind  fail, 
an  event  always  to  be  expected  in  these  regions.  Between  Chirambira 
point  and  cape  Corrientes  the  land  is  low  and  faced  with  shoals,  caused 
by  the  numerous  rivers  which  have  their  outlets  on  this  part  of  the 


438  COAST   OF   COLOMBIA. 

coast;  but  after  passing  cape  Gorrientes  it  may  be  approached  pretty 
closely  except  off  Solano  iK)int,  where  some  rocky  shoal  patches  extend 
to  seaward,  as  the  coast  in  general  is  bold-to.  Gare,  however,  should  be 
taken  not  to  ran  into  the  calms  caused  by  the  highland^  as  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  get  off  into  the  breeze  again,  and  the  swell  sets  inshore,  where 
it  frequently  happens  that  no  anchorage  is  to  be  found  till  close  to  the 
rocks. 

In  beating  up  the  bay  of  Panama  in  the  fine  season  the  eastern  pas- 
sage, or  that  between  the  Pearl  islands  and  the  main,  is  to  be  preferred, 
as,  with  one  exception,  it  is  free  from  dangers.  The  water  is  smooth 
and  a  regular  tide  enables  you  to  make  more  northing  than  it  would  be 
possible  to  do  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  against  the  strong  current  and 
short  high  sea  which  at  this  season  prevails  in  the  center  or  western 
side.  During  the  rainy  season  a  straight  course  up  the  bay  is  prefer- 
able to  entangling  yourself  with  the  islands,  the  current  generally 
following  the  direction  of  the  wind. 

Vessels  bound  to  Panama  from  the  northward  should  make  the  island 
of  Hicaron,  which  lies  about  50  miles  westward  of  Mariato  point,  and 
from  this  endeavor  to  keep  under  the  land  as  far  as  cape  Mala.  If 
unable  to  do  this  they  should  push  across  for  the  opposite  coast  of  the 
continent,  where  the  current  will  be  found  in  their  favor,  or,  getting 
eastward  of  cape  Mala,  the  safest  plan  is  to  shape  a  course  for  Galera 
island  and  to  use  the  eastern  passage.  At  the  same  time,  if  tempted 
up  the  gulf  by  a  fair  wind,  vessels  should  endeavor  to  get  on  the  western 
coast  of  the  Pearl  islands,  which  have  the  advantages  already  explained. 

Bound  from  Panama. — ^The  great  difficulty,  however,  is  the  passage 
out  or  rather  from  Panama  bay. 

The  best  plan  for  all  sailing  vessels,  whether  bound  north  or  south 
from  Panama,  is  to  push  to  the  southward  and  gain  the  SE.  trade- winds; 
by  so  doing  they  will  not  only  avoid  the  doldrums  and  vexatious  winds, 
but  will  have  the  additional  advantage  of  salubrious  weather,  with  the 
sea  at  a  temperature  of  75^  instead  of  85^  p. 

The  passage  to  the  northward  has  been  made  by  keeping  close  in- 
shore after  passing  cape  Mala  and  navigating  by  the  land  and  sea 
breezes,  but  this  should  only  be  attempted  by  vessels  that  are  well 
found  and  manned,  unless  bound  to  the  ports  of  Gentral  America,  when 
it  is  the  only  route. 

The  passage  to  the  westward  during  the  rainy  season  is  a  most  tedi- 
ous affair;  calms,  squalls,  contrary  winds  and  currents,  a  heavy  swell, 
and  extreme  heat,  as  well  as  an  atmosphere  loaded  with  moisture  and 
rain,  are  the  daily  accompaniments.  It  often  occurs  that  20  miles  of 
westing  is  not  made  in  a  week,  and  it  is  only  by  the  industrious  use  of 
every  squall  and  slant  of  wind  that  the  passage  can  be  made. 

The  following  directions,  the  best  for  sailing  vessels,  are  by  Lieutenant 
Maury,  United  States  Kavy: 

"  From  Panama  bay  a  vessel  should  make  the  best  of  her  way  south 


PANAMA   PASSAGES.  4^9 

until  she  gets  between  latitude  5°  K.  and  the  equator;  on  this  course 
let  her  endeavor  to  keep  near  the  meridian  of  80^  W.,  and  from  this 
make  a  SW.  course  if  the  winds  will  allow.  Should  the  wind  be  8W. 
stand  to  the  southward,  but  if  8S  W.  stand  to  the  west,  if  a  good  work- 
ing breeze;  if  the  wind  be  light  and  baffting,  with  rain,  the  vessel  may 
know  that  she  is  in  the  doldrums,  the  quickest  way  to  avoid  which  is 
by  getting  to  the  southward. 

"From  latitude  2°  N.,  between  June  and  January,  vessels  may  stand 
off  from  the  coast  to  the  westward  and  pass  northward  of  the  Galapa- 
gos islands,  taking  care  to  keep  to  the  southward  of  5^  N.  As  far  as 
850  W.  they  will  have  South  and  SSW.  winds,  but  after  passing  that 
meridian  the  wind  will  haul  round  to  the  southward,  and  vessels  bound 
to  the  South  Pacific  may  consider  themselves  fairly  in  the  trade.  Ves- 
sels bound  northward,  after  passing  meridian  of  105°,  may  edge  away 
for  the  Clipperton  rock,  after  passing  which  they  may  push  to  the 
northward  for  the  northern  trade. 

"Between  January  and  April  it  may  be  better  to  cross  the  line 
between  the  GaMpagos  islands  and  the  coast  before  pushing  to  the 
westward.  This  may  probably  take  a  week,  which  outlay  of  time, 
however,  is  far  preferable  to  encountering  the  vexatious  weather  met 
in  that  season  north  of  the  Galdpagos. 

"In  this  route  it  must  be  remembered  that  southward  of  latitude 
lo  N".  the  wind  hauls  to  the  eastward  as  the  vessel  leaves  the  coast, 
and  in  the  meridian  of  83^  W.  it  is  frequently  found  eastward  of  south; 
but  at  the  same  time  vessels  in  standing  off  before  crossing  the  equa- 
tor  must  take  care  to  avoid  being  driven  to  the  northward  of  that 
latitude.  In  fact,  there  are  few  passages  in  which  so  much  depends 
on  the  skill  and  experience  of  the  navigator  as  in  leaving  the  gulf  of 
Panama. 

"Vessels  bound  to  the  northward  in  the  above  season  should  keep 
south  of  the  line  until  westward  of  105°  W.,  when  a  course  may  be 
shaped  for  10^  K.  and  120^  W.,  in  which  track  they  will  probably  find 
the  northern  trade.'' 

The  above  difBiculties  will  be  easily  avoided  by  steamers.  They  may 
at  once  proceed  to  the  starting  points  mentioned  before.  The  best 
plan  will  be  to  steam  for  the  meridian  of  85°  W.  on  the  equator,  from 
which  position  a  course  may  be  shaped  according  to  destination  and 
season  of  the  year. 


INDEX. 


A.  Page. 

AbiDgton  island 408 

anchorage 408 

Aboni  point 216 

tides 216 

ApTA  (of  Sarmiento)  channel 37, 91 

island 91 

Abrigado  port 169 

Abtao  channel 221 

cove 313 

island 221 

port 221 

rock 155,314 

Acari  morro 344 

port 343 

Achilles  bank 204 

Achira  point 260 

Aconcagua  volcano 266 

Acui  island 217 

Adalbert  channel 162 

Adam  island 157 

Adelaide  passage 32 

Adeona  rock 125 

Admirality  sonnd 70 

Adventure  bay 194 

cove 28 

pass 29 

Afaera  islet 427 

Agents,  H.  O.,  List  of 493 

Agi  point 415 

Agnes  islands 34 

Agua  Clara 393 

Dulce  cove 310 

peak 311 

point 317 

Fresca  bay 76 

Saladacove 310 

Aguada  point 251, 399 

Agiiantao  reef 214 

tides 214 

Agui  point 202 

light 202 

Agniire  bay 20 

Aguja  point 377 

danger 377 


Pag©. 

Ahorcados  islets 395 

Aid  basin 145 

Ains  worth  harbor 70 

Altai  cape 216 

Alacran  island 327 

Alala  cove 317 

point 317 

Alao  island 211 

Albany  island 407 

Albatross  channel 162, 164 

harbor 170 

port 162 

Albemarle  island 407 

point 408 

reef 408 

Alcalde  point 292 

Aldrich  islands 149 

Aldunate  channel 192 

inlet 176 

Alert  harbor 148 

anchorage 149 

directions 149 

supplies 149 

tides 149 

rock 121 

Alfred  point 68,192 

Alfredo  hill 127 

Algarrobo  road 265 

village 265 

Algodonales  bay 318 

point 318 

Aligator's  snout  island 135 

Alikhoolip  cape 29 

Allard  point 154 

A.lquilqua  bay 96 

Altamirano  port 115 

Alto  de  Salazar 351 

Altos  de  Caucato.' 350 

Alusea  point 418 

Alvaro  point 155 

Alvizuri  islets 338 

Alzerreca  bank 124 

Amargos  bay 240 

point 240 

441 


442 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Amarilla  point 257 

Aviazonas  shoal 205 

Americimo  moantain 196 

port 196 

Amnistia  bank 222 

Amortajada  island 386 

light 387 

tides 389 

shoals 387 

morro 232 

Amotape  mountains 380 

Ampa  gully 317 

point 317 

Anacachi  rook 298 

Analao  islet 191 

Anana  peaks 418 

Anclade  Manao 208 

Ancla  point 242 

Ancon 360 

bay 359 

del  Sudueste 141 

mount 429 

SinSalida 126 

Ancona  de  Tamasoo  oove 101 

Ancnd 202 

gulf 220 

tidal  wav^e 230 

tides 230 

Andes  fort 267 

Andrew  sound 133 

Andrews  bay 82 

Anegada  point 61 

Anegadiza  point 247 

Angamos  island 168 

point 314 

rook 193 

Angle  hill 62 

island 153 

Angostoport 92 

anchorage  and  directions 93 

tides 93 

Angot  cove 28 

Anita  rock 135 

Anjeles  point 267 

caution 267 

light 267 

Anna  Pink  bay 188 

Anne  breakers 144 

Anson  mount '. 165 

rock 84 

Antarotique  rook 374 

Antofagasta 311 

anchorage 312 

communication 311 

directions 312 


Antofagasta  light 311 

road 311 

supplies 311 

telegraph 311 

winds 312 

Antoine  bay 121 

Anton  bay 143 

Antrim  inlet 152 

Ants  rocks 359 

An unciada  point 132 

Anvil  mount 306 

Anxious  point 73 

Apabon  point 216 

reef 216 

caution 216 

• 

Apiao  island 211 

Apolillado  cove 291 

Apostles  rocks 38 

April  peak 146, 172 

Aranta  cove 340 

Arathoon  bay 90 

Arauco 252 

province 248 

bay 251 

tides 252 

patch 77 

Arauz  bay 112 

point 112 

Arcana  mount 374 

point 373 

Arce  bay 101 

Arditabay 420 

Arena  point 202,256,388,416 

buoy 389 

light 388 

Arenas  point 12,75,319 

Arequipa 337 

rock 295 

volcano 336 

Ariadne  point 73 

Arica 327 

head  ...-. 327 

road 327 

anchorage 327 

climate 328 

landing 327 

supplies 328 

to  southern  ports 328 

Armingen  islands 161 

Arragon  island 144 

Arrayancove 289 

Artesas  point 272 

Arthur  island 89 

islands 134 

Artillery  bay 131 


INDEX. 


443 


Page. 

Asoope 370 

Ascnnsion  island 196 

Asia  island 351 

Askewpoint 77 

Asses  ears 60,429 

Astr^erock 110 

Atacames  bay 399 

directions 400 

tides 400 

ledge 399 

river 399 

supplies 399 

vmage 399 

Atahnanqni  point 362 

Atico  point. 341 

road •. 342 

tides 342 

Atlquipa  valley 342 

Atrato  river 417 

Atrial  beacon 240 

rock 240 

Aalen channel 228 

island 228 

point 228 

Anqne  point 220 

Anrora  gorge 325 

Avanzada  point 240 

Awaiakirrb  cove 22 

Ayangae  point 395 

Ayantaa  islands 165 

Aymond  mount 60 

Aysen  estuary 196 

Azapa  valley 328 

Azua  point 346 

B. 

Baoalao  point 807 

Bachem  bight 169 

point 164 

Back  harbor 19 

Bad  bay 177 

Bahia 397 

deCimeros 101 

deRomay 76 

Baia  river 418 

BajaMarta 68 

(Low)  point 314 

rock 267,391 

buoy 267 

de  el  Chile 376 

B%jasiK>int 360 

Bi^odeAfuerabuoy 389 

Bajos  de  Chigualoco 279 

Baker  cove 95 

islands 143,164 


Pagci 

Balcacura  heights 204 

point 202 

Baleines  bay 22 

Ballenacove 240 

point 304 

port *...  196 

rocks 229 

Ballenasport 166 

Ballenitabay 304 

point 394 

Ballesta  islands 347 

Balsamo  mountains 397 

Bandera  bay 236 

Bandurria  cove 314 

point 317 

Banks  bay 408 

Bannen  channel 124 

Banner  cove 21 

shoal 25 

Barba  island 193 

Barbara  channel 32,87 

directions 32 

tides 32 

port 173 

directions 173 

tides 173 

Barbarossa  channel. 164 

Baroelo  bay 101 

Bare  rooks 156 

Barnacle  reef. •••.••...  65 

Bameabay 283 

Bamevett  island 23 

Barr  point Ill 

Barranca  bank • 62 

bay 363 

beacon 62 

head 363 

point 62 

port 362 

river 363 

Barrancas  cove 313 

ravines 321 

Barranco  cove 187 

point ---  264 

Barranquilla  cove 297 

point 297 

Barrington  islands 407 

Barrister  bay 37 

Barrow  head 31 

Barry  rock 423 

Bartholomew  island • 425 

Basan  point 414 

Bascunan  cape •• 292 

Basil  Hall  port 16 

supplies 17 


444 


INDEX. 


Paga 

Basket  island 29 

Bass  rock 308 

Batchelor  hill 91 

river 84 

Batelepolnt _ 433 

Bates  cove 91 

Baudo  river 417 

Baverstock  island 123 

peak 124 

Baxa  point 62 

beacon 63 

shoal  off 63 

Bayly  island 25 

Baynes  island 31 

Bayoneta  island 426 

Beacon  mound 102 

Beagle  channel 21 

anchorages 21 

harbor 114 

directions 114 

tides 114 

hills 114 

island 171 

mountains 361 

Beaubasin  port 85 

Beanchamp  inlet 158 

Beaufort  bay - 25,111 

Beaufoy  mount 27 

Beaulieucape 18 

Bedford  bay 32 

Bedwell  island 123 

Beguetabay 362 

Belenbank 258 

beacon 258 

Bellavista 318,354 

Bellbay 86,105 

mount 367 

mountain 20 

of  Quillota 266 

Beilaca  point 397 

Beloe  heights 109 

Belvedere 383 

Bending  cove 113 

Benito  inlet 174 

Bennet  point 114 

Berkeley  cape.- 408 

Bermejo  point 363 

port 134,363 

directions 363 

Bernal  point 359 

Besselrock 126 

Bethune  mount 147 

Beware  island 101 

point 345 

Bien  Conocido  shoal 217 


Page. 

Big  Borja  island ^ 101 

island 106 

Bindloe  island 408 

Bio  Bio  paps 255 

river 255 

Birch  islands 142 

Bird  island 366 

Bishopp  island 158 

Bister  island 191 

Black  Beach  road 406 

hill 66 

island 191 

islet 37 

Mary  harbor 19 

river 176 

rock : 105,148,365 

Blanca  cove 318 

island 277,348,367 

point 129,272,318 

reef 367 

rocks 367 

Blanco  cape 381 

Encaladaroad 310 

islet 314 

point 320 

shoal 394 

Blaxland  island 105 

Bluff  peninsula 145 

Boat  island 27 

rock 410 

BocaChica 423 

channel 250 

caution 250 

current 251 

deCanales 174 

de  Pan  cove 382 

del  Barco  cove 279 

Grande 402,424 

Jambeli 387 

light 387 

Manle  rock 255 

Bocarripe  head 247 

Bodegas  (Guayaquil) 391 

Bodudahue  river 229 

Bogota  rock 275 

Bold  head 153 

Bolfin  cove 311 

Bolivar  rock 282 

Bolton  bluff 113 

Bona  island 436 

Bond  point 138 

BonduCi*  island 129 

Bono  island 133 

Bonet  islands 86 

Bonifacio  cove 244 


INDEX. 


445 


Page. 

Bonifacio  morro 243 

Boqueron  cape 70 

mount.  ^ 73 

of  CaUao 358 

directions 358 

tides 358 

of  Pisco 347 

Borjabay 85,100 

directions 100 

tides 100 

island 100 

Borrachos  point 398 

Boesi  bight 149 

Boston  island 118 

Boncbage  bay 79 

Bougainyille  bay 80 

Boundary  beacon • 60 

Boumand  bay 80 

Bowlder  reef 114 

Boxerspit 82 

Boyce  island 103 

Boyle  rock..... 103 

Bradbury  rock 123 

Bradley  cove 86 

Brassey  pass 146 

directions 146 

tides 146 

Brattle  island , 408 

Brava  point 428 

Bravezas. 323 

BrazoAncbo  channel 152 

point 139 

del  Norte 147 

peninsula 141 

Brea  mountains 380 

Breaker  coast  ..^ 36 

Breakpot  rock 256 

Breaksea  island 173 

Brecknock  pass 29 

peninsula 29 

Brennan  point 339 

Brenton  sound 72 

Brinkley  island 126 

Brisbane  bead 27 

Broderip  bay 33 

Bromley  mount - 137 

Brooke  cove 92 

Brookes  barbor 70 

Brown  bay 32 

—  island 163 

point 107,146 

Bruja  point 433,435 

Bmjo  cove 372 

Bryson  point 303 

Bttcalemo  head 264 


Pȣe. 

Bnchnchen  point 238 

Bnchupureo  road 260 

Buckland  mount 17,72 

Buckley  point 120 

Budi  lagoon 245 

Bneirock 267 

buoy 267 

Buena  cove 324 

light 325 

Buenaventura  river 414 

directions 416 

telegraph 415 

tides 416 

Bueno  river 237 

signals 237 

Buey  bank 423 

clearing  marks 423 

point.... 432 

rocks 258 

Bufadero  cliff 364 

Buitre  point 310 

rock 309 

Bunche  river 399 

Burca  point 260 

Burdoes  rock 255 

Burges  island 147 

Burgess  island 87 

Burgoyne  bay 120 

Barney  mount 123 

Burnt  Forest  hill 138 

island ...-..- 29 

anchorage 29 

Burrage  point 144 

Burro  point 280 

rock 380 

Burt  rock 340 

Butler  bay 88 

Button  island 23 

islet , 148 

Byatt  island 144 

Bynoe  cape 170 

island 30 

islands 173 

point 173 

Byron  bay 94 

island 165,173 

C. 

