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al)out a month salting fish, which fetch a high price at Lambayeque.
There is no danger round these islands, at the distance of a mile ;
regular soundings will be found between them and the shore, from
fifty fathoms abreast of the islands.
N. 26" W. , ten leagues from Lobos de Afuera, lies the Island of
LOBOS DE TIERKA, nearly two leagues in length, north and south,
and little more than two miles wide ; when seen from seaward it has
a similar appearance to the former islands, and many rocks and
blind breakers lie round it, particularly on the west side. There is
tolerable anchorage on the N.E. side, in eleven or twelve fathoms,
sand and broken shells. A safe passage is said to exist between
this island and the main, which is distant ten miles, but as no advantage
could be gained by going bet^veen, it was not thoroughly examined
by us. ff 1 rn
POINT AGUJA is long and level, terminating in a steep bluff
feet high, and has a finger rook a short distance off it, with several
detached rocks round the point.
Three miles and a haU N.N.B. of tHs is Point Nonura, and five
miles farther in the same direction is Point Pisura, the south point
of the Bay of Sechura; between Aguja and Pomt Pisura are two
small bays, where anchorage may be obtained, if required. The land
about this part is much higher, and has deeper water off it, than on
either side, and may be readily known by its regularity and tabletop.
The bay of Sechura is twelve leagues in length, formed by the
little Lobos Island of Payta and Point Pisura, and is six leagues
deep ; on the S.E. side the coast shows low sand hills, but as you
go northward it becomes cliffy and considerably higher.
Near the centre of the bay is the entrance to the River Piura, and
the town of Sechura situated on the banks of it. This town is inhabited
chiefly by Indians, who cari-y on a considerable trade m salt,
which they take to Paj t a on their balsas, and sell to the shipping.
ITie river is small, but of sufficient size to admit the balsas when laden.
There is anchorage any where off the town, in from twelve to five
fathoms, coarse sand ; in the latter depth you will be better than a
mile from the shore. This place may easily be distinguished by the
church, which has two high steeples on it, and shows conspicuously
above the surrounding sand hills ; one of these steeples has a considerable
inclination to the northward, which at a distance gives it
-more the appearance of a cocoa-nut tree than a stone building.
Al'l'KNDIK. i>67
From Lobos Island Point the coast is cliffy, about 120 feet high,
and continues so as far as Payta Point, which is three leagues distant ;
between these two, a mile and a half from the coast, is a cluster of
bills called the saddle of Payta ; accurately described by Captam
Basil HaU. The SIILA or SADDLE OF PAYTA is sufficiently remarkable,
it is high and peaked, forming three clusters of peaks joined
together at the base, the middle being the highest ; the two northern
ones are of a dark brown colour ; the southern is the lowest, and of a
lighter brown. These peaks rise out of a level plain, and are an
exceUent guide to vessels bound for the Port of Payta from the southward.
A few leagues to the northward, as already mentioned, is PAYTA
POINT, round which is the port of that name. This is without exception
tJie best harbour on the coast, and considerable trade is carried
on. Vessels of all nations touch here for cargoes, principaUy cotton,
bark, hides, and drugs, in return for which they bring the manufactures
of their several countries. In the year 1835 upwards of
forty thousand tons of shipping anchored in this port. Communication
with Europe (via Panama) is more expeditious than at any of
the other ports.
The town is built on the slope and at the foot of the hill, on the
south-east side of the bay; at a distance it is scarcely visible, the
houses being of the same colour with the surrounding cliff. It is
said to contain 5,000 inhabitants, and is the sea port of the province
of Piura, the population of which is estimated at 75,000 souls.
The City of SAN MIGUEL DE PIUKA is situated on the banks of
the River Pinra, in an easterly direction from Payta, between nine
and ten leagues distant. Fresh provisions may be had at Payta on
reasonable terms, but neither wood nor water, except at a high
pricf;, the latter being brought from Colan (a distance of four miles)
for the inhabitants of the place. "When we were there hopes were
entertained of a supply of water fi'om the west side of the bay ; an
American having commenced boring with an apparatus proper for the
purpose.
There is no danger in entering this exceUent harbour : after
rounding the point which has a signal station on it, you wiU open
False Bay : tliis must be passed, as the true bay is round Inner
Point. That point ought not to be hugged closely, for there are some
rocks to the distance of a cable's length, -and the wind baffles off it.
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