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2 4 2 AP P E N D I X .
coves, useful only to small coasters, until you reach the VALLEY OF
TAMBO, which is of considerable extent, and may be easily distinguished
by its fertile appearance, contrasting strongly with the barren
and desolate cliffs on either side: those on the east maintain theirregulai
ity for several miles, while on the west the regiilarity is broken,
and from the near approach of the hills their aspect is bolder.
The next point of this valley is called Mexico, it is E. 18° S.,
twenty-one miles from Islay Point, and is exceedingly low, projecting
considerably beyond the general trend of the coast; it is
covered with brushwood to the water's edge, and at the distance of
two miles in a southerly direction, soundings may be obtained in
ten fathoms, muddy bottom; firom that depth, in the same direction,
it increases to twenty fathoms ; but on each side of the bank there
are fifty fathoms.
W. 18° N., twenty-one miles from Point Mexico, is Point Islay,
and between the two, five miles from the latter, the cove of MOLLENDo,
once the port of Arequipa ; but of late years the bottom has
been so much altered, that it is only capable of affording shelter
to a boat or very small vessel; in consequence of which it has been
thrown into disuse, and the bay of Islay now receives vessels that
bring goods to the Arequipa market.
ISLAY, the port of Arequipa, formed by a few stragghng islets off
the point, extending to the north-west, is capable of containing
twenty or five and twenty sad. The town is built on the west side of a
gradually declining hiU, sloping toward the anchorage, and is said to
contain fifteen hundred inhabitants (chiefly employed by the merchants
of Arequipa). As in all the sea-ports of Peru, a local governor and
captain of the port are the Authorities ; this is also the residence of
a British vice-consul. Trade was in a more flourishing condition
here, even during a civil war, than at any place we visited;
there were generally four or five, and often double that number of
vessels discharging or taking in cargoes. 'JTie principal exports were
wool, bark, and specie, in exchange for which British merchandize
was chiefly coveted.
Islay being much frequented by British merchant vessels, and differences
of opinion having arisen as to the best method of making
it, detailed and clear directions should be given. Vessels have frequently
been in sight, to the westward of the port, yet from the
strength of the current (half a knot, and at the full and change often
A P P E N D I X . 243
as much as one knot per hour) setting to the westward, have been
prevented from anchoring for several days.
This, no doubt, has been partly owing to the hitherto inaccurate
position assigned it, and from a proper reluctance to expose a vessel
on an imperfectly known coast, to be baffled and drifted about by
light and variable airs, in addition to a heavy sweU continually rolling
directly toward the shore.
With the following directions, it is to be hoped that more confidence
will he acquired, and consequently less delay occasioned in
sailing to the seaport of the second city of Peru.
Coming from the southward, the land abreast of Tambo should
be made, and a certainty of that place ascertained, which (accordmg
to the state of the weather) may be seen from three to six leagues :
the course should then be shaped toward a gap in the mountain to
the westward, with a defined shari^-topped liill in the near range, a
short distance from it. In this gap is the road leading to Arequipa.
which winds along the foot of the before-named hill from Islay.
As the coast is approached, the foot of the hills wiU be seen to be
covered with wHt e ashes (said to have been thrown from the volcano
of Arequipa), not found on any other part of the coast. This
peculiarity commences a little westward of Tambo, and continues
as far as Point Omilius, and when within three leagues, the Point
Islay and white islets forming the bay, will be plainly observed, and
should be steered for.
Care must be taken in closing the point, as a rock, barely covered,
lies a quarter of a mile to the southward. It is the custom to go to
the westward of all the islands ; but, with a commanding breeze, it
would unquestionably be better to run between the third outer and
next island,* which enables you to choose your berth at once; this
can seldom be done by the other route, the wmd heading as you
enter, obliging you to anchor, and use warps. The best anchorage
is just within Flat Rock Point, off the landing-place, in ten or twelve
fathoms. A hawser is necessaiy to keep the bow to the sweU, to
prevent rolling heavily, even in the most sheltered part. Vessels
from the eastward should close the land about Tambo, and observe
the same directions.
If from the eastward the paraUel of seventeen degrees five mmntes
« His Majesty's ships Menai and Challenger passed in between these
islands.
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