Caballos  Nazoaroad 345 

Cabancha  cove 322 

point 322 

Cabeza  de  Vaca  point 301 

Norte  buoy 389 

Cabitabay 418 


446 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Cabra  Loma  bank 435 

Cachina  hillock 276 

Cacbos  point 296 

Caffinpass 140 

Caguacbe  island 211 

Cahuelmo  inlet 229 

Cahuil 263 

lake 263 

Calcaen  channel 222 

Caicnra  island 225 

Cailin  island 219 

CiyaChica 298 

Grande 298 

Calan  point 260 

Calaverahead 351 

Calbuco  channel 224 

commnnication 223 

island 223 

port 223 

tides 223 

town 223 

Caldera  point 300 

port 300 

anchorage 301 

coal 301 

hospitals 301 

light 300 

supplies 301 

telegraph 301 

wreck 300 

Caldereta  peninsola 299 

Calderilla  port 299 

Calenport 211 

Calera 270 

Calota  point 267 

Calfaco  point '. 243 

Callao 353 

anchorage 357 

bay 353 

climate 355 

-r— coal 356 

directions 357 

dues 358 

landing 354 

lights 356 

point..- 353 

port  regulations 354 

supplies 355 

telegraph 355 

to  Valparaiso 333 

yellow  fever 355 

boqueron 358 

directions 358 

tides 358 

CalleCalle  river 243 


Callejones  point 363 

Callo  islet 395 

point 395 

port. 395 

Calvario  bluff 3^ 

I)eak 230 

Camana  anchorage 341 

valley 341 

Camarones  gorge 326 

Cambridge  island 171 

Camden  islands 29 

Camel  island 147 

Camotalbank 358 

Campanabank 204 

deQoillota..... 266 

island 172 

mount 370 

Samanco 367 

Campbell  island 122 

mount 96 

Canal  de  la  Tempestad 96 

Canas  island 427 

Canaveral  cove 188 

Candelaria  cape 142 

Canete 361 

river 350 

Canevaro  bay 377 

Cangrejo  islet 426 

Canning  island 133 

Canoa  point 395 

Canoas  rocks 83 

Canoeinlet 93 

Canoitad  rocks 199 

Capa  point 342 

Capacho  point 226 

Capato  point 138 

Cape  (see  proper  name). 

Cape  Horn 24 

barometer 2 

current 5 

directions  for  rounding ....    10 

fogs 5 

icebergs 6 

islands 23 

tides 38 

winds  and  weather 2 

Stokes  anchorage 178 

Capiraguapi  islet 226 

Capitanes  point 234 

Capstan  rocks 28 

Carabaillo  river 359 

Caracciolo  bay 132 

Caracoles  islet 426 

Carampangue  river 252 

Caramucho  cove 322 


INDEX. 


447 


Page. 

Oaramnfien  cove 228 

Caraquea  river 397 

tides 398 

town 397 

Carbonero  head 242 

Cardinal  cape 144 

Carelmapn  bay 205 

islets 203 

point 204 

Carlos  III  island 85 

Camerobay 249 

head 249 

,  shoal  off 249 

point 393 

Caroline  island 28 

Carquinbay 362 

islet 362 

point 362 

Carranza  cape 261 

caution 261 

light 261 

islands 97 

rocks .* 261 

Carrasco  peak 321 

mount 321 

Carreras  bay 77 

anchorage 77 

point 77 

Carretas  head 346 

hill 370 

mount 346 

Carrington  island 127 

Carrizal  alto 295 

bajo 294 

anchorage 295 

port 294 

-. supplies 295 

bay 291 

island 294 

point 291 

Carson  point 142 

CartageDa  beach 265 

Carteret  island 88 

Casa  Blauca 351 

de  Josephina 391 

Casaya  island 426 

Cascade  harbor 86 

point 99,155 

Cascaj  al  point 413 

Casilda  island 97 

Casmabay 365 

Casper  point 91 

Castellano  islands 87 

Castillos  channel 169 

Castle  point 148 


Castlereagh  cape 29 

Castro  anchorage 215 

directions 214 

inlet 214 

islets 87 

point 215 

town 215 

Casualidad  rock 275 

Cat  cove 187 

island 134 

Catalinabay 74 

island 126 

Cateret  anchorage 307 

Cathedral  mount 147 

Catherine  point 60 

anchorage 60 

tides 60 

Catripe  river 417 

Caucaguapi  head 200 

Caucahue  island 209 

strait 209 

Caucato  heights 350 

port 350 

Cautenhead 246 

Caution  point 149 

shoal: 160 

buoy 160 

Cave  bay 144 

Cavour  island 160 

Cayetano  island 33,87 

Cayo  Blanco 196 

CeboUiurock 279 

Cecil  island 140 

Cedar  island 423 

point 157 

Celery  island , 107 

islet 146 

Center  island 137,142 

mount 76 

rock , 137 

Centinela  point 217,224 

Centinelas  rocks 420 

Ceres  island 126 

Cerro  Alegre 284 

Azul 350 

Chame 436 

deCabra 435 

de  Guasco 293 

de  la  Cruz 391 

Horca 363 

Oncol 243 

MoDton de  Trigo 359 

Verde 274 

Chacabuco  channel 191 

cove 153 


448 


INDEX. 


Chacabuco  port 197 

suoal 277 

ChacanHi 319 

Chacaobay 207 

bluff 207 

head 207 

narrows 204 

directions 205 

tides 207 

Chacaya  point 315 

Cbacayuta  valley 329 

Chaguareef 218 

Chagualin  island 218 

Chaiguao  point 219 

Chaihuin  gap 239 

point 239 

river 239 

Cbaiue  islet 136 

Chala 342 

morro 342 

monnt 342 

point 342 

port 342 

Cbalguaco  cove 235 

river 235 

Challenger  breakers 148 

Chalmers  cape 409 

Chambique  bay 253 

bluffs 253 

Chamebay 435 

island 435 

point 435 

Champion  rock 13 

Chanabaya  cove 321 

Chaiiarl 291,303 

bay 291 

island 291 

de  las  Animas  bay 302 

supplies 303 

telegragh 303 

Chancay  bay 360 

head 360 

river 360 

Chance  bay 88 

islands 132 

Chanchan  point 244 

Chanduy  heights 393 

Changarml  island 433 

Changorock 300 

Changes  point 276 

Changue  point 233 

Changuillo  river 345 

Channel  peak 108 

rock 102 

Chanqui  inlet 225 


Chanticleer  island 23 

Chao  islands 369 

point 369 

river 369 

Chapera  island 426 

Chapman  islands 96 

Charapoto  river 397 

Charles  cape 113,129 

island 35,83,156,406 

beacon 156 

islands 133 

Ill  island 85 

Charraaport 146 

Chasco  cove 296 

Chasm  reach 153 

current 153 

shoals 153 

tides 153 

Chasseurs  bay 21 

Chatas  rocks 127 

Chatham  bay 410 

tides 410 

island 129,404 

supplies 404 

Chauchil  point 228 

Chaucobay 217,260 

Chaulin  island 218 

Chaulinec  island 211 

shoals  near 212 

Chaullin  island 223 

Chauquiarbay  ,., 223 

Chauquis  islands 210 

Chavifia  valley 343 

Chay alime  point 195 

Chayapiren  volcano 229 

Cheape  channel 174 

Chechil 223 

Cheek  points 365 

Cheguian  point 213 

Chelin  island 211 

Chefma  cove 228 

Chepillo  island 429 

point 394 

Chepo  river 429 

Chepu  inlet 200 

Cherrepe  cove 374 

Chicama  river 372 

valley 372 

Chiclayo 375 

Chico  morro 228,418 

Chidguapi  island 223 

Chigualoco  bay 279 

cove 279 

village 279 

Chiguas  cove 337 


INDEX. 


449 


Page. 

ChUoa  island 351 

point 351 

port 351 

tides. 351 

valley - 351 

Child  island .* 137 

beacons 137 

Childers  bluff 132 

cape 133 

Childs  bluff 113 

Chile  currents - 184 

light  dues 186 

passages 186 

port  charges 186 

signals 186 

tides 185 

weather 185 

winds  and  weather 180 

Chilen  bluff 207 

Chileno  point 319 

Chiloe  island 197 

caution 198 

directions 198 

note 191 

passage  inside 198 

pilotage 198 

tidal  wave 230 

tides 230 

weather 185 

Chiman  river 429 

town 429 

Chimba  bay 312 

Cbimborazo  mountain 384 

Chimbote  port 367 

directions 368 

mails  and  telegraph 368 

supplies 368 

mole 368 

mount 368 

point 367 

Chimpel  point 248 

Chimu  valley 370 

Chincha  islands 349 

river 350 

Chink  creek 90 

Chinnock  island 158 

Chinos  cove 317 

rocks 320 

Chipaua  bay 320 

point,  false 320 

Chipigana  village 424 

Chipre  island 425 

Chipue  iulet 225 

Chiquinata  bay 322 

Chira  river 380 

1943— :N^o.  89 29 


Page. 

Chirambira  point 417 

anchorage 417 

tides 417 

ChirChiribay 419 

river 419 

tides 419 

Chiru  river 418 

Chiut  island 212 

Choapa  river 280 

Chocalla  point 351 

Choco  bay 1 414 

Chocoi  head 204 

directions 204 

Chogon  point 209 

Choiseulbay 87 

Cholni  mount 245 

Chomache  point 320 

village 320 

Chonchali  river 278 

Chonos  archipelago 188 

climate 189 

general  instructions 190 

kelp.... 190 

note 191 

tides 190 

winds 180,189 

Chopebay 223 

island 102 

Chorillosbay 353 

anchorage 353 

point 353 

landing 353 

Chorito  river 419 

Choromayo  point 240 

Choros  bay 290 

beach 290 

cape V 290 

islands 290 

point 244 

port 169 

Christmas  anchorage 98 

cove 187 

sound 28 

Christopher  point 408 

Chucumata  cove 322 

Chuil  island 212 

Chulao  point 229 

Chulin  island 212 

Chumeline  point 210 

Chungo  point 277 

ChunguDgo  island 290 

point 244 

Church  rock 261 

Churruca  port 96 

Chute  cove 336 


450 


INDEX. 


Pftge. 

ChnzacoYe 335 

Cifanchobay 304 

cove 304 

Cima  Cuadrada  island 296 

Cirujano  island 175 

peninsula 176 

Cisnes  estuary 195 

Citera 417 

Clanricarde  cape 134 

Clara  bay 167 

Clarence  island 30,73,85 

Clarke  point 155 

Claro  point 242 

Clearbottom  bay 27 

Clemente  island 191 

Clements  group 130 

hill 137 

Clerkeport 28 

Cliff  cove 187 

hill 59 

Clio  island 160 

Clou^  island 154 

peninsula 22 

Cloyne  reef 126 

spindle 126 

Cobija  bay 315 

anchorage 316 

communication 316 

directions 315 

landing 316 

supplies 316 

tides 316 

point 315 

Cobquecura  bay 260 

Cobre  mountain 289 

Cochinas  point 250 

Cochinos  islet 202 

Cockatrice  rock 250 

Cockburn  channel 30 

tides 32 

Cocked  Hat  island 129 

Cockle  cove 142 

directions 142 

supplies 143 

tides 143 

Cockroach  village 383 

Cockshead 163 

Coco  islet 428 

Cocos  island 409 

tides 410 

point 426 

Cocotea  cove 336 

Cocotue  bay 200 

head 200 

heights 200 


Cocoviislet 433 

Cocoviceta  islet 433 

Codo  point 352 

Cohen  fiord 167 

rocks 141 

• 

Coicoi  point 260 

Coiscabay 368 

C  oj  imies  shoals 398 

Cola  bank 221 

Coles  point 335 

Colhue  inlet 225 

Colina  Bedonda  cove 365 

point 365 

Colipi  landing 319 

Colita  island 220 

Coliumo  bay 259 

head 259 

College  rocks 36 

Collingwood  strait 127 

Collinilo  point 255 

Cololue  islets 324 

Colombia 411 

chief  towns 411 

climate 411 

currents 412 

port  charges 411 

production 411 

rock 423 

winds  and  weather 411 

Colombine  cove 127 

Colonchehill 395 

Coloradacove 309,324 

point 324 

Colorado  beach 324 

point 422 

Coloso  cove 311 

Colu  river 209 

Columbia  shoal 394 

Column  peak 429 

Colun  river 238 

Colworthcape 122 

Comau  channel 229 

inlet  (Leteu) 229 

morro 229 

Compass  cape 235 

Compu  inlet 218 

Concepcion 255 

bay 256 

approaching 256 

Great  or  Eastern  channel..  257 

Rock 257 

Channel 132 

east  shore 132 

west  shore 134 

Concha  port 194 


INDEX. 


451 


Page. 

Concbalibay 276 

Conchas  point 278 

Conconcove 272 

point 272 

rocks 272 

Condesa  bay 89 

Condor  oUff 56 

anchorage 56 

cove 235 

anchorage 235 

point 235 

Cone  hill 64,148 

inlet 187 

Conejos  islands 365 

Congo  river 422 

Conic  island 410 

Conner  islands 122 

Connor  cove 163 

Conquestrock 295 

Constitucion  harbor 313 

tides 313 

island 313 

town 262,313 

Contadora  channel 425 

island 425 

Contao  coast 228 

Conway  bay 407 

anchorage 407 

^knob 94 

Cook  bay 28 

point 142 

port 16,70 

Coombesrock 108 

Cooper  Key  cape 105 

Copaoa  point 317 

Vieja  cove 317 

Copiap^bay 298 

port 297 

anchorage 299 

directions 298 

tides 298 

Copper  cove 316, 317 

caution,  directions 316 

point 317 

Coppinger  peninsula 141 

Coquimbo 286 

Coquimbo  bay 286 

anchorage 287 

coal 287 

communication -. 287 

directions 287 

fogs 287 

landing 287 

refitting 287 

signals 286 


Page. 

Coqoimbo  bay  sapplies 286 

tides 286 

winds 286 

peninsula 285 

Coquito  point 400 

light 401 

Corales  point 422 

Coralie  cove 27 

Corcovado  gulf 220 

cape 229 

island 369 

mountain 217 

reef 352 

Cordes  bay 82 

Cordillera  reef 171 

Cordonal  point 262 

Cordova  channel 95 

inlet 95 

island 94 

pass 94 

point 147 

Cormorant  inlet 92 

Comejo  point 340 

Coronahead 201 

light 201 

islands 113 

Coronades  gulf 232 

Coronel 254 

bay 254 

anchorage 254 

coal 254 

directions 254 

point 204,254 

supplies 254 

Coronilla  rock 264 

Corral  fort 241 

port 240 

communication 241 

current 242 

light 241 

supplies 241 

tides 242 

Corredor  river 420 

Corrientes  cape 418 

Corso  mount  150 

peninsula 150 

Cortado  cape 99 

Cortes  cape 134 

Ojea  channel 164 

Coruturiver 429 

Coscomba  cove 369 

Costa  channel »  193 

Cotesworth  islands 37 

Cotopaxi  rock 162 

buoy 162 


462 


INDEX. 


Coaohan  beach 352 

Coughtry  islands 96 

Courtenay  soand 29 

Cousifio  rock 283 

Coutt  islet 344 

Covadonga  group 154 

rook 155,236 

Coventry  cape 82 

Cranmer  sonnd 147 

Creek  point 91 

Cripples  channel 106 

Croft  island 157 

Crooked  reach 88, 100 

rock 100 

Cross  hills 392 

Crossley  bay 18 

Crossman  islets 408 

Crossover  island 154 

Crosstide  cape 85 

Cruces  point 419 

Cruz  de  la  Ballena  point 275 

de  Palo  cove 352 

Cuaques  highland 398 

Cucaobay 200 

heights 200 

Cudagnapi  rock 199 

Cnello  point 218 

Cuenca 384 

Cuervo  island 254 

Cuevascape 98 

Cuitue  peak 227 

Culebras  cove 365 

point 365 

CuUin  point 259 

Culling  island 133 

Culo  de  Barca  island 414 

Culpepper  islet 409 

Cumberland  bay 307 

tides 307 

Cummins  point 106 

Cunningham  island 122 

—  mount 96 

Cupica  bay 419 

tides 419 

river 419 

Cupola  islet 112 

Curachichi  river 420 

Curaco  cove 247 

Curanipe  road 260 

town 260 

Curaumahead 266 

Curanmilla  point 266 

light 266 

semaphore 266 

Curay aco  cove 352 


Fag©. 

Curico 271 

Curin  cove 244 

Currant  point 149 

Currents,  Agnja  point 377 

Cape  Horn  and 6 

Pillar,  between 6 

Cascajal  and  Guascama^ between  414 

Coast  of  Chile 184 

Colombia 412 

Ecuador 385 

Peru 332 

Galapagos  islands 403 

gulf  of  Panama 421 

Lobos  de  Afuera 377 

Tierra 377 

Malpelo  island 422 

Mocha  island,  near 246 

Tumaco,  offing 412 

Valdivia  and  adjacent  coast 242 

Cutler  island 125 

cove 113 

islands 113 

rock 124 

Cuzco  city 342 

D. 

Daedalus  island 25 

rock 25 

Dalcahue  channel 211 

pass 213 

villages 213 

Dallaspoint 297 

Dalrymple  rock 404 

Da]y  island 161 

Dampier  islands 19 

Danaide  rocks 433 

Danger  shoal 157 

Daniel  point 63 

Daphne  rock 395 

Darby  cove 97 

Dardo  head 346 

Darien  harbor 424 

anchorage 424 

climate 424 

produce 424 

tides  .., 425 

Dark  hill 187 

Darwin  bay 191 

channel 191 

directions 192 

tides 192 

mouut 362 

range 12 

Dash  wood  point 122 


INDEX. 


453 


Page. 

