Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-02-05
THE GUANO TRADE.

The rapid increase of our commerce in
the Pacific waters, consequent upon the ac-
cession of California to this country, affords
matter of speculation, and engrosses, at this
time. much Of the attention of the mercantile
community. Intelligence from this quarter
is eagerly sought for, and we are gradually
gaining information which may benefit trade.
and more especially the shipping interest
But few are probably aware Of the exten, of
the trade in guano. This article is becom-
ing one of much importance, not only in Civ
ing employment TO a large number of ships,
in affnrdng return freigh, to England and
the United States (chief1y to the former)
but also to the agricultural portion Of the
community, in furnishing the means Of fer
''lIza'ion aud of increasing the products of
the soil.
The subject has become one of so much
magnitude, that the President, in his recent
message, has very properly called the a,,en-
llon OF Congress TO its consideration, and
recommended The opening Of some friendly
negotiation with The government of Peru,
with the hope Of bene6'ing The agriculture
and commerce Of our country.
As but iIllle is known here respecting the
guano deposits, the locality of the islands,
and the manner Of obtaining the guano, the
following extract Of letter very recently
received in this town, from Captain Charles
BunlIn, of The ship EuphIasia, will be found
interesting generally, and contains some
valuable information. The ship was then
loading with guano for Liverpool. The let
ter is dated
CHINCHA ISLANDS, Coast of Peru,
November 26, 1850.
= There is large fleet of vessels
here loading for England, and some few for
The United States. Some account Of these
islands, and manner Of taking in The gnano,
NAV be to You both curious and in,erestin
They are situated in lat. Is 46 S. and Ion.
76 80 W., ten miles west from the small
town Of Pisco. They are three in number
the north, middle and south islands, dis
.ant about half mile from each other. The
guano is taken mostly from the north island
both from It's north and south ends, and YES
sells lie on either side TO load. The islands
are OF moderate extent, of an oblong form,
and varying in height from one hundred to
one hundred and fifty feet. She south island
remains untouched. 1t is estimated that
there are about thirty millions Of tons on
these three islands; and, although the ex-
port of this article has been very large, and
is increasing, yet it will require years 10 di-
minish it TO any considerable extent. They
appear to be solid mass of rock, Of an un-
even surface, and covered with guano TO the
depth Of thirty feet, or more.
1t is well known that different opinions
are entertained as TO its origin, but there is
no doubt that il is chiefly the deposit of the
seal, which, we are informed, frequented
these waters, in years past, IN large numbers,
aud are still seen by those who visit these
islands. Abundance of fish, such as mack
erel, herring, Sc, are found here, and sea
birds, pelican, penguin, and other kinds are
numerous, though probably not in such
large numbers as formerly, before the trade
in guano commenced.
Vessels lie end on within cables length
Of the shore, with the stern moored to tbs
rock, and a bower anchor, dropped in thirty
or forty islhoms of water, ahead. At diff
rent points of The island are shoots or tru,-
nels made of heavy canvas, about three feet
in diameter and fifty or sixty feet in length.
reaching from the top of the island TO the
water, under which the boats are placed to
receive the guano, and as it runs down with
considerable velocity, they are soon des-
patched. From twenty TO thirty tons are
thus boated off in day. After ballast on
board is replaced with guano the ship is
hauled under the "mangura," or large shoot,
TO receive the remainder OF her cargo, which
occupies from two TO three days. From
two hundred TO three hundred tons are put
ON board in day.
There are al presen! on the islands near