Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2- Appendix): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

254 APPENDIX. Lorenzo you can see, you will be clear of all danger ; and when the west marteUo tower in the castle comes on with the northern part of CaUao spit, bearing N. 49° E., you may haul gradually round, till the same tower is seen to the northward of the breakers on a shoal lying oiF the spit ; when a direct course may be shaped for the ancho- rage. There is no regular tide in this passage, but generally a little setting directly through, sometimes to the N.W. and at others the contrary ; shovdd the stream be adverse, and it fall calm while in the channel, there is good anchorage in eight or nine fathoms, with the leading marks on. Callao is well known as the sea-port of Lima, which is seven miles inland, situated five hundred feet above the level of the sea, and at the foot of a range of mountains : when seen from the an- chorage on a fine day, it has an imposing appearance. Trade was in a flourishing condition in 1 836, and when the govern- ment becomes settled, this may be the first commercial port on the west coast of South America. SuppHes of all sorts may be obtained for shipping ; fresh provi- sions as well as vegetables, with an abundance of fruit : watering is also extremely convenient, a well-constructed mole being run out into the sea, at which boats can lie and fill from the pipes pro- jecting from its side ; wood is the scarcest article, and very dear, 9o that vessels likely to remain at this port should husband their fuel accordingly. From Callao, the coast is a sandy beach, running in a northerly direction until you reach Point Vernal ; it there becomes higher and clifiy, which character continues as far as Point Mulatas, roimd which is the little bay of Ancon. To the west and south-west of Ancon lie the Pescador Islands, the outer and largest of which bears N. 31° W. from Callao Castle, and at the distance of eighteen mUes. There is no danger among these islands ; they are steep-to, with from twenty to thirty fathoms near them. N. 33° W. from Point Mulatas, twelve miles distant, is the Bay of Chancay and river of that name ; this bay may be known by the bluff" head that forms the point, and has three hills on it, in an eas- terly direction ; it is a confined place, and fit only for small coasters. From Chancay, the coast runs in a more westerly direction, as far as Point Salinas, a shingle beach, with a few broken, clifiy points ; the