Datum  point 138 

Davin  islets 137 

sound 87 

Davis  point 94 

Dawson  island 71 

Day  bay 139 

Daylight  point 406 

Dead  Tree  islet 175 

Dean  harbor 33 

Deceit  cape 24 

island 24 

Deep  harbor 120 

De  la  Iglesla  rock 261 

De  las  Damas  island 290 

Delgada  point 62,129 

anchorage 62 

directions 62 

tides 62 

Delgado  sound 141 

Delicada  point 251 

Delusion  bay 95 

Deseado  cape 37 

Desecho 176 

Desertores  islands 212 

Despair  island 100 

Desolate  bay 29 

Desolation  cape 29 

island 37 

Dessant  rooks 85 

Deticu  coye 218 

Detif  headland 215 

Deutsche  narrows 163 

Diamond  island 154 

Diana  hill 131 

peak 171 

Diane  island 25 

Diaz  island.... 97 

Diego  Ramirez  islands 26 

Diegues  island ,97 

Digby  point 97 

Dighton  bay 34 

Dillon  point 25 

Dinero  mount 58 

Dinwoodie  point 142 

Direction  bluff 344 

hills 60 

beacon 60 

tides 60 

islands 157 

islet 162 

islets 112 

Dislocation  harbor 37 

directions 38 

Divide  point 22 

Division  islands • 142 


Paga 

Division  mount 367 

Dixon  cove 126 

hill 63 

Dolores  reef 154 

Dolphin  island.... 110 

Dome  hill 102 

of  Saint  Paul 177 

Dona  Elvira  bay 169 

Maria  point 345 

Sebastiana  islet 203 

Vista  point 424 

Donkin  cove 114 

point .-..--.- 115 

Don  Martin  island 362 

Pedro  inlet 136 

point 128 

Dooli  branch 391 

Doris  cove 29 

Dormidos  de  Afuera 251 

Dorsetshire  rock 285 

Dos  Amigos  rocks 233 

Hermanos  islands 86 

Reyes  point 310 

Double  peak 66,128 

mountain 147 

Double  rock 148 

Douglas  bay 23 

Doyle  point 90 

Dreising  bay 164 

Drew  harbor 73 

point 91 

Driver  rock 212 

Dmmmond  Hay  island 136 

Duao  point 262 

Duck  harbor.. 171 

Duende  island 188 

Duendesport 318 

rock 318 

Duff  bay 27 

Dugoab  reef 210 

Duke  of  Edinburgh  sound 156 

of  Yorkisland 132,172 

Dulce  island 156 

Duncan  harbor 171 

island 407 

rock 171 

Dundee  rock 173 

Dungeness 57 

anchorages 58 

beacon 58 

lighthouse 58 

tides 58 

wreck 58 

Duntze  point 89 

Duprat  point 269 


454 


INDEX. 


Dnraziio  rook 273 

Dnrrumbo  cove 281 

Datton  island 153 

Dyer  cape 172 

Dyneley  bay 86 

island 31 

—  sound 31 

Eagle  bay 79 

Eardleybay 132 

Earlecove 34 

East  bay 89,141 

channel 156 

Fury  rooks 30 

—  Havergalbay 90 

point 300,400 

Eastern  peaks 144 

Echiniqne  point 96 

Eclipse  island 128 

Ecuador 384 

chief  towns 384 

climate 385 

communication 385 

currents 385 

dues 385 

general  description 384 

port  charges 385 

productions 384 

rivers 384 

telegraph 385 

winds  and  weather 385 

Eden  harbor 156 

tides 156 

island 156 

Edgeworth  cape 34 

shoal 34 

Edithisland 424 

Edwards  rock 131 

El  Anela  anchorage 207 

Barco  rock 245 

Barranco 353 

Centinelahill 265 

Cobrebay 310 

Corral  bank 273 

Dique 203 

anchorage 203 

Farallon 237 

Frailerock 253,266 

Gobemadorhill 274 

Morion 88 

Moritorock 278 

Morro 412 

Chioo 413 


ElMuerto 387 

Novillo  island 348 

Paposo 309 

Pefion  point 262 

Puerto  of  Panama 432 

Rosario 223 

Tororock 266 

Yungue  mountain 306 

Elefantes  gulf 192 

inlet 192 

Elena  cape 186 

cove 153 

Eliza  bay 31 

point 129 

Elizabeth  bay 84,408 

anchorage 84 

island 67 

anchorage 67 

point 160 

Ellen  mount 147 

island 424 

islet 91 

Elliott  peninsula 154 

Elvira  point 87 

Emma  island : 167 

point 146 

Englefield  island 113 

English  bay 240 

cove 335 

creek 247 

narrows 156 

buoys 159 

caution 159,160 

directions 156 

regulations 157 

tides 157 

roads 251 

Engorda  point 251 

Entrance  island 108 

islets 177 

point 261 

rock 161 

Entry  island 93 

beacon 93 

rock 134 

Erhardt  channel 162 

Erizos  rocks 365 

Errazuriz  channel 192 

shoal 191 

cove 313 

point 283 

Escarpado  cape 420 

Eskrock 82 

Esmeralda  cove 304 

rock 205,314 


INDEX. 


455 


Pago. 

Esmeralda  rock  bnoy 205 

Esmeraldas  river 400 

town 401 

anchorage 401 

sapplies 401 

Espauola  island 406 

point 388 

light 388 

Esperanza  island 129 

Espineira  port 196 

Espinosa  monnt 258 

Esplritu  Santo  cape 12, 60 

Espora  point 62 

Essex  point 408 

Estaqnillas  point 234 

Ester  rock 267 

Estero  Adelaida 168 

Artigas 168 

Balsa 395 

Chico 168 

Corto 168 

Desengano 168 

deTiramano 391 

DofiaAna 168 

Don  Jos6 169 

EngafioBO 164 

Inutil 168 

Maldonado 168 

Moluscos 169 

Pedregoso 168 

Roberto 168 

Salado  creek 393 

SanJos^ 168 

Sofia 168 

Solitario 168 

Treple 168 

Ultimo 162 

Estevan  channel 127 

Estiva  island 436 

EtenHead 375 

anchorage 375 

light 375 

supplies 375 

Enclnme  island 21 

Enropa  point 129 

Eustonbay 36 

tides 36 

Evangelistas  islets 112 

light 112 

Evans  group 121 

island 128 

rocks 128 

Eve  point 158 

Eversfield  fiord 167 

Event  islands 23 


Pago. 

Exmonth  promontory 155 

Eyre  sound 163 

P. 

Fairway  island 119 

islets 120 

patch 142 

rock 107,148 

Falgate  island 110 

Fallos  channel 168 

Falsa  cape 239 

Falscher  arm 168 

False  Aguja  point 377 

Cape  Horn 25 

Quod 101 

Chipana  point 320 

cove 13 

Galera  point 239 

Godoi  point 233 

Maule  river 262 

: valley 261 

point 317 

Faluchohead 260 

Famine  port 77 

directions 78 

supplies 77 

tides 78 

Fantasma  rock 277 

Fantome  island ^ 154 

Farallon  islet 434 

de  Castillo 412 

dellnfiemillo 263 

Ingles  island 428 

Farallones  de  Algarrobo 266 

Farfan  river 433 

Fatal  bay 164 

Fawn  rock 136 

buoy 136 

Felix  bay 98 

point 98 

Fenton  point 113 

Fergusson  rock 366 

Femandina  island 408 

Ferreiiafe 375 

Ferrolbay 367 

directions 368 

sapplies 368 

telegraph 368 

tides 368 

islets 367 

Field  bay 33 

anchorage 103 

Fielden  point 148 

Fincham  islands 36 

Finger  point 405 

Firstnarrows 61 


456 


INDEX. 


Page. 

First  narrows  north  shore 62 

south  shore 62 

tides 62 

Fisgard  rocks 89 

Fisher  island 144 

Fitton  harbor 72 

FitzRoy  channel 113 

xsland 30 

rock 89 

Five  Brothers  islets 196 

Flagstaff  hill 285 

Flamenco  cove 302 

island 433 

Flat  rock 119,339,350 

point 339 

Fleet  harbor 167 

Fletcher  island 138 

Fleuriais  bay 22 

point 163 

Flinders  bay 18 

Flinn  sound 173 

Flora  rock 341 

Florida  shoal 158 

Flotten  harbor 167 

Foca  island 378 

point 378 

Foley  island 124 

Folyrock 423 

Forelius  peninsula 176 

Fort  Callao  point 268 

Fortescue  bay 83 

caution 83 

tides 83 

Fortune  bay 125 

Fox  bay 72 

point 135 

Fraile  islets 437 

point 350 

rock  252,266 

Frances  port 196 

Francis  island 91 

islets 124 

Francisco  point 300 

island... 196 

Franklin  bay 18 

sound 25 

Freshwater  bay 76, 404 

anchorage 76 

directions 76 

supplies 76 

cove... 86 

Freycinet  reef 119 

Friar's  leap 353 

Fricker  island 109 

Fronton  island 357 


I  Page. 

Fronton  point 242 

shoal 358 

Froward  cape 81 

tides 81 

Fumeaux  cape 15 

Fury  harbor 30 

island 30 

rocks 29 

a. 

Gableisland 21 

Gabriel  channel 72 

Gage  inlet 152 

Gi^uala  islet 420 

Galapiigos  islands 402 

climate 403 

curren.ts 403 

general  description 402 

supplies 403 

tides 405 

Galeotilla  point 135 

Galera  island 427 

point 238,357,398 

light 238 

Gallant  cape 83 

caution 83 

port 83 

tides &3 

Gallegos  cape 187 

Gallo  point 266 

Gamboa  cape 149 

river 215 

Gammara  shoal 376 

Gap  peak  ..-.. 60 

Garachine  bay 420 

point 420 

village 420 

Garcia  rock 372 

Gardner  bay 406 

island 406 

islet 407 

Garden  island 21 

Garitahill 370 

Garrao  point 192 

Gate  islands 142 

Gatico  cove 316 

caution 316 

directions. 316 

point 316 

Gatos  inlet 194 

Gaviota  island 290 

Genova  point 193 

Gente  Grande  bay 69 

point 69 

George  cape 171 


I 


IKDEX. 


457 


Pago. 

George  island. 133 

point — 114 

Georgiaxeef 77 

Gerdisland... 167 

German  narrows 164 

Gidley  cove 72 

Gilbert  island 29 

Ginnbay 103 

Glacier  bay 103 

sound Ill 

Glascott  point 81 

Gloucester  cape 35 

Goddardislet 370 

shoal 370 

Godoi  point 233 

port 233 

Goicolea  island 169 

Goletaislet 350 

Gonzales  narrows 87 

Gonzalo  morro 240 

Good  bay 121 

Good  luck  bay 101 

Good  Success  bay 14 

'■ tides... 20 

cape 20 

Gorda  point 326,400,428 

Gordo  mount 327 

Gordonhill 142 

island 22 

Goree  road 21 

Gorgon  reef 155 

Gorgona  islaud 414 

anchorage 414 

tides 414 

Gorgonilla  island 414 

Gort  island 141 

Goschen  island 129 

Gracia  point 66 

tides 66 

Grafton  islands 35 

Graham  mount 143 

Gramadel  bay 363 

Grande  cove 267 

island 197 

point 308.317 

river 433 

Grant  island 142 

point 89 

Grappler  port 154 

reach 153 

Grau  cove 154 

Grave  island 92 

Gravesisland 37 

Gray  channel 124 

—  directions 124 


Paga 

Gray  harbor 161 

Great  Black  rock 28 

Orange  bank 61 

buoy 61 

Greenisland 392 

islands 120 

islet 131,161 

beacon 161 

point 123,133 

Greenough  peninsula 86 

Gregory  bay 64 

tides , 64 

cape 64 

range - 65 

shoulder 64 

Gretton  bay 25 

Greville  point 156 

Grovesound 132,135 

Gruesa point 267,322 

Guabun  cape 200 

Guacanec  islands 19 

Guacaymayo  river 243 

Guadiecove 238 

Guafo  island 197 

Guaianeco  island 165, 173 

Guaiteo  Grande  island . . . ». 196 

Guaitecas  islands 188, 195 

approach 195 

climate  and  winds 189 

instructions 190 

note 191 

tides 190 

Guala  point 229 

Gualaihue  coast 228 

cove 229 

point 229 

Gualguala  cove 315 

point 315 

Guallarauco  point 275 

Guaman  islet 312 

Guambacho  bay 366 

town 366 

supplies 367 

Guamblin  island 193 

tides 193 

Guamlad  passage 198 

Guanaco  point 23 

GuaQape  cove. 370 

hill 369 

islands 370 

Guanico  point , 437 

Guanillocove 317 

del  Norte  cove 320 

Sur  cove 317 

point 309,320 


458 


INDEX. 


Paga 

Gnapasho  point 201 

shoal 201 

caution 201 

Guapilinao  head 208 

Guar  island 225 

passage 225 

Guard  island 130 

Guaacama  point 418 

Guasco 293 

^-^  point -.-.-- 292 

port - 293 

anchorage - 293 

light 293 

rollers 293 

tides 293,306 

Guaailla  point 315 

Guata  cove 340 

Guayaoan - 284 

supplies 284 

Guayaquil  city , 392 

coal 393 

^— communication 385 

port  charges 393 

supplies 393 

telegraph 386,393 

gulf 1 386 

buoys 389 

— directions 390 

lights 387 

river 391 

bar 391 

directions 393 

pilots 389 

tides 389 

Gueldan  cove 208 

Guerrero  island 191 

Guerreros  valley 337 

Guia  island 164 

islands 155 

narrows 130 

tides 130 

Guide  narrows 130 

tides 130 

Guillermo  rock : 205 

buoy 205 

Guinea  point 433 

Guiriorbay 101 

Gulf  of  San  Vicente  rock 63 

GuUrock 133 

Gun  bay 79 

point 26 

Gunnrock 141 

Gusgava  bay 420 

Guy  Fawkes  islets 407 


H.  Page. 

Haase  point 114 

Haberton  harbor 21 

Hale  cove 164 

Half  Port  bay 93 

Halfway  shoal 66 

Hall  point 113 

rock 250 

rocks 159 

Halt  bay 161 

Hamiltonhead 99 

point 128,423 

Hammond  reef 156 

buoy 156 

Hamper  bay 125 

Hankin  point 129 

Hannant  bay 105 

Hanover  island 130,172 

Harbor  islet 364 

peak 145 

point 155 

Harchy  bay 191 

Hardy  peninsula 25 

Harmless  point 344 

Harrissbay 72 

Harry  point 92 

HartDyke  mount 96 

Hartwellbay 123 

Hassler  bank 247 

Hastings  fiord 146 

Hatisland 103 

Hatelybay 25 

Havana  inlet 169 

Havannah  point 105 

rock 285 

Havergal  bay 89 

Hawkcliflf 74 

Hawkins  bay 86 

Hawksworth  cape 145 

Haydonbank 425 

Hayes  point 108 

Hazard  islands 174 

Hazeltine  rock 25 

Hecate  rock 129 

Heinrichs  fiord 162 

Hellen  point 158 

Hellyer  rocks 188 

Helmet,  the 88 

Henby  islets 142 

Henderson  inlet 138 

caution 138 

directions 138 

tides 138 

island 27 

point 123 


INDEX. 


459 


Page. 

Henry,  cape 121 

point 91,119 

port 144 

anchorage 144 

^—directions 145 

tides 145 

Hermanos,  Dos,  island 86 

rocks 433 

Hermiarock 156 

Herminia  island 153 

Hermite  islands 23 

Hernan  Gallego  channel 168 

Hernando  islands 143 

Herradura  beach 273 

de  Carrisal  bay 294 

de  Salinas 360 

Mejillones  bay 314 

point 284,294 

port 284 

anchorage 284 

. coal 284 

signals 284 

supplies 284 

Herschel  islands 23 

Hesserman  fiord 169 

Hewett  bay 32 

Hicaron  island 438 

Hidden  harbor 86 

Hignera  cove 317 

Hill  point 102 

Hills  islands 33 

Hind  island 27 

Hobbsreef 405 

Hocico  de  Caiman 135 

Holland  cape 82 

point 97 

HoUoway  sound 177 

Hondo  river 429 

Hood  island 406 

Hope  harbor 35,72 

island 131 

mount 70 

Hoppers  bluff 114 

Hoppner  port 18 

sound 177 

Horace  peak 29 

Horacioport 154 

Horadada  islet 353 

Horcahill 363 

Hereon  bay 273 

head 273 

Hormigas  de  Afuera 359 

Tierra  rocks 359 

Horn  cape 24 

barometer 2 


Pace 

Horn  capiB  current 5 

fogs 5 

icebergs 6 

seasons,  winds 2 

tides 88 

time  for  rounding 10 

peak 172 

Hornby  sound 164 

Hose  harbor 122 

Hoskins  island 129 

Hoskyn  cove 160 

islet 124 

Hoste  island 25 

Howard  bay 145 

Hoy  point 93 

Huacas  point 347 

Huacho 361 

bay 361 

tides 361 

point 361 

supplies - 361 

Huaina  Pisagua  bay 325 

anchorage 326 

Huajne  point 315 

Huaman 371 

cove 371 

Huanaquero  mountain 283 

point 284 

Huanchaco  peak 370 

road 371 

anchorage 371 

landing 372 

village 372 

Huarmey  bay 363 

anchorage 364 

directions 364 

supplies 364 

tides 364 

Huaura  islets 361 

Huayusca  cape 235 

cove 235 

Huechucucui  head 200 

Hueicolla  cove 238 

point 238 

river 238 

Hueihuc  port 208 

Huelmo  bay 225 

island 225 

Huentelauquen  cove 280 

Huenuguapi  cove 221 

Hnequillahue  anchorage 226 

Hueso  Parade  cove 305 

Huevos  island 276 

Hueyelhue  river 236 

Huezhui  cove 244 


460 


INDEX. 


Pace. 

Hugh  bay 133 

directions 133 

head 120 

Huichabank 204 

Haihuen  heights 204 

Huildad  inlet 219 

shoal 219 

tides 219 

Haique  head 257 

Huiteport 208 

tides 209,231 

Huito  inlet 223 

Hummockhill 64 

Hnmos  cape 261 

island 191 

Humphrey  cove 90 

Hnntercape 89 

island 126 

Hnrtado  point 115 

Hyacinth  point 153 

Hyde  mount 23 

Hy  drographic  office  agents 493 

publications 487 

L 

lea 348 

lea  river 345 

Ichuac  oove ,. 215 

Iclai  inlet 192 

Icy  sound 33,111 

Idenna  island 211 

Iglesia  de  Piedra  rock 260 

Sevira  rock 418 

Ignacio  bay 174 

Iguana  cove 408 

island 423,436 

tides 436 

point 428 

Ildefonzobay 96 

islands 27 

niimani  reef 246 

Ho  road 335 

Iloco  point 262 

Ilquebay 226 

point 226 

Imel  bank 211 

island 211 

Imerquina  island 212 

Imperial  river 245 

directions 246 

Inche  rock 216 

Inchemo  island 188 

Inchin  islands 188 

Indefatigable  island 407 

Independencia  bay 346 


Independoia.  bay  anchorage 346 

current 346 

landing 347 

tides 347 

Indian  bay 27,79 

caution 154 

inlet 94 

reach 154 

Infiernillos  rock 346 

Ingles  bank 203 

bay 201,299 

port 202 

Inglesacove 291 

Inlet  bay 125 

Inman  bay 86 

cape 36 

Inner  passage 287 

Innes  point 149 

Inocentea  channel 130 

island 131 

Intermedia  shoal 264 

Ipswich  island 36 

Ipun  island 194 

Iquique 323 

coals 324 

communication 324 

hurricane • 324 

island 322 

light 322 

landing 324 

pilots 324 

road 323 

anchorage 323 

buoy 823 

directions 323 

tides 323 

wrecks 323 

supplies 324 

Iris  island 140 

Isabel  cape 171 

island 35,121 

peint 100,192 

Isabela  island 407 

Isabella  point 114 

IslaAlta 376 

Baja 376 

Blanoa 277,305 

bay 305 

Grande 298 

Verde 277,392 

Island  bay 125 

harbor 163 

Islas  de  Campecha 273 

Colombia 425 

dellstmo 425 


INDEX. 


