Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1909-04-08
MADE TRIP
AROUND HORN
EXPERIENCES OF A SAILOR
WITH THE BATTLESHIP
FLEET.
lContinnedl.


''At O'Clock the next morning the |
fleet was on it's way, following the
crooked channel. To the south lies
Terra del Fuego, devoid of all vegeta-
tion. At noon Punta Arenas, our
third resting place, was reached, re-
vealinfg but little more than a hamlet
at first sight, the houses of which are
built of corrugated iron. 1t bears the
distinction of being the Southern most
city in the world. The principal oc-
cupations are fur trading and metal
mining. Anchored in the harbor were
the Chilean Cruiser Chacabuca and the
English Cruiser Sappho, while scores
OF tramp steamers were tied up to the
docks. The stop at Punta Arenas was
made solely for the purpose of taking
on coal, and, this task accomplished,
the feet got under way at IL p. m. on
February 7th, and swung into Broad
Reach, then the narrows of Forward
Reach.
At $40 a. m. the ships rounded
Cape Forward and the southernmOst
point of South America. From here
on the scenery is most captivating
On either side rise mountains Of rock
with scant vegetation, such as wealth
er-beaten fir trees and scrubby oaks,
growing few hundred feet up their
sides to where they meet the snow
line On both sides are to be seen the
spotless white. snow covered peaks
reaching up into the clouds. Small
glaciers of snow and ice come down in
many places, reaching almost to the
waters edge.
Ruling this waste ON the Patagonian
side are tribes of "Horse Indians" so
called because of always having been
seen with horses, both riding and eat
ing them. Those of the Terra del Fu-
ego archipelago are called "Canoe In
dians" This name is due to the mode
of convq1 nsapsed by them.
Very fewas seen along the
straits. ,sgeons, gulls and mar
inc bird lyIloSea the ships the entire
distance The fleet steamed along,
swinging around sharp curves, dodg-
Wing submerged rocks, unrolling the
beautiful panorama with such rapidity
that one could not allow his gaze to
linger long.
At $50 p. IN. Cape Pillar, the west
ern point of the Fuegian side, was
passed, leaving behind natures great
waterway, $40 miles long. The entire
trip from Punta Arenas occupied 1S
hours and the last American man-o'-
war under sail making the passage was
the u s. S. Decatur, occupying near
ly two months.
On our entrance to the Pacific WI
found heavy sea running, which
prevailed all day, with considerable
fog. During the forenoon the Chilean
Cruiser Chacabuca, joined the fleet
This state of weather continued unit
the morning of the 18th, when the SKY
cleared considerably toward noon ant
heavy sea subsided into long, re
gular ground swell. At 1915 a. m. I
Chilean man-o'war was sighted of
our starboard bow, conveying three
torpedo boats, standing toward tn
fleet. At $3.50 the U. S. S. Chicag
passed us, bound for the Atlantic
Coast via Cape Horn.
Chile, whose coast lay some go mile
to starboard, intended it should be he
honor to accept at least passing visi
from the fleet at her great seaport, Val
S-paraiso. At 2 p. III. on the 14th, a
the ships entered the harbor in exac
column, the United States ensign wa
i broke at the fore truck and that Q
Chile at the main truck.
As the fleet passed the first fort
salute of 81 guns was fired and NOR
beautiful sight presented by any nava
display could not be seen. The col
lumn was never so perfect, the inter
val between ships never so flawless
A splendid harbor filled with ships fly
ing the flags of many nations was rt
vealed to our sight Lining the han
bor in a semi-circle is an almost cor
tinual mountain range, on the sides {
which are the houses which form th
homes of the 179, 600 population. The
are built tier upon tier far up tn
side. At $40 y. III. the fleet passe
the Chilean ship, General BaquendC
> flying the presidents flag, and aft'
firing another salute of 2t guns, stoo
out to sea on our way to Callao, Pert
On the morning Of the Goth land W,
again sighted. The outlines of tn
high mountains could be seen markin
the entrance to the harbor of Gala,
With the Peruvian Cruiser Bolognes,
leading the feet swung into exact co
umn and glided swiftly into position
fired the customary salute and let ;
their anchors
Years ago. about t14f, old Calls
suffered from severe earthquake
which buried i,OOo people, immerSir
the entire southwestern section Of Il
city, throwing mp in it, stead furth'