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NITRATE AND GUANO DEPOSITS
IN THE
DESERT OF ATACAMA.
(Published by Authority of the
Government of Chili.)
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ADDli^'^N GRVILLE FAY,
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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELE
GIFT OF
Professor Roland D. Hussey
NITEATE AND GUANO DEPOSITS
IN THE
DESERT OF ATACAMA,
AN ACCOUNT
OF THE
MEASUEES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CHILE
TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT THEREOF.
[Published by Authority of the Government of Chile.]
LONDON:
TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET,
1878.
PHINTED BY TAYLOB AND FKANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
SRLF
YRL
IKTEODUCTION.
For some years past the ricli deposits of Nitrate of Soda,
and Guano, as also the Mines of Silver and Copper which
exist in the northern extremity of the Chilian territory
in the desert of Atacama, have excited much interest. Some
bold explorers have undertaken and accomplished journeys
of investigation, and sanguine capitalists have established
enterprises for their development.
But all attempts made by private individuals have met
with considerable obstacles. The land is barren ; supplies
of potable water are frequently unattainable ; it is cut oft*
from the sea by the coast-range of the Cordillera, and the
existing means of communication are both sparse and
costly.
The Chilian Government, desirous of rendering aid to
private enterprise, has sent thither two Commissioners, one
lor the j)urpose of discovering the natural sources of
A 2
11 INTRODUCTION.
wealth existing in this desert, until now hidden from view,
and the other to study the means of affording ready access
for those who may be engaged in the work of bringing
its produce within reach of the markets of the world.
The object of this pamphlet is to place under the eye
of the public the information thus obtained by publishing
the text itself of the Commissioners' Reports. The most
important of these documents is undoubtedly the report of
Monsieur Pissis, which establishes the fact of the existence
of abundant natural riches in the desert of Atacama.
The deposits of Nitrate of Soda which have been recog-
nized are undoubtedly of considerable extent ; and it may
be assumed, with much probability, that these constitute
but a small part of the existing deposits of the entire desert.
As much may be said of the Guanos, and of the minerals
— Silver and Copper.
It was impossible, in so short a time, to effect a com-
plete exploration of the whole of the riches of this desert,
whilst for the present it is sufficient to indicate the promi-
nent points of attack ; when once exploratory works have
been organized, the exploration may with little trouble be
extended step by step.
The Commission charged to select a place where the
works established in the desert may, at the least cost and
labour, be placed in communication with the sea, for
importation of stores and export of produce, has dis-
INTRODUCTION. ill
covered a very convenient port capalilc of being con-
nected with the interior by a cart-road in a short space of
time. Such are the most essential and pressing matters.
Time will do the rest.
The Chihan Government is desirous of taking advantage
as soon as possible of the studies of the Commission, by
undertaking immediately the construction of tlic port-
works of Blanca, Encalado, and Taltal. Those for the con-
struction of roads will follow hereafter.
In this way capitalists, engineers, and contractors who
may be disposed to extend their operations to the borderr
of the Pacific, in view of increasing the exportation of
Nitrate of Soda and other products, will be in posses-
sion of positive and reliable information. It is to tliese
persons that the Government of Chile addresses the present
publication.
THE iNITRATES AND GUANOS
DESERT OF ATACAMA.
[Translation.]
No. I.
Santiago, 30th June, 1877.
To His Excellency tlie Minister of the Interior, Dox\ Josk
VrcTORiNo Lasturria.
Sir,
In the execntion of the commission with whicli you
have entrusted me, 1 have the lionour to sul)niit to you
herewith a Report upon the Geology and tJK^ MiiuMal
Products of the Desert of Atacama.
I am, »Jcc.
tSio-ncd) A PTSSIS.
EEPOET
UPON THE
DESEET OF ATACAMA,
ITS GEOLOGY AND MINERAL PRODUCTS.
I. General Aspect.
The desert of Atacama is generally regarded as an exten-
sive plain enclosed between two chains of mountains, the
coast-range on the west, and the Andes on the east.
This description is very far from being correct.
The interior of the desert does not consist wholly of
level plains, but is divided into large basins by intersecting
ridges, the direction of which is approximately north-east
to south-west.
Between the parallels 23' and 27° there are four of
these basins wherein may still be seen the dry channels of
the ancient rivers which once irrigated these extensive
regions. The northern basin embraces the whole of tlie
space enclosed by the hills of Naguayan, Caracoles, and
Atacama on the north. Its eastern boundary consists of
part of the Andes range, which extends from the volcano
of Licuncaur to LluUaillaco. Its southern boundary is a
range which, branching from tlie Varas mountain, runs in
the direction of tlie heights of Los Cordones and Cohre,
and terminates on the coast by tlic hills of Jara and
Jorgillo. This vast basin communicates with the Pacific
Ocean through a deep gorge called the Negra, in the vicinity
of Antofagasta. The portion of this basin which is in
ChiUan territory comprises the plains occurring in latitude
24°, namely, those of Palestina, of Aguas Blancas, and a
part of the valley of Mateo.
The second basin, that of Cachiyuyal, is bounded on the
north by the peak of Cobre and by the Varas chain,
on the east by the Vaguilla range as far as Chaco, thence
by the Andes as far as the volcano of Dona Ines, and on
the south by a range of hills which includes those of
Hornillo and ('achiyuyal. This basin opens into the port
of Taltal, and contains the most extensive tracts of level
ground in the desert of Chile, viz., those of the Prophete,
Cachinal, Sandon, the valley of the Encantada, and the
plains of Cachiyuyal.
The third basin is of more limited extent, and contains
but few tracts of level ground ; it is bounded on the north
by the range last indicated, on the east by the volcano
Dona Ines and the hill of Indio jMuerto, and on the south
by a range of hills which extends to the Cerro Negro and
Carrizalillo. It consists of narrow valleys, and communi-
cates with the sea in front of the Pan de Azucar.
The fourth basin comprises the dry channel of the
Salado river, and the undulating tracts of land which
formerly discharged their waters into it.
The range which branches from tlie Cerro del Azufre
3
skirting the elevated plain of Tres Puntas and joining the
coast-chain close to Las Animas, constitntes its southern limit.
The surface of this basin is very undulating, with no exten-
sive })lains, but consists of a series of long and narrow
valleys.
Although the four ranges which form the boundaries of
these basins attain very considerable altitudes, they nowhere
assume, in the interior of the desert, the character of pre-
cipitous hills, but rather that of hills of rounded form and
gentle slopes. From these jut numerous spurs, the general
direction of which are north to south, and north north-east
to south south-west.
These spurs subdivide the large basins into plains of
lesser magnitude, some of which are enclosed on all sides,
and have apparently been the sites of ancient and extensive
lakes.
Such is the general description of the " Desert."
The plains are more elevated the nearer they approach
the chain of the Andes. At a distance of 100 kilometres
(02 miles) from the coast their height surpasses that of the
maritime range, the rise of the land is gradual and almost
uniform. The i)lniii of Cachiyuyal, distant about 44 miles
from the sea, is 4500 feet above its level, whilst that of
Cachinal de la Sierra, 100 kilometres from the coast, attains
an elevation of 7400 feet. The first rise corresponds with
an average slope of 2-28 \)vv cent., and the last of 2-27
per cent, or about 1 in II.
This disposition of tlie land is very favourable for the
construction of raUways, the more so a<; the soil is, for the
most part, alluvial. Hciice tiu- cost of earthworks will be
comparatively small.
II. Geology.
The geological structure of the desert of Atacama is one
of marked uniformity. The different formations are depo-
sited in parallel beds dipping approximately north and
south, and in such wise that in every part of the desert the
same formations are found succeeding one another in the
same order.
In tlie neighbourhood of the sea, and forming the western
watershed of the mountain-chain, which runs parallel with
the coast, there occur stratified rocks which all belong to
the azoic and palaeozoic periods ; these are gneiss, schists,
silicious rocks, grauwacke, and coloured sandstones. These
stratified rocks are always much incHned, and are frequently
intersected by masses of interposed plutonic rocks, amongst
'which may be noted syenite and labradorites.
These last are especially met with near the sea, where
they constitute the greater part of the reefs, as also some
small islands.
Wherever the stratified rocks have come into contact
with these plutonic masses they have been very much
altered in structure and composition ; they almost always
assume the aspect of porphyry, and are traversed by nume-
rous veins of quartz and " espidota." Hence it is difficult
to recognize them at first sight, since the primitive character
of their stratification has almost entirely disappeared.
At a distance from the coast, varying from eight to nine
railes, the plutonic rocks begin to predominate ; passmg away
from the narrow margin occupied by the stratified forma-
tions, they extend to the foot of the Andes, occupying
nearly the entire area of the central depression.
Where the stratified formations come in contact with the
hills formed by the plutonic rocks the latter present a pecu-
liar aspect. They are intersected by numerous lines of a
dark colour, which preserve a certain parallelism, and which
have gained for some of them the denomination of Cerro
Votado. These lines are simply interleaved beds of the
stratified formations which have been split up and become
involved in the plutonic mass.
The nature and age of these plutonic masses are not the
same over the whole extent of the desert. The rocks suc-
ceed one another in a definite order, the least ancient being
situated more to the eastward, whilst on the eastern slope
of the coast-chain the syenitic rocks crop up, constituting
the axis of this range of mountains. They are less observ-
able in the great central depression, and are by degrees
replaced by augitic porphyries and amygdaloid rocks, the
latter being replaced in their turn by trachytic rocks. Lastly
modern trachytic rocks, viz., pumice and lavas, are found
in the highest parts of the Andes chain. Such is the
general disposition of the plutonic rocks ; but there are
some here and there, even on the edge of the sea, such as
syenites and augitic porphyries.
Close to the port of Chanaral syenites may be seen to
intersect the stratified rocks, in some places forming consi-
derable masses, in others contracting into narrow dykes,
which penetrate between the strata as ofishoots from the
principal masses. In Taltal it is the augitic porphyries
which intersect the strata and have transformed them at
the points of contact into amygdaloid rocks.
The stratified formations again make their appearance
near the base of the Andes, but dificr from those which
are found in the immediate neighbourhood of the coast ;
they belong to an epoch less remote, and lie almost always
above the red sandstone. Some reddish clays, referrible
to the Triassic formation are the first found, resting imme-
diately upon the red sandstone and beyond the region occu-
pied by the plutonic rocks. These beds occasionally ap-
proach the coast-chain, and may be seen near the Papaso
mines at the nitrate-works of Cachinal and Aguas Blancas.
Further to the eastward, and extending over the slopes
of the Andes, appear the calcareous formations of the
"Jurassic" period. Throughout the whole of this region
the stratified rocks have experienced numerous upheavals,
they are broken up by the plutonic rocks, and do not
appear except in belts of greater or less width, extending in
the direction of the transverse ranges, and appi'oaching
more or less to the coast-chain, as occurs with the calcareous
formation of Tres Puntas, that of Florida, which is still
nearer to the sea, those of the Encantada and of Sandon,
more to the eastward, and finally those of Cachinal de la
Sierra and de la Palestina.
In all these belts the calcareous formation presents the
same characteristics as in the immediate neighbourhood of
Copiapo and of Tres Puntas.
The interior portions are composed of calcareous sand-
stone and of jaspers, with superimposed beds of marl and
limestone with their numerous fossils.
Such is the order and relation of the ancient formations of
the desert. Near the coast the stratified palaeozoic rocks ;
in the intermediate part the plutonic rocks ; the Jurassic for-
mation upon the western slope of the Andes ; and in the
highest part of this vast aggregation of mountains, arc
ihe volcanic fonuatioiis in the midst of which rise up
the extinct volcanos of Azufre, Doila Ines, Chaco, and
Llullaillaco. But there is still another formation, much
more modern, which imparts to the desert its charac-
teristic aspects. What especially attracts attention on
visiting the central region for the first time is its nakedness
and uniformity, the plains and hills being covered with
sand or small loose stones. On examining these small
stones carefully, it is seen that they all retain their angular
shape, and that they could not have been derived from
alluvial deposits like those which cover the plains of southern
Chile.
Moreover, rising at intervals, there are large rocks of irre-
gular shape like the ruins of ancient buildings with their
windows and high and slender spires, forming a marked
contrast to the undulatiugand continuous outline of the hills.
This vast amount of debris and scattered rocks has
been the result of disintegration of the plutonic rocks.
Whilst the hills became worn down by slow degrees, the
more resisting portions remained standing out above the
surface as isolated masses of rock. Their destruction has
been mainly effected by the constant changes of temperature.
