J8 



Porter's Voyage 



CHAPTER IV. 



Mocha ; Arrival at Valparaiso, and Departure. 



The island of Mocha is high, and may be seen at a great 

 distance. On the north part, the land gradually tapers to a 

 long low point, off which lie some rocks, at the distance of a 

 quarter of a mile. On the west side is a long, narrow, and, were 

 it not for the height of the island, a dangerous reef, extending 

 three leagues, on which, during a heavy swell, the water breaks 

 with great violence. At the anchorage, a ship is sheltered from 

 the westerly and southerly winds, but is exposed to those from the 

 north and east ; the latter, however, seldom blows with violence 

 on the coast. 



This island, which is situated in latitude 38'' 9X' 37" south, 

 longitude 7 4^ 38' 26" west, is about twenty miles in circumfer- 

 ence, has a verdant and beautiful appearance, its hills being co- 

 vered to their summits with trees of a large size, and clumps of 

 them are near the water''s edge, which renders wooding very easy. 

 Ships may also supply themselves with excellent water, from se- 

 veral beautiful streams, which discharge themselves on the west 

 side. It would, however, be necessary to wait for a favourable 

 time to take the casks off, as, when the sea is high, the surf beats 

 with great violence. 



It was settled in the early part of the last century by the 

 Spaniards, and was deserted by them, perhaps in consequence of 

 the terrors excited by the buccaniers. It is now frequented by 

 vessels engaged in smuggling, and in the whale fishery, as well 

 as those employed in catching seals; great numbers of which 

 are always to be found in the rocks and small keys. Shags, 

 penguins, and other aquatic birds, are to be found in great 

 numbers; the woods are filled with birds of various descrip- 

 tions; and apples and purslain grow on different parts of the 

 island. Our short stay here did not enable me to give this in- 

 teresting spot so thorough an examination as I could have 

 wished ; but I saw enough to convince me, that it is a most de- 

 sirable place for vessels to touch at after doubling Cape Horn. 



I now considered myself in a good position to meet vessels ply- 

 ing between Conception and Valparaiso : and as neither the health 

 of the crew, the state of my provisions, nor the distresses of 

 the ship, rendered my going into port absolutely necessary, I 

 determined to keep the sea awhile longer, in hopes of meeting 

 some of the enemy's ships, and thereby obtain such supplies as 

 would render it entirely unnecessary to make ourselves known 



