Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-08
From the Washington Globe.
How Guano is Shipped.


CHrNCHA ISLANDS, Nov. 26, 1854.
MEssRs. EDITORs:-My last to you was from
Callao. since which time | have departed
therefrom, arrived at the Chinchas and COM
menced taking in the GuanO. | have been
here since Wednesday last, and am already
tis.. .f-t+--1As vurr-wiil not know why | am
So will endeavor To enlighten you by des-
cription of the place, the Dlotns 0peTundi by
which we receive our cargo. There are three
islands in this group from which guano can
be taken, surnamed the north, middle and
south, the two first being at present those
which are worked, as they are the largest and
most easy of access Most of the American
ships lay on the lee side (north) of the mid
die island, working from there, or from the
south side of the north island, in accordance
with their orders from the authorities; whereas
English ships take from the north side of the
north island. The north side of the middle
island is formed, of an immense bed of
rock, rising nearly perpendicular about two
hundred feet above the level of the sea,
the summit of which is covered with guano
to great depth About forty feet from the
base of the rock Is extended chain, to which
is affixed the lower end of the shoots, or
managers" as they are termed in Peruvian
which serve to secure the boats when they
come for guano. These shoots are made of
canvas, in shape similar to wind sail, and
are secured to two stout hawsers, which ex-
tend from the top of the rock down the chain
and bowsed well taught Boats pull in, make
the bow fast, swing in under the shoot when
a man at the upper end Stacks stopper and
the grlano PUSHES down furiously and the boat
is soon full. The boating is attended with
fba mfr roll i'm and hrao ID
very heavy at times, and the boats when I'M
der the shoot, do not lay more than fifteen
or twenty feet from the rocks therefore expe-
renced and careful men and good boats and
fasts are necessary. The guano is rolled in
cars from all parts of the island to the mouth
of the shoot, which is quite large and always
full; and while working it, with the wind
fresh from the southwark, immense clouds of
dust are continually rolling from the island,
particularly from the direction of the ''mall-
gers;" consequently the shipping is covered
with it, and it penetrates everything but lea
ther and india rubber.
The ellluvia is not disagreeable, unless you
have too much, and then the only consolation
one has, is, that it is exceedingly healthy and |
purifying must confess it is good for the
lungs and head, keeping them clear and free
from the usual effects of colds. But would |
advise any one coming here to lay in good |
stock of wines, liquors and cigars, to keep the
dust from out of the throat you cannot get
them here at ALL How often have | wished |
that had "Barry & Patterns" alongside my
ship; i could make California fortune.
There arc two "mangers' under which
ships haul, and in three or four DAYS be full
which is certainly the most expeditions way,
and wonder there are not more constructed.
But it is easily accounted for by the fact that
Yankees do not have the management of af-
fairs; if they had, there would not be so much
delay and trouble in getting cargo. There
seems to be diatory and negligent feeling
pervading all races that have Spanish blood in
their descent. There are two shoots Zone of
which can only be worked when the sea is
smooth, for lighters, when there should be at
least a Dozen Most American ships load
with boats and for she benefit of your
friends who may come this way, would
suggest as | did in my last, that it would be
expedient for economy and dispatch to bring
out at least two launches, capable of carrying
from eight to fifteen or twenty tons. They
must be strong and well fastened, rugged with
forward and aft.
IL 10 AO uoo W ucpouu upOA ou ucio
for boats, as they ara in such demand, and, at
times like the present, cannot be had for love
or money. They command a high price, say
from $3.50 to $500. One able to carry five
tons was offered for $3.50 worth at home per-
haps $50 Such a margin is an item in
ships account current of disbursements in a
fareign port | am now all ready for cargo,
but cannot get lighters and many Others are
in the same position. There are no houses on
these islands, no one living on them but the
Chinese slaves who work the guano thus
every one is compelled to spend his idle mo-
ments either on board his own ship or some
other of his friends. For myself | shall not
leave the ship unless business calls me- while
we lay here, but am determined to make
myself as comfortable rs | can when off
duty.
Thus, Messrs. Editors, have endeavored
to give you some idea of the Cbinchas and
guano loading, although the accounts are not
SO full as they might be, had leisure to sur
vey more infinitely the Islands. expect to
leave here in thirty days, having small ship
and few laying days, sailing direct for Hamp-
ton Roads and Baltimore Should gather
any information of interest / will write you
from here if not, my next will be from Bal
timore.