461 


Page. 

IslasdelRey 243,425 

Ifllay 338 

islands 337 

mount 339 

point 337 

road 338 

anchorage 339 

directions 338 

landing 338 

tides 338 

Isle  de  dos  Canales 129 

Islets  of  Direction 112 

— —point 113 

Islote  islet 243 

Isquiliac  island 193 

mount 193 

Isthmus  bay 125 

Italiano,  port 192 

Itatariver 260 

Itecove 334 

J. 

Jack  harbor 80 

Jacquinot  point 83 

Jaguey  point 363 

Jama  point 398 

anchorage 407 

bay 407 

James  island 83,194,407 

Janeisland 73,144 

Janequeorock 196,298 

shoal 225 

Jarahead 311 

Jaramijo  bluff 397 

Javier  Igor 233 

Jeannette  island 424 

Jenkins  hill 156 

Jequetepeque  river 374 

Jerome  channel , 84,112 

Jesuit  sound 174 

Jesus  islet 336 

Jeya  river 418 

Jipijapa 396 

Joachim  point 71 

John  point 160 

Johnson  point 90 

Jones  island 423 

islands 153 

peak 107 

Jorado  village 420 

Jorey  island 423 

Jorge  bay 312 

point 313 

Jorginomorro 314 

Joy  mount 120 


Page. 

Juan  island 131 

Diaz  heights 328 

river 328 

Fernandez  island 306 

supplies 306 

Latorre  point 242 

Soldado  mount 289 

Juanchuquita  bay 377 

Judge  rocks 38 

Juera  river 437 

Julepe  point 244 

Julia  island 161 

Julian  inlet 174 

Julio  point 115 

Jungfemgrund  anchorage 170 

Junin  cove 325 

Junquillar  village , 309 

K. 

Kaiser  harbor 162 

Kathleen  anchorage 146 

Keats  sound 74 

Keklao  cape 22 

Kelly  harbor 175 

rock 145 

Kelp  point 72 

Kempe  harbor 86 

island 30 

Kennal  rocks 35 

Kicker  rock 405 

King  island ^ 30 

Kingfisher  rock 137 

King  William  IV  land 105 

Kirke  narrows 126 

rocks 30 

Kitt  island 157 

Knick,The 168 

Knocker  island-. 148 

rock....... 434 

Knoll  bank 205 

Knorr  island 162 

Knowsley  rock 284 

buoy. 284 

Konigs  harbor 169 

Kosmos  harbor 168 

L. 

La  Ballenacove 277 

Cal  point 241 

Cruz  de  la  Ballena 275 

Darsena  basin 196 

Fortaleza 363 

Fuente  islet 339 

Gaviota  landing 317 

Goleta  village 436 


462 


INDEX. 


Page 

La  Huairona  cove 242 

Isla 272 

Laguna  bay 267 

MarBrava 353 

Mesa  do  Dofia  Maria  monntain.  346 

Mision  point 243 

Mula  Muerta  rocks 279 

Place  islands 126 

Plata  island 396 

anchorage 396 

light 396 

Portadoreef 312 

Poza  anchorage 262 

cove 312 

Roca 414 

Salina 378 

Serena  town 286 

Sillahill 275 

Viudarock 259,412 

Labouchere  rock 125 

Labozariver 412 

Labyrinth  channel 168 

islands 73 

Lacaobay 206 

anchorage 206 

island 206 

supplies 206 

Lacka wana  cove 155 

Lackwater  point 113 

Lacobe  point 249 

Lacui  peninsula 200 

Ladder  hill 130 

Ladrillero  channel 167 

Lagartij  a  channel 221 

island 221 

Lagartohead 364 

Lagartos  bank 313 

island 313 

Lagnnas  port 193 

tides 193 

Laitec  island 220 

shoal 220 

Lally  island 103 

Lamarmora  island 160 

Lambayeque  road 375 

Lambert  islet .81 

Lamehuapi  cove 238 

point 238 

Lamero  sound 143 

Lami  banks 221 

Landfall  islands 36 

Landslip  sound 134 

Langarabay 101 

port 87 

Lapataiabay 22 


Lapis  point 135 

Laredo  bay 74 

caution 74 

tides 74 

Larequete 252 

bay 252 

beach 252 

ooal 252 

river 252 

Larga  point 322 

Las  Animas  bay 302 

point 302 

Canasbay 261 

Caaas  anchorage 308 

Conchas  point 279 

Damas  island 290 

Minasbay 114 

Laserrepoint 16 

light 16 

Last  harbor 87 

Hope  inlet 126 

Latimer  island 144 

Latitude  bay 36,167 

tides 36 

cove 129 

island 167 

Latorre  channel 162 

Lauraharbor 36 

Laurel  point 240 

Lautaro  cove 319 

point 319 

Lavapie  point 250 

Lavatabay 304 

point 304 

Law  peak 37 

Leading  bluff 314,367 

hill 27,36 

island 36 

Lebu 248 

bay 248 

coal 248 

port 248 

river 248 

tides 248 

Lechuza  mount 347 

Lecky  cone 346 

harbor Ill 

inlet 134 

island 338 

lookout 171 

monument 171 

point -  128 

retreat 127 

Lee  bay 69 

rock -37 


INDEX. 


463 


Page. 

Lelban  point 216 

LeMaire  strait 19 

soundings 19 

tides 20 

Lemon  point 427 

Lemui  island 215 

Lengua  de  Vaca  Mils 287 

point 282 

village 250 

Lennox  island 20 

Leones  cape 291 

Leptepu  creek - 229 

Leteu  inlet 229 

Letgo  point — ...     90 

Level  bay .J56 

Levy  point -.* 103 

Lewis  bay 92 

Libertabay 161 

Lido  point ^ 404 

Liebre  island 194 

Lieuliea  point 229 

Ligate  cove 322 

Light,  Agni  point 202 

Amortajada  island 387 

Anjeles  point 267 

Antofagasta 311 

Arena  point 388 

Boca  Jambeli 387 

Bnena  cove 325 

Calderaport - 300 

Callaobay 356 

Carranza  cape 261 

Chiloe  island 202,203 

Coquito  point 401 

Corona  head 201 

Corral  port 241 

Curaumilla  point 266 

Dungeness 58 

Esmeraldas  river 401 

Espafiola  point 388 

Eton  head 375 

Famine  reach 78 

Galapagos  islands 405 

Galera  point 238 

Gnasco 293 

Gulf  of  Guayaquil 387 

Iquique 322 

La  Plata  island 396 

Laserre  point 16 

Los  Evangelistas 112 

Lota  point 253 

Mandinga  point 389 

Manta 396 

Mocha  island 247 

Monttport 226 


Page. 

Light  Niebla  point  (Valdivia) 242 

Pacasmayo 374 

Paita 379 

Pajaros  islet 289 

Palominos 356 

Panama  bay 432 

Pisco  bay 348 

Punta  Arenas 75 

Quiriquina  island 256 

St.  John  harbor 16 

Salaverry 371 

San  Lorenzo  island 356 

Sandy  point 75 

Santa  Ana  point 261 

Clara  island 387 

Elena  point 394 

Maria  island 251 

Staten  island 16. 

Talarabay 381 

Talcahuano 258 

Tomibay 259 

Tortuga  point 285 

Valdivia 242 

Valparaiso  bay 268 

Voces  bay 78 

Wreck  bay 405 

Zorritos 382 

Ligate  cove 322 

Liguabay 274 

point 274 

river 274 

Lileourarock 209 

beacon 209 

Lilen  point 274 

Lilenes  island 279 

Lilesbay 273 

point 249,272 

Liliguapi  island 220,229 

Lima 356 

Limache 270 

Limaririver 281 

Limones  point 415 

Lin  anchorage 222 

Linagua  island 220 

Linaoport 208 

Ling  point '.-...    90 

Lingue  river 244 

Linlin  island 211 

Lintinao  islet 214 

Lion  bay 162 

sound 101 

Lionel  head 410 

Lisa  point 436 

Litis  islet 274 

Little  Black  rock 28 


464 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Little  Bonet  island 84 

Borja  island 100 

point 103 

Lizard  island 163 

Llancahe  island 229 

Llanquihuelake 226,233 

Lleniman  cove 228 

Lleullen  river 247 

Llicobay 234,252 

supplies 252 

river 234 

road 262 

caution 262 

— supplies 262 

tides 263 

Lliuco  river 235 

village 208 

Loa  gully 319 

river 319 

Loberia  cove 240 

head 256 

islet 244 

point 244,280,351 

rock 213 

rocks 312 

Lobo  arm 97 

island 366 

point 343 

Lobos  cape 326 

de  Afuera 376 

anchorage 376 

tides 376 

Tierra 376 

anchorages 377 

currents 377 

tides 377 

head 209 

island 274 

point 256, 263, 276, 294, 320 

anchorage 321 

rock 226,261 

Loch  Breadonrock 318 

Locos  island 275 

Locumba  river 334 

Logan  rock 177 

Loja 384 

Lomas  bay 61, 71 

point 343 

road 343 

valley 343 

Loncoyen  point 243 

Loncura  rocks 273 

London  island 29 

isle 35 

Londonderry  islands 28 


Page. 

Loney  islet 160 

Long  island 123,230 

reach 88,101 

Lookout  hill 258 

shoal 159 

buoy 159 

Lora  point 263 

Lorcura  point 248 

Loro  river 425 

Lores  point 266 

Lortbay 26 

Los  Chinos  rocks 366 

Cerros  de  la  Cruz 392 

£ vangelistas  islets 112 

light 112 

Farrallones  rocks 266 

Hermanos  rooks 433 

lufieles 302 

Infiernillos 346 

Jemelos  rocks 322 

Lobos  islet 266 

Reyes  island 258 

Lota - 253 

Lota  bay 252 

coal 253 

communication 253 

supplies 253 

telegraph 253 

point 253 

current 248 

lights 253 

Lotillabay 254 

Loveless  bay 140 

Low  island 125, 145 

beacon 125 

point 307,314 

port 195 

directions 195 

supplies 195 

tides 195 

Lua  point 220 

Lucas  cove 158 

Lucky  ledge 85 

Luiz  cove 94 

Lurin 352 

river 352 

valley 352 

Lutrin  point 253 

Lyell  sound 86 

Lynch  rock 120 

M. 

Mable  islet 146 

Macavi  islands 373 

Macchia  Lunga  point 192 


INDEX. 


465 


Pago. 

Macgowen  reef 407 

Machado  cape 174 

channel 169 

Machala  creek 387 

Machatilloport 395 

Mackerel  anchorage 149 

Madre  islands 132,172 

Magazine  bay 267 

Magdalen  sound 73 

Magdalena  bay 416 

island 188 

point 416 

Magellan  strait 40 

anchorages 55 

barometer 42 

' buoys,  caution 59 

cape    Froward  to    Jerome 

channel 81 

cape  Porpesse  to  cape  Fro- 
ward       74 

channels  off  Main  strait. . .  112 

caution 55,  56 

directions,    cape   Froward 

westward 53 

directions,    Dungeness    to 

Laredo  bay 51 

directions,  eastern  entrance 

to  cape  Froward 47 

directions,  general 47 

directions,  Sandy  point 

eastward 52 

— eastern  entrance  to   First 

Narrows 56 

eastern  entrance  to    First 

Narrows,  caution 56 

eastern  entrance,  to    First 

Narrows,   landmarks 56 

eastern  entrance  to  First 

Narrows,  north  shore...     56 

eastern  entrance  to    First 

Narrows,  south  shore 60 

First  Narrows 61 

First  Narrows,  north  shore .     61 

First  Narrows,  south  shore    62 

First  to  Second  Narrows, 

north  shore 63 

First  to  Second  Narrows, 

south  shore 65 

fogs 44 

— general  remarks  on  navi- 
gation and  anchorage 
in   western    part    of 

strait 40,55 

Jerome  channel  to  western 

entrance 100 

1943— No.  89 30 


Page. 

Magellan  straight  kelp 44 

Magdalen    sound    to    cape 

Pillar 85 

natives 41 

refuge  stations 45 

seasons 43 

Second    Narrows,    north 

shore 66 

Second   Narrows,    Patago- 

nian   shore 66 

Second    Narrows    to    cape 

Porpesse,    Patagonian 

shore 66 

Second  Narrows  to  Magel- 
lan   sound,     Tierra    del 

Fuego   shore 69 

squalls 44 

thunder  and  lightning 45 

tides  and  tidal  streams 45 

winds 41 

Magenta  bay 161 

Magicienne  bay 427 

rock 406 

Magill  islands 30 

Maillen  island 226 

Maine  island 138 

Maipo  bank 208 

river 264 

Maiquillahue  bay 244 

cove 244 

point 244 

Maitencillo  cove 281 

Majaguay  islet 428 

Mala  bank 389 

buoys 389 

cape V 436 

cove 281 

hill 388 

river 351 

valley 351 

Malabrigo  hill 372 

landing 373 

point 372 

road 372 

tides 373 

Malacca  cove 156 

Malaspina  islands 147 

Malenas  bank 272 

Mallet  bay 125 

Mallifia  island 225 

Malpaso  cove 382 

de  Asia  point 351 

Malpelo  island 409 

current 422 

point 382 


466 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Malvinas  point 62 

Mamilla  gorge 318 

Manao  bay 207 

Maiia\i  chanuel 397 

Mancera  bank 241 

island 241 

Mancora  cove 382 

Mandinga  bluff 390 

point 388 

light 389 

Manglespoint 398,402 

MaDgio ve  bay 416 

Mangiie  islet 428 

Manta 396 

bay 396 

anchorage' 397 

— directions 396 

light 396 

supplies 397 

tides 397 

weather 397 

winds 897 

Manuel  passage 155 

point 246 

Manzano  bay 236 

cove 235 

rock 258 

Maple  point 144 

Maquehua 252 

Maquis  point 260 

Mar  Brava  point 290 

Marcacci  island 192 

March  harbor 28 

Marcheno  island 408 

Marcus  island 162 

Marden  port 125 

Maria  cape 21 

Mariato  point 437 

landfall 437 

Marilmo  channel 229 

Marinao  bank « 259 

rock 259 

buoy 259 

Marine  islands 177 

Marion  cove 104 

Marsh  basin 91 

Martabank 68 

buoy 68 

coalmines 115 

. island 155 

Marteau  island 21 

Martin  point 113,222 

Martinez  rock 244 

Marullobank 257 

— — -rook..... ••••  255 


Mary  iBland 423 

Marzo  cape 419 

Mas  Afuera  island 307 

anchorage 307 

Maaa  island 391 

Mas  a  Tierra  island 306 

Mass  bay 88 

Matalqui  cape 200 

tides 200 

islets 200 

paps 20O 

Matamoros  port 296 

anchorage 296 

MatanciUa  cove 264 

Matauza  cove 264 

Mataquito  river 262 

Matarani  cove 339 

Mather  island 137 

Matorillos  bank 391 

Manle  river 261 

anchorage 261,262 

bar 262 

directions 261 

pilots 262 

tides 262 

shoal 249 

valley,  false 261 

Maullin  river 233 

town 233 

Maunder  point 103 

Max  island 102 

Maxwell  island 25 

port 24 

May  island 149 

Maycockrock 91 

Mayne  channel 122 

anchorage 124 

directions 124 

harbor 128 

Mayro  rock 346 

Mazaredpbay 86 

Maze  islands 106 

Mazorca  islet 361 

Medal  bay 94 

Medio  cape 13 

cove 297 

island 141 

islet 152 

point 299 

Mehegan  point 138 

Mehuin  river 244 

Meidelisland 147 

Mejiacove 336 

Mejico  point 336 

Mejillones  del  Sur  bay 314 


INDEX. 


467 


Pag©. 

Mejillones  del  Sar  Bay  anchorage . . .  314 

supplies 315 

Norte  cove 325 

anchorage 325 

directions 325 

monnt 314 

Melchor  island 188 

Melinka  point 196 

port 195 

Mellersh  cove 87 

Melones  island 435 

rock 435 

Melville  sound 30 

Memphis  shoal 158 

Menchuan  island 188 

Mendez  point 62 

Mercury  sound 31 

Mercy  head 99 

port 99 

tides 100 

Messier  channel 160 

tides 166 

Meteor  rock 250 

Metrencue  point 224 

Meulin  island 211 

Miami  rock 322 

Micaela  port 154 

Michael  point 136 

buoy 136 

Michilla  cove 315 

point 315 

Mid  Channel  island 159 

beacons 159 

Mid  rock 149 

Middle  bank 221 

cape 18 

caution 18 

cove 25 

ground 67 

island 133,163,350 

Middle  point 21,104 

Midge  island 162 

rock 96 

Miedo  point 284 

Milagro  cove 237 

point 237 

Milky  Way 35 

Millar  island 164 

Miller  cove 87 

Millonhue  point 249 

Milne  island 424 

Mindfulshoal 159 

buoy 159 

Mira  river , 402 

Mirafloies 353 


Page. 

