CHAPTER XII. 



PERU. 

 1839. 



On the 26th of May, the Porpoise sailed for Callao, in order thai 

 some repairs, might be made on her, which our time here did not 

 admit of. At Valparaiso the weather was extremely unfavourable for 

 astronomical observations. I had been in great hopes of being able to 

 obtain a series of moon culminating stars, and occultations, but no 

 opportunity occurred, so that I had to content myself with those for 

 rating the chronometers, and to connect this port with Callao. The 

 longitude adopted for Fort San Antonio, was 71° 39' 20" W., which 

 is the last determination of it by King and Fitzroy. 



On the 4th, we made an attempt to get out of the bay, but were 

 obliged again to cast anchor. At this season of the year, light 

 northerly winds usually prevail, and a heavy swell frequently sets in 

 the bay, making the roadstead very uncomfortable, and at times dan- 

 gerous. The vessels are too much crowded, and the regulations of 

 the port are not sufficiently attended to. 



I was not a little amused with the master of a Hamburg barque, 

 who dropped his anchor so as to foul the berth of my ship, and when 

 he brought up, swung close alongside. He seemed perfectly satisfied 

 with his situation, and apparently knew little about his business, show- 

 ing all the doggedness of his countrymen. The weather looking 

 threatening, I sent him word to move, stating that in case of a change 

 of wind, he would be greatly injured. He quietly replied that his 

 vessel was made of teak, and that his underwriters or my government 

 would pay his damages, and that he could stand a good deal of grind- 

 ing ! Without more ado, I sent an officer and men, and put him at 

 once out of my way. 



On the 6th, we had a breeze from the southward and eastward, and 



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