34 DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY. 



a person than that paladin of modern sailors, Lord Cochran the finest harbor in the Pacific. 

 At the entrance, the distance between Morro de Gonzales, on the south shore, and Molino point, 

 northeast of it, is two and three-quarter miles. Both eminences are high and covered with 

 wood, as are all the hills of the vicinity. From mid-channel there, to the narrowest part of 

 the harbor in a southeast direction, the distance is two miles and a quarter ; all that portion of 

 the bay being without hidden dangers, except close in with Molino point, though considerably 

 exposed to the action of the wind and sea. Just beyond this an extensive sand-bank, of late 

 years dry at low water, is formed by the silt brought down in the water of the river, whose 

 form and dimensions are subject to constant vicissitudes. Here the basin assumes a totally 

 different form, suddenly widening to twice its dimensions at the narrows, and then dividing 

 into two river-like inlets, one of which extends in a south by east direction three and a half 

 miles, and the other toward the southeast more than five miles. Midway between the sand- 

 bank and the point of the promontory separating the inlets is Manzera island, half a mile in 

 length and 300 feet high, its northern point being in a line with, and distant from/ the south 

 shore of the river more than three fourths of a mile. No vessel drawing more than twelve feet 

 water should attempt to enter the latter, and under all circumstances it is safest to have the 

 local pilot's advice. The best anchorage for large vessels has been found in the little cove 

 immediately west of the bank, and where the shore is quite steep, and the water so deep and 

 smooth that they may be hove down in all security so close that a good long plank will reach 

 the land. Lord Cochran hove down and repaired the frigate O'Higgins here, after his gallant 

 capture of all the fortifications in 1820. There also is the best watering-place; and provisions 

 may be had in abundance and at moderate rates from the town, eight miles distant. 



At one time Valdivia was regarded as almost impregnable. The fortresses which were com- 

 menced by the Dutch squadron under Hendrick Brower, in 1643, were added to and strength- 

 ened when recovered by the Spaniards, until nine separate batteries had been erected on opposite 

 shores of the harbor. Their 118 guns of all calibres (when Lord Cochran attacked it) were so 

 mounted as to rake the entrance and channel from several points at the same time. Fifteen 

 years later the forts were almost in ruins, and the guns so nearly disabled that they could 

 hardly fire a salute without danger. Only four are now garrisoned, and these mount but 22 

 guns, of which 6 form a mountain battery constantly in demand against the neighboring Indian 

 tribes. 



From 1848 to 1851, both inclusive, there entered the port 121 national and 45 foreign vessels ; 

 the former measuring 28,799 tons, and the latter 12,180. Of the foreign vessels, 8 were under 

 the American flag and registered 2,192 tons; though from the Custom House returns they 

 scarcely appear to have had trade sufficient to pay port dues, the total invoices of goods landed 

 amounting only to $58Y. Within this district is also Bio Bueno, across whose bar very small 

 crafts can pass. 



The last revenue district whose port remains to be specially described, embraces not only the 

 island of Chiloe, with its multitude of good harbors and safe coves, but also San Miguel, a 

 harbor in latitude 50 1*7', on the eastern shore of Madre island, and which is spoken of as a 

 convenient anchorage. The name of this district and its most frequented port is Ancud, or, as 

 it was called by its founders, San Carlos. It is situated at the northern extremity of Chiloe, in 

 latitude 41 51'. Formerly Castro, about midway of the eastern shore of the island, was the 

 capital of the province, and there the annual ships from Peru landed their treasures. San 

 Carlos is a broad and open bay, more than ten miles across, whose southwest termination is a 

 land-locked inlet or harbor, quite four miles in length by an average width of one mile. Unlike 

 most of the other ports that have been mentioned, it has several shoals and obstacles for the 

 navigator to avoid, whose risks are no little increased by strong tides. Once anchored in Port 

 San Carlos, as the inlet is called, a ship may lie in all security. However, to facilitate loading 

 and discharging, the usual berth is much nearer to the town, situated on a little promontory at 

 the bottom of the bay ; but this is greatly more exposed during the prevalent northerly and 