The plutonic rocks, subjected during the day to the power-
ful action of the sun, are heated as much as 120° F., and at
night are cooled ra})idly to 38° F. in summer and below freez-
ing-point in winter. Thus subjected to a series of repeated
expansions and contractions, disintegration took place. The
rocks on the summits of the hills split into loaves which
open like those of a book ; others split oil" in concentric
layers which separate from the mass and fall in the form of
small scales covering the slopes of the hills. Finally, by
8
the action of the atmosphere on the felspatliic rocks, the
felspar and all the separated scales are reduced to small
dust.
One only of the constituents of these rocks resists destruc-
tion. This is silica, in the form of quartz or chalcedony.
At the places where the amygdaloid s occur (and these
always accompany the porphyries and the trachytes) the
chalcedony which they contain remains on the surface.
Hence the origin of the fragments which are found so
profusely strewn over it that sometimes extensive plains
are covered with them. Finally, the infrequent but heavy
rainfalls carry down to the plains all this loose detritus,
which forms in course of time the thick layers which cover
them.
To the same causes must be attributed the rounded
forms and the gentle slopes of the hills, their salient points
having been those which were most exposed to the action
of the sun.
From this great formation of detritus other deposits are
derived which, in sight of their importance, deserve a closer
study.
III. Deposits of Nitrate of Soda.
The nitrate deposits are found dispersed in the central
part of the desert from 26°'30 to nearly 24°, southern
latitude. They are situated in the upper portions of the
plains which lead into the great basins or into the vast
enclosed tracts of level ground which appear to have formed
the sites of ancient and extensive lakes. They only occur
9
at a certain distance from the channels of the ancient rivers,
and whether in the valleys or in the plains the richest por-
tions are not met with in the centre but on the narrow belts
of the surrounding rising ground.
This disposition appears to be due to the great solubility
of the Nitrate of Soda, and in the lowest parts where the
water has been detained its quantity appears to have been
sufficient to dissolve the salts and carry them below the
surface by filtration.
The strata in which the Nitrate of Soda exist are recog-
nizable by certain characteristics, and present themselves
under two totally different aspects. Those which are
known by the name of " Salares " are recognizable at a
great distance by the quantity of common salt. This occurs
in rounded masses rising above the general level of the
surface ; these are full of cavities containing common salt,
sulphates of soda and of lime, combined with a sensible
quantity of earthy matter.
It is under this bed of salt that the Nitrate of Soda is
met with, disposed usually in layers, the thickness of which
varies from 10 to 50 centimetres. Its colour is dark, its
structure porous, and it always contains earthy matter.
The central portion of these deposits is poor in saltpetre,
and it is only on their borders that this is found in greater
purity and larger quantity.
In the other class of localities the saltpetre does iKjt
appear on the surface, which consists of a bed of earth
and small stones, but there are two certain signs by which
its presence underneath is indicated. The first is the exist-
ence of small natural pits, which occur at intervals over the
surface.
10
These are especially met with in depressions of the
ground where the waters have been detained, and been
thus enabled to dissolve the Nitrate; consequent upon evapo-
ration the soil sank and cavities were formed. The second
sign consists in the occurrence of numerous surface-fissures
crossing in all directions, and dividing the surface into an
infinite number of small polygons, which have imparted to
it a very strange appearance by reason of the curious designs
produced by stones collecting in the fissure. This fissured
formation is the result of the crystallization of the mass of
saltpetre, causing shrinkage and a separation into wide
prisms, the lines of division of which have extended to the
surface.
The presence of chalcedony has also been regarded as an
indication of the existence of saltpetre, and it is certain
that this is met with in large quantity in some saltpetre-
refineries ; but there are also many cases in which it is
not found, and if what has been said previously in refer-
rence to the origin of the chalcedony is borne in mind, it
will be seen that the presence of this mineral has no con-
nexion with that of the Nitrate.
Below the surface-soil, which varies from 1 to 5 or 6
decimetres in thickness, is found a light-coloured bed of
plaster (gypsum ?), including numerous small stones, known
to the saltpetre-hunters as costias or crusts ; this is from
2 to 4 decimetres thick, and forms the immediate cover of
the saltpetre deposit, which is extremely variable, both in
quality and thickness, the latter ranging from 1 or 2
decimeires to 2 metres and upwards.
In the same deposit patches of ground are found in which
the saltpetre is in a compact form, and simply mixed with
11
salt and sulphate of soda, while in the others it is more or
less mixed with earth. Below a similar class of deposit
to that overlying it is occasionally found, while in other
cases it lies directly on the bed-rock of the neighbouring
hill. In the latter case the nitre is usually found to be of
a better quality than when it is deposited on a substratum
of [)laster.
Of the saltpetre deposits known up to the present time
that adjacent to the lagoon of Cachiyuyal is the nearest to
the sea. It extends from a point 6 kilometres S.E. of
the lake, and extends to the Cerro del Hornillo, and is
situated upon a low hill rising on the west side of the
bed of the old river of Cachiyuyal, forming a narrow belt
of 60 or 70 metres wide, for a length of about 8
kilometres. The maximum thickness of about 1 metre
of nitre is found in the central portion, a gradual
thinning away being observed in either direction. The
mineral is of a yellowish colour, contains a great deal of
salt, and does not assay above 28 per cent.
following a north-easterly course for a distance of
26 kilometres from the lagoon of Cachiyuyal the saltpetre
works of Gonzalez are reached. These are situated in a
small depression of the ground, between the hills rising to
the north of the road from Cachinal de la Sierra. This is
small in extent and irregular in character, but yields an ex-
cellent quality of nitre, although somewhat mixed with
sand. The deposit lies upon porphyritic rock, in which if
forms a series of veins.
The saltpetre works of Baron are about 1:2 kilometres
north-east of the preceding, being separated from them by
an elevated plain covered with agates. This has been but
B 2
12
sliglitly explored, the section exposed in the basin of a
little more than a metre in thickness showing the nitre
resting upon porphyritic rock, and penetrating it to a cer-
tain depth. The mineral is mixed with 20-35 per cent,
of sand, and yields a pure white product, more than 45
])er cent, being soluble.
The deposits that have been most completely explored
are those of the Callega Company, Gunan, situated
about 16 kilometres north of Baron, in an extensive
plain, bounded by hills and mountains, the centre of which
appears to be the bed of an old lake. This portion is
occupied by a thin bed of nitre, which, however, increases
in volume as it approaches the high ground. On the
north side numerous trial-pits have been sunk, exposing
sections of the nitre-bed varying from 1 to 2*60 metres in
thickness. The mineral is compact and yellowish, contain-
ing notable quantities of salt and sulphate of soda, the
average of the assays for nitre being from 23-30 per cent.
The substratum is rather hard gypseous conglomerate. On
the northern side the conditions are somewhat similar;
but the thickness of the bed is less rarely exceeding one
metre. In the portions that have been thoroughly ex-
plored the underlying rock varies, sometimes being the
gypsum-bed and sometimes a decomposed porphyry, the
latter giving the highest quality. Beyond the hills bound-
ing these deposits to the north another place is found in
which a new deposit of nitre has been recently discovered;
but little has, however, been done as yet in the w^ay of
exploration trials, and those only on the eastern portion.
Both as regai'ds position and quality, there is considerable
analogy between it and that of Baron, the nitre, though
13
mixed with sand, being of a superior quality, assaying
over 40 per cent., with but little salt and sulphate of soda.
Lastly, two other deposits have been found to the east-
ward of the last mentioned, in the direction of Cachinal
de la Sierra. The first, known as the Descubidora de
Builado, 24 kilometres from the lagoon, is situated in a
plain about 12 kilometres long, and 3 or 4 broad, which
shows a bed of saltpetre at several points of about one
metre in thickness. The quality of the mineral is fairly
good, as, although a little red, it yields 36 to 42 per cent,
of nitrate. The second, known as the first saltpetre Works
of the Guzman Company, is of considerably less impor-
tance than the preceding ; it occupies a small extent of
ground between two hills to the south of La Descubidora,
and from the small amount of exploration hitherto carried
out, it is difficult to form any exact estimate of its value.
In a few of the trial-pits nitrate has been found ; but in
others the mineral is only sulphate of soda.
Such, then, are the general characters of the nitre-works
of Cachinal.
The great cost and difficulty of making more detailed
examination has hitherto prevented their being systemati-
cally carried out in the manner that the importance of the
subject requires. Li most cases the explorers have been
contented with demonstrating the presence of nitrate without
showing either the thickness of the bed or the quality
of the mineral The former point would, on account of
the great irregularity of the deposits, have re([uircd a great
number of pits to be opened in each district, if anything
like an exact estimate as to qu;nitity was recjuired. Tnvo
})rincipal results appear, however, to be established from
14
the discoveries already made, namely — that the greatest
mass of mineral is to be looked for not in the central por-
tion of the plains, but on the slopes of the hills ; and bear-
ing this in mind it is evident that in many instances the
points selected for examination have not been judiciously
chosen, and that the sites of probably more important de-
posits have been passed aside. In the second place it is
proved that these deposits are of considerable extent, being
first met with at the eastern base of the coast-chain, where
they extend across the supervening plains to the foot of the
Andes.
IV. Aguas Blancas.
In lat. 24° 6' S., and at a distance of 65 kilometres from
the coast an extensive saliferous tract of country is met
with, which extends southwards to the marshes of Aguas
Blancas, and eastward to the point known as Cuevitas or
Agua Dulce, covering an area measuring 38 kilometres
from east to west, and 16 kilometres from north to south.
Below the superficial crust of salt Nitrate of Soda is
found in their beds of 1 to 2 decimetres thick, mixed
with soil, salt, and sulphate of soda. Towards the edge
of the deposit the mineral thickens to 5 or 6 decimetres,
becoming more compact and of better quality, in some in-
stances assaying up to 23 per cent. Very little is, however,
known of this district up to the present time. As a general
result it has been observed that the quality of the mineral
improves southwards in the direction of the marshes, and
also south-eastward towards the Cordillera of Varas, where
probably such deposits may be expected, it being a well-
ascertained fact that nitrate is not found, or at any rate not.
15
of good quality, in the middle of salt- covered plains.
Future exploration may therefore be most usefully carried
out in the western, southern, and eastern portions of the
district in question.
V. On the Origin of Nitrates.
It will not be unnecessary to consider this point some-
what in detail, as the conclusions arrived at, though neces-
sarily speculative, may be of value in facilitating future ilis-
coveries. The constant association of common salt with
nitrate seems at first sight to point to a probable marine
origin of those minerals ; but on going further into the
question it becomes evident that the total absence of lime-
stones and other stratified rock, as well as of marine shells
such as might have been expected in deposits presumabl}!
formed in a shallow sea-bed, is incompatible with such a
mode of formation. Furthermore, the Nitrate is, in many
places, found associated with beds of pebbles, which could
not have been expected in a deposit formed either by slow
sedimentary action in water or by the concentration of a
saline solution by evaporation. The mineral does not oc-
cupy the lower tr-icts of the district, but is generally accu-
mulated on the hill sides, and is even found at great altitudes,
as, for instance, at the mines of Paposa and on the Cor-
dillera of Maricunga, the latter being more than 13,000
feet in altitude. It is evident therefore that it is to local
conditions that the production of the nitrate and its accom-
panying saline minerals are due, and of these the most
important elements are furnished by the felspatliic con-
stituents of the surrounding rocks, which, by their dcnu-
16
(lation, fiiriiish the felspathic sand forming the slopes of
the nitrate plains. The felspathic minerals contained in
these rocks are labradorite, albite, and oligoclase, the first
containing a considerable quantity of lime, the second from
8 to 10 per cent, of soda, and the last both soda and potash,
and therefore furnishing bases for all the salts foimd in the
deposits. Sulphuric acid for the formation of sulphates is
probably furnished by the oxidation of pyrites, an invariable
constituent of these rocks; and chlorine is constantly pre-
sent in volcanic emanations, the waters derived from the
trachytic areas containing large quantities of soluble chlo-
rides. The formation of nitric acid, although not so readily
explicable, is, according to the results of the experiments
of Cloes, to be accounted for by the property possessed by
alkaline carbonates of transforming atmospheric nitrogen
into nitric acid in the presence of other oxidizable matters.
It is also well known that under the influence of the atmo-
sphere felspars become changed into china cla}? with the
loss of those alkalies which are converted into carbonates,
any protoxide silicates of iron existing in the other consti-
tuent minerals of the rock, augite, hornblende, &c.,
turning at the same time by oxidation into peroxide com-
pounds, which conditions are precisely those required by
the theory of nitrification in question. If we remember
what has been previously said as to the rapidity of decom-
position of the rocks in the desert area, the production of
nitrate, and its position at the foot of the hills will be easily
understood.
