84 



THREE TEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



the bottom of the Almendr^l, is a small fort, under the guns of 

 which, in 1814, the United States Ship Essex was captured by 

 the British, after a gallant resistance of a superior force, and 

 under other unequal circumstances.* In the same direction, the 

 peak of Aconcagua, the bell of Quillota, and the great chain of 

 the Cordilleras, crowned with perpetual snow, close this pic- 

 ture of hills and mountains. 



"Hill peeps o'er hill, and Alps on Alps arise." 



At this season, (October,) the number of launches, pulling 

 "to and fro," loading and unloading every variety of craft, under 

 almost every flag, announces the activity of trade. Close in to 

 the western shore, are moored two or three hulks, which formed 

 a part of the expedition to Peru under San Martin, which struck 

 the fatal blow to Spanish power on this side of the Andes. The 

 only vessel of the Chilian Navy, now kept in commission, is a 

 beautiful brig of war ; in fact the only one that has any preten- 

 sions to efficiency. The anchorage is considered good ; though, 

 at certain seasons, it is dangerous. In winter, which is from 

 the middle of May to the end of August, north winds prevail, 

 and throw into the bay a swell so heavy, that vessels some- 

 times snap their cables, and are driven on shore, where they 

 soon beat to pieces. The winter is also the rainy season, if a 

 dozen rainy days, in the course of that time, can be so called. 

 The most implicit reliance is placed upon the indications of 

 changes in the weather, afforded by the barometer ; so soon as 

 it begins to fall, even when the surface of the mercury becomes 

 concave, north wind and rain may be most confidently expect- 

 ed ; particularly, if the land to the northward be distinctly 

 visible. During the rest of the year, the wind prevails from 

 the southward, and blows at times so strongly that ships drag 

 to sea, from the anchoring ground being a declivity ; — the same 

 winds bring with them such quantities of dust, that the eyes 

 of people walking the streets suffer severely. 



Previous to 1830, the landing was upon the sand beach. In 



* Porter's Journal. 



