104 



porter's journal. 



rule, that every person belonging to the ship should be on 

 board at gun-tire, at eight P. M., unless on some special 

 occasion, when I should be on shore with them at a party. 

 This rule was violated by the carpenter under the most ag- 

 gravating circumstances ; and, as he was a worthless fellovr, 

 J did not permit him to return on board the ship again. 

 The gunner was detected in smuggling rum on board, con- 

 trary to the regulations of the ship ; and, as he had con- 

 ducted himself very improperly in other respects, I caused 

 him to be confined in irons. Three Americans belonging 

 to the English brig in port claimed my protection, and I 

 took them on board. As my prisoners were an incum- 

 brance to me, I landed the whole of them the morning 

 I left port, except one, who the evening before had at- 

 tempted to make his escape by swimming away ; and as 

 this man had not confided in my generosity, I considered 

 that he had forfeited all claim to it. I also intimated to 

 Mr. Nelson, (a Dane found on board the Elizabeth, who 

 preferred remaining with us,) that he could not remain any 

 longer on board. As he was destitute of money, we raised 

 a subscription suited to his immediate wants, and I gave 

 him a letter to the consul-general, which, I am in hopes, 

 will be the means of placing him in some employment that 

 will afford him a support. 



The town of Valparaiso is pleasantly situated at the bot- 

 tom of the bay, and is a place of considerable commerce. 

 The anchorage is in front, and from two to five cables 

 length from the shore, where vessels lie secure, and are 

 sheltered from ail except the north winds, which blow di- 

 rectly into the harbour, and occasion a considerable sea. 

 There have been instances of vessels being driven on 

 shore by them, and all hands perishing. On the east- 

 ern limits of the town, towards the village of Almandral, 

 and near some rocks, is erected a cross, as a monument of 

 the loss of a Spanish ship that was driven on shore here, 

 and all her crew lost. 



The bay is entirely free from danger, and the only ad- 

 vice necessary for running into the harbour, is to stand in 

 for the middle of the town, choosing your anchorage in 

 from twenty-five to seven fathoms water. The bottom is 

 every where clean, and the holding ground good. As the port 

 has been so accurately and minutely described by Vancou 