The rocky hills, by their gradual disintegration, are re-
duced to a coarse sand, forming a talus on the slope, which
by the rare but heavy rains of the district is removed to the
17
plains. These felspathic sands, by decomposition, give rise
to a soil consisting of china clay, brown iron-ore, gypsum,
common salt, and carbonate of soda, the latter being changed
in its turn into nitrate, which in subsequent rainfalls is dis-
solved and infiltrated into the ground up to the rise of
the hills, while the gypsum, being considerably less soluble,
remains, chiefly in admixture with china clay, forming the
crust or cover of the nitre-beds, being found not only in
the plains, but up to the highest points of the hills ; for
whenever the surface-sand is removed at any point a white
porous substance consisting entirely of gypsum is invariably
found. The infiltrate solutions during the long rainless
intervals being slowly evaporated, deposit their salt in a
crystalline form on the soil near the surface, forming a more
or less intimate mixture with the original absorbent sand
and earthy matters.
It has thus been shown that the nitrate is entirely due
to the decomposition of felspathic rocks, and as these
form the central portion of the desert of the Rio Salado,
on the 24th parallel, it cannot be doubted that in addition
to those deposits already known, others must exist in con-
siderable numbers south of the 26tli and north of the 2Sth
degree of south latitude, and that such deposits may l)e
easily discovered by explorers guided by the indications
given above.
VI. Probable Quantity of Nitrate.
The trial workings at Cachinal and Aguas Blancas are
so very small in extent as compared with the Nitrate-
area that it is quite impossible to form even an approximate
estimate of the possible (piantity of nitrate at these pouits.
18
All that can be said is that it is certainly very large ; and
to give some idea upon this point I should confine myself
to the examination of 2nd and 3rd works of the Guzman
Company, which have been the best explored. These in-
clude 600 hectares, or 6 millions of square metres of ground,
within which several pits sunk at points not specially
selected show thicknesses varying from 1 to 2*5 metres of
the Nitrate-bed. Taking the smaller of these figures we
obtain a volume of six millions of cubic metres, or in
weight (the specific gravity being about 2), 240 millions
of quintals of crude Nitrate, which, at supposed yield of
20 per cent., corresponds to 48 million quintals of refined
Nitrate of Soda. Taking a milhon of quintals as a fair
}'ield from these places annually, it is evident that these
two concessions would be workable for forty-eight years
before exhaustion. It will therefore be seen without the
slightest fear of exaggeration that the Chilian portion of the
Desert of Atacama is capable of producing very large quan-
tities of nitrate for more than a century.
VII. Methods of Working.
Although the method to be followed in the working of
any given deposit, in order to utilize it to the greatest ad-
vantage, must, as a rule, be determined by the skill and
practical knowledge of the parties immediately concerned,
it may be useful to make a few general remarks upon this
subject.
The Nitrate-deposits are not such as can be compared to
those of coal or other stratified minerals, being essentially
irregular, both as regards quality and quantity ; and as in
19
all other industrial enterprises, one of the most important
points is the reduction of first outlay to a minimum, the
working should always be commenced at those points where
the best quality of mineral is found. This requires a pre-
liminary examination of the ground, which, however, should
be comparatively inexpensive, the nitrate being found at
shallow depths, under a covering not usually of any great
hardness.
The methods usually followed in determining the value
of crude Nitrate being both complicated and inexact, I have
devised the following improved plan, which is more simple,
sufficiently accurate, and suited to the requirements of the
persons interested in this particular industry.
The sample of mineral is mixed with an equal weight of
charcoal, and deflagrated at a dull red heat in a crucible,
when the nitrates are converted into carbonates, and may
be dissolved out in water, the residue is thrown upon a
filter and washed until no further alkaline reaction is appa-
rent in the waste water. The proportion of carbonates in
the liquid is then determined by the ordinary methods of
alcalimetry, 1000 parts of carbonate being the equivalent
of 1G02 of nitrate. This method is so simple that it may-
be used on the ground. A more approximate method is
founded upon the phenomena observed during the reaction.
When less than 15 i)er cent, of nitrate the decomposition
takes place without visible deflagration; between 15 to 25
per cent, the deflagration is apj)arent, but very moderate in
character ; from 25 to 40 per cent, it is more vivid, and at
higher percentages than 40 the action is so violent that a
portion of the material in the crucible may be projected
unless care be taken to moderate it by increasing the amount
20
of carbon to double that of nitrate. In any case care must
be taken to keep the temperature as low as possible, other-
wise a portion of the sulphate of soda may be reduced by
carbon to sulphide, which passing into solution would show
too high a result in the subsequent alcalimetrical determi-
nation.
The working of Nitrate-deposits is based primarily upon
the increased solubility of Nitrate of Soda in water with
increasing temperature. At 10° C. water dissolves 78 per
cent, by weight of nitrate, and at 100° C. 177 per cent.,
the difference, or 99 per cent., separating in crystals when
the solution has cooled down to the lower temperature.
Tuel is therefore of prime necessity, and forms the prin-
cipal item of expenditure in the manufacture. Possibly
solar heat might be substituted in some way, as it would
not be difficult to raise the temperature of water by the
use of specially constructed apparatus, during the hotter
parts of the day, to 60° C, when it would dissolve 131 per
cent, of nitre, depositing 58 per cent, when cooled to the
lower temperatures prevailing at night.
The richest mineral is not always the most advantageous,
as from its compact character it is not readily soluble
and requires to be broken by mechanical means into small
pieces before treatment. The presence of sand, which
loosens the mass, and allows access to the dissolving water,
is therefore an advantage.
It may be considered probable that in some deposits the
necessary amount of water for working w^ill not be forth-
coming on the spot. In such cases it will be necessary to
establish the nitre-works upon the nearest available water-
course. Care must, however, be taken not to allow them
21
to approach too near, or in the upper portions of such
water-supply, in order to prevent the residues from intii-
trating and fouling the fresh water to such an extent as to
render it unfit for domestic use.
In addition to Nitrate of Soda certain necessary products
are annually obtained in the nitrate-works, which may be
utilized considerably, such as sulphate of soda, which may
be employed in making soda-ash and iodine, the latter
being met met with at times in such quantity as to be sus-
ceptible of profitable extraction.
VIII. Means ov Transport.
The successful working of any branch of industry where
the article produced is low in price, is in great part depen-
dent upon the cost of transport. It is therefore of prime
necessity in the case of the nitre-works in question to estab-
lish channels of conununication that will allow this condition
to be realized. From this point of view the Nitrate-dis-
tricts, and those of the north more particularly, are but
slightly favoured. Between the 26th and 24th parallels
of south latitude the coast-line of mountains has a mean
elevation of 1200 metres, and throughout this length there
are only three transverse valleys through which lines of
communication can probably be established with the inte-
rior. The first of these, lying to the north of the valley of
Remiendos, which has already been examined by a special
commission, would be available for the construction of a
waggon-road, but is too rough for railway purposes.
This valley, at its mouth on tlie coast, in lat. 24° 21' S.,
bears in a north-east direction (looking up) for a short dis-
22
tatice, then turns between east and south east until it
reaches the first series of plains 28 to 30 kilometres dis-
tant. Further on, as far as the pass of the Cardones,
the ground is without special difficulties ; but the rise to
the pass is rather a long one, and there is about an equal
descent to be made on the other side. The distance
from the entry of the plain to the pass is 46 kilometres,
and thence to the marsh 22 more, so that the length
of road for vehicles to the coast would be 96 kilometres,
and on account of the unfavourable nature of the gra-
dients 4 cwt. would be a full load for a cart.
The valley of Paposo, on the 25th parallel, presents
still greater difficulties, and the cost of a good waggon-road
on this hue would be very great.
The third valley, that of Taltal, in lat. 25° 24' S., is
deeper than the preceding, and cuts right through the
coast-range, so that the ground has a general slope from
the sea to the foot of the Andes. The height of the
lagoon at Cachiyuyal, situated at the entry of the plain, is
1371 metres above the sea, and its distance from the coast
60 kilometres, which gives an average slope of about 1 in 47.
The soil of this valley is essentially gravelly, and the
bottom slopes uniformly, with the exception of a short
distance above Las Breas, where there is a somewhat diffi-
cult piece of ground, which could, however, be overcome
without much trouble or expense. This section of the low
valley is perfectly well suited for railway construction ; and
further up, between the lagoon of Cachiyuyal to the nitre-
beds of Cachinal, the slope is much lower, the distance
and difference of altitudes between the former point and
the second pampa of the Guzman Company being 40 kilo-
23
metres and 592 kilometres respectively, corresponding to a
slope of about 1 in G6.
From the Nitrate-works to the sea the slope is nearly
uniform, and sufficient to allow loaded waggons to descend
by gravitation, so that engine-power would only be neces-
sary to bring back the empty waggons, and the small
upward traffic in provisions, &c., to the mines and works.
The valley of Taltal is therefore the only one tit for the
construction of a railway on the scale required to satisfy
the demands of a large mineral industry. A short branch
might be made from the lagoon to the nitre-works of
Bafiados and Olivos ; but the main line must follow a nor-
therly direction, as being that of the important deposits ;
and if, as there is every reason to suppose, others should be
found still further north, the line might be continued as far
as those of Aguas Blancas.
The port of Taltal seems therefore likely to become the
principal point for the export of the nitrate and other pro-
ducts of the interior of the desert, and from this point of
view it merits the special attention of the Government. It
is above all necessary to be careful in granting concessions
for the railway, so as to limit the maximum rates of transport
in order to protect the producer of nitrate against possible
overcharge by the owners of the railway. The maximum
rate per quintal should not exceed two centavos( 10 centimes)
per 10 kilometres, as a higher rate would so trench upon
profits as to prevent capitalists from embarking in the manu-
facture of nitrate.
IX. Deposits or (jUano.
In addition to the nitre-beds the desert contains deposits
24
of guano of a certain extent. There liaving been no par-
ticular inducement to private individuals to make discoveries
of these, we are without much acquaintance with any but
those in the Nitre-district belonging to the Guzman Com-
pany. Here they form two bands, whose breadth and
thickness have not been determined, with a linear ex-
tension of about 1 kilometre. The guano differs from
that of other places, especially by its richness in organic
matter. A sample collected by me contains 28 per cent, of
organic matter, chiefly borate of ammonia, as well as 9 per
cent, of nitrate and phosphate of ammonia, a little nitrate
of soda, and 8 per cent, of sulphate of lime. Or, accord-
ing to the analysis, it contains 42 per cent, of fertihzing
matter, and these of the most energetic character, being
chiefly ammonia. The remaining 58 per cent, consists of
sand, with some hydrated peroxide of iron. The guano-
beds of the desert are therefore well worthy of attention
from their specially good qualities, or whenever a demand
shall arise for their utilization, numerous other discoveries
will doubtless be made. The most efflcacious means of
encouraging the research for such deposits would be to
declare them free to work, and to levy an export duty upon
the produce, rather than to continue the present practice of
farming the monopoly to particular individuals. The pre-
sence of guano is indicated by certain superficial characters,
in like manner to that of nitrate. It is almost always
found near the nitre-beds, and where it exists the soil is
usually yellow, as though it contained a considerable amount
of peroxide of iron. Furthermore, these deposits are so
close to the surface that they are often laid bare by the
horse's hoofs in riding over the ground.
25
X. Borate of Soda and Lime.
Another product which will in time become of con-
siderable importance, is the borate of soda and lime
(ulexite) which has been discovered at different points
in the desert. Up to the present time only two
deposits are known, that of the lagoon of JMaricunga
and another near the lagoon of La Ola. But as it is well
known that boracic acid is a common product of volcanic
activity, it may be supposed that others will be found in
the neighbourhood of other volcanoes of the Cordillera, as,
for example, near those of Chaco and Llallaillaco.
XL Deposits of Metals.
The minerals previously considered occupy a large ex-
tent of the desert area ; but in addition to these there are
others of a less value, namely, metallic minerals, which are
profusely distributed over the ground, there being scarcely
any portion of the coast-range, from the 27th parallel to
to the Chilian frontier, which does not contain some
mineral veins ; in proof of which it will be sufticient to
mention the names of the mines of Salado, Las Animas,
Cerro Negro, Carrizalillo, Cachiyuyal, Paposo, and del
Cobre, the most characteristically abundant amongst the
minerals being copper-ores.
