NAUTICAL REMARKS. 
645 
slope of Espinosa Hill in one with Talcaliuana Head. At Talcahuana moor open hawse 
to the north-eastward ; but many think this unnecessary, as the holding ground is so ex- 
cellent, that it is sufficient to steady the ship with a stream. 
Should it happen by any accident that ships, after having passed Quebra Ollas, should 
not be able to weather Pajaros Ninos (supposing the wind to be from the northward), or 
should be set upon the northern shore of Talcahuana Peninsula, off which lie scattered rocks, 
they may run through the channel between Quiriquina and the peninsula. In doing this it 
is safest to keep close over on the island side, but not in less than seven fathoms M^ater. 
On the opposite shore a reef extends, eastward from the Buey Rock, to the distance of seven 
or eight hundred yards from the foot of the cliffs; the mark for clearing it is Fort St. 
Augustine, open with all the capes of Talcahuana Peninsula : but this danger will generally 
show itself, except the water be particularly smooth, as there is a small rock near its outer 
edge which dries at half tide *. 
Having passed the Buey Rock, haul a little to the westward to avoid a reef off the S. W. 
extremity of Quiriquina, and be careful not to stand into either pf the sandy bays of Quiri- 
quina, between this point and the range of cliffs to the northward of it, or towards the 
peninsula, so as to bring the Buey Rock to bear to the eastward of N., true, until you have 
advanced full half a mile to the southward, when the lead will serve as a guide. If it be 
found necessary to anchor, haul into Tombez Bay in the peninsula, and bring up in seven 
or eight fathoms’ mud. This is the northernmost bay, and may be known by several huts 
and a large storehouse. When through, give the S. and S. W. points of Quiriquina a berth 
of half a mile, and having passed them, steer over towards Lirquen, until the two lieads 
(Espinosa and Talcahuana) are open; then pursue the directions before given. 
If vessels put into Conception for supplies, the anchorage of Talcahuana is unquestion- 
ably the best, on account of being near the town ; but if wood and water only be required, 
or if it be for the purpose of avoiding bad weather from the northward, &c., the anchorage 
under the sandy point of Quiriqidna will be found very convenient : it is in many respects 
better sheltered than Talcahuana, particularly from the northerly, nortli-westerly, and north- 
easterly winds. The depth is twelve fathoms, the bottom a blue clay, and the marks for the 
anchorage south point of Fronton S. '76° 20' W., true; Punta Arena N. 45° E., true; one- 
sixth of a mile off shore; the sandy point being shut in with Point Darca, and the south 
end of Quiriquina in one with a hut which will be seen in a sandy bay in the peninsula. 
On rounding the sandy point (Punta de Arena), which may be done quite close, clew all 
up, and the ship will shoot into a good berth. Wood may be procured at the island at a 
cheaper rate than at Talcahuana, and several streams of water empty themselves into the 
bay to the northward of the point. 
The common supplies of Talcahuana are wood, water, fresh beef, live stock, flour, and 
a bad sort of coal. We found stock of all kinds dear, and paid the following prices: 
for a bullock, twenty-nine dollars; sheep, three dollars; fowls, three reals each, or four and 
a half dollars a dozen ; nine dollars per ton for coal, although we dug it ourselves. 
It is high water, full and change, at Talcahuana at 3h. 20m. ; and the tide rises six feet 
seven inches ; but this is influenced by the winds. 
* The narrowest distance between this rock and the reef on Quiriquina sides is exactly half a mile. 