Miramar  rocks 260 

Misericordia  point 100 

Mission  stations 9 

Misteriosa  rock 360 

Moat  island 157,161 

Mocha  island 246 

anchorages 247 

lights 247 

shoal 246 

lake 245 

Moche  river 371 

Molendo  island 337 

port 336 

anchorage 337 

directions 337 

landing 337 

supplies 337 

Molino  cove 240 

point 242 

Mollecove 273,322 

MoUendito  cove 340 

Molles  cove 275 

point 275 

Molyneux  sound 135 

dangers 136 

directions 136 

Mompiche  point 399 

Monday  cape 94 

Mondragon  bank 391 

channel 391 

Mongon  mount 365 

Mougoncilla  point 365 

Monmouth  cape 69 

island 83 

Monsefn 375 

Monson  bay 109 

Montague  cape 172 

Montanita  point 395 

Monte  Christo  hill 396 

'• town 396 

•  del  Zorro  point 260 

Fuerte 341 

Gordo 327 

Jorgino 314 

Monteith  sound 134 

Montijobay 437 

Montt  port 226 

anchorage ." 226 

communication 226 

directions 227 

light 226 

supplies...! 227 

tides 227 

town 226 

Moquegua  valley 335 


468 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Moquehua 327 

Moraine  hill 90 

islands 133 

Moraleda  channel 193 

rock 193 

Moreno  bay 311 

mount 311 

peninsula 311 

point 311 

spring 313 

Moreton  island 140 

Morgan  island 142 

rock 283 

Morning  cove 22 

Momington  island 148 

Morquilla  point 247 

Morro  Amortajado 232 

MorroChala 342 

channel 393 

r- caution 394 

Chico 228,418 

de  Acari 344 

Copiapd 299 

Sama 329 

San  Aguedo 81 

del  Homo 227 

Potrerillo 274 

Gonzalo 240 

Jarjino 314 

point 299,323 

Puercos  head 437 

Solar 352 

Mortimer  island 30 

Morton  island 27,156 

Moss  islet 119 

Mostaza  cove 279 

Mostyncove 92 

Mouat  islands 109 

Mount  Skyring  island 30 

Mud  bay 174 

Muicolpue  cove 236 

point 236 

river 236 

Muisne  river 399 

Mula  Muerta  rocks 279 

Mulatas  point 359 

Mulchey  island 196 

Muller  rook  ...* 205 

Mufioz  Gamera  peninsula 105 

Murray  cove 86 

narrows 21 

patch 138 

Mussel  bay 85 

island 82 

rock 135 


Page. 

Mutico  patch 202 

point 202 

Mutrunhill 262 

N. 

Nagu^  cove 278 

Nahuelgaapi  bank 221 

Naipe  river 419 

Nao  islet 223 

NaoB  island 433 

Naranjal  river 391 

Naranj  as  island 437 

Narborough  island 194, 408 

Nares  mount 148 

Narrow  bank 59 

caution 69 

Nash  bay 87 

Nassau  anchorage 97 

bay 22 

caution 23 

directions 23 

channel 80 

island 80 

port 196 

rock 57 

Navarin  island 20 

Navidadbay 264 

Nayahue  island 212 

Nazca  cape 345 

Needle  hummock 344 

Neesham  inlet 147 

Negra  point 323 

Negrilla  rooks 416 

Negrito  wells 381 

Negro  bay 276 

cape 74 

islands 276 

point 301 

river 171 

Nelson  strait 171 

Nena  point 247 

port 247 

anchorage 247 

Nepe&a  river 366 

Neuke  mount 256 

Neuman  inlet 177 

New  bank 69 

channel 49 

directions 49 

island 20 

Year  harbor 16 

island 14 

anchorage 14 

sound 27 

Newton  island 126 


INDEX. 


469 


Page. 

Niebla  bluff 242 

light 242 

point 242 

semaphore 243 

Nightingale  rock 319 

Ninnalaca  channel 194 

Nituel  island 212 

Nodales  islets 98 

peak 80 

Noir  cape 35 

island 35 

road 35 

Nomans  island 197 

Nombre  head 12 

Nonato  cove 340 

gully 340 

Non  Entry  bay 72 

Nonura  point 377 

Noria  works 324 

Nortbay 32 

North  bay 121 

channel 388 

cheek 365 

cove 30 

entrance 73 

Gate  island 142 

head 14 

island 71,349,370 

passage 71 

road 25 

Northbrook  sound 106 

Northwest  rock 349 

Nose  peak 70 

Notch  cape 102 

cove 102 

tides 103 

peninsula 102 

No  Thoroughfare  cove 126 

Notre  Dame  mountain 147 

Novita 417 

Nuestra  Senora  bay 308 

Nngulhue  point 2C0 

Nuigue  river 244 

Numancia  reef 217 

Numpulli  point 242 

Nunez  bank 202 

head 62 

Nuqui  river 418 

Nutlandbay 33 

O. 

Oakebay 122 

Oazy  harbor 66 

tides 66 

Obispito  cove 301 


Page. 

Obispo  cove. 302 

O'Brien  island 22 

Observation  cay 191,228 

mount 112 

point 250,285,372,406 

Observatory  islet 138 

rock 145 

Obstruction  sound 126 

Occasion  cove 127 

directions 127 

Ochovario  port 130 

Ocona  valley 341 

Ocopacove 343 

Octavia  bay 419 

Offing  island 72 

Ofqui  peninsula 176 

O'Higgins  mount 153 

Oldfield  anchorage 97 

Olivaroad 306 

OUeros  point 345 

Olleta  point 199 

Ommanney  point 162 

Onslow  island 406 

Ooshooia  Mission  station 21 

Orange  bank 61 

bay 26 

tides 26 

cape 61 

beacon 61 

Organ  pipes 144 

Organos  mount 381 

Orlebar  island 124,164 

mount 165 

Orosko  table  , 13 

Oroya 354 

Ortiz  islands 100 

Oscurocove 208,280 

anchorage 280 

supplies 281 

tides 209,231,280 

Osorio  rock 201 

Osomobay 101,289 

Otaries  island 25 

Otoque  island 436 

Otter  anchorage - 25 

bay 122 

island 25 

islands 122 

Otto  fiord 164 

Otway  bay 37 

port 177 

directions 178 

tides 178 

water 112 

Ouredo  river 420 


470 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Onter  Pajaros  rooks 285 

Oyarvid  heights 321 

mount • 321 

P. 

Pabellon  de  Pica 321 

anchorage 321 

Pacasmayo 374 

anchorage 374 

caation 374 

communication 373 

directions 374 

lights 374 

point 373 

river 373 

road 373 

supplies 374 

Pacay  cape 336 

cove 336 

Pachacamac  islands 352 

Pacheca  channel 426 

directions 426 

island 425 

Packewaia  bay 21 

Packsaddle  bay 25 

island 25 

Pacocha  cove 335 

Paicavi  river 247 

Pailad  inlet 218 

Pailon  basin 401 

Paita  point 378 

port 379 

anchorage 380 

climate 379 

communication 379 

directions 379 

landing 379 

light 379 

position 379 

supplies 379 

tides 380 

^rock 311 

buoy 311 

saddle 378 

Pajaro  island 366 

Pajaros  island 426 

islets 289,320,428 

light 289 

Niaos  island 265" 

point 257 

rocks 256 

islets 285 

point 292 

rocks 285 

Pajonal  cove 296 


Pftg«. 
Pajonal  Tillage 296 

Pakenham  cape 150 

Palay  Island 424 

Palena  inlet 230 

port 229 

Palitos  cove 278 

Palma  point 424 

village 424 

Palmas  island 416 

Palmer  cape 125 

Palominos  rocks 358 

light 356 

Palo  Mnerto  point. 240 

shoal 239 

Panama 429 

bay 421 

canal 432 

climate 429 

coal 430 

dock 432 

directions 435,437 

dues 431 

hospitals 430 

landing  place.. 432 

lights 432 

mail  service 430 

railroad 432 

telegraph 430 

gulf 421 

currents 421 

climate 421 

passages 437 

winds , 421 

road 432 

steamers 431 

supplies 430 

tides 434 

trade 431 

water 430 

Pande  Azucar 141,304 

island 303 

anchorage 304 

current 304 

supplies 304 

Paugal  point 233 

Panitao  point 226 

Pano  point 341 

Panulcillo  point 274 

Paposa  road 309 

caution 309 

village 309 

Papudo  bay 274 

port 274 

—tides 274 

Paquica  cape 319 


INDEX. 


471 


Page. 

Paquija  point 342 

Paracas 348 

bay 348 

lauding 348 

capo 348 

peninsula 347 

Parga  cove 234 

coal 234 

—7- rock 234 

Parifias  point 380 

Paritabay 436 

Park  bay 31 

Parker  bay 135 

cap© Ill 

island Ill 

point 135 

Paroquet  cove 130 

Parr  point 144 

Parra  point 256 

Parry  harbor 70 

island...... 137 

port 17 

directions 17 

supplies 18 

Parua  bay 220 

Pasado  cape 398 

anchorage 398 

Pasamayo  point 360 

Passage  inlet 135 

island 93 

group 108 

Passage  point 83 

caution 84 

rock 428 

Passages    from   the    Gulf  of    Pan- 
ama  437,438 

Patache  point 321 

Patagonia  island 160 

tides 170 

west  coast 170 

wind 170 

Patagonian  channels 116 

anchorages 117 

caution 117,123 

routes 117 

—  supplies 118 

winds  and  weather 118 

Patch  cove 188 

Patena  point 422 

Patia  river 413 

Patillo  point 363 

Patillos  islets 321 

port 321 

Pativilca  river 363 

valley 363 


Pag& 

Paul  rocks 422 

Pauline  bay 102 

Pawelz  fiord 169 

Payana  point 383,387 

shoals 383,387 

buoy 383,387 

Payne  bay 167 

Paz  island 194 

Peach  rock 143 

Peak  island 148 

Pearl  islands 425 

Pearse  rock 121 

Pechonos  point 279 

Pecket  harbor 67 

tides 67 

Pecuta  island 222 

Pedehuiu  point 201 

Pedernales  point 398 

Pedro  Gonzales  island 427 

Peguenum  point 205 

rocks 206 

Peje-Perro  cape 336 

Pelado  islet 361,395,429 

Pelados  mountain 260 

Pelican  passage 67 

Pelicanos  head 285 

rocks 285 

Peligrosa  point 124 

Pelu  point 224 

Pena  Blanca  cove * 293 

coal 292 

supplies 292 

point 296 

rock 265 

de  Lobos  islet 263 

del  Condo  rock 240 

Sola  rock 240 

Peiias  cape 13 

tides 13 

gulf 166,173,186 

Penguin  island 165 

islet 188 

rock 155 

Peninsula  island 325 

Penitente  point 277 

rock 278 

Penotes  point 343 

Perch  islet 155 

Percival  reef 110 

Perez  port 196 

Perforated  rock 307 

Periagua  islet 85 

Perico  island 433 

Perique  rock 433 

Perlas  islands 425 


472 


tNDES:. 


Page. 

Pemo  point 67 

Perro  point 264 

Perry  bay 427 

tides 427 

directions 427 

Peru 330 

boundaries 330 

climate 332 

—  currents^  tides 332 

—  earthquakes 332 

—  general  description 330 

-^^  passages 333 

■        productions 330 

— ^  weather 332 

winds 331 

Pescadores  islands 359 

landing 352 

point 341 

Pescetto  island 193 

Peterborough  cathedral 308 

Peterel  point 83 

Petillo  point 429 

Petley  islands 147 

Petucura  rock 207 

rocks 204 

Philip  bay 65 

anchorage 65 

tides 66 

Phillip  cape 111,118 

rocks 28 

Phipps  island 166 

Pianguapibay 402 

Piazzi  island 125 

Picala  cape 334 

Pichalo  point 325 

Pichicui  point 252,275 

Pichidanquibay... 275 

directions 275 

tides 275 

Pichiguapi  islet 249 

Pichilemu  point 263 

village 263 

Pico  de  Pativiloa 362 

Picos  point 382 

Picton  channel 148,166 

island 21 

Pidorock 208 

Piedra  point 391,415 

Blanca  point 303 

Negro  point 303 

de  Lobos  point 281 

reef 281 

Piedras  point 324 

Pierce  point 422 

Pihuin  point 202 


Page* 

Pike  island 106 

Pilcachos  rocks 286 

Pilcomayo  rock 281 

Pillar  cape 38,100 

tides 38 

Pilot  island 141 

Pilquenhill 221 

Pimentel  road 375 

Pifias  bay 420 

anchorage 420 

point 420 

Pineiro  rock 347 

Pinta  island 408 

Pinto  point 222 

Pinzon  island 407 

Pirutilcape 200 

Pisagua  bay 326 

point 326 

river 326 

Pisco 347 

bay 347 

anchorage 348 

directions 349 

landing 348 

light 348 

river 350 

tides 348 

Pite  point 274 

Piura  river 378 

Piures  cove 249 

Pizura  point 378 

Plaid  island 67 

Plata  point 309 

Playa  Baia  beach i...  418 

Blanca  anchorage 254 

rock 254 

Chica 361 

de  Agna  Amarilla  bach 277 

de  Tanque  beach 282 

de  Tongoi  beach 282 

del  Carbon 234 

Grande  beach 360,436 

Larga 322 

Negra  anchorage 254 

Parda  cove 103 

anchorages 104 

tides 104 

inlet 104 

point 397 

Plumper  anchorage 59 

bank 59 

Policarpo  cove 13 

Pollard  cove 105 

Pommer  island 164 

Pond  bay 86 


INDEX 


473 


Page. 

Pond  mount 86 

Ponsonby  Sound 25 

Poroto  point 289 

Porpesse  cape 67 

Porpoise  point 130 

Porte te  river 398 

Portland  bay 133 

anchorage 134 

directions 134 

tides 134 

island 133 

Port.    See  proper  name. 

Porto  Chico 404 

Grande 405 

Porvenir  bay 70 

Posa  harbor 402 

tides 402 

Possesion  bay 59 

tides.... 59 

cape 59 

beacon 59 

mount 93 

Post-office  bay 406 

shoals 406 

supplies 406 

tides 407 

Poulter  point 108 

Pounds  island 129 

Powlett  point 127 

Poyeguapi  point 228 

Pozo  point 280 

Prain  point 120 

Prat  island 165 

Pratt  passage 29 

Preservation  cove 71 

Preussische  bank 169 

bay 169 

Primero  point 149 

Prince  Heinrich  island 164 

Pringle  point 187 

Pritchard  island 92 

Proctor  point 103 

Progreso  cove - 374 

settlement 404 

Providence  bank^ i— 107 

cape 106 

island 107 

anchorage 107 

Prowse  islands 30 

Publications,  H.  O.,  List  of 487 

Pucari  shoal 225 

Pucatrihue  point 236 

Puchachailgua  inlet 96 

Puchepo  point 260 

Puchoco  point 254 


Page. 

Pnercoshead 437 

Puelma  inlet 177 

Puemac  cove 373 

point 373 

Puerto  Americano 196 

Arena 195 

Ballenas 166 

Bueno 129, 168 

Chico 166 

de  Balsas 391 

de  la  Misericordi a 99 

Delgado 141 

delMorro 142 

tides 142 

Grande 169,376 

la  Mar 315 

anchorage 316 

directions 316 

landing 316 

supplies 316 

tides 316 

Nuevo 265 

Toro 21 

Viejo 265 

deCopiap6 297 

Pulame  point 237 

Pulluche  channel 191 

Pulperia  reefs 433 

Piilpo  rock -^ 301 

Puluquibay 223 

channel 223 

island 223 

Pumulmun  reef 210 

Puna  island 387 

patch 389 

village 388 

supplies 389 

tides 389 

Puno  point 67 

Punta  Arenas 75 

anchorage 76 

beacon  (buoys) 75 

communication 75 

directions 76 

landing 76 

light 75 

supplies 75 

tides 75 

Blanca 318 

Carreras 77 

deViejas 376 

Juan  Latorre 239 

Playa 397 

Sampaio 81 

SantaMaria 76 


474 


INDEX. 


PaffA. 

PuntaViejft :.. 388 

Pupuy  a  island 263 

Pnqueldon  village 215 

supplies 215 

Puquen  point 275 

Purcell  islands.... 176 

Purgatorio  point 276 

Puyo  island 188 

Pyladesbay. 120 

Pyramid  hill 74 

Q. 

Qnartermaster  island 69 

rocks 98 

Qnebrada  Honda  bay 292 

T7orks 292,351 

Qnedal  cape 234 

Queen  Adelaide  archipelago 171 

channel 49 

directions 49 

Quehui  island 211 

Queilen  channel 218 

cove 217 

point - 217 

Qnelen  point 276 

Qnellon  port , 220 

ftnpplies 220 

tides * 220 

Qnemado  mount 346 

point 346 

Quenac  island 211 

town 211 

Qnenche  port 209 

Queniao  point 208 

Quenu  island 222 

Qnenuir  point * 233 

river 233 

Quereo  bay 276 

Quetalco  port 211 

Quetalmahue  inlet 202 

Queten  cove 228 

Quetralauquen  inlet 225 

Quetu  cove 218 

Queule  bay 244 

— : — promontory 244 

river 244 

Queullin  island 228 

Quicavi  bluff 209 

hill 209 

lagoon 209 

Quidicoport 247 

anchorage.... 247 

Quiebra  011a  rock 256 

Quihua  island 221 

Qnilaucape 199 


Pftgfj. 

Qnilan  island 199 

road 199 

Qnilca  cove 340 

plain 337 

river 340 

tides 341 

valley 340 

village 340 

Qnilimari  village 275 

Quillota 270 

Quilque  point 221 

Quilquiao  bight 201 

Quinchao  channel 213 

island 211 

Quinchedbay 223 

harbor 214 

village 214 

Quintal  road '..  266 

Quintergen  point 209 

Quiutero  bay 272 

rocks 273 

Quintraquin  point 204 

Quiriquina  channel 257 

island 256 

light 256 

Quisco  cove 265 

Quito 384 

rock 365 

Quivolgo  beach 262 

Quod  cape 101 

R. 

Radford  hill 90 

Rafales  bay 22 

Raia  point 437 

Raimapu  islets 192 

Raimenco  cove 250 

Ralunbay 227 

Rama  point 241 

Rameses  islands 148 

Ramilette  islet 127 

Ramses  rock 131 

Ranco  lake 237 

Range  peak 283 

Ranguil  bay 249 

Rann  cove 236 

river 236 

Rapelriver 264 

shoal 264 

Raper  cape 186 

Rare  cove 260 

Rat  island 134 

RayadeTique 220 

Ray  island 424 

Rayo  cove 130 


tmiiEX. 


475 


Page. 