These are found more particularly in the eastern slope,
where the syenitic rocks arc traversed by intrusive bands
of labradorite and augite porphyries, generally ii: veins
between the two classes of rock, as though the cupreous
matters had filled the fractures produced by the later ig-
neous intrusions. lu other places they penetrate and
c
26
are included in, the porphyries, often forming considerable
masses of ore, as at Carrizallilo. A very marked differ-
ence is observed between the minerals found in the veins,
according as they are in contact with labradorite or
augite porphyry. In the former case, after passing through
the oxides, oxy chlorides, and silicate of the Gozzan, the
ore is chiefly copper-pyrites, while in the latter variegated
copper ore, grey sulphides, and ruby-ore prevail, the
whole being, as a rule, markedly argentiferous.
The deposits of copper ores are not confined to the coast-
range, but are also found at the foot of the Andes, where,
from the presence of augitic porphyries, the minerals are of
the richer class of sulphides mentioned above. The distance
of the mines from the coast, and the consequent high price
of fuel, has hitherto prevented their being worked to profit ;
and only a single one, that of Sandon, is systematically
worked. It is also in the w^estern slopes of the Andes, and
more particularly in rocks of Jm'assic age, that silver ores
are principally found, the veins bearing these minerals
being intimately connected with the limestones of that
period, and the subsequent eruptive masses of trachytic
and augitic porphyry. In most instances the veins are
also at the contact of the two classes of rock, as in the
former cases.
If we recall what has been previously said concerning
the development of the Jurassic series in the desert it will
be easy to understand the position occupied by these ar-
gentiferous veins. We have seen that this formation,
besides appearing on the western slopes of the Andes, ex-
tends southwards in the transverse ridge, which sometimes
approaches very closely to the coast-chain. The well-known
27
mines of Chimbero and Tres Puntas, are examples of de-
posits situate in these transverse ridges. Further north
are the mines of La Florida, situated in a band of lime-
stone, forming part of the range that closes the basin of
Salado to the north. A bed of augitic porphyry, running
east and west, has uplifted two series of limestone beds,
and in its neighbourhood the silver veins are found.
Nearer to the base of the Andes we come to the mines
of Sandon, and lastly, near the Chilian frontier, in about
24° S. lat., are the mines of La Palestina.
In addition to the above, numerous veins of argentiferous
galena are known, but up to the present time they have
scarcely received any attention, on account of the difficulty of
working them to a profit. It may be hoped that the de-
velopment of lines of communication consequent upon the
opening-up of the nitrate-district, will facilitate the means
of exploring the other minerals of this region, so that
they may, in their turn, be actively worked.
XII. Conclusion.
The desert of Atacama presents a great field for the de-
velopment of mining industry, and from this point of view
merits the serious attention of the Government. Although
it is true that private individuals should be left full liberty
of action in the way of exploring and opening works, the
natural obstacles of the district are such as to render such
operations costly and difficult, and therefore the action of
the Government will be recpiired to eff"ect the necessary
improvements. I have already mentioned the port of Taltal
as the most important point on the coast, and the true gate
c2
28
of the desert ; but there is no means at present available
for reaching this place. The steamers of the Pacific line do
not call there, and miners wishing to reach Cachinal and
other places in the interior, have to make a long land
journey from Chanaral, through a country without resources;
whereas if the steamers called at Taltal the journey would
be shortened by two days, and the increased facilities
thereby aff'orded of procuring the necessaries of hfe would
speedily attract a numerous population to the spot.
A. PISSIS.
Santiago, June 28, 1877.
Assays and Analyses of Samples of Saltpetre referred
TO IN THE PRECEDING RePOKT.
Nitrate from Aguas Blancas (pale yellow colour).
Insoluble in water (clay and gypsum) 9 per cent.
Soluble in water 91 „
Containing —
Nitrate of Soda 15 per cent.
Sulphate of Soda 56 „
Chloride of Sodium 24 „
Sulphate of Alumina 3 „
Nitrate from the Pampa de Lavanderos, Cachinal.
Insoluble in water (felspathic sand, quartz,
clay, and gypsum) 51 per cent.
Soluble Salts 49 „
Containing —
Nitrate of Soda 76 per cent.
Sulphate of Soda 24 „
Chloride ot Sodium 6 „
Sulphate of Alumina 4 „
29
Nitrate from Baron.
Insoluble in water (sand, clay, quartz, and
gypsum) 47 per cent.
Soluble salts 53 „
Containing —
Nitrate of Soda 52 per cent.
Sulpliate of Soda 6 „
Chloride of Sodium 34 „
Sulphate of Alumina 5 „
Iodine traces.
Nitrate from the Second Pampa of the Guzman Company.
Insoluble substances 53 per cent.
Nitrate of Soda 12
Sulphate of Soda 9 ,,
Sulphate of Lime 9 „
Sulphate of Alumina 8 „
Chloride of Sodium 6 „
Water 1 „
Magnesia trace.
Nitrate from the Concession Pena, Aguas Blancas.
Insoluble substances 9 por cent.
Nitrate of Soda 5 „
Sulphate of Soda (38 „
Sulphate of Alumina 6 „
Chloride of Sodium 9 „
Water 1
Nitrate from, the Pampa of Lavanderos.
Insoluble substances Gl- per cent.
Nitrate of Soda 17
Sulphate of Soda G
Sulphate oi" Alumina 2
Sulphate of IMagnesia ... 3
Chloride of Sodium G
30
Nitrate from the Second Pampa of Cachinal.
Insoluble substances 23 per cent.
Nitrate of Soda 32 „
Sulphate of Soda 10 „
Sulphate of Lime 6 „
Chloride of Sodium 22 „
Water 2 „
Assays or Certain Nitrates.
(The refined salt expressed in percentages.)
Nitrate of Aguas Blancas 13 per cent.
„ Pampa de Lavanderos 37 „
„ Baron 27 „
„ La Descubridora (Banados) 42 „
„ Cachiyuyal 6 „
„ the Third Pampa 13 „
„ Baron 30 „
„ Aguilar 15 „
„ Aguas Blancas (Pena) 6 „
Letter from the Minister acknowledging the receipt of the
preceding Beport.
Santiago, Gth July 1877.
" I have read with much interest the Report submitted
by you containing the results of the mission with which
you have been entrusted by the Minister of the Interior,
for the purpose of examining the nitre-beds recently dis-
covered in the portion of the Desert of Atacama included
within the territory of the Republic, and I am pleased to
recognize that you have amply justified the confidence
which the Government, relying upon your experience and
31
wide knowledge, have felt in placing in your hands the
study of the important effect the natural riches of the terri-
tory may exercise on the well-being of the national industry.
The fatiguing and delicate mission which you have carried out
at the cost of great personal exertion has confirmed scienti-
fically the information upon which the action of the Ministry
was based, with the ultimate view of opening new fields for
our industry in a desert region both uninhabited and un-
noticed by capitalists ; and I am persuaded that this region
will soon be the seat of an industrial development that will
increase the national wealth and put an end to the period
of difficulties which we are now passing through. I pray
you to accept my congratulations on the manner in which
you have accomplished your mission.
Jose Victoria o Lastarria.
No. 2.
Itcport presented hy the Engineer, Bon Jose R. Martinez,
to the Council of Mines in the Session of June 14, IS 77.
I have the honour to lay before the honorable Council
of Mines the following Report of the mission with whi(;h
I have been entrusted, as a member of the commission for
exploring the nitre-beds of the Chilian desert on the coast-
range of mountains and to the south of the 24th parallel.
The first locality visited was Carrizalillo, in which neigh-
bourhood we were informed of the existence of a deposit of
Nitrate. At a short distance to the north of this place is a
broad flat valley, the end of which is covered with white
stratified deposits resembling, when seen from a distance,
32
nitrous efflorescence. These, upon closer inspection, proved,
however, to be only beds of gypsum of great thickness, in
places covering an area of several square kilometres.
On the return from Carrizalillo, a visit was paid at the
desire of the chief of the expedition, M. Pissis, to the mines
of La Florida for the purpose of investigating the character
of the deposit. According to his opinion these mines are
contained in limestone strata of Jurassic age, which have
been uplifted by an outburst of labradorite, the veins
being most productive at the line of contact with the latter
rock.
From Chanaral we proceeded by sea to Taltal, where,
before starting for the interior for the purpose of investigating
the nitre-beds of Cachiyuyal and Cachinal de la Sierra, one
of our party, M. Yilleneuve, laid out the plan of the settle-
ment which will be required in this place, should the deve-
lopment of the Nitrate-works proceed in the manner that
we are justified in expecting them to do.
The port of Taltal is an excellent one, the water being
perfectly smooth and with sufficient extent of beach for the
requirements of any extent of population that may be
reasonably required for the conduct of the trade.
The first traces of Nitrate are found at a place called
the Pique de Cachiyuyal, where it is found in small
quantity mixed with common salt. It is also found in re-
niform concretions, but of small thickness, in a valley of
considerable extent running from south-east to north-
west. Below the saline deposit is an impermeable clay-bed,
whose presence explains the apparently anomalous phe-
nomenon of the existence, at a small depth, of fresh water
below a surface covered with salt.
33
The deposits of nitivate extend from Cachiyuyal to Cachi-
nal de la Sierra, occupying the bottoms and sides of a series
of valleys of gradually increasing altitude as the distance
from the coast increases, the highest points being to the
eastward. The first of any great extent is to the north-east
of Cachiyuyal, on the side of the montain of Ilornito ; this,
however, has been but very slightly explored, and the
mineral is very full of common salt.
Other deposits are found to the east and north-east of
Cachiyuyal, and in that part which has lately been named
Cachinal de la Sierra. The principal concessions are known
as the first, second, and third Pampas of Messrs. Guzman,
Barazarte and Company, and that of Messrs. Oliva and
Gonzalez. The first pampa lies to the cast of the valley of
Cachiyuyal, and about seven or eight leagues from the
Pique ; the second is to the north-east of the same valley,
in a plain of some extent, where a bed of Nitrate, averaging
one metre in thickness, is found to extend continuously for
a length of 4 or 5 kilometres, and a breadth of I kilometre.
In the third, situated to the north of tlie preceding, Guano
is found which, judging from the sample obtained, is of a
very superior quality.
This Guano was first obtained by M. Callcjas, a partner
of the concessionaires ; but the actual deposit has not yet
been discovered, so that nothing can be said as to the ex-
tent or thickness of the bed. The only indications
afforded are yellow bands, from 4 to G metres broad, ap-
pearing at intervals upon the ground. In any case the
presence of this Guano allows us to infer the existence of
a considerable quantity in the neighbourhood ; and that it
has not yet been found is to be accounted for by the very
34
small amount of exploration actually accomplished in the
district.
The concession of Messrs. Oliva and Gonzalez lies to
south of the first panipa. Here very pure crystallized
Nitrate is found in a bed of about a metre in thickness, which
has been but very slightly explored, although the valley is of
very considerable extent ; and all the circumstances seem
to indicate the probability of its being one of the richest
deposits of this region.
The surface of the ground containing these deposits is of
a spongy texture, the thin outer coating giving way readily
under a horse's feet, and exposing a white powdery sub-
stance, formed in great part of sulphate and carbonate of
soda. Another characteristic appearance is presented by
the lines of small stones crossing the country, resembling
the meshes of an enormous net. These appear to me to
be due to the shrinkage cracks formed in the soil by drying
after heavy rains, whereby it is broken up into a series of
polygonal areas elevated in the centre, whence the stones
roll into the cracks and fill then up. These lines are con-
sidered by the searchers after nitre as probable indications
of its presence.
Another circumstance worthy of notice is that the valleys
where nitrate is found, have the character of old lake-basins,
the greatest thickness of the mineral being found on the
slopes ; which is probably to be accounted for on the sup-
position of the formation of the nitrate in lakes, the greatest
amount of deposition having taken place round the edge,
where the water, being shallowest, would be most rapidly
evaporated.
As regards the question of the formation of storage-re-
35
servoirs for water, wliicli formed one of the points proposed
for investigation by the Honourable Council, 1 may say that
I do not consider that their formation would be specially
difficult, as water is known to exist at Cachiyuyal and on
the marshes of Cachinal, the first being below and the
second above the levels of the nitre-beds. It is very pro-
bable that by sinking wells at the points of junction of the
lines of watercourse on the bottoms of some of the small
intermediate valleys, the subterranean watercourses passing
below might be tapped. This question has probably been
already settled, because on our return we found steps were
being taken for sinking a well in search of water at the
second pampa.
If the processes for refining the crude Nitrate should be
carried out at the sea-port, as is done in Bolivia, wells
would only be required for domestic and culinary purposes
by the workpeople employed, and for the accessory opera-
tions of this work, the larger consumption necessitated for
crystallizing and refining the salt being dispensed with.
It appears to me to be unnecessary to dwell upon the
excellent quality of the Nitrate of Cachinal, as this point
has been fully demonstrated by the remarkable series of
analyses made by Don Jose Antonio Vadillo, with which
the Honourable Council will be perfectly acquainted, as they
have been pul)lished in their " Annales."
