240 A P P E N D I X .
the head by a reef of rocks. To the northward of this island, and
round the head is the port and town of Arica, the sea-port of Tacna.
Of late this place has been the seat of ci\il war from which it has
severely suffered. It was in contemplation in the latter end of 1836
to make it the port of the Bolivian territory; should that take place,
it would perhaps become next in importance to the harbour of CaUao,
the principal port in Peru: its present exports are hark, cotton, and
wool; for which is received, in return, merchandize, chiefly British.
Fresh provisions and vegetables, with all kinds of tropical fiTiit, may
be had m abundance and upon reasonable terms ; the water also ia
excellent, and may be obtained with little difficulty; as a mole is run
out into the sea, which enables boats to he quietly while loading and
discharging: the only inconvenience is having to carry or roll it
through the town. Fever and ague are said to be prevalent; this in
all probability 'arises from the bad situation which has been chosen
for the to-rni, the high head to the southward excluding the benefit
of the refreshing sea-breeze, which generally sets in about noon. In
entering this place there is no danger whatever; the low island may
be rounded at a cable's distance in seven or eight fathoms, and anchorage
chosen where convenient.
Hence the coast takes a sudden turn to the westward, and as far as
the river J U A N DE DIOS, is a low sandy beach with regular soundings:
from this river it gradually becomes more rocky, and increases in
height till it reaches the Point and MOBHO SAMA, known by some as
the Devil's Headland. This is the highest and most conspicuous land
near the sea, about this part of the coast, and appears from its boldness
to project beyond the neighbouring coast line ; on its western side
is a cove formed by the point called Sama, where coasting vessels
occasionally anchor for guano; there are three or four miserable
looking huts, the residence of those who collect the guano ; it would
be quite impossible to land except in a balsa, and even then with
difficulty. Should a vessel be drifted down here by baffling winds
and heavy swell, which has been the case, she should endeavour to
pass the head (as a number of rocks surround it); and about a mile
to the westward anchorage may he obtained in fifteen fathoms.
N. 4S° W. , nine miles from Point Sama, is a low rocky point,
called Tyki, ijid between the two, the small river Lucumbu, having
low cMs on each side of it; this, like most of the rivers on the
coast, has not strength to make an outlet for itself, but is lost in the
A P P E N D I X . 2 «
shingle beach at the foot of the before-mentioned cliffs; regular
soundings, which continue gradually increasing until you reach Point
Coles, may be obtained at the distance of two miles, in from fifteen
to twenty fathoms.
W. 210 N., at the distance of thirty-one miles from Point Sama,
is Point Coles ; the coast between is alternately sandy beach, with
low cliff, and moderately high table land a short distance from the
coast. I doubt if landing could be effected any where between Arica
and Port Coles, as a high swell sets directly on this part and appears
to break with redoubled violence.
P O I N T COLES is very remarkable; it is a low, sandy spit, running
out from an abrupt termination of a line of table land. Near its
extreme is a cluster of small hummocks, the whole, at a distance,
appearing as an island; off the point, to the south-west, is a cluster of
rocks or islets, but no hidden danger exists, although there is generally
a quantity of froth, under which a reef may be suspected.
N. 13° E., five miles and a half from this point, is the village and
roadstead of Yio. This is a poor place, containmg about three hundred
inhabitants, under the local governor and captain of the port.
But httle trade is carried on, and that chiefiy in guano : a mine of
copper has been lately discovered, which may add to its importance.
The inhabitants have to supply the necessaries of life by cultivation,
and do not care to trouble themselves about luxuries. Water
is scarce, and wood is brought from the interior, so that it is not
on any account a suitable place for shipping. The best anchorage
is off the village of Pacoche (a mile and a quarter south of the
to-wn), in twelve or thirteen fathoms, and the best landing is in
Huano Creek: but bad, indeed, is the best, and great care must
be taken lest the boat be swamped, or hurled with violence against
the rocks.
In going into Ylo, the shore should not be approached nearer than
half a mile (as many sharp rocks and blind breakers exist), until
three smaU rocks, called ' the Brothers,' always visible inside the table
end, bear east, when the village of Pacoche may be steered for, and
anchorage taken abreast of it, as convenient.
Enghsh Creek affords the best landing, but boats are forbidden
that cove, to prevent contraband trade being carried on.
From Ylo, the coast trends to the westward, with a cliffy outline,
from two to four hundred feet in height, and with one or two