The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-23
From this London Times.


FROM us LohuVh Times
The Island Of Lobos de Afuera.
The following letter has been addressed the Times:
Sir: The Lobos islands have lately occupied aiten-
on, and doubts have arisen 10 their rlghu sover-
eighty, or whether the Peruvian government was even
aware OF their existence as guano islands until Mr.
wentworth Butler had made the Imaginary discovery BY
reading Captain MorelPs voyages last year. beg 10
trouble you with the following statement: Having navi-
gated The first seamvessel 10 that coast in $780, and
continued running backwards and forwards along the
west coast OF South America from Panama to Chloe for
period OF six subsequent years, had frequent oppoT-
unites of examining different islands, and oil ascertain
which not then known 10 The government nor until
laid before them, III IS43, plans and estimates of
new deposes. which had drawn up from time to time
during The Tour previous years including the Lobos and
the government did not consider it necessary allow
these dsposes 10 be worked there being, by my es,-
were nevertheless officially surveyed shortly after my
plans were sent in, during the early part of 1885, and
am still in correspondence with the Peruvian govern
nent upon the subject.
With respect to the right of that government to seize
and conscale any vessels attempting 10 load guano upon
these islands, or even 10 anchor there without license,
case in point has already been established, in 1913,
when, during the temporary suspension OF the shipment OF
guano TO England English barque q think her name
was the vtula) proceeded 10 the CAnchas. from Vapa
raiso, and began loading without a license The cap
tain OF The por Of Pisco, Ii miles distant, within whose
jurisdiction these islands lie, proceeded in armed
boat and took possession OF her; she was taken 10
c0nN5cdted, anu s0la as lawful prize, and
now running with another name under the Peruvian
las The crew were imprisoned in The dungeons OF the
castle at Callao but afterwards liberated al the instance
OF her Majestys minister at Lima. Another British
ship also made the attempt, Che Prince OF Wales) but
escaped before the boat could reach her. Another case
occurred at the Lobos de Afuera islands, either in The
same year in 1874 A schooner from LanbayiQue
had been wrecked these islands, having quantity OF
specie on board The captain OF English brig,
believe her name the Harpooner having diving
apparatus board, from Panama. hearing OF the wreck
G adpu In he
spot without license anchored, and commenced opera
tons The captain OF the port OF LambaSiqne, under
whose jurisdiction these sels lie, pore eded in armed
boat seized her and brought her into that port and after
considerable delay and the interference OF her Maestys
minister at Lima. the vessel a, length released by the
payment OF heavy fine II appears 10 me that to cues.
ton The validity OF the peruvians claim all isles lying
contiguous 10 their own coast whether Inhabited 9th
erwse. would be equally applicable 10 many Of the isles
lying of the coasts Great Britain and Ireland although
do not think should admit any doubt of their sover
eighty il attempted to be exercised By any foreign power
The Lobos de Afuera (Outer Seal isIands) are only
eleven leagues from the mainland and the Lobos Aerra
only ten miles; they are under the jurisdiction of the
captain OF the port OF Llmbayque, in the department OF
Libertad. The Guanapc isles six miles from the
mainland, under the jurisdiction of the captain OF the port
OF Huanchaco, in The province OF Truxilo The follow
ing is description OF these islands, as copied from my
mark. book:
The Lobos or Seal islands, under the jurisdiction Of
the port Of Larnbayique, three in number. They
abound in SEALS and covered with guano in the shell
tered parts. The Indians visit them occasionally kill
light timber with raised platform, and carrying an i'm
mense lug sa) Tor this purpose The norhernmost, or
Lobos Alera, tue largest island being five miles long
and two broad in the broadcast part. The principal de-
poses OF guano the northeast side, where there
Is good anchorage in six fahons My estimate OF the
quantity OF available BIRDS guano upon this island
100000 TONS The nearest point OF the mainland TO il
is miles. Latitude Of the anchorage, deg rs min +,
south longitude, so deg. 50 min. west South south
east ten leagues from this island the Lobos de Auera
consisting OF isets, separated by narrow channel
al he sla nd
IN ibe channel forming a steep precipous cliff The
largest island is about Two miles long by three quarters
OF mile broad lying southeast and northwest; the
other lies nearly north and SOUTH forming with the
southern island two snug capacious bays This island
about mile and half long, and nearly mile broad.
There good anchorage on either side OF the narrow
channel but the best is in the east bay of the northeast
part of the souhernmost island, where also guano
abounds. There you may lie in eight fahoms close in,
and there for feet OF vessels TO load at the
time, The water being smooth and the shore nearly al
ways accessible There several places in both bays
where vessels could at times load by hoze shoot the
same al the Chinchas.
There appears to be good deal OF seals dung mixed
with the birds guano. particularly the lowest paris OF
the coast but IL IS easily dsng ushed by the color and
there is lack oil the real birds guano. Ii is difficult
from eye-suryey 10 form an estimate OF the quantity upon
these islands, as the surface is rugged, and, without
boring you cannot arrive at just conclusion to the
depth OF the guano in the valleys or rayines but al a
rough computation, the available quantity may be taken
at from 100000 10 100000 tons The nearest point OF
the mainland from the Lobos de Afuera eleven leagues
and they lie hiteen leagues WSW. rom Bambay1quei
latitude OF the anchorage deg 81 min s. longitude SO
deg ii min. w.
The Gaanape islands are two in number. lying six
mles from The mainland, in lat. deg 80 min. S. and
longitude rs deg so on. W. They under the jufis-
dciion OF the Port OF Huanchaco, in the province OF
Truxillo The southemmost island is shaped like
wedge gunners quoin and is high and precpiious
its southwest side. II is covered with birds gusno The
northernmost island is soping, and has good bay
its lowest side, with plenty OF close to
The steep rock, which the guano abounds, and there
is a natural bollard the north side OF the little bay,
shaped like anvil TO which ship make her stern
noorngs fast There two natural shoots running d.
recty into the sea, and ordinary ships might load
their vessel OF 300 tons in couple Of days--the guaoo
being deep and Of excellent quality. should think from
%, 900 10 10000 tons could be shipped There was
heavy swell on outside Of the island when | visited
there but had difficulty in landing, aud think there
are few days in any month that vessels could not load
from boze shoot, and at which time boats could
always load from projecting stage sung from the nsta-
raj shoots. There is only for two vessels 10 lie
alongside the low cliff at time, but by using launches or
boats dozen boats could be loading together. believe
no one had ever visited these ISLAND before did.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
C. PEACOCK,
Superintendent and Dockmaser Of the Southampton
Dock, formerly Marine Superintendent OF the
D. g.. -, ~. narsE