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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.
Chatham Island.
Any ship that approaches the Wreck cove (Shipwreck), must |
do so with caution, because of the reefs that the coast near the cove, in the direction of Wreck point. The anchorage in the cove is good for smaller boats. In 1875 Chatham Island was occupied by Messrs. Cobos and Monroy, under whose orders the 37 individuals who at that time made up the island's population worked. The cultivated land embraces an extension of 3.5 to 4 hectares, in which fruits, vegetables and sweet cane are produced, the latter of superior quality. Resources.. – Those offered by Chatham Island are: fresh meat, some vegetables and firewood. Currents.-It is said that at Wreck Point, the currents are strong and variable in direction. While the ship of S. M. B. Peterel was in June 1876, at a distance of 3 to 5 miles from land, he noticed that the current was pulling windward against a strong SSE wind. Charles Island
The bay of Black Beach (black beach) offers anchorage in 18 to 35 meters of water, sand, and at a distance of 550 to 900 meters of land; It is also protected from the swell by several small reefs that stretch towards Saddle Point. Ships should not anchor within 18 meters, to avoid a rock with 1.8 meters of water lying some distance from land. Bringing the highest peak of Charles Island to S 70° 19'E. you will be on the right track to make the anchorage in the bay of Black Beach, and clear on the south side of the rock with 1.8 meters of water. In 1875 Mr. Valdizan occupied the island; and the inhabitants, in number of 26, occupied themselves in the cultivation of the land for the harvest of the orchilla. The landing place is on a small sandy beach that lies between the black rocks, and is accessible at all times. Resources. – In the vicinity of the pier of the bay of Black-Beach you can obtain firewood in abundance. Albemarle Island.
About 0.5 mile SE. from the tip S. of the entrance of the Tagus cove, there is a small watering place located a short distance from the high tide mark and at the mouth of two moats that extend |
to the shore of the water. In this place the disembarkation is quite regular. In 1875 there was in the extreme SE. from the island four men and three women employed by Mr. Valdizan in making turtle oil. Abingdon Island.
About 1.5 miles N. of Cape Chalmers and off the high hill, on the western side of Abingdon Island, there is a fairly regular anchorage with 12.8 to 27 meters of water, sand, and rock, between 550 and 730 meters. distant from land. In this neighborhood, the hills are about 300 meters high, and seen from the sea, they seem to rise perpendicularly from the water; but when approaching you will see at the foot of the hills a narrow and sloping rocky pleasure that alternates with black sand beaches at various points. Directions.. – When taking this anchorage going S., if you round Cape Chalmers to 1 mile, which can be done without danger, you will see a green patch almost at the foot of the highest part of the hill. The anchorage is 100 to 160 meters N. of this patch; however, you will not get bottom until you are within 0.5 miles of land. Disembarkation is possible about 1.5 miles N. of the anchorage. Exports.. – The main article of export of the Galapagos Islands is the orchilla seed. Tortoise oil, a few hides, a small quantity of salted fish and honey are also exported. Climate.. – In these islands the rainy season begins in January and lasts until the beginning of April; However, it sometimes happens that for three or four consecutive years, the rain that falls is very little; so that what most characterizes this station is the cessation of the SE trade winds. During these months calm prevails, but from time to time showers are felt from the N. and NW., Accompanied by thunder and lightning. However, it is said that these never reach the eastern islands but are drawn to the highlands of the Albemarle and Narborough islands. These showers are neither hard nor long lasting. The prolonged calms and strong currents that are felt in the vicinity of the islands during this season make navigation for sailing vessels risky and difficult. |
From the middle of April to the end of December, the wind here blows regularly, and during this time there are no known storms. Magnetic direction. Variation: 8° 50' N.E. in 1876. English chart, 1375. |
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Source.
Translation via Google Translate.
Oficina Hidrografica de Chile.
This source is available at Google Books.
Last updated by Tom Tyler, Denver, CO, USA, Dec 24 2021.
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