Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-05
Masbingtou gfntinel.
Correspondence of the Providence Journal.
Chincha Islands.

Correspondence of the Providence Journal
Chincha Islands.
CHIYcHA ISLANDS, Aug. 20, 1851 have
now been here about three weeks, and will en-
deavor to give you some idea of the islands
and vicinity, matters and things in general.
The islands are situated in the heart of the
trade winds, which blow continually from ESE.
to SSE., about l20 miles south and east from
Callao. The wind seldom varies from the points
of the compass above named, and this causes
an almost constant current to the north andwest,
which is dead ahead for vessels coming from
the north. An average passage for common yes
sells from Callao to the islands is eight to ten
days many are twenty, and some even thirty
coming down. The wind in shore being very
light, the constant current to the north and
west makes it at all times almost impossible to
reach the islands. There are now some forty
American ships here, among them eight of the
finest clippers belonging to the United States,
all bound home with guano. The fleet here is
composed of l40 vessels, American, English,
French, Russian, Italian, Dutch, and Swede.
In describing the islands and vicinity to you,
would refer you to a draft or sketch enclosed,
showing you the situation of them, the main
land, &c. On the right you see the city OF
Pisco, of which cannot give you description,
as / have not yet visited it. l hear it is al
most impossible to land there i'll common ships
boats, on account of the surf on the beach.
There are three Of the Chincha islands, or
others off at the left merely detached rocks or
pinnacles, which have, / think, in past ages,
been reft from the other islands The water
around the main ones is very bold. A ship
would strike her jibboom afoul Of the rocks be-
r. L l. Qna@ L..
moored off at the north and the eastof the islands.
The furthest say one mile off, thence close into
the rocks, and some made fast to the rocks.
One part of the feet lies in between the middle
and the north islands. In this feet am now
lying. Ny bow anchor is in ten fathoms water
with thirty-ive fathoms chain out, with my stern
in FIVE fathoms, within one hundred feet of the
rocks, being fast to them with two hawsers, one
on each quarter, the rocks and guano about two
hundred and fifty feet perpendicular above me.
The lower part of the rocks are worn full OF
caverns by the sea. We were at first very much
disturbed nights by the surf roaring under our
stern, but are now quite used to it. The ships
lie close to each other and often swing afoul.
Close to the rocks we have much more swell
than off, say one-quarter of a mile. On certain
DAYS of the moon, as the full, we have much
more swell than on others. Little is then done,
as boats cannot lie at the rocks; but we then
have to keep sharp lookout to prevent getting
afoul of each other.
A few days since, a ship moored near me
dragging her anchors, and came afoul of me.
We were together about two hours ere we could
get her clear The islands are from one hun
dred to one hundred and fifty feet high. The
south one the lowest, and these covered with
guano; the north one to the depth of one hun
dred and twenty-five feet. This seems almost
incredible, but assure you it is no exaggera-
ton The middle one has about eighty feet Of
guano, and the south one but little on it. None
Of the other isles or main land have any on
them. Few birds are seen here in comparison
to what one would suppose. 1t is still ques.
ton with many what this guano is. cannot
believe it is wholly the excrements of the birds.
On the very top of the middle island are rocks
completely bare, of tons and tons weight,
beautifully polished, apparently by the birds
feet, but not one particle of guano on them.
There are also on the very tops of these noun
tains caves, that go down to depths yet I'M
known. They have been explored one hundred
and twenty-five feet. The mouths or entrance
resemble very much the crater OF q volcano.
Vessels all load at the lee of the island. At
this time the guano has been removed from the
feet. Rails are laid and cars are used to bring
it to the edge of the rocks and dump it into
large bins OF shutes made of long poles inter
woven with ropes and chains to support them.
wide at the upper ends and narrow at the lower,
These hold from one hundred to FIVE hundred
tons. At the lower end are gates or scuttles,
and from these gates are canvass bags of about
two feet in diameter leading down to the ships
and boats below. The ships are hauled close
to the rocks and moored off and on. The hose
are led at once into the hatch, the gates above
are hoisted, and you can imagine the force
with which it comes down through this hose of
one hundred feet. A thousand ton ship can
be loaded in forty-eight hours. Smaller bins
are used by the boats, which all prefer, as we
have much less dust. A ship under the spout
or hose is completely enveloped in a cloud of
dust making it almost impossible to exist on
board The guano is trimmed away in the
hold by natives with oakum tied over their
mouths and noses (this lets in air and excludes
the dust) and wells over their eyes. They can
only stay below from twenty to thirty minutes.
They are in gangs of eight or ten, and relieve
each other as above. Every part of the vessel
Is penetrated with this dust. 1t will 60 where
smoke will / can compare it to nothing but
SO much dry ashes. The guano abounds in
hartshorn, and is said to be very healthy and
beneficial in some complaints.
The vessels are all of one color from truck to
water. Not spear of grass, rush or reed, is
to be seen anywhere; no vegetable matter of
any kind on the islands. Where the guano is
now removed is perpendicular bank Of about
one hundred feet In it are found dead birds ;
some even on their nests with eggs under them.
have several of them perfect in shape, still
pure guano. Most of them crumble to dust
when exposed to the air. Layers of reeds and
twigs are to be found through the guano, said
to be brought there from the main land by the
birds for their nests. AS we walk over the
islands. we find holes innumerable. These are
the habitations of the birds. With daylight
they go seaward for food, and return with dark
ness to spend the night on the islands. They
are of various kinds-pelicans,, penguin, many
of the duck species, &c. Seals and sea-lions
are seen in thousands sporting among the rocks
and ships, and basking in the sun. Methinks
hear you say, what place for cunning. and
you will, no doubt, be surprised when tell you
have not discharged nv gun since | sailed