Redbill  islands 141 

Bedonda  point 225 

rock 408 

RedondoTOck 436 

Bees  cape 21 

islet 73 

Befnge  cove 152 

port 188 

Befugio  island 230 

Beloncavi  inlet 227 

sound 225 

Bemarquable  cape 80 

Bemienda  cove 310 

Bemolinos  point 205 

Benihue  inlet 229 

Bennell  island 125 

Benouard  island 120 

Bescne  point 187 

Betreat  bay 122 

Betriever  rock 415 

Bey  island 426 

Beynard  point 114 

Bhodapass Ill 

Bicardo  point  ._ 191 

Bice  bay 26 

rocks 141 

Bichard  point 128 

Bichards  island 121 

Bichardson  island 105 

mount 15 

Bichmond  cove 153 

road 20 

Biestrarock 376 

Bilau  cove 214 

tides 214 

reef 214 

Bimac  river 356 

Bincon  point 309 

rocks 309 

Bingdove  inlet 153 

Bio  Calle  Calle 243 

Catrilenfu 242 

de  los  Llanos 242 

d'Oro 81 

Grande 12 

Imperial 245 

directions 245 

San  Juan 242 

Torna  Galeones 242 

Biofrio  port 155 

directions 155 

supplies 155 

Bipio  point 349 

Biquelme  island 162 

Biyer  point 75 


Pageb 

Rivero  island 188 

Robert  island 131 

point 119,158 

Boca  Blanco 313 

Rockisland 103 

Rocky  fiord 168 

inlet 91 

islet 132 

point 378,381 

Rocura  point 244 

Rogers  point 136 

Rogethead 124 

Rojas  island 191 

Rolecha  cove 228 

Romancbe  anchorage 25 

bay 22 

channel 27 

Romulo  island 136 

Ronca  point 244 

Rosa  island 153 

Rosario  port 143 

anchorage 143 

directions 143 

shoal 225 

Ross  point 126 

Rotoque  beach 272 

point... 272 

Round  island 109,357 

islet 22 

Rous  sound 27 

Royal  road 67 

tides 67 

Ruff  rock 133 

Rugged  head 146,172 

Rulo  inlet 224 

Rumen  point 222 

Rumena  cape 250 

Rundlebank 259 

pass 165 

Rupert  island 85 

rocks 83 

a 

Saboga  channel 426 

anchorage 426 

caution 426 

tides , 426 

island 425 

Saddle  of  Paita 378 

point,. 406 

Saguas  cove : 342 

Saint  Abunda  ravine 281 

Agnes  peak 120 

Ambrose  island 308 

Annes  peak.... 118 


476 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Saint  Anthony  eaiM 18 

caution 18 

Bartelome  point 127 

Bartholomew  cape 18 

caution 18 

Domingo  point 263 

Elmo  bay 427 

Felix  island 308 

Francis  bay 39 

Isidro  cape 79 

beacon 79 

Jerome  point 100 

John  cape 11 

caution 11 

harbor 15 

light 16 

refuge  station 16 

supplies 16 

Joseph  bay 98 

Malorock 338 

Martin  cove 24 

supplies 24 

tides 24 

Michael  channel 87 

point 87 

Paulmount 32 

rocks 71 

Peter  rocks 71 

Simons  head 66 

Vincent  cape 66,69 

anchorage 69 

Sal  de  Obispo 326 

point 382 

Saladobay 297 

point 297 

Salango  island 395 

anchorage 395 

tides 395 

Salaverrv 370 

anchorage 371 

landing 371 

light 371 

supplies 371 

Salazar  heights 351 

Salcedo  rock 348 

Salient  point 149 

Saliente  point 283 

Salina  point 279 

Salinas  bay 360 

hill 361 

mines 311 

mount 361 

point 275,360,388 

caution 275 

river 388 


Page. 
Salinillo  core 347 

Salto  de  Fraile 353 

bay 352 

Sama  cove 334 

point 329 

Samanoo  bay 366 

anchorage 367 

directions 367 

supplies 367 

tides 367 

head 366 

Samba  river 420 

Same  point 399 

San  Andres  bay 187 

cape 129,133 

village 348 

Antonio  bank 202 

cape 235 

channel 221 

de  las  Bodegas 265 

port 71,265 

tides., 71 

Angustin  bank 224 

Bartolme  cove 372 

Bias  channel 171 

Brigida  point 80 

Carlos  point 240 

deAncudport 202 

anchorage  . .  203 

boat  landing.  203 

directions . . .  204 

lights...  202,203 

pilots 202 

supplies 203 

tides 204 

Cristobal  island 404 

David  head 88 

Diego  cape 13 

race 13 

tides 20 

Estevangulf 175 

anchorage 175 

port 187 

Felipe  mount 77 

Fernando  islands 188 

Francisco  cape 319, 398 

island 352 

islet 352 

town 399 

anchorage 399 

supplies 399 

Gallan  island 347 

point 207 

Ignacio  bay 413 

Isidro  cape 79 


INDEX. 


477 


Pago. 

San  Isidro  point 65 

Jago  bay 63 

tides 63 

Jos^  bank 425 

clearing  marks 425 

island 428 

rock 433 

shoal 225 

Josef  river 82 

Jnan  bay 241 

island 71 

point 344 

port 343 

directions 344 

tides 344 

river,  delta 417,433 

shoal 123 

Lorenzo  bay 402 

cape 396 

island 357 

light 356 

point 422 

Luciano  town 314 

Marcos  point 129 

— —  Mateo  bay 401 

cape 128 

point 396 

Miguel 427 

anchorages 427 

caution 427 

bay 422 

dePiura 379 

lagoon 83 

port 83 

Nicholas  bay 80 

tides 81 

port 344 

anchorage 345 

tides 345 

point 344 

Pablo  cape 13 

islet 13,426 

Pedro 374 

bay 235 

cove 317 

entrance 402 

tides 402 

island 197 

Nolasco  river 232 

passage 219 

point 234,305 

port 198 

anchorage 198 

tides 198 

rocks 235 


PagOL 
San  Pedro  rocks  anchorage 235 

sound 86 

Piocape 20 

Policarpo  cove 165 

Quentin  sound 176 

Ramon  point 224 

Roman  cape 173 

Salvador  island 407 

Sebastian  bay 12 

cape 12 

Tadeo  river 176 

Tomasport 176 

Vincente  bay 255 

cape 13 

Sanchez  anchorage 308 

island 80 

Sand  bay 173 

Sandy  bay 125 

cove 152 

point 75,114,249 

anchorages 76 

beacon  (buoys) 75 

— '■ coal 75 

communication 75 

directions 76 

landing 76 

light 75 

road 75 

supplies 75 

tides 75 

Sanguianga  river 413 

Santa 369 

bay 368 

head 369 

island 369 

river 369 

Ana  cove 340 

hill 393 

-light 261 

point 261 

Anna  islands 105 

point 77 

Casilda  point 96 

Clara  island 387 

light 387 

tides 390 

Cruz  island 407 

Elena  bay 394 

tides 395 

point 394 

light 394 

town 394 

landing 394 

supplies 394 

telegraph 394 


478 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Santa  Fe  island 407 

Ines  cape 13 

hill 275 

island 32 

Lncia  cape 171 

• Magdalena  island 68 

caution 68 

shoals 68 

Maria  bay - 351 

island 193,251,406 

light 251 

punta 76 

road 251 

Marta 425 

bank 68,397 

buoy 68 

island 68 

Monica  port 96 

Rosa 387 

islets 346 

river 387 

Tillage 375 

Teresa  point 207 

Santandar  point 363 

Santay  island '. 391 

Santiago  cape 172 

river  ^ 402 

Santo  Domingo  bank 228 

port 230 

Santos  del  Mar  point 261 

Sappho  cove 405 

Sarco  bay 292 

Sarmiento  bank 56 

channel 127 

tides 130 

mount 12, 72 

Satellite  patch 62 

Saturday  harbor 37 

Sauce  islet 352 

Saumarez  island 153 

Savannah  point 424 

• '■  river 425 

Schapenham  bay 26 

Schetky  cape 36 

Schiafflno  islets 192 

Schiavoni  reef 404 

Schlucht  pass 164 

Schomberg  cape 35 

. cautioii.. 35 

Schooner  cove 129 

Schroeder  sound 162 

Schweers  island 148 

Scot  island ; 133 

Scotchwell  harbor I94 

Scourfieldbay.- 25 


Scout  channel 165 

island 165 

rocks 171 

Scylla  island 165 

Seagull  anchorage 25 

Sea  Lion  rooks 370 

reach 94,105 

Shell  channel 37,91 

Seal  cove 112 

island 366 

rocks. 149 

Search  inlet 162 

Seaview  channel 167 

Seaward  entry 147 

Sebastiana  Dona  islet 203 

Sechurabay 378 

town 378 

Second  Narrows 66 

river 78 

Sedger  river 77 

Seguro  port 168 

Selfe  point 125 

beacon 126 

Selnian  rock 207 

Senecal  islets 22 

Seiiora  island 427 

shoal 427 

Sefioret  harbor 137 

directions 137 

Sefiorita  island 427 

shoal 427 

Sentinel  hill 265 

beacon 265 

island 95 

Sentry  island no 

islet 145 

Serrano  islands I64 

Serrate  channel 345 

Sesambre  island 23 

Seymour  inlet I61 

islands 144 

Shag  island 28 

Narrows 33  37 

directions 34 

tides 33 

rock 428 

Sharp  hill 65 

Shearwater  islands 121 

bank 222 

Sheep  cove '.  197 

Shellnote  point 113 

Shelter  island 29,104,134 

Shingle  point 393 

road 127 

Shipton  cove 87 


INDEX. 


479 


Pag©. 
Shoal  hayen 67 

island 121 

beacon 121 

ShoUbay 73,118 

directions 119 

tides 119 

port 86 

Short  point 143 

Shoulder  peak 37 

Sierra  Balmacedos 60 

Capero  range 436 

cove 281 

Signal  hill 285 

SilladePaita 378 

Silvertop  mount 143 

Sim  rock 125 

Simon  bay 87 

Reyes  bank 242 

Simpson  island 121 

port 158 

tides 158 

Single  Tree  island 138 

Singular  peninsula 168 

Sir  John  Narborough  islands Ill 

Sirena  point 263 

Sisquelan  peninsula 192 

Sister  islands 155 

Sivel  promontory 121 

Skinner  islets 102 

Skua  islet 146 

Skyring  harbor 99 

anchorages 115 

coal 115 

directions 115 

landing 115 

tides 115 

islands 191 

mount 30 

water 114 

Slader  point... 127 

Slogget  bay 20 

Small  cove 197 

Smyth  channel 119 

directions 119 

harbor 34 

tides 34 

Snare  bay 135 

Snout  point 134 

Snow  sound 88 

Snowy  inlet 89 

Snug  bay 81 

tides 81 

Socorro  island 193 

Solano  bay 419 

point 418 


Page. 
Solar  bay 352 

morro 352 

point 352 

Soldado  point 224,414 

Solitaria  rock 233 

Soltario  islet 359 

reef 213 

Solitary  bowlder 114 

Sombrero  buoy 389 

island  ....• 165 

peak 165 

Somerset  cape 146 

Sopladera  point 335 

Sotomayer  channel 169 

Sotomo  bay 228 

— : tides 228 

South  America,  west  coast  currents  .  184 

bank 221 

bay 420 

cape 18 

caution 18 

creek 365 

Culling  island 133 

entrance 73 

Fraile  islet 437 

Gate  island 142 

head 14 

island 350 

reach 161 

rocks 154 

sea  pass 24 

Tortugarock 273 

Southerly  point 102 

Southwest  channel 324 

pass 165,173 

point 83 

beacon 83 

Spaniard  harbor 20 

Spanish  harbor 99 

Spar  rock 337 

Sparkes  island 121 

Spartan  bight 150 

cone 150 

Speedwell  bay 165 

Spencer  island 110 

Spongier  bight 167 

Spero  rock 138 

Spider  island 149 

Spinsters  peaks 293 

Spiteful  anchorage 61 

Squally  point 73 

Squire  point 134 

Staines  peninsula 127 

Stanley  island 423 

Staples  inlet 86 


480 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Star  cove 104 

Staten  island 14 

olimate 14 

tides 14 

caution 15 

Station  patch 137 

Staude  island 168 

Steed  rock 109 

Steele  islet 91 

Steep  point 344 

Stella  island 90 

Step  bill 149 

Stephens  bay 405 

Stewart  bay 89,187 

harbor 29 

island 29 

Stoddart  point 158 

Stokes  bay 35 

cape 178 

anchorage 178 

creek 86 

inlet 73 

point 113 

Stonewall  anchorage 59 

Stormy  bay 31 

Stortebecker  breaker 167 

Stosch  channel 167 

Stowaway  cove 141 

Straggler  islands 118 

Strain  island 423 

Stratford  island 138 

Stubbenkammer  island 168 

Stnbenrauch  point 71 

Stud  island 133 

Sua 399 

bay 399 

point 399 

supplies 399 

Sugarloaf  islet 112,350 

islets 419 

hill 303 

mountain 177 

rock 256 

Sulland 379 

Sullensrock 109 

Sullivan  bay 407 

peaks 194 

Sulphur  rocks 433 

Summer  island 123 

buoy 123 

Sunday  cape 12, 37 

mountain 135 

Sunshine  point 113 

Supe 362 

bay 362 


Page. 
Supe  bay  directions 362 

landmarks 362 

tides 362 

Susannah  cove 66 

Sutlej  anchorage 61 

hiU 64 

S vetland  rock 104 

Swaine  point 410 

Swallow  bay 88 

Swan  bay 101, 114 

Sweepstakes  Foreland 64 

Sylvester  point 68 

Sylvia  channel 107 

anchorage 108 

cove 107 

T. 

Tablasbay 278 

cape 278 

Table  of  Orosko 13 

Taboga  island 434 

Gridiron 432 

rook 434 

Taboguilla 434 

Tabon  island 222 

shoal 222 

Tabor  isle 435 

Tac  island 210 

Tacna 327 

Tacora  mountains] 329 

Tagus  cove 408 

Taitaocape 188 

Talara 381 

bay 380 

directions 381 

light 381 

supplies 381 

tides 381 

point 380 

Talbot  passage 27 

Talcacove 265 

point 265 

Talcahuano 258 

anchorage 258 

caution 258 

coal 258 

dock 257 

fort 267 

head 258 

Ught 258 

pilotage 258 

port 257 

shoals 258 

supplies 258 

Talcaniiaet 213 


INDEX. 


481 


Talcan  island 213 

rocks  and  shoals 213 

tides 213 

Talinai  mount 281 

Talisman  rock 161 

Imoy 161 

Taltal  point 305 

port 305 

supplies 305 

Tall  Tree  islet 133 

Tamar  cape 109 

island 110 

peninsula 109 

port 109 

anchorage 110 

caution 110 

directions  110 

tides 110 

Tamaya  mines 283 

Tambillo  island 361 

TamboDeMora 350 

valley 336 

Tames  cove 315 

point 315 

Tampa  point 395 

Tanaca  cove 343 

Tandy  bay 122 

point ,.     59 

Tang  island 167 

Tangbac  island 196 

poiii 196 

Tangue 282 

Tapado  shoal 276 

Tapering  point 132 

Tarapaca  headland 322 

Tambay - 165 

mount 79 

Tatao  peninsula 179 

Tate  cape 36 

Taura  river 391 

Tautil  island... 224 

- — strait 225 

Taylo?  peak 110 

point 86 

— —rock 131 

Teatinos  point 289 

Tekenika mission  station ...*..«.^..     25 

Telegraph  point ..-.*.- 379 

Temblador  cove 290 

Temple  inlet *.  136 

Tenaun point 210 

— anchorage ••• ».  210 

— — caution 211 

directions ..* 211 

tides 210 

1943— Fo.  89 31 


Page. 

Tenglo  island 226 

Teniente  valley 281 

Tenquehuen  island 188 

Tenquelil  island 211 

Tenui  point 201 

Teraopoint 216 

Terapa  island 434 

Terhalten  island 23 

Tern  point , 67 

Terranislands 112 

Terrapin  road 405 

Tetas  point 313 

Themis  inlet 128 

Thetis  bay 13 

refuge  station 13 

Thieves  sound 29 

Thomas  island 161 

Thorax^  capo 67 

Thornton  peninsula 162 

Three  Brothers 13 

Finger  island 196 

Island  bay 112 

Passesbay 83 

Peak  islands 120 

Peaks  cape 172 

Peaks  mount 82,144 

Thomas  island 161 

Thumb  peak 429 

Tictocbay 1 229 

point 229 

Tiefebay 169 

Tierra  Colorada  bay 379 

delFuego 1,11 

anchorages 8 

barometer 2 

thermometer 4 

currents 5 

-^ fogs 5 

general  remarks 1 

icebergs 6 

kelp 1 

— mission  stations 9 

natives 9 

northeast  coast 13 

— passages 12 

settlements 9 

soundings 8 

south  coast 20 

— ' tidal  stream 38 

— westcoast 20 

^ winds,  weather^  ell- 
mate »..      1 

Tikepoint 334 

Tilgo  island 289 

Tilly  Bay 85 


482 


INDEX. 


Page. 

TiUy  Bay  tides 85 

Tiqne  point 220 

Tiqnia  reef 211 

Tirna  bay 247 

cape 246 

river 246 

Titicacalake 337 

TituB  islets 127 

Tizard  anchorage 137 

directions 138 

Tocopilla •..  318 

communication 318 

rock 318 

Tola  village 402 

Tolten  river 245 

Tom  bay 137 

anchorages 137 

tides 138 

port 30 

Tomacalla  point 360 

Tomas  point 362 

Tom6 259 

bay 259 

directions 259 

communication 259 

light 259 

supplies 259 

Tomosi  river  ., 437 

Toms  pass 87 

Tongoibay 282 

peninsula 282 

port 282 

supplies 283 

tides 283 

Tontado  beach 292 

Topar  island 140 

Topara  river 350 

Topazerock 205 

Tope  Blanco  islet 304 

Topocalma  point 263 

road 263 

'tides 263 

shoal 264 

Torocay 228 

channel 164 

island 155 

point 264 

reef 291 

rock 337 

shoal 264 

Torrecillas  hill 247 

Tortola  island 305 

islets ..; 433 

Tortolita  island 433 

Tortuga  island  .  - 366 


Pago. 
Tortuga  mount 367 

peak 413 

point 285 

light 285 

rock 273 

Totoral  Bajo  cove 296 

cove 280,282 

de  Lengua  de  V aca  cove 282 

point 282,296 

Totoralillo  bay 289 

directions 290 

Tower  island 408 

rocks 35 

To wnshend  harbor 29 

Trahuilco  river 237 

Traiguen  island 188, 197 

port 192 

Trailicura  river 249 

Traua  cove 250 

Tranco  cove 250 

Tranqui  island 217 

Transition  bay 74 

Transito  island 196 

Trapiche  island 427 

Trarao  point 260 

Treble  island 28 

Tree  bluff 72 

island 113 

point 78 

Trefusis  bay 27 

Trentelhue  point 228 

Tres  Cruces  point 205, 265 

Cuevas  bay 251 

Hermanas  bank 241 

buoy 241 

Marias  Islets 348 

Montes  cape 178 

current 179 

gulf 177 

I>eninsula 173 

: Puntas  mines 302 

Tribune  rock 64 

Trinidad  channel 139, 172 

barometer..^ 140 

directions 150 

general  remarks 139 

north  shore... 146 

south  shore^ 140 

supplies 151 

tides 161 

winds 140 

point 241 

river 428 

Triton  bank 63 

buoy 63 


INDEX. 