The road from Taltal to Cachiyuyal has a tolerably uni-
form slope, nowhere rising very steeply. It would be avail-
able for the formation of a railway uniting the Nitrate-works
to the port ; and such a line is, in my opinion, indispen-
sably necessary for the proper development of the works,
which will require cheap carriage to be able to compete
3d
with the produce of the Antofagasta works, which is by far
the most perfect estabUshment of its class in existence.
For although it is true that the Nitrate of Cachinal has the
immense advantage of being almost free from common salt,
which greatly facilitates the operation of refining, it must
be remembered that in manufactures of this kind, where
the raw material is only of small value, all the conditions
of working, including those apparently the most insignifi-
cant, must be so arranged as to reduce the cost of refining
to as low a figure as possible.
After our return to Taltal we proceeded to the Bay of
Remiendos, which appears to be destined to become the
port of exportation of the mineral produce of the region
north of Paposo, and of the nitre-works of Aguas Blancas.
The harbour is situated at the mouth of the valley of the
same name. It is well sheltered from the north, but less
completely on the south, the low peninsula on that side
being an insufficient barrier against the southerly winds.
The anchorage is sufficiently spacious to accommodate eight
or ten ships.
The Nitrate-works of Aguas Blancas are situated north-
east of Remiendos, and south of Antofagasta, at distances
of 22 and 24 leagues respectively. They extend to the
north-west of the marshes of the same name, and are
bounded on the same side by the extensive beds of salt
known as salares, below which Nitrate is also found, but
in beds of 5 or 6 centimetres thick at most. The greatest
thickness of Nitrate is found in the district nearest to the
marshes.
I have gone over the concessions held by M. Emeterio
Moreno and M. Justo Pena, which are separated from each
37
other by a hill bearing north-cast and south-west, and found
that the tliickness of the bed of calcite or native nitrate
exposed in the trial-pits was not, on an average, below 75
centimetres. Three or four of these pits w^ere situate in the
last-named concession, and ten or twelve in the former ;
they extend along a line of about two kilometres, and
show the bed of nitrate to be continuous and tolerably
compact.
From what I have already stated, we may conclude that
the nitre-beds, if not too low in produce (a point that
will be soon determined by the analyses of the samples
sent to Santiago) give every prospect of a magniticent
future. The establishment of colonies of workmen there
and at Cachinal will form centres of supply for caravans
destined to the more complete exploration of parts of the
district now almost unknown, and which probably contain
hidden treasures of great importance. These discoveries,
it may be hoped, will bring back to our province, formerly
so highly favoured by fortune, the life and animation lost
through the decline and exhaustion of our former mineral
centres.
Jose R. Martinez.
Copiapo, June 14, 1877.
No. 3.
The Nitre-beds or the northern part of the Province
OF Atacama.
Valparaiso, June 19, 1877.
To the Intendent of Atacama, Don Guillermo Matta, at
Copiapo.
I have the honour to submit with the present letter a
38
short note on tho deposits of nitre in the north of the
province under your administration, in fulfilment of the
request expressed to me by your Excellency at Copiapo,
and would further only desire that you may consider it
worthy of publication in the Annals of the Council of
Mines. I take this opportunity of addressing to you my
most cordial thanks for your kindness in obtaining per-
mission for me to accompany the Government Scientific
Commission during the exploration of the district in ques-
tion, and am, &c.,
Dr. Pedro Sieveking.
Introduction.
The deposits of Nitrate of Soda of the province of Tara-
paca, have been known from a comparatively early date ;
but it was only in 1825 that their working was com-
menced on a scale of any importance. The native nitrate
was at that time sent to Chili to be refined, which cir-
cumstance gave rise to the name of Chili saltpetre,
originally applied to nitrates of soda in Europe. The
exportation of nitrate increased very slowly, and it was
only after 1830 that the rapid advance began, which has
gone on increasing up to the present time.
The origin of these deposits is an enigma that will
probably remain unsolved until a larger number of exact
observations than are at present available have been made
with a view to determining the point. Nevertheless
several theories, of greater or less plausibility, have been
propounded by diffeient writers.
39
Chilian Nitre-bei>s,
For a long time it was supposed that workable deposits
of nitre were only to be found in the Peruvian province of
Tarapaca, but with increase in demand and price numerous
investigations were set on foot by explorers in the deserts
of Bolivia and Chili, for the purpose of finding analogous
deposits.
The first of these new deposits were discovered in Bolivia,
near Antofagasta, and were succeeded in a few years by
others of greater importance in the interior: After this
came the opening of the beds at Toco, also in Bolivia.
Finally the projectors succeeded in finding in the north of
the Chilian province of Atacama undoubted indications of
similar beds, with which the present Re])ort is concerned.
The northern coast of Chili rises abruptly from the sea, the
wall of mountains being only broken through in a small
number of places ; and it is by these gorges alone that the
plateau can be reached that extends from the foot of the
Cordillera to the eastward, and from the latitude of Copiapo
to beyond the northern frontier of the Republic.
The climatic conditions, especially that of the almost
entire absence of rainfall, and the geological structure of the
country, both being analogous to those of Tarapaca, pointed
to the probable existence on the plateau of saline deposits
similar to those of Peru ; and in fact the first of them was
discovered facing the port of Taltal. By going up the gorge,
which debouches into the bay of Taltal for about eighteen
leagues, the waters of Cachiyuyal arc reached. At this point
the valley widens very considerably, is furrowed on one side
by the bed of a stream now dry and covered with a lavcr
40
of salt, below which, however, at a small depth, tolerably
pure water is obtained. About a league further to the
eastward the valley merges into the plains, and here at the
foot of the hills, which appear to have formed the shores
of an ancient lake, deposits of nitrate are found, irregular
in character, but locally of considerable thickness. These
are encrusted with a variable, but generally considerable
quantity of common salt, and are only covered by a thin
layer of sand. The rocks forming the surrounding hills
are entirely of an igneous character, including granite,
augitic and hornblendic porphyries, the granite being in
places syenitic. These deposits have been but imperfectly
examined, so that we are unable to say whether they rest
upon beds of clay or salt, similarly to those of Peru.
In tracing the dry water-course up the gorge, deposits
of nitrate are found on either side, which are apparently of a
more regular kind than the preceding. The surface is only
thinly coated with sand, and the caliche (crude nitrate) is of
the same kind as the Peruvian. These deposits are not
found in the bottom of the valley, but at a certain height
above it on the rise of the hills, the former position being
occupied by masses of salt.
The whole of the observed phenomena in this part of the
desert are very similar to those of Peru, although the exami-
nation made is not sufficiently detailed to admit of the esta-
blishment of an exact parallel. What may at first sight seem
strange, that the nitre should be deposited at the hill-sides,
while salt only is found in the bottom of the valley, will
cease to appear so when we consider the probable method
of formation. We have already said that this formation
probably took place in lakes on the sea-shore occasionally
41
invaded by the salt water. If this theory be adopted,
it follows that the salts, such as nitrate of ammonia, sulphate
of soda, &c., were formed by the decomposition of
animal and vegetable matter in the water, while the adja-
cent rocks similarly gave rise to carbonate of lime, soda,
and potash. The mutual reactions of these salts formed
nitrate of soda, sulphate of lime, &c., a large proportion
remaining in suspension in the salt water. As the lake
dried up under the influence of solar evaporation, a gradual
concentration of the saline solution was effected, and preci-
pitation took place. As nitrate of soda is only slightly
soluble in a solution of chloride of sodium, it might be
expected that the separation would go on most rapidly
Avhere the concentration of the water was greatest, or near
the margin of the lake. We should therefore expect to
find the caliche chiefly along the old shore-line, without
necessarily supposing it to be absent in the deeper portions,
where, however, it might be expected to be found below a
covering of salt.
In this theory we have supposed that the surrounding
rocks have furnished a portion of the mineral constituents
of the deposits ; and this appears to be borne out by the
facts observed, as we find everywhere large masses of clay
gypsum and chalcedony, which can scarcely be other than
])rodncts of the decomposition of rocks. The extent of
the nitre-beds east of the waters of Ciichiyuyal does not
appear to be less than ten leagues, following the dry water-
course. How far they may reach to the south is not
known.
North-east of the waters, the plain is slightly undulated
with protrusions of granite rocks similar to those previously
D
42
noticed. Over the entire extent of this plain, if it can be
so called, with the exception of the island-like hills which
project at intervals, nitrate is found more or less abundantly,
sometimes in beds of as much as three metres in thickness,
and, as a rule, immediately adjacent to the surface without
any covering. This enormous deposit, which covers several
square leagues, is of a very different character to that de-
scribed above. The caliche is less mixed with other salts,
but in many places it forms a kind of impregnation of the
sand or rock without being associated with masses of salt
or gypsum, and seems to follow the hollows of the ground.
In this case, therefore, the above theory will not meet the
facts if the mineral is supposed to be in the position in
which it was originally found, but it may still apply if the
beds are supposed to be of secondary origin or the remains
of deposits formed at a higher level, which have been washed
by rains into depressions in the lower ground, where the
nitre has been recrystallized by the evaporation of the
water.
The northerly extension of these deposits has not been
followed, so that we are at present unable to determine
the limits of the nitre-beds of Cachinal. In any case it may
be supposed that those of Aguas Blancas represent an exten-
sion of them. The latter are to the south of the Bolivian
frontier, and extend far to the east and south without the
limits being exactly known. The explorations made in the
neighbourhood of Aguas Blancas cover a tolerably large
tract, in which large deposits of nitrate are found, analogous
in formation to, and probably extensions of, those of Peru
and Bolivia.
From what has been laid down in the preceding pages
43
it will be seen that the deposits ot" nitrate ah'cady discovered
are of considerable extent, and that we may reasonably
expect that others will be met with. The total extent of
the nitrate-bearing ground is probably not inferior to that
of Peru. Detailed and systematic examinations of the
deposits discovered have not as yet been possible, on
account of the great natural difficulties in the way. These
will, however, be probably undertaken before long, when
the attention of capitalists is called to them. At the be-
ginning, however, the struggle with these difficulties will
no doubt be a hard one, and therefore some time will pro-
bably elapse before the manufacture of nitre is permanently
established in the province of Atacama, but it probably wull
be in the end.
Don J. Pedro Sieveking.
Valparaiso, June 22, 1877.
No. 4.
Report of Mr. Domeyko on samples of Caliche from Atacama,
Analysis of two pieces of nitrate forwarded in January
last to the Minister of the Interior by Don Saturnino Cor-
valan, and obtained from a nitre-district discovered by him
in the Chilian portion of the desert of Atacama, which have
been analyzed by order of the JMiuister of Finance.
D 2
44
Santiago, April 11,1 877.
M. LE MiNISTRE,
Conformably to the commission received from your Ex-
cellency by letter on the 20th of March last, I have
analyzed the two large fragments of native saltpetre received
at the same time, with the following results : —
1. The largest mass is of an imperfectly homogeneous
character, being streaked with white veins of nearly pure
common salt, and others more charged with nitre. The
principal portion is of a crystalline texture mixed with
earthy matter, and has the following composition.
Nitrate of soda 24-30
Chloride of sodium (common salt) .. 53*65
Sulphate of soda 4*95
Insoluble earthy matters 980
Lime and magnesia traces
Water and moisture 7'SO
10000
2. The second smaller piece is more homogeneous, and of
a pure-grained texture. It contains :
Nitrate of soda 27-98 ... 30*00
Chloride of sodium 23-00
Sulphate of soda 8-46
Sulphate of lime (gypsum) 3-41
Magnesia traces
Insoluble earthy matter 14- 70
Water 2245
100-00
45
The two samples are very similar both in composition
and external appearance to the caliches of Peru and of the
nitre-beds of Carmen, near Mejillones.
Ignacio Domeyko.
No. 5.
Report of Mr. Domeyko on the Guano of Atacama.
Sftntiario, June 25, 1877.
M. LE MlNISTRE,
I have carefully examined the sample of the Guano
recently disoovered in the desert of Atacama, and with the
analysis of which I have been entrusted by your FaccI-
lency's dispatch of the 14th of May last. The result of
this examination shows that this guano contains a large
quantity of nitrogen, and resembles in composition that of
the Chinchas Islands, being very different from the phos-
phatic guano of Mejillones. The odour is very fetid, the
colour is dark l)n)wii, and the mass, which is light and
porous, consists in great part of fecal matters and ammo-
niacal salts When calcined, it leaves behind 15 per cent,
of incond)ustibk', non-volatile residue. By assay it gives
1:2 per cent of nitrogen, which is ccjuivalent to 1 [•••l- per
cent, of unuMonia, or nearly as much as in the good guano
of the Chinchas ; but the phosphoric acid does not exceed
4".S p(M' cent. Of this a small portion only is present as
4G
pliospluiic of lime, the proportion being scarcely 1'6 per
cent., tlie remainder being in the state of soluble phosphate,
which is considered by agriculturists as a more active
manure than phosphate of lime.
