176 



BAY OF PISCO. 



[1824. 



side of Sangallan's Island, within about half a mile from the mainland, 

 in five fathoms of water, sandy bottom. On this island and the adja- 

 cent keys we found a few fur-seals. Hair-seals were quite numerous, 

 but we did not take any of them. 



The passage between Sangallan's and the mainland is the southern 

 entrance, and perhaps the best passage to approach Pisco ; though 

 vessels may pass on either side. It is in lat. 13° 53' S., long. 76° 

 13' W. After passing the east point of this entrance, you may double 

 immediately round to the eastward, and anchor in what is called Old 

 Man's Bay, in from twelve to four fathoms of water, sandy bottom, 

 sheltered from all winds. There is no danger in entering this pas- 

 sage, keeping the mainland best aboard, to avoid a sunken rock which 

 lies on the other side, about two cables' length from the easternmost 

 key, or small islet, on which the sea breaks in rough weather. The 

 depth of water in the passage is from thirty to twelve fathoms. From 

 this passage steer north-east-by-north, a little northerly, about eight 

 miles, which will bring you to the anchorage of Pisco. It was in the 

 Bay of Paraca, to the south of this anchorage, that the celebrated Lord 

 Cochrane landed, in 1821. 



In sailing from Pisco Roads, you may pass between Sangallan's 

 Island and the Chinca Islands, or to the north of the last-mentioned 

 islands, with perfect safety, as there are no dangers around these 

 islands, more than two cables' length from the shores, but what show 

 themselves on the surface. 



The Bay of Pisco has been so accurately described by Capt. Amasa 

 Delano, that I shall take the liberty of copying the paragraph verba- 

 tim, as far as it coincides with my own actual observations. 



" The Bay of Pisco is large, and as clear of all dangers as any that 

 I ever saw. It has regular soundings all over it, of a moderate depth 

 of water, and fine clear ground for a ship to anchor in. The bay is a 

 crescent in the land, and has a number of islands lying before the 

 entrance to the westward of it, which break all the sea, or wind, if 

 there should be any from that quarter. The islands are called the 

 Tinkers, and are considerably large : they have good anchoring under 

 the lee of theni, and there are many seals on them. 



" The most common way to go into Pisco is by coming from the 

 southward, and sailing between the island of Sangallan's and the main- 

 land. This island lies in latitude 13° 52' S., and has a passage be- 

 tween it and the main about two miles in width, which is very clear 

 of all kinds of danger. As soon as it is passed, the vessel must be 

 hauled round the point of the bay to the eastward, and sail in to the 

 northward and eastward, leaving all the islands and rocks to the left- 

 hand, for the purpose of keeping to windward. After having passed 

 to the eastward of all the islands in the bay, Pisco will come in view, 

 lying in the easterly part of it, in latitude, by our observations (though 

 we had not a very good opportunity to observe), 13° 42' S. The 

 anchor may be cast in four, five, or six fathoms, to the westward of 

 the town, though in reality there is good anchorage anywhere to the 

 southward of Pisco, with a better riding-place than off to the westward. 



" The shore or landing-place at Pisco is not very good, owing to 