483 


Page. 

Triton  bank  tides... 63 

Trivett  point *.  125 

Trolloperock 425 

Trnjillana  channel 346 

Trujillobay 1 98 

city 371 

Tmmao *  237 

Tuahuencayeo  channel 192 

Tubildadport 209 

Tubul  cliffs 252 

river 252 

Tucapel  point 247 

Viejo 248 

Tudorrange 172 

Tuesday  bay 98 

cove 99 

tides 99 

Tamaco  island 412 

port 412 

anchorage. 413 

caution 413 

directions 412 

Tuman  bay 263 

anchorage 263 

tides 263 

Tumbes  peninsula 256 

point.... 256 

Tumbez 383 

bay 382 

river 382 

anchorage 383 

caution 383 

landing 383 

Tungo  village 346 

Tunquen  bight 266 

Turn  cape 32,74 

point 114,135,149 

— caution 135 

Turtle  rock 104 

Tussac  rocks 30 

Tayra  river 425 

U. 

Uchaguapi  islet 249 

Ulloa  peninsula 85 

UnderhUlbay 92 

Unfit  bay 130 

Uuionsound 126 

rocks 324 

Unit  island 138 

Unsafe  cove 342 

Upright  bay 95 

cape 95 

port • 95 

Urava  island 434 

Utiarteport 96 


PAge. 

Ursula  island 164 

Usaraga  river 417 

Usborne  islands 188 

mount 362 

Usefulhill 64 

Useless  bay 70 

cove 187 

Ushuwaia  bay ,..  22 

anchorage 22 

tides 22 

mission  station 21 

Utarupa  channel 191 

Utriaport 418 

V. 

Vaca  point,  Lengua  de .*. 282 

Yacamonte  point 435 

Vaguila  rock 424 

Vainillila  river 401 

Valao  chico 387 

Valdez  port 71 

Valdivia 243 

bay 239 

caution 239 

current 242 

hills 239 

port 239 

current 242 

light 242 

river 243 

^  tides 243 

supplies 243 

rock 347 

village 395 

Valentine  cape 98 

harbor 98 

Valentynbay 20 

cape 71 

Valladolid  rock 435 

Valle  point 63 

Vallena  cove 101 

Vallenar  island 193 

islands 193 

road 193 

town 293 

Valparaiso 269 

bay 268 

anchorage 269 

buoys 267 

caution 267 

coal 269 

communication 270 

directions 268 

docks 269 

earthquakes 270 


484 


INDEX. 


Valparaiso  bay  light 268 

mail  services 270 

northers 270 

pilots 269 

position 270 

powder  buoy 267 

sapplies 269 

telegraph 270 

tides 268 

timesignal 270 

tugs 270 

weather  signals 271 

bank 206 

Van  islands 148 

Vancouver  island 128 

port-.^ 19 

tides 15 

Vandermeulen  inlet 163 

Vano  points 281 

Varillasmo  head 233 

Vaudreuil  rock 155 

Venado  point 433 

Venados  island 243 

Ventana  point 280 

Ventanilla  cove 272 

point 272 

Veragua  coast 272 

Verde  island 277 

point 401 

river 401 

Vereker  island ^ 124 

mount 141 

Vernal  mount 73 

Vernicita  point 412 

Veto  inlet 153 

Viciosa  island 412 

Vichuquen  lagoon 262 

Victoria  channel 25 

mount 81 

Victory  cape Ill,  170 

pass 126 

Viejas  islaud 346 

Vielcove 249 

islands 120 

point 137 

Vigia  de  San  Pablo  island 414 

Vilcun  mount 229 

Villa  de  Burdoes  rock 255 

Rica  volcano 245 

Village  point 91 

Villiers  point 113 

Vilos  bay 277 

anchorage 277 

caution - 277 

tides 277 


P»go. 

Vilos  bay  supplies 27^ 

point — ...—  276 

town 277 

Vi&a  del  Mar  beach 268 

Vinceisland 106 

Viqne  cove 435 

Virag9  x>oint 423 

rocks 171 

Virgins  cape 57 

>  rocks  off 57 

reef _.    57 

Viruriver - 370 

Vitalia  island 155 

Vitor  gorge 326 

Vinda  island 366,369 

rocks 352 

Vivero  bay 377 

Viveros  island 426 

Vivian  island 113 

Voces  bay 78 

light 78 

Voilier  cove 22 

Volage  bay 91 

VolcanMisti 336 

Vorpostcm  island 172 

W. 

Wafer  bay 41© 

islets 4K> 

Wager  island 165 

mountain 165 

Wake  island 135 

Wakefield  passage 35 

Wales  point 16 

Walker  bay 135 

shoal 68 

step 135 

Wallis  harbor 99 

islets 89 

mark 83 

shoal 68 

buoy 68 

sound 96 

Wardisland 108 

peninsula 127 

Warp  bay 32 

Warrington  cove 34 

Washington  channel 25 

island 423 

Water  cove 26 

Waterfall  bay 163 

Watering  bay 414 

Waterman  island 28 

Weather  point , —  197 

rock 37 


INDEX. 


485 


Page. 

Webb  cove 408 

inlet 28 

point...-- —  106 

Webster  cape. 19 

rock - 141 

Week  islands 37 

Welcome  bay 125 

Weliard  island 92 

Wellington  island 146, 165, 173 

Wenman  islet 409 

West  bay 89 

cape • 23 

channel 132,155,172 

Fury  rocks 30 

point 82 

Van  gronp - 148 

Western  rock 173 

Westhof  island 196 

Westley  island 102 

Westminster  hall Ill 

Weston  point 108 

Wet  island 33 

Whaleboat  sound 28 

Whale  point 85 

sound 87 

Whales  Back  spit 354 

Wharton  mount 90 

Wheeler  islets 131 

White  bay 88 

cliff 138 

caution 138 

Horse  island 171 

islets 366 

Kelpcove 162 

rock 198 

point 265 

rocks 91 

topped  islets 304 

Whitsandbay 66 

Wickham  bay 113 

channel 191 

island 72 

Wide  bay 131 

channel 152 

Wigwam  island 83 

point 133,138 

Wilcke  fiord 168 

Willesbay 72 

tides 72 

William  bay 126 

channel 192 

point 137,156 

wreck 156 

Williams  island 162 

Williwaw  bay 1 95 


Page. 

Wilshere  fiord 146 

Wilson  cove 135 

mount 347 

Winds,  coast  of  Chile 184 

Ecuador 385 

Peru a32 

Tierra  del  Fuego 5 


Coquimbo 286 

gulf  of  Panama 421 

Windward  bay 117 

Wingate  island 137 

Wise  point 03 

Wodsworth  bay 98 

WoUaston  islands 23 

Wolsey  sound 144 

Wood  cove 112 

islands 27 

Woods  bay 82 

tides 82 

Woodcock  mount 33 

Wooding  point 104 

Wreck  bay 404 

light 405 

tides 405 

point 173,404 

rock 206 

I  Wren  island 83 

I  Wyatt  cove 27 

I  Wyndham  mount 103 


Xaultegua  gulf 105 

Xavier  island 174 

port 174 

Y. 

Yacht  bay 90 

Yalad  cove 219 

Yalbay 216 

cove 216 

point 216 

Yanez  bay 249 

Yanteles  mountain 229 

Yapes  cove 322 

islets 322 

point 322 

Yates  port 192 

tides 192 

Yeculinao  point 218 

Yencouma  isle 199 

Yerba  Buena  cove 335 

hamlet 289 

point 335 

Yerbas  Buenas  fort 267 

York  bay 19 


486 


IN):)EX. 


P*ge. 

YorkhiU 107 

minster 28 

— ^road 84 

Z. 

Zach  peninsula 126 

Zampo  Palo 388 

■ — range 388 

Zafia  point 374 

Zapallar  cove 274 

Zapo  mount 420 


Pago. 

Zapotal  point 398 

Zarate  island 347 

Zealous  anchorage 58 

island 164 

islet 159 

buoy 159 

rock 257 

Zehnilauquen  river 237 

Zoraidarock 289 

Zorrilos 382 

light 382 


UST  OF  HYDROGRAPHIC  OFFICE  PUBLICATIONS,  ETC. 


NO. 


TITLE   OF   BOOK. 


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NORTH  ATLANTIC   OCEAN. 

General  Examination  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  By  Capt.  Charles 
Philippe  De  Kerhallet.    Translated  by  Capt.  R.   H.  Wymau, 

U.S.N.    8vo.    1870.    Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement  No.  1.    1886.     Hydrographic  Office 

General  Directions  for  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  From  the  French  of 
F.  Labrosse.  Second  edition.  Translated  by  Lieut.  Commander 
J.  B.  Coghlan,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1873.    Hydrographic  Office 

Nova  Scotia,  Bay  of  Fundy,  and  South  Shore  of  Gulf  of  St.  Law- 
rence to  Miramichi  Bay.    Compiled  by  R.  H.  Orr.    8vo.    1891. 

Hydrographic  Office 

Supplemen  ^>.    1896.     Hy  drographi  cOffice 

Gulf  and  River  St.  Lawrence  and  Cape  Breton  Island,  including 
Cape  Breton,  Magdalen,  and  Anticosti  Islands.    Compiled  by 

R.H.Orr.    8vo.     1891.    Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement.    1894.    Hydrographic  Office 

The  Depths  that  Can  be  Carried  into  the  Harbors  and  Anchorages 
on  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coasts  of  the  United  States.  Prepared 
by  Gustavo  Herri e.    (Pamphlet.)    1893.    Hydrographic  Office 

The  Navigation  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  Caribbean  Sea. 
Vol.  I.    The  West  India  Islands,  including  the  Bahama  Banks 
and  Islands,  and  the  Bermuda  Islands.    Third  edition.    Com- 
piled by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1892.     Hydrographic  Office.... 
Supplement.    Third  edition.    1896.    Hydrographic  Office 

The  Navigation  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  Caribbean  Sea. 
Vol.  11.  The  Coast  of  the  Mainland  from  Key  West,  Florida, 
U.  S.,  to  the  Orinoco  River,  Venezuela,  with  the  Adjacent  Islands, 
Cays,  and  Banks.  Third  edition.  Revised  by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N. 
8vo.    1896.    Hydrographic  Office 

Newfoundland  and  Labrador.  Compiled  by  Lieut.  W.  W.  Gil- 
patrick  and  Ensign  John  Gibson,  U.  S.  N.  8vo.  1884.  Hydro- 
graphic  Office 

Newfoundland  and  Labrador.  Supplement.  8vo.  1886.  Com- 
piled by  Lieut.  R.  G.  Davenport  and  Ensign  John  Gibson,  U.  S.  N. 

Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement  No.  2.    1891.    Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement  No.  3.     1895.    Hydrographic  Office 

Winds,  Currents,  and  Navigation  of  the  Gulf  of  Cadiz,  the  Western 
Coasted  the  Spanish  Peninsula,  and  the  Strait  of  Gibraltar,  by 
Capt.  R.  H.  Wyman,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1870.    Hydrographic  Office. . . 

General  Examination  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  By  Capt.  A.  Le 
Gras,  I.  F.  N.  Translated  by  Capt.  R.  H.  Wyman,  U.  S.  N.  8vo. 
1870.    Hydrographic  Office 

The  Azores,  Madeiras,  Salvages,  Canaries,  and  Cape  Verde  Islands. 
Second  edition.  Revised  by  R.  C.  Ray.  8vo.  1892.  Hydro- 
graphic  Office 

Supplement.    1895.    Hydrographic  Office 

West  Coast  of  Africa.    From  Cape  Spartel  to  Cape  Agulhas,  in- 
cluding the  Islands  in  Bight  of  Biafra,  Ascension,  St.  Helena, 
Tristan  da  Cunha,  and  Gough  Islands.    Second  edition.    Com- 
piled by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1893.    Hydrographic  Office .... 
Supplement.     1896.    Hydrographic  Office 

Memoir  of  the  Dangers  and  Ice  in  the  North  Atlantic.  (Pamphlet.) 
1868.    Bureau  of  Navigation... , , 

487 


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488 


LIST  OF   HYDROGBAPHIC   OFFICE   PUBUCATIONS. 


LUt  of  Hjfdrographio  Ofice  publicatioiiM,  etc, — Continaed. 


NO. 


TITLB  OF  BOOK. 


PRICK. 


93 


88 


54 
55 


58 

89 
84 


96 


41 
415 
41a 

92 
20 


85 


NORTH  ATLANTIC  OCEAN— Continued. 

Ice  and  loe  MoTements  in  North  Atlantic  Ocean.    By  EiiBign  Hngb 
Rodman,  U.  S.  N.    (Pamphlet. )    1890.    Hydrographic  Office 


SOUTH  ATLANTIC  OCEAN. 

East  Coast  of  South  America.  From  the  Orinoco  River  to  Cape  Vir- 
gins, including  Falkland,  South  Georgia,  Sandwich,  and  South 
Shetland  Islands.     Second  edition.    Compiled  by  R.  C.   Ray, 

U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1894.     Hydrographic  Office 

Sup^ement.    1895.    Hydrographic  Office 

Navigation  of  the  Strait  of  Magellan.  Translated  from  the  French 
by  Commodore  J.  C.  P.  de  Krafft  and  Commander  William  Gib- 
son, U.  S.  N.    (Pamphlet. )    1883.     Hydrographic  Office 

Remarks  by  Capt.  M.  A.  Lef^vre,  of  the  French  Navy,  on  the  voy- 
age of  theVandreuil  through  Patagonian  Channels  and  Magellan 
Strait.  Translated  by  Lieut.  George  M.  Totten,  U.  S.  N.  (Pam- 
phlet.)   1874.    Hydrographic  Office 

PACIFIC  OCEAN. 

General  Examination  of  the  Pacific  Ocean.    By  Capt.  Charles  Phil- 
ippe De  Kerhallet,  French  Imperial  Navy.    Translated  under  the 
direction  of  CommodoreCharles  Henry  Davis,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1867. 
Supplement  No.  1.     1886.     Hydrographic  Office 

The  Navigation  of  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Translated  from,  the  French 
of  Mons.  F.  Labrosse,  by  Lieut.  J.  W.  Miller,  U.  S.  N.  8vo.  1874. 
Hydrographic  Office.    Republished  1893 

ne  West  Coast  of  South  America,  including  Magellan  Strait,  Tierra 
del  Fnego,  and  the  Outlying  Islands.  Second  edition.  Compiled 
by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.     1896.     Hydrographic  Office 

West  Coast  of  Mexico  and  Central  America,  from  the  United  States 
to  Panama,  including  the  Gulfs  of  California  and  Panama.  Sec- 
ond edition.  Compiled  by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.  8vo.  1893.  Hy- 
drographic Office 

Supplement.    1896.    Hydrographic  Office 

The  Coast  of  British  Columbia.  From  Juan  de  Fuca  Strait  to  Port- 
land Canal,  including  Vancouver  and  Queen  Charlotte  Islands. 
Compiled  by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1891.    Hydrographic 

Office 

Supplement.    Third  edition.    1895.     Hydrographic  Office 

List  of  Reported  Dangers  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean.     8vo.    1871. 

Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement  No.  2.    1891.    Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement  to  Reported  Dangers  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean.  Com- 
piled and  arranged  by  Commander  William  Gibson,  U.  S.  N.  8vo. 
1880.     Hydrographic  Office 

List  of  Reported  Dangers  in  the  South  Pacific  Ocean*  Compiled 
and  arranged  by  Lieut.  J.  E.  Pillsbury,  U.  S.  N.  8vo.  1879.  Hy- 
drographic Office 

Supplement.     1891.    Hydrographic  Office 

Ice  and  Ice  Movements  in  Bering  Sea  and  the  Arctic  Basin.  By 
Ensign  E.  Simpson,  U.  S.  N.  (Pamphlet.)  1890.  Hydrographic 
Office 

Supplement  No.  2  to  Directory  for  Bering  Sea  and  Coast  of  Alaska. 
1895.    Hydrographic  Office 


INDIAN  OCEAN. 

Sailing  Directions  of  the  Indian  Ocean,  the  Winds,  Monsoons,  Cur- 
rents, and  Passages,  including  also  the  Java  Bea,  Sulu  Sea,  Ara- 
fura  Sea,  and  the  Philippine  Islands.    Compiled  by  Lieut.  F.  £. 

Sawyer,  U.  S.  N.     8vo.     1887.     Hydrographic  Office 

Revised  Supplement.    1894.    Hydrographic  Office 


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489 


List  of  HydrograplUc  Ofice  publieatumBy  etc, — Contianed. 


NO. 


24 


108 


108 
Partlll. 


108 
Partlll. 
Supp. 

108 
Part  IV. 


30 
31 

32 


TITLE  OF  BOOK. 


PSICB. 


'  / 


72 

9 

13 

17 

71 

106 

66 

57 
90 
91 


INDIAN  OCEAN— Continxied. 

General  Examination  of  Indian  Ocean,  with  Direoticms  for  theNayi- 

fation  of  Torres  Straits,  etc.    By  Capt.  Charles  Philippe  De  Ker- 
allet,  I.  F.  N.    Translated  by  Capt.  R.  H.  Wyman,  if.  S.  N.    8vo. 
1870.    Hydrographic  Office 


LAKES. 

Sailing  Directions  for  the  Great  Lakes  and  Connecting  Waters. 

Second  edition.    Revised  by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S    N.    8vo.    1896. 

Hydro^ri^hic  Office 

Sailing  directions  for  Lake  Huron,  Straits  of  Mackinac,  St.  Clair 

and  Detroit  Rivers,  and  Lake  St.  Clair.    Prepared  by  Lieut.  D. 

H.  Mahan,  U.  S.  N.,  assisted  by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1895. 

Hydrographic  Office 

Sailing  Directions  for  North  Channel  of  Lake  Huron  and  Georgian 

Bay.    Prepared  by  Lieut.  D.  H.  Mahan,  U.  S.  N.,  assisted  by  R.  C. 

Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1895.    Hydrographic  Office 

Sailing  Directions  for  Lake  Erie  and  Lake  Ontario,  St.  Clair  and 

Detroit  Rivers,  and  Lake  St.  Clair.    Prepared  by  Lieut.  D.  H. 

Mahan,  U.  S.  N.,  assisted  by  R.  C.  Ray,  U.  S.  N.    8vo.    1896. 

Hydrographic  Office.. •.••• 


LIGHT  LISTS. 

List  of  Lights  (No.  1)  of  North  and  South  America  (excepting  the 
United  States),  including  the  West  Indies  and  Pacific  Islands. 
Compiled  by  Boynton  Leach.    4to.     1896.    Hydrographic  Office.. 