The above is all the information that I am able to furnish
to your Excellency concerning the matter.
Ignacio Domeyko.
To the Minister of Fi^mnce.
Observations of the Official Journal on the scientific
valuation of the Guano of Peru.
Short comparison.
It may not be without interest on the occasion of the
publication of the first result of the analyses of the newly
discovered Guano of Atacama, to present to our readers
those made in France by M. Barral of the Peruvian guanos
of Macabi and Guanape, which, according to that chemist,
as well as other eminent authorities, were as good and
rich as that of the Chinchas.
The following are three analyses taken, with their dates,
from the ' Journal de I'Agriculture.'
1. Cargo landed in a French port January 21, 1874.
Water 3019
Organic matter and ammoniacal salts 36*45 = Nitrogen 10"01
Phosphoric acid 13*23
Lime, potash and soluble substances 18*62
Insoluble substances 1*57
100*00
47
2. Cargo of 1st April, 1874.
Water 28.40
Organic matter aud ammoniacal salts SG'lt = Nitrogen 10- 10
Phosphoric acid 15' 17
Lime, potash and soluble substances 17.97
Insoluble substances 202
10000
3. Cargo of June 20tb, 1874.
Water 2860
Organic matter and ammoniacal salts iOOO = Nitrogen IT 38
Pliosphoric acid 13.21
Lime, potash and soluble substances. 16-16
Insoluble substances 1 70
10000
As a general average, the Guano of Guanape contains,
according to M. Barral, nitrogen 10 — 12 per cent. ; phos-
phoric acid 12 — 15 per cent., and potash 2 — 3 per cent.
On comparing the above figures with those of the analysis
made by the Rector of the University, we find that the
Chilian guano is richer in nitrogen than the Peruvian guano
of Guanape, which was considered by the most eminent
agricultural chemists of Europe, as well as by the farmers
who employed it, to be c(pial to the famous guano of the
Chinchas islands.
The statement made by tiie Rector of the University that
the guano analysed by him " contained nearly as nuich
48
nitrogen as the good guano of the Chinchas," must be con-
sidered as a guarded statement necessarily made in a
purely scientific work.
No. 6.
COMMISSION CHAHaED WITH THE EXPLORATION
OF THE NORTHERN COAST-LINE OF ATACAMA.
Report of the Commander of the Abtao.
Antofagasta, November 25, 1876.
To THE Naval Commander in-Chief,
Conformably to the communication which I had the
honour of addressing to your Excellency on the 26th of
last month, after having embarked the engineers, Don
Eugenio Plazolles and Don Macorio Sierralta, and in
accordance with your instructions to proceed to an exami-
nation of the Atacama coast-line on the 24th parallel
of south latitude, in the small harbour of Cobre ; I left
the port of Mojillones on the day mentioned above,
and anchored at Antofagasta in the night of the 27th
October, 1876, where the engineers above mentioned com-
pleted the necessary stores and equipment required by the
expedition, and a person was embarked having a good
knowledge of the ground and the valleys leading to the
interior of the desert. This was Don Segundino Corvalan,
49
an old Chilian miner, now domiciled at Antofagasta, who
was good enough to render, gratuitously, services of the
highest value towards the successful carrying ont of the
mission with which I was entrusted. I therefore con-
sidered it my duty to bring these services specially under
the notice of your Excellency. Having completed the
preparation, I left Antofagasta on the morning of October
31st, under easy steam, and proceeded southwards within
a distance of a mile from the shore. At 9-l() a.m. I
arrived opposite the stone pyramid marking the boundary
of Chili and Bolivia on the .04th parallel. The pyramid,
which was plainly visible at the short distance (about three-
quarters of a mile), is placed upon a rock off the shore
about 20 metres in height. As it was at this point that
the detailed examination was to be commenced, I stood
along the shore, as close in as it was possible to do with-
out endangering the safety of the ship under my command.
About a mile and half south of the boundary-line the
mountains are divided by a tortuous valley with steep sides,
making an undulation in the chain that may be useful as
a guide in finding the frontier point from a distance.
The coast extends southward in a nearly straight, or
but slightly inflected line, none of the bays being suthcient
to shelter a vessel of any size, to within seven miles of the
24th parallel, where the small harbour, called by the miners
and mineral ])roprietors of the desert, Agua Dulce, is
situated, and where I anchored on the same day at 11 a.m.
This place, situated in lat. 24°' 07' S. and long. 72° 82' 20"
W. from Greenwich, although sheltered from winds between
azimuth of south and south-west at most, is not protected
against the swell setting in from the latter point, which
50
circumstance renders the anchorage difficult, tlic shore being
without beaches, and having a rocky bottom, Tlie harbour
is surrounded by steep mountains, averaging about 2000
feet in altitude to the south, which culminate in a prominent
peak, known as Agua Dulce, about 3000 feet high, which
serves as a guide-mark to vessels entering. The water is
deep, the bottom being of stones, sand and shells ; the best
mooring-ground (marked by an anchor in the plan) is in
20 fathoms ; bottom sand and shells; bearing, on the star-
board hand, a white rock on the south shore. Tliere is
gold anchorage for smaller vessels in 13 fathoms, on a
sandy bottom to the eastward of the above point.
Two lines of valley meeting at the shore penetrate the
mountains at this place ; neither of these, however, when
examined by the civil engineers on board, proved to be fit
for a road to the interior. There is also a want of level
ground or beaches suitable for buildings, the shore being
rough and rocky all round. We remained at this place
for one week, and after having made a detailed survey of the
port on the scale of ^q^qq , and of the coast-line to the 24th
parallel, sailed on the 1st of October, and anchored the
same day at Agua Salada, four miles further south, in lat.
24° 11', long. 70° 32' W. and four miles north of Cobre,
a harbour which is somewhat better than that of Agua
Dulce, being larger, and having abetter bottom, but similar
in character as regards shelter from prevailing winds.
There is room here for 15 or 20 ships; and the place may
be easily found by a yellow mark covering the moun-
tains on the north for about two thirds of their height.
The best anchorage is in 12 fathoms, on sand and
stones, at the point indicated in the chart. The shore is
51
rougli and steep, and offers the same impediments to
])uildings as tliat of Agna Dulce.
At the bottom of the bay, on the south-east side, a gorge
comes down to the shore, and a short distance up joins
another known as Lobo Muerto, which communicates with
the open roadstead of the same, south of Agua Salada.
The examination of this valley made by the civil en-
gineers led to the following conclusion. It would be pos-
sible by constructing a waggon-road up the side of the
first gorge, and then through the second, to open up
communication between the port and the central valleys of
the interior ; this, however, would be a difficult and ex-
pensive work, the details of which will, however, be gone
into by the engineers entrusted with the topographical
examination through the proper official channel.
After completing the necessary hydrographical surveys,
and uniting them with those of the north, I started
again on the first of this month, and arrived the same day
in the harbour of Del Cobre, where my commission ter-
minated. Having, however, been informed at Antofagasta
by credible persons having special knowledge of this part of
the desert, that there was an apparently good harbour,
about eight miles south of Cobre, known as Remiendos,
situated at the mouth of a valley, which ajipeared, from its
sloi)e and other characters, to ])romise well for a line of
road to the interior, and their information being confirmed
at Cobre, I resolved to examine the new harbour. On the
10th therefore I left Cobre, and two hours and a lialf
later ancliored at Remiendos.
This harbour, in lat. 24° 20' S. and long. 70° 35' W., is
sheltered from south and south-west winds, and although
52
of small area is capable of sheltering 12 or 15 vessels.
The water is not very deep ; the bottom is of fine sand,
with the exception of a few rocky patches. The harbour
is formed by a peninsula on the south side, nearly circular
in plan, about 900 metres in diameter, rising 15 metres
above the sea-level. From its north end a line of reefs
extends for about 210 metres ; all of these are above water,
with the exception of that at the northern extremity, which
is in 2 feet \^ater at the lowest tides. A heavy sea was
breaking upon it constantly during the week of our stay.
The natural breakwater is about 10 metres in extent, and
is free from the sea-swell which is abundant in the eastern
part of the harbour, where there is a large rock 200 metres
from the shore.
This place is well surrounded by level ground suitable
for buildings, and sheltered places fit for quays and for
mooring boats and lighters, the sandy beach at the bottom
of the bay forming an excellent landing-place. Towards
the north, about a mile from the anchorage, is the mouth of
the great valley of Remiendos, which leads in a nearly
easterly direction to the interior for about 40 kilometres,
where by a short pass it communicates with the central
valleys of the desert. This ground has been carefully exa-
mined by the engineers, who estimate the average slope to
be from 4 to 5 per cent., and think that it is in every way
suited for the projected line of road.
The harbour and valley of Remiendos, being situated
between two celebrated mooring-localities, like those of
Cobre and Paposo, command a rich and extensive district,
containing, as I am informed by persons having a good
knowledge of the country, an abundance of copper- and
53
silver-ores, whicli arc at present inaccessible, owing to the
immense difficulties encountered by the explorer.
Having terminated the hydrographic surveys at this
point, on the 17th I left for Antofagasta under sail, where
I arrived on the ISth, and discharged Messrs. Plazolles
and Sierralta, who proceeded to their destination.
The general survey of the coast, from the 24th parallel
of S. latitude, as far as Remiendos, inclusive, and detailed
plans of the different harbours, will be sent to your Ex-
cellency as soon as they are completed ; meanwhile I
append to this report a sketch survey of the harbour of
Remiendos.
The hydrographical surveys in question have been carried
out under my direction by first lieutenant Don Louis
Lynch, with the assistance of the midshipmen Don Adolf
Castro and Don L. Fierro, and I have much pleasure in
bringing to your Excellency's notice the zeal and appli-
cation of these officers.
I am, &c.
T. RONDIZZONI.
No. 7.
Report of Meaarti. Plazolles and Sierralta.
Valparaiso, 28th November, 187(>.
The Min'istei- of tin; Inttrior.
The war steamer ' Abtao ' having terminated the explora-
tion of the coast of the desert of Atacama, between the 24th
parallel of south latitude, which marks the boundary
54
between Chili and Bolivia, and the Harbour of Remiendos
27 miles further south, I have the honour to report to your
Excellency upon my part of the expedition, especially that
of the exploration of the land which has been entrusted to
me, conjointly with Don Sierralta.
On our arrival at Mojillones from Bolivia, on the 2Gth
of October, we placed ourselves at once under the orders of
the commander of the ' Abtao.'
We found the Chilian inhabitants of Antofagasta to be
well disposed towards and desirous of aiding the expedition ;
and one of them, Don Segundino Corvalan, an old friend of
the engineer Sierralta, who has been for many years
interested in mining affairs and accustomed to travel in the
desert, readily consented to accompany us. The valuable
cooperation of this gentleman was attended not only with
a considerable saving of time, but also spared much of the
suffering which all must experience who have not been pre-
viously accustomed to living in the desert region.
Having completed our preparations, the ' Abtao ' left
Antofagasta on the morning of the 3 1st October and com-
menced a minute examination of the coast-line from the
boundary-monument between Chili and Bolivia, about
3 J kilometres north of the 24th parallel.
Harbour of Agua Dulce.
The first anchorage entered was that of Agua Dulce or,
as it is sometimes called. Port Montt, situated 8 miles south
of the 24th parallel. Here the hydrographical surveys were
at once commenced, being entrusted by the Commander to
55
the Lieutenant Don Luis A. Lynch, with whom we had
great pleasure in cooperating during the spare intervals in
the land surveys. I do not propose to enter into points of
hydrographic and nautical detail, which will be done com-
pletely and authoritatively by the Commander Don Francisco
Kondizzoni, but will confine myself, in accordance with my
instructions, to a general view of the question as to how
far this harbour is suited for the establishment of a fixed
settlement and for the starting-point of a road to the interior
of the desert.
Such parts of the harbour as are protected from the
south-west winds, and therefore suitable as an anchorage,
are surrounded by a chain of mountains w^iich rise steeply
from the southern point to a height of 1200 feet, directly
from the sea, without leaving any level ground suitable
for a town site ; and even the small number of houses that it
might be possible to erect would be constantly liable to
injury from the slipping of the loose material forming talus
on the hill-sides.
