Ch.VL, south AMERICA. 251 



a fufEcient depth of water all round them, there is no 

 other danger in ftanding near them, than what may 

 be fcen. There is indeed a neceíTity for ftanding near 

 them, to avoid falling to leeward of the bay. After 

 paffing them, the conrfe is continued as near as pof- 

 fiblc to the idand of Quiriquina, taking care to avoid 

 fome other rocks lying along the ihore. 



As fnips are generally obliged to make feveral tacks 

 in order to get into Conception- bay, care muft be 

 taken not to approach too near the iiland of Qiiiriqui- 

 na, either on the E. or S. fides ; for though the coaft 

 is bold on the N. and N. W. fides, there is a íhoal 

 on the S. extending to a confiderable diftance from 

 the fnore. At a third part of the diftance between 

 the road at Talcaguano, and the point of the fame 

 name, is another Ihoal, running about half a league 

 to the eaftward. In the middle of it is a ledge of 

 rocks, whofe tops are dry at low water. To avoid 

 this ihoal, though the thick water fufficiently indicates 

 it, the bd\ way is, at entering the mouth of the bay with 

 aland wind, to Oeer direftly for the middle of a fpot 

 of red earth on a mountain of a middling height, fitu- 

 ated at the bottom of the bay, continuing this courfe 

 till the ftiip is paiTed the fhoal ; and then íleer direct- 

 ly for the houfcs at Talcaguana, till within about half 

 a mile from the íhore, which is the ufual anchoring 

 place in five or fix fathom water ; Cape Harradura 

 being covered by the iiland of Qairiquina. The fame 

 care is aifo neceilary to avoid another reef of rocks, 

 lying between the Morro and the coail of Talcaguana; 

 nor muil the Morro fide be approached too near, there 

 being a fand ftretching all along from that reef of 

 rocks to Cirillo Verde. The fliips riding at Talca-- 

 guana in the manner thus prcfcribcd, are Íheltere4 

 írom the N. Vv'ind ; but not entirely fo from the fea, 

 which in thofe winds runs very high, and pours in 

 through both entrances. The goodnefs of the bottom, 

 however, fecures the iliip. During the foicc of thefe 



winds 



i 



