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0(54 APPENDIX.
although bad. is considerably preferable to Huanchaco ; it is formed
by a cluster of hüls, projecting beyond the general trend of the
coast, which at a distance appear Hke an island; there is a fishing
viUage at the S .E. side, but no trade is carried on. The town
of Paysan lies some leagues to the S.E. , and, by the account they
gave of it at Malabrigo, must be of considerable extent.
The best anchorage here is with the village bearing about E. S .E. ,
three-quarters of a mile from the shore, in four fathoms sandy bottom
• landing is bad, but the fishermen have what they c a l l ' caballitos,'
bunches of reed fastened together, turned up at the bow hl<e
a balsa of Chüe, but much higher. These are so light .that they
are thrown on the top of the surf to the beach, when they jump oft
and carry them on their shoulders to the huts. It seems that each
different bay or road has its pecuharly-constructed vessel, adapted to
the surf which it has to go through. The small island of Macabí
lies S. by E. two leagues from Malabrigo. with a safe channel
of ten fathoms betumeen it and the main land.
N 35° W six leagues and a half from Malabrigo. is the road ot
Pacasmayo; between the two the coast is low and clifiy, with a
sandy beach at the foot of the cUff. and soundings of nine and ten
fathoms two miles off shore. Pacasmayo is a sufficiently good roadstead.
under a projecting sandy point, with a flat rminmg off it to
the distance of a quarter of a mile. The best anchorage is with the
point bearing about S. by E. . and the viUage eas t ; you will there
have five fathoms, sand and mud : there is no danger m standing
in ; the soundings are regular, shoaling gradually towards the s ho « .
Landing is difficult: launches are used as at Huanchaco. ITie prmcipal
e ^ o r t is rice, which is brought from tlie town of San Pedro
de Yoco, two leagues inland. Fresh provisions may also be obtained
from the same place ; wood and water may be had at the * on
the beach, which is principally mhabited by Indians, employed by
the merchants of San Pedro. . , ^ ,
To distinguish this road from seaward, the best guide is to stand
in on a parallel of 7» 25' to 30', and when within six leagues, the
hiU of Malabrigo will be seen, which appears lilce an island sloping
graduaUy on each side ; and a little to the nortíiward. Arcana HiU,
rugged with sharii peaks. As you approach, the low yellow chifs
wffl appear (those north of the road the highest), on the summit of
which on the north side of the point, is a dark square building that
APPENDI-S. 2 6 5
shews very distinctly. The best mark for the anchorage is the shipping,
when any are there. From this road the coast continues low,
with broken clift', until you reach Point Eten, which is a double hill
(the southern one the highest), with a steep cliff facing the sea.
The north side of this cliff is white, and shews conspicuously.
N. 43° W. , a little more than four leagues, is the road of Lam-
B A T E a u E , the worst anchorage on the coast of Peru. There is a
small viUage on the rising ground, with a church that shews white
towards the s e a ; off which vessels anchor in five fathoms, a mile
and a quarter from the shore. The bottom is a hard sand, and bad
holding ground, it is always necessary to have two anchors ready,
for the heavy swell that sets on this beach renders it almost impossible
to bring up with one, particularly after the sea breeze
sets in.
Rice is the chief commodity for wliich vessels touch here: the
only method of dischargmg or takuig in a cargo (or in fact landing
at all), is by means of the balsa. This is a raft of nuie logs of the
cabbage palm, secured together by lashings, with a platform raised
about two feet, on which the goods are placed. They have a large
lug sail wHch is used in landing, the wind being along the shore
enables them to run through the surf and on the beach with ease and
safety ; and it seldom happens that any damage is sustained by this
pecuUar mode of proceeding. Supplies of fresh provisions, fruit,
and vegetables may be obtained, but neither wood nor water.
The coast continues low and sandy, similar in appearance to that
of Lambayeque, to the distance of twenty-five leagues : an extensive
range of table-land of considerable height, with broken rocky points,
then commences, and continues to Point Aguja or the Needle.
Fifteen leagues from Lambayeque in an E . S . E . direction, lies a small
group of islands called L o b o s de Af u e k a . These islands are a
league in length north and south, and a mile and a half broad ; are
about a hundred feet high, of a mixed brown and white colour, and
may be seen several leagues of f ; they are quite barren, affording
neither wood nor water. There is a cove on the north side formed by
the two principal islands, but with deep water and rocky bottom ;
within this cove are several nooks, in which a small vessel might
careen, without being uiterrupted by the swell.
These islands are resorted to by fishermen from Lambayeque on
their balsas ; they carry aU their necessaries with them, and remain
a a
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