By following the shore to the northward for about three
miles inland from the harbour a plain sufficiently large and
suitable for a town site was discovered. This extends
northwards by the valley of Agua Dulce, the dry bed of an
old watercourse. The road to the place could only be
made fit for vehicles at a very considerable cost. In the
sheltered parts of the harbour boats might be moored, and
a wharf could be built at small cost ; but it would be 3 miles
away from the town. Li looking for a more favourable
combination of positions, we found, 2 miles to the north of
the main harl)our, a beach sheltered by a small island from
the south-westerly sea. l( this were united to the main-
50
land by a pier, which could be easily and cheaply con-
structed, a small shelter hai'bour for boats and lighters
would be formed ; but even in this case the landing-place
would be about a mile from the town site.
These conditions, though not very favourable, might be
accepted if the locality gave prospect of a ready means of
communication with the interior of the desert. We found,
however, that the gorge of Agua Dulce was far from ful-
filling this requirement, as it would be impossible to carry
a practicable waggon-road through it except at enormous
cost ; and even then the gradients would be excessively steep
in places (up to 1 in 10). Furthermore, the northerly trend
of the gorge renders it extremely possible that it may pass
into Bolivian territory ; but this point Ave did not attempt
to determine, the proposed solution of the problem by this
route beine otherwise inadmissible.
'»
Harbour of Agua Salada.
After completing our examination of the first harbour,
we proceeded in the ' Abtao ' to the next, situated 4 miles
further south, and known as Agua Salada. This is in
latitude 24° 12' S., and presents a tolerably good anchorage,
sheltered from the south-west. It is smaller than iVgua
Dulce, and is similarly surrounded by high mountains,
broken through on the south side of the harbour by a
depression through which the gorge of Lobo Muerto
might be reached by a road from the sea-shore along
the slope of the mountains. But there is no level ground
suitable for a settlement, and the road would be very costly
and, in many places, excessively steep. The gorge of
Lobo IMuerto comes down to the sea on an exposed
57
part of the coast, where there is not the sHghtest shelter for
vessels.
Harbour of Cobre.
From the harbour of Agua Salada the ' Abtao ' proceeded
to that of Cobre, situated about 15 or 16 miles south of the
24th parallel.
This place, which has been for some time exclusively in
the occupation of the firm of Barazarte, formerly Moreno,
cannot be put into communication with the interior of the
desert by a waggon-road at a reasonable cost, and is without
sufficient ground to accommodate a population of any
extent. Up to this point, therefore, wt were unable to
congratulate ourselves upon having found any thing like a
satisfactory solution of the problem ; but having been
informed of the existence of a good harbour a few miles
further south, and a valley suitable for the formation of a
carriage-road, the ' Abtao ' proceeded thither, arriving at
the anchorage on the 11th of November.
Harbour of Remiendos.
The Harbour of Eemiendos, of which a plan is attached
to the present Report, may, notwithstanding its small size,
become a place of considerable maritime im])ortance. It
has an excellent sandy bottom, and a peninsula of about
100 acres in area, with a mean diameter of 700 metres, })ro-
tects the anchorage on the south-west. Along the line
A B (marked in red ink on the plan) a quay might be built
along the shore in a perfectly sheltered position, alongside
of which the cellars and warehouses of the Customs would
be placed. The direction of the jetty is from S.E. to N.E.,
£
58
and by making it 200 metres long, large vessels could come
alongside, there being sufficiently deep water at the north
end. The surface of the peninsula has a mean elevation of
8 to 10 metres above sea-level; the isthmus connecting it
with the mainland extends from N. to S.E., and is 400
metres long by 100 metres broad. The surface, which is
covered with fine sand, is only elevated 2 or 3 feet above
high tides ; but it might easily be protected by quay walls,
or the hollow might be filled up by an embankment of a
metre in height, the materials being ready to hand if a few
undulations of the neighbouring ground were levelled.
The ground being well situated near the pier, and in the
centre of the proposed town, would be among the first por-
tions to be taken up ; and therefore the Government might
make the execution, of these embankments, at the cost of
the allottee, part of the condition of the concession of these
lots.
As there is a fine sandy beach on the north of the isthmus
suitable for beaching boats and small vessels, it would not
be absolutely necessary to construct a quay for landing
passengers and baggage.
West of the isthmus the flat ground follows the coast,
and extends to the base of the mountains, forming good
building- sites, with an average length of 6000 feet and a
breadth of 2100 feet. There is therefore in all nearly
300 acres of ground, including that upon the isthmus and
peninsula, suitable for a town-site within a reasonable dis-
tance of the harbour. The lie of the ground is such that
in laying out the town the principal streets should follow
the magnetic meridian approximately.
It is therefore evident on a consideration of the pre-
59
ceding details that Rcmiendos presents all the elements
necessary for the establishing of a town susceptible of con-
siderable development. There will be no want of space
for the industrial establishments that will be required should
the working of the nitrate-deposits in the interior be
actively undertaken.
The coast mountains falling back a little to the eastward
leave the proposed town-site fully exposed to the bene-
ficial southerly winds, so that the air is fresh and compara-
tively cool.
A short distance to the south of Remiendos, about 2 or
3 miles following the coast, are the waters of Botigas.
These are brackish, although it is said that beasts of burden
drink them without inconvenience. I do not consider that
they would be of any use for the town supply, which would
be obliged to have recourse to the distillation of sea- water
to obtain a supply for drinking.
About 3^ kilometres from the jetty, following the coast to
the north, is the entry of the valley of Rcmiendos, the dry
bed of an old river, along which for 40 kilometres the
waggon-road could be carried.
The mouth of the valley is barred by a spur of rock
about 20 metres high, from which point there are no
obstacles for 1 8 kilometres. The next 5 or G kilometres
are steep and rocky, and would require some considerable
amount of earthworks for the establishment of a good road
of a minimum breadth of metres. From this defile the
valley opens in every direction ; but it would be preferable
to follow the old river-bed up to the pass, the altitude of
the latter point being 1753 metres or 5750 feet above the
sea-level.
£2
60
The above line may be divided into four sections, which
will now be considered more in detail.
First Section of the Waggon-uoad.
The first section is 3500 metres long from the jetty to
the upper part of the spur of rock at the mouth of the
valley, which is 250 feet, or 76 metres, above the sea-level,
showing an average rise of 1 in 50, if the jetty is assumed
to be 6 metres above the sea-level. The road might form
part of the town street for 1-| kilometre, when it would
be carried up the slope of the hills so as to rise to the top
of the spur. This would require a length of about 500
metres of cutting in rock.
Second Section.
The second section, of 1 8 kilometres, presents no special
difficulties. The greater part of it being, however, in the
sand and gravel of the old river-bed with occasional large
stones, I should recommend that the latter instead of
being thrown on one side, should be laid in a kind of pave-
ment, the sandy soil being very soft and never being wetted
by rain, and therefore likely to wear under the pressure of
wheels to a considerable depth. In order to save expense,
this pavement should be laid in three lines of about a metre
in breadth, more or less parallel to each other in the centre,
and at either side of the roadway. In any case it would
be advantageous in traversing the loose and incoherent
ground in the desert to make use of wheels with tires 20
to 25 centimetres in breadth.
The second section, starting from a height of 76 metres.
61
reaches 915 metres, the difference between the ends being
839 metres, giving an average slope of rather more than
4|-per cent., which appears to be tolerably uniform over the
entire length.
Third Section.
The third section of G kilometres is, as we have said, tlie
most difficult and costly part of the road. The ground
being cut up by gorges and barred by escarpments of rock,
I consider that the cost of breaking a road metres broad
through it would be from 25,000 to 30,000 dollars. The
height of the lower end is 915 metres, that of the upper
end 1281 metres ; the difference of 366 metres, when com-
pared with the length, 6 kilometres, gives an average slope
slightly in excess of 6 per cent.
Fourth Section.
The fourth section of 13 or 14 kilometres passes through
an open country, and is that most favourably situated. The
road-bed is clean but soft, an inconvenience that must ])e
met by the use of broad wheels. The height of the lower
end is 1281 metres, that of the terminal point 1753, the
difference of 472 metres being equal to an average slope of
about 3^ per cent.
Approximate Estimate of Cost of Road.
I have estimated in the following table for a road of 6 or
7 metres broad, sufficient for two carts to pass easily, and
properly levelled and paved with stone wherever it can be
02
got on the spot. Under these conditions, the separate
sections would cost as shown below : —
Road in the Valley of Remiendos.
Section.
Length.
Lower end.
Upper end.
Difference
of level.
Average in-; Cost per
clination. kilometre.
Cost of
section.
1
2
3
4
Metres.
3,500
18,000
6,000
13,500
41,000
Metres.
76
915
1281
Metres.
76
915
1281
1753
Metres.
70
839
366
472
2 per cent.
H „
3000
2000
5000
1000
10,500
36,000
30,000
13,500
90,000
This estimate will not be considered excessive when it is
remembered that the workmen must be supplied with
drinking water while at work, and that they will require
somewhat higher M^ages than those current in inhabited
regions. The figures given include all general expenses,
such as the cost of passage of workmen, temporary lodg-
ing, &c.
If it were desired to limit the works to what is indis-
pensable for making the route passable for carts, it would
be sufficient to carry out the earthworks of the first and
third section, and pick out the loose stones covering the
line of the second section, throwing them to the right and
left, but without making any earthworks either in this or
the fourth section. Under these conditions I believe that
the outlay need not exceed ^40,000.
At the head of the pass the ground descends to the east-
ward in a gentle slope to a vast plain resembling the bed
of an old lake. Further on is a line of gently undulating
63
height, extending north and south, behind which are the
nitrate beds of Piinta Negra and Profcta. Those of Aguas
Blancas, in about 24° south latitude, may be about 15
leagues to the north ; but all these parts of the interior are
easily accessible by carts from the pass at the head of the
valley of Remiendos.
The main valley is joined at intervals by secondary gorges
practicable for carts, which will be of value in the working
of the minerals existing in this part of the coast-range.
Having obtained the information detailed in the preceding
paragraphs, we have considered our mission to be accom-
plished. On my part, I desire that your Excellency may
find in my Report the information required for realizing a
work which, as far as I can judge, will be of great advan-
tage to the country.
E. Plazolles,
Civil Engineer.
P.S. — Mr. Sierralta is in possession of the field-notes of
observations made on the ground with a pocket compass
and aneroid barometer ; the distances were estimated by a
mule's paces. From these a sketch map will be made for
your Excellency's information. — E. P.
Oh board the * Santa JRosa.'
2!> November, 1876.
Having been lionoured with tlie mission of inquiry into
64
the means of conneeting the desert with a seaport as near as
possible to the BoUvian frontier by a carriage-road, I have
great pleasure in reporting to your Excellency the results
of a minute investigation of the subject.
On arrival at Mejillones, and after embarcation on board
the ' Abtao,' the commander, Mr. Rondizzoni, returned to
Antofagasta, where Don Segundino Corvalan generously
volunteered to accompany us, together with MM. Raphael,
Sutil, Borjas Besoain, and Francisco Bascunan.
We left Antofagasta and proceeded south, stopping at
the harbour of Agua Dulce or Port Montt, which is about
4 miles south of the 24th parallel. This place has a good
anchorage, sheltered from southerly and, in part, from
south-westerly winds, and can accommodate fifteen vessels
safely without difficulty. To the north of the harbour is a
gorge which I did not explore, as it enters Bolivian territory
within a short distance. The water is tolerably smooth,
the depth all round the bay, at 80 metres from the shore,
is from 4 to 5 fathoms.
Upon the whole shore of the bay there is nowhere suffi-
cient ground for the formation of even a moderate-sized
town, the only ground at all likely for the purpose is at the
mouth of a gorge noticed below ; but this is at too great
a distance from the harbour.
The gorge in question is situated about the middle of
the bay, and was explored by me, together with Mr. Orella,
lieutenant of the ship. It is traversed by escarpments
of rock, some of which are 7 metres in height. By dint
of hard work we managed to ride up it for a distance of 10
kilometres, wdien 1 was obliged to give up further trial in
this direction.
G5
The observed distances and the altitudes determined by
the barometer convinced me of the impossibility of carrying
a waggon-road through this gorge, as the mean slope
would not be less than 1 in 10, and even this would require
enormous cuttings and embankments, with a correspond-
ingly heavy cost.
Furthermore, Mr. Corvalan pointed out that the difficulties
were still greater at a more distant point ; and this, together
with my own observations, induced me to abandon the
investigation and return on board the * Abtao ' to report
the result to the Commander, who agreed with me in con-
sidering the exploration of this point at an end. The results
obtained not being satisfactory, we continued our voyage
southward and arrived at the harbour of Palo Varado, which
is 7 miles south of the preceding, and 1^ mile north of the
lower end of the gorge of Lobo Muerto, where the conditions
are somewhat similar to those already described, so far as re-
gards building-sites, anchorage, and shelter from prevailing
winds ; but the difficulties of road-making were sensibly
less.
