NAUTICAL REMARKS. 413 



give S. and S.W. points of Quiriquina a berth of half a mile, 

 and having passed them, steer over towards Lirquen, until the 

 two heads (Espinosa and Talcahuana) are open; then pursue 

 the directions before given. 



If vessels put into Conception for supplies, the anchorage 

 of Talcahuanha is unquestionably the best, on account of 

 being near the town ; but if wood and water only be required, 

 or if it be for the purpose of avoiding bad weather from the 

 northward, &c., the anchorage under the sandy point of Qui- 

 riquina will be found very convenient : it is in many respects 

 better sheltered than Talcahuana, particularly from the 

 northerly, north-westerly, and north-easterly winds. The 

 depth is twelve fathoms, the bottom a blue clay, and the 

 marks for the anchorage south point of Fronton S. 76o 20' W., 

 true; Punta Arena N. 45^ E., true; one- sixth of a mile off' 

 shore ; the sandy point being shut in with Point Darca, and 

 the south end of Quiriquina in one with a hut which will be 

 seen in a sandy bay in the peninsula. On rounding the sandy 

 point (Punta de Arena), which may be done quite close, clew 

 all up, and the ship will shoot into a good berth. Wood 

 may be procured at the island at a cheaper rate than at Talca- 

 huana, and several streams of water empty themselves into the 

 bay to the northward of the point. 



The common supplies of Talcahuana are wood, water, fresh 

 beef, live stock, flour, and a bad sort of coal. We found 

 stock of all kinds dear, and paid the following prices : for a 

 bullock, twenty-nine dollars ; sheep, three dollars ; fowls, 

 three reals each, or four and a half dollars a dozen ; nine 

 dollars per ton for coal, although we dug it ourselves. 



It is high water, full and change, at Talcahuana at 3h. 20m.; 

 and the tide rises six feet seven inches; but this is influenced 

 by the winds. 



GAMBIER ISLANDS. 



This group consists of eight high islands, surrounded by 

 coral islands and reefs, enclosing a lagoon, in which there are 

 several secure anchoring places ; but the lagoon has many 