List  of  Lights  (No.  2)  of  South  and  East  Coasts  of  Africa  and  the 
East  Indies,  including  the  East  India  Islands,  China,  Japan, 
Australia,  Tasmania,  and  New  Zealand.  Compiled  by  Boynton 
Leach.    4to.    1896.    Hydrographic  Office 

List  of  Lights  (No.  3)  of  the  West  Coasts  of  Africa,  Europe,  and  the 
Mediterranean  Sea,  including  the  Adriatic,  the  Black  Sea,  and  the 
Sea  of  Azof.  Compiled  by  Boynton  Leach.  4to.  1895.  Hydro- 
graphic  Office 


NAVIGATION  BOOKS, 

List  of  Geographical  Positions.  By  Lieut.  Commander  F.  M.  Green, 
U.S.N.    4to.    1883.    Bureau  of  Navigation 

The  New  American  Practical  Navigator.  By  Nathaniel  Bowditch, 
LL. D.    8vo.    Edition  of  1896.    Bureau  of  Navigation 

Bowditch's  Useful  Tables.  8vo.  Edition  of  1896.  Bureau  of  Navi- 
gation   

Proj ec tion  Tables.    8yo.    1869.    Bureau  of  Navigation 

Azimuth  Tables  for  parallels  of  latitude  between  61^  N.  61^  S.  By 
Lieuts.  Seaton  Schroeder  and  W.  H.  H.  Southerland,  U.  S.  N.  4to. 
Edition  of  1893.    Hydrographic  Office 

Azimuth  Tables  for  parallels  of  latitude  between  40^  N.  and  50^ 

N.    For  the  Great  Lakes.    4to.     1894.     Hydrographic  Office 

Supplement  to  106.    Equation  of  Time  for  the  years  1894, 1895, 
1896,  and  1897 

Arctic  Azimuth  Tables  for  parallels  of  latitude  between  70^  and 
80^.  Prepared  by  Lieuts.  Seaton  Schroeder  and  Richard  Wain- 
wright,  U.  S.  N.    12mo.    1881.    Hydrographic  Office 

Tables  for  Finding  the  Distance  of  an  Object  by  two  Bearings. 
(Pamphlet.)    1874.    Hydrographic  Office 

The  Development  of  Great  Circle  Sailing.  By  G.  W.  Littlehales. 
8vo.    1889.    Hydrographic  Office 

Table  of  Meridianal  Parts  for  the  Terrestrial  Spheroid,  Compres- 
sion ?y  :j^4K?-  By  G.  W.  Littlehales  and  J.  S.  Siebert.  8vo.  1889. 
Hydrographic  Office ....•.,. 


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List  of  Sydrographio  Offioe  publioaiianB,  ete, — Continned. 


NO. 


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109a 


111 


77 


101 


87 


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65 

65a 

656 

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97 


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NAVIGATION  BOOKS— Continned. 


ContributionB  to  Terrestrial   Ma^etism— The  Variation  of  the 
Compass.    Compiled  by  Lieut.  Chaancey  Thomas,  U.  S.  N.    Svo.  j 
1894.    Hydrographic  Office '  $1.00 

Contribations  to  Terrestrial  Magnetism — The  Variation  of  the 
Compass.  Compiled  by  G.  W.  Littlehales,  C.  E.  8vo.  1895. 
Hydrographic  Office 1. 00 


Tables  showing  the  Local  Mean  Time  of  the  Sun's  Visible  Rising 
and  Setting  for  Each  Degree  of  Latitude  between  60°  N.  and  60° 
S.,  and  for  Each  Degree  of  the  Sun's  Declination.  Prepared  by 
Ensign  George  Wood  Logan,  U.  S.  N.  4to.  1896.  Hydrographic 
Office 


METEOROLOGICAL. 

Practical  Hints  in  regard  to  West  India  Hurricanes.  By  Lieut. 
G.  L.  Dyer,  U.  S.  N.    1887.     (Pamphlet. )    Hydrographic  Office . . . . 

Nautical  Monograph  No.  5.  The  Great  Storm  off  the  Atlantic  Coast 
of  the  United  States,  March  11-14,  1888.  By  Everett  Hayden, 
U.S.N.    1888.    Hydrographic  Office 


SURVEYS. 

The  Methods  and  Results  of  the  Survey  of  the  West  Coast  of  Lower 
California  by  the  Officers  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Ranger  during  the  season 
of  1889  and*  1890.  By  Lieut.  O.  W.  Lowry,*  U.  S.  N.,  and  G.  W 
Littlehales.    8vo.    1^2.    Hydrographic  Office 


SIGNALS. 

International  Signal  Code.  Revised  and  corrected  to  1894,  includ- 
ing the  semaphore  and  storm  signal  service  of  the  maritime  coun- 
tries, the  life-saving  service  and  time  ball  system  of  the  United 
States.    8vo.    1894.    Bureau  of  Navigation 


MISCELLANEOUS  PUBLICATIONS. 

The  Gulf  Stream.  By  Lieut.  Commander  John  E.  Pillsbury,  U.  S.  N. 
(Pamphlet.)    1894.    Hydrographic  Office 

Report  on  the  Telegraphic  Determination  of  Differences  of  Longi- 
tude in  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America.  By  Lieut.  Com- 
mander F.  M.  Green,  U.  S.  N.    4to.    1877.    Bureau  of  Navigation. . 

Report  on  the  Telegraphic  Determination  of  Differences  of  Longi- 
tude on  the  East  Coast  of  South  America.  By  Lieut.  Commander 
F.  M.  Green,  U.  S.  N.    4to.    1880.     Bureau  of  Navigation 

Report  on  the  Telegraphic  Determination  of  Longitude  in  the 
East  Indies,  China,  and  Japan.  By  Lieut.  Commander  F.  M. 
Green,  U.  S.  N.    4to.     1881-^82.     Bureau  of  Navigation 

Report  of  Telegraphic  Determinations  of  Longitudes  in  Mexico, 
Central  America,  and  West  Coast  of  South  America.  By  Lieut. 
Commander  C.  H.  Davis,  Lieuts.  .1.  A.  Norris  and  Charles  Laird, 
U.S.N.    4to.    1885.     Bureau  of  Navigation 

Report  on  the  Telegraphic  Determination  of  Longitudes  in  Mexico, 
Central  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  on  the  North  Coast  of 
South  America,  with  the  Latitudes  of  the  Several  Stations.  By 
Lieuts.  J.  A.  Norris  and  Charles  Laird,  U.  S.  N.  To  which  is 
appended  a  Report  on  Magnetic  Observations  in  Mexico  and  the 
West  Indies.  By  Lieut.  Charles  Laird  and  Ensigns  J.  H.  L. 
Holcombe  and  L.  M.  Garrett,  U.  S.  N.  4to.  1891.  Bureau  of 
Navigation 

Report  of  the  International  Meteorologic  Congress  at  Paris,  1889. 
By  Lieut.  Aaron  Ward,  U.  S.  N.    (Paraplet. )    1890 

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491 


List  of  Hydrographio  Office  publicationa,  etc, — ContiDued. 


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MISCELLANEOUS  PUBLICATIONS-  Continued. 

95  The  Average  Form  of  Isolated  Submarine  Peaks,  and  the  interval 
which  should  obtain  between  deep-sea  soundings  taken  to  dis- 
close the  character  of  the  bottom  of  the  ocean.    By  6.   W. 

Littlehales.    8vo.     1890.    Hydrographic  OflSce 

98     Report  on  Uniform  System  for  Spelling  Foreign  Geographic  Names. 
.  By  Lieut.  C.   M.   McCarteney,  U.  S.  N.,  Boynton  Leach,  and 

Gustavo  Herrle.     (Pamphlet.)     1891.     Hydrographic  Office 

103  Submarine  Cables ;  Instruments  and  Implements  Employed  in  Cable 
Surveys;  Theory  of  Cable  Laying;  Specifications  and  Costs; 
Submarine  Cable  Systems  of  the  World.    Prepared  by  G.  W. 

Littlehales.    8vo.     1892.     Hydrographic  Office 

107  Wrecks  and  Derelicts  in  the  North  Atlantic  Ocean.  1887  to  1893, 
inclusive.    4to.    1894.    Hydrographic  Office 


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AGENTS  FOR  THE  SALE  OF  HYDROGRAPHIC  OFFICE  CHARTS, 

SAILING  DIRECTIONS,  ETC. 


AGENffS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Geo.  B.  Carpenter  &  Co.,  Nob.  202-208  South  Water  street,  Chicago,  111. 

Rand,  McNally  &  Co.,  Nob.  166-168  Adams  street,  Chicago,  111. 

H.  Channon  &  Co.,  Nos.  24  and  26  Market  street,  Chicago,  111. 

The  Marine  Record  Publishing  Co.,  No.  308  Royal  Insurance  Btiilding,  Chicago,  HI. 

The  M.  I.  Wilcox  Cordage  Supply  Co.,  Nos.  210-216  Water  street,  Taledlo,  Ohio. 

Burrows  Brothers'  Company,  Nos.  23-27  Euclid  avenue,  Clereland,  Ohio. 

The  Marine  Record  Publishing  Co.,  Western  Reserve  Building,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

The  Marine  Review,  No.  516  Perry  Paine  Building,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Wm.  J.  Sell,  No.  830  State  street,  Erie,  Pa. 

H.  D.  Edwards  &  Co.,  Nos.  16-24  Woodward  avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 

J.  W.  Westcott,  foot  of  Woodward  avenue,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Howard  C.  Bristol,  U.  S.  Signal  Observer,  East  Tawas,  Mich. 

Kendall  Marine  Reporting  Company,  Port  Huron,  Mich. 

Capt.  A.  O.  kruger,  Marquette,  Mich. 

P.  M.  Church,  Sault  Sainte  Marie,  Mich. 

A.  Hirsch,  Duluth,  Minn. 

John  S.  Parsons,  comer  of  West  Cayuga  and  Water  streets,  Oswego,  N.  T. 

Geo.  Hall  Coal  Company,  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. 

Matthews,  Northrup  &  Co ,  Nos.  I7d-183  Washington  street,  Buffalo,  N.  T. 

Joys  Bros.  &  Co.,  No.  205  East  Water  street,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Charles  S.  Barker,  West  Superior,  Wis. 

Frank  Long,  Publisher,  Sturgeon  Bay,  Wis. 

C.  H.  Cummings,  Eastport,  Me. 

N.  C.  Wallace,  Millbridge,  Me. 

Albert  W.  Bee,  Bar  Harbor,  Me. 

Spear,  May  &  Stover,  No.  408  Main  street^  Rockla&d,  Me. 

George  Bliss,  Waldobo>n>,  Me. 

William  O.  McCobb,  Booth  Bay  Harbor,  Me. 

Charles  A.  Harriman,  Bath,  Me. 

William  Senter  &  Co.,  No.  51  Exchange  street,  Portland,  Me. 

P.  A.  Chisolm,  No.  161  Main  street,  Gloucester,  Mass. 

Charles  C.  Hutchinson,  No.  152  State  street,  Boston,  Mass. 

Samuel  Thaxter  <&  Sou,  No.  125  State  street,  Boston,  Mass. 

E.  St.  Croix  Oliver,  Vineyard  Haven,  Mass. 

C.  R.  Sherman  &  Son,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

George  A.  Stock  well.  No.  12  Board  of  Trade  Building,  Prorldenee^Brl. 

J.  M.  K.  South  wick,  94k  185  Thames  street,  Newport,  Rrl. 

C.  C.  Ball,  Block  Island. 

James  H.  Stivers,  No.  72  Water  street,  Stdningtcm,  Com. 

A.  H.  Kellam,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

493 


494  LIST   OF   AGENTS. 

T.  S.  4&  J.  D.  Negus,  No.  140  Water  street,  New  York  CJity. 

R.  Merriirs  Sons,  No.  110  Wall  street,  New  York  City. 
Michael  Rapp  <&  Co.,  No.  39  South  street,  New  York  City. 

D.  Eggert's  Sons,  No.  3  Hanover  street,  New  York  City. 
John  Bliss  &,  Co.,  No.  128  Front  street,  New  York  City. 
Thomas  Manning,  No.  45  Broadway,  New  York  City. 

E.  Steiger  &  Co.,  No.  25  Park  Place,  New  York  City. 
Frank  M.  Porch,  customhouse,  Bridgeton,  N.  J. 
Riggs  &  Bro.,  No.  221  Walnut  street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

F.  J.  Sloane  &  Co.,  comer  Pratt  street  and  Spoor's  wharf,  Baltimore,  Md. 
M.  y.  O'Neal,  No.  502  East  Pratt  street,  Baltimore,  Md. 

J.  .1.  Chapman,  No.  608  Thirteenth  street,  Washington,  D.  C. 

W.  H.  Lowdermilk  &  Co.,  No.  1424  F  street  NW.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

J.  H.  Hickcox,  No.  906  M  street  NW.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Wm.  Ballentine  &  Son,  No.  428  Seventh  street  NW.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

R.  Bell's  Sons,  South  Fairfax  street,  Alexandria^  Ya. 

C.  F.  Greenwood  &  Bro.,  No.  158  Main  street,  Norfolk,  Va. 

Vickery  &  Co.,  No.  124  Main  street,  Norfolk,  Va. 

Frank  Stanton,  No.  1301  Market  street.  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 

Godfrey  Hart,  No.  24  South  Front  street,  Wilmington,  N.  C. 

W.  N.  Harris,  with  Geo.  Harris  &  Co.,  North  Water  street,  Wilmington,  N.  C. 

James  Allen  &  Co.,  Charleston,  S.  C. 

J.  P.  Johnson,  customhouse.  Savannah,  Ga. 

W.  S.  Cherry  <&  Co.,  No.  89  Bay  street.  Savannah,  Ga. 

J.  W.  Howell,  customhouse,  Femandina,  Fla. 

The  H.  and  W.  B.  Drew  Co.,  Jacksonville,  Fla. 

Robert  Ransom,  Titusvllle,  Fla. 

Brelsford  Bros.,  Palm  Beach,  Fla. 

H.  B.  Boyer,  Key  West,  Fla. 

Alfred  Brost,  office  of  lighthouse  inspector.  Key  West,  Fla. 

Babbitt  &  Co.,  Franklin  street,  Tampa,  Fla. 

CD.  Webster,  Nos.  83  and  85  Tarpon  avenue,  Tarpon  Springs,  Fla. 

Henry  Horsier  &  Co.,  Nos.  706  and  708  South  Palafox  street,  Pensacola,  Fla. 

McKenzie,  Oerting  &  Co.,  No.  599  South  Palafox  street,  Pensacola,  Fla. 

K.  B.  Harvey,  Punta  Gorda,  Fla. 

Costello  &  Bates  Co.,  Nos.  24  and  26  Front  street.  Mobile,  Ala. 

Jas.  I.  Friar,  Pascagoula,  Miss. 

L.  Frigerio  (widow),  No.  1019  Canal  street.  New  Orleans,  La. 

Woodward,  Wight  &  Co.,  Nos.  38,  40,  42  Canal  street.  New  Orleans,  La. 

Frigerio  &  SchuUy,  No.  85  Royal  street.  New  Orleans,  La. 

Chas.  F.  Trube,  Galveston,  Tex. 

E.  M.  Burbeck,  corner  Fifth  and  D  streets,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

W.  L.  Banning,  San  Pedro,  Cal. 

StoU  &  Thayer  Co.,  No.  139  South  Spring  street,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

H.  A.  C.  McPhail,  Santa  Barbara,  Cal. 

S.  S.  Amheim,  No.  8  Stuart  street,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Dillon  &  Co.,  No.  310  California  street,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Louis  Weule,  No.  418  Battery  street,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

H.  Lawrenson,  No.  6  Market  street,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

James  E.  Matthews,  Eureka,  Humboldt  County,  Cal. 

Griffon  &  Reed,  Astoria,  Oreg. 

J.  K.  Gill  &  Co.,  Nos.  28  and  30  First  street,  Portland,  Oreg. 

Waterman  &  Katz,  Port  Townsend,  Wash. 

Yaughen  &  Morrill,  Tacoma,  Wash. 

Boeringer  &  Co*i  Tacoma,  Wash. 


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LIST    OF    AGENTS.  495 

Frank  P.  Dow,  New  Whatcom,  Wash. 
Lowman  &,  Hanford,  Seattle,  Wash. 
W.  H.  Pumphrey,  Seattle,  Wash. 
Edward  De  Groff,  Sitka,  Alaska. 

AGENTS  IN  FOREIGN  PORTS. 

T.  N.  Hibben  &  Co.,  No.  69  Government  street,  Victoria,  British  Columbia. 

Albert  Ufford,  No.  58  Cordova  street,  Vancouver,  British  Columbia. 

Garrett  Byrne,  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland. 

Alex.  Bain,  Port  Hawkesbury,  Nova  Scotia. 

Robert  H.  Cogswell,  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia. 

J.  &  A.  McMillan,  St.  John,  New  Brunswick. 

Heam  &  Harrison,  No.  1640  Notre  Dame  street,  Montreal,  Canada. 

Hunter  &  Grant,  Hamilton,  Ontario. 

T.  Darling  &  Co.,  Nassau,  Bahama. 

E.  J.  D.  Astwood,  Turks  Island. 

Edwin  W.  Wilson,  Nos.  41  and  43  Obispo  street,  Havana,  Cuba. 

Juan  B.  Carbo,  United  States  vice-consul,  Cienfuegos,  Cuba. 

J.  P.  Thorsen,  St.  Thomas,  West  Indies. 

James  Gall,  Kingston,  Jamaica. 

John  A.  Donnatien,  Port  of  Spain,  Trinidad,  West  Indies. 

G.  Annciaux,  United  States  consulate,  Barbados,  West  Indies. 

Conrad  Eimbeck,  C.  E.,  Guaymas,  Mexico. 

Para,  Brazil,  at  the  consulate. 

Manuel  Bottini,  Montevideo,  Uruguay. 

Arthur  B.  Dallas,  Pemambuco,  Brazil. 

St.  Helena  Island,  at  the  consulate. 

John  Newton,  No.  5  Calle  de  la  Constitucion,  Callas,  Peru. 

Philip,  Son  &  Nephew,  Nos.  41  to  51  South  Castle  street,  Liverpool,  England. 

Alexander  Dobbie  &  Son,  No.  18  Clyde  Place,  Glasgow,  Scotland. 

V.  &  M.  Lepetit,  No.  15  Rue  de  Paris,  Havre,  France. 

Eckardt  &  Messtorff,  Hamburg,  Germany. 

Charles  Gaupp  &  Co.,  Hongkong,  China. 

Russell  L.  Webb,  Manila,  Philippine  Islands. 

Dorsey  Mohun,  Consulate,  Zanzibar,  E.  Africa. 


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