Two gorges come down to the shore at this place. One
of these soon comes to an end on a high mountain. The
second and southern one leads to a defile, by crossing which
the gorge of Lobo Muerto is reached. From this defile
the road is practicable to another, situated '2i) kilometres
from the coast, and 4750 feet above the sea-level. This
can be passed without difficulty, and leads down to the gorge
called Mateo, which is on the line of the nitre-beds of
Aguas Blancas, and branches into that opening a little
south of the Port of Antofagasta, along which the line of
the Antofagasta Nitrate Comj)any's railway is carried.
OG
The gorge of Lobo Muerto lias several rocky barriers,
three being remarkable as exceeding 7^ metres in height.
But these are not the only difficulties in the way of road-
making, there being narrow passages that would require
blasting on a large scale, and long distances obstructed by
loose stones and projecting rocks, which render the way
difficult even for mules. A considerable amount of filling
would also be required to reduce the slopes, which are very
steep.
The above statement refers to the portion of the road
included between the junction of the gorge of Lobo Muerto
with tliat bearing from the harbour. The which of the two
parts of these gorges is to be chosen is in no way doubtful,
as I shall proceed to show.
1. The observations made upon the gorge of Lobo
Muerto from the point of junction spoken of above to the
coast were obliged to be made on foot, because no mule
could be induced to go down it. The distance is 6 kilo-
metres, upon which 12 escarpments were found, some being
15 metres high. The road is impracticable in this direc-
tion ; for in some places the incline would not be less than
15 per cent.
2. It now remained to examine the gorge which, starting
from the harbour, passes by the first defile. In order to
carry out the road it would be necessary to commence it
about 2 kilometres north of the opening of the gorge, and
to carry it on the slopes of the mountain for 2 or 8 miles,
to pass the first defile, and afterwards to unite it with the
gorge of Lobo Muerto by a similar piece of work, which
would only need to be 1 kilometre long. This line is
preferable, and would not present any insurmountable diffi-
C)7
culties in the event of a road being required at tliis part of
the coast. Notwithstanding the difficulties indicated, a
practicable carriage-road might be constructed with an
average incline of 6 or 7 per cent. ; but it would be a costly
work, the execution of which could only be justified in the
event of no better line being found.
In this investigation I was accompanied by MM. Orella
and Corvalan.
The work being finished at tliis point, I informed the
Commander of tlie result, who determined upon continuing
his voyage towards the Port of Cobre.
The harbour of Cobre is a bad one, being exposed to
the prevailing southerly and south-westerly winds, as well
as to the north. It is small and dangerous both to vessels
entering and leaving ; the sea runs so high that sometimes
for days together they can neither load nor discharge
cargo. It may also be said that a carriage-road to the
interior is an impossibility : there being no natural depres-
sions, it would be necessary to cross a series of high hills at
great cost in order to reach the gorge of Lobo j\Iuerto.
I shall, therefore, say nothing more about this place.
At the port is an establishment belonging to the exe-
cutors of M. J. A. Moreno, in which some important copper-
mines are included.
After making the above observations, and seeing that it
was useless to remain any longer at this })lace, we proceeded
to Rcmiendos, which, according to our information, was
the only place likely to fulfil all the desired conditions.
This harbour, which has furnished us with a sufficiently
satisfactory solution of the problem, is situated 10 miles
south of that of Cobre, in latitude 2 1-^ 2(5' 50" S, on
GS
tile same parallel as A.guas Blancas and the other nitre-beds
in the interior.
The area of level ground at this place is sufficiently
large to accommodate a very considerable population.
In the south part of the harbour is a fine clean sand beach,
60 metres broad, with smooth water. At this point the sea
forms a bay capable of containing 200 small vessels, and
there are convenient sites for lighthouses, quays, and public
buildings. At a small cost a good wharf of 3000 metres
long might be built along the shore ; and by making it 30
metres broad there would be a depth of 5 fathoms along-
side. At the south end of the harbour the rocks projecting
into the sea might be united by masonry work in order to
increase the natural shelter.
The south-westerly winds that penetrate into the harbour
are usually very much reduced in force. Between south-
west and north-west the harbour is exposed to the W'inds,
but in all other directions it is sheltered.
The bottom slopes gently to a depth of 25 fathoms
without steep ridges. The ' Abtao ' was anchored in 9
fathoms ; and although the wind blew hard from the south
for two days, she rode it out safely at single anchor with
40 fathoms of chain. The bottom is of sand, shells, and
very little stone, sand prevaihng over the principal part of
the harbour.
Ships may leave with the wind from three out of four
quarters of the compass ; the anchorage is large enough for
20 vessels. The southerly wind, which is most prevalent,
does not raise any very great amount of sea, and it
offers no hindrance to vessels either entering or leaving.
There are no reefs in the harbour placed so as to render
69
the navigation dangerous, there being only a single rock
below water at the extremity of the peninsula ; but this is
perfectly well marked.
On the north shore, as far as the valley, are several small
islands, which would afford sites for fonndries, smelting-
works, or other establishments of a similar kind. About
2 miles from the bottom of the harbour is the valley of
Remiendos, which is suitable for a carriage-road. This
would present some difficulties, but they might be easily
overcome.
At the commencement of the valley is a scarp of 20
metres in height. To avoid this the road would be carried
on a gentle rise along the slope of the mountain for two
miles ; 500 metres of this is in very hard rock, but one
that breaks easily when blasted. After passing this first
obstacle, no others are met with for 14 kilometres, when
the principal difficulties commence. In a length of 3
kilometres numerous scarps, large rocks, and narrow gullies
must be passed ; and in this section the road would be
at an incline of 5 or 6 per cent., the maximum slope per-
missible in a carriage-road, and the greater part of it would
require blasting. Beyond this point the work presents no
difficulty of any kind up to the pass from which the interior
plain is seen. From this pass to the nitre-beds of Aguas
Blancas the distance is about 10 leagues, and the road
might be carried there by three different lines without
encountering any kind of obstacle. The height of the
summit pass is 5750 feet, and the distance from the shore
40 kilometres, corresponding to an average slope of 4 or 5
per cent. I consider the cost of a carriage-road of a suffi-
cient width on this route would be about $100,000. The
70
promontory, situated on the south side of the harbour, is
from 800 to 900 metres broad, and 15 metres high above
the sea-level.
There can be no doubt as to the positive advantages pre-
sented by this route for the realization of the project of a
Hne of communication between the coast and the interior,
or as to the facilities which it offers to the intrepid explorers
of the desert, who have not spared any sacrifice in order
to bring to the notice of the commercial world its immense
and rich deposits of nitre, and its mines of silver and copper.
It will open a vast field to the labour of thousands of
industrious hands who are now driven to seek a hard
livelihood in a foreign land, and will add an important con-
tribution to the productions of our country.
Time was wanting to allow of my visiting either the
mines in the neighbourhood of the line of country ex-
amined, or the nitre-beds, which will find an easy outlet
for their produce in Remiendos ; but I know from infor-
mation derived from persons well acquainted with the
localities that there is a sufficient field for a large develop-
ment in the direction of copper- and silver-mining.
Macario Sierralta,
Civil Engineer.
No. 8.
Decree opening the Fort of Remiendos {now called
Blanco Encalada).
Santiago, April 11, 1877.
In sight of the preceding note, the harbour called Remien-
71
dos is opened to commerce as a minor port, and depending
upon the Custom House of Clianaral de Animas.
Let the present decree be registered, communicated to
those who have right to know it, and pubhshcd.
Pinto,
Rafael Sotomayor.
Decree ordering the establishment of centres of popula-
tion at Taltal and Blanco-Encalada, and determining the
positions of one and other places.
Santiago, June 26, 1877.
In sight of the plans annexed of the port explored in
November, 1876, by the steamer ' Abtao,' at the promon-
tory Blanca, situated north of the point called Remiendos,
and also of the port of Taltal, and in conformity with
the law of November 21, 1S7G, which authorizes the
formation of centres of })opulation at the ports opened by
the Customs of the Republic.
I have resolved and decreed : —
Art. 1. There shall be established in the port recognized
in the said promontory Blanca a centre of population, which
shall be called Blanco Encalada, and another centre of
population at the port of Taltal.
72
Art. 2. The town of Blanco Encalada shall be composed
of twenty-three blocks, surrounding the ground reserved
for the public plaza, of which twenty shall be squares of
20 metres wide, two shall be 100 metres long and 40 broad,
and one of 100 metres by 50 metres, separated one from
the other by streets 20 metres broad.
Art. 3. The town of Taltal shall be composed of eleven
blocks, nine of which shall be 100 metres square, and two
100 by 50, arranged on both sides of the public plaza,
and separated by streets 20 metres wide.
Art. 4. At Blanco Encalada the blocks numbered 22
and 23 shall be reserved for public buildings, and at
Taltal those numbered 9 and 10 shall be reserved for the
same purpose.
Art 5. In either town each of the remaining blocks
shall be divided into eight lots, of which six shall have
33 metres frontage and 40 metres depth, and the remain-
ing two 20 metres frontage and 50 metres depth.
Art. 6. These lots shall be conceded to those persons
who may ask for them, and who shall bind themselves
by a duly authenticated instrument to enclose them within
six months of the date of concession, and to build upon
them within two years of the same date.
Art 7. In the event of the above conditions not being
fulfilled the concessionaires will lose all right over the lots,
which will be realloted to such new colonists as may ask for
them, and any improvements will remain to the profit of
the State.
Art. 8. The Intendencyof Atacama will take the neces-
sary measures for the execution of the present decree.
73
and will observe the following rules in making the allot-
ments.
1. Two lots may not pass into the possession of one
individual whether by concession or transfer.
2. Preference in allotment is to be given in one or
other of the ports in the order in which the demands
have been made, and to the coast colonists who have
been put out of work by the earthquake of May last.
3. The title to the concession is a provisional one,
which wdll be exchanged for a definite one, on the com-
pletion of the conditions announced in Article G of the
present decree.
Art. 9. Demands of concession of lands for the estab-
lishment of smelting-w^orks or saltpetre-refineries must be
presented to the Intcndant of the Province, who will
make the concession conditionally until the law" has been
otherw^ise stated, observing the following conditions : —
1. Every concession shall be provisional, and in force
until the law has otherwise decided.
2. Only as much land will be granted as will, in the
opinion of experts, be strictly necessary for the purpose of
the establishment which it is proposed to found.
3. Every foundry or calcining-works must be placed at
a distance from centres of population, in such a manner as
not to injure the salubrity of the air.
Let this decree be registered, communicated to whom it
may concern, and inserted in the Bulletin of Laws.
Pinto,
Josfi ViCTORINO LaCTARUIA.
74
No. 9.
COAST OF CHILI.
Harbour of Blanco Encalada.
Art. 137, 1877. The commander of the iron -clad
* Blanco Encalada,' Captain Don Juan Lopez, announces
that he has determined, by good astronomical observa-
tions made on shore, the position of the harbour of
Blanco Encalada, and has obtained the following results
for the landing-place where the sandy beach meets the
first rocks to the west.
Latitude south, 24° 22' 20",
Longitude west, 70° 36' 51".
The remaining details furnished by the documents of
the Report confirm those contained in the Hydrographical
Notices, Nos. 2 art. 9 of January 16th, 1877.
Enghsh chart 4277, Chilian chart 10.
HYDROGRAPHICAL NOTICE.
COAST OF CHILL
Harbour of Blanco Encalada.
Art. 151, 1877. In consequence of a decree of the
Government of the Republic, authorizing the establishment
of a centre of population in the harbour of Remiendos on
the coast of Atacama, it has been thought necessary to
change the name of this harbour, to avoid confusion, and
qualifying it as an inhabited place, which it soon will be,
75
by calling it Blanco Encalada. As, furthermore, this point
of embarkation must soon acquire a considerable commer-
cial importance, on account of the Guano and Nitre found
in the neighbourhood, the Hydrographic Office has thought
it necessary to adopt the name of Blanco-Encalada for the
harbour, where a centre of population of the same name is
to be established. Consequently, and as a means of con-
tributing to the technical unity which it is essential to
preserve in universal technology, the Chilian hydrographic
Department will not recognize any other name for this
harbour.
This notice concerns the Hydrographical notices No. 2,
Art. 9, and No. 27. Art. 137, of 1877.
English chart 1277, Chilian chart 10.
Francisco Vidal Gomez.
Director.
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