WHERE CRUSOE LIVED.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXII, Issue 3066, 10 January 1894, Page 3

WHERE CRUSOE LIVED.

THE ISJLAJSD OP JTJAK FEBSA9DE2: WHAT IT IS LIKE TO-DAY.

(Few York HeraM.) Tbe Chilian corvette Abtao, commanded by Captain Bicardo Beaugencey, sailed last July with a number of graduates from the Naval Academy. Her voyage was of two months' duration, and as it was known that the vessel would call at the celebrated island of Juan Fernandez, Captain Beaugenccy offered a prise to the graduate who would write the best description of the island. r fhe competition was among teii membersvof the graduating class, hut after examining the merits of the compositions the Captain awarded the prize to Cadet Victor Vergara, a son of Senor Juan de Dios Vegara, a prominent lawyer of Valparaiso. THE ISLANI) TO-DAY. Qn the evening of July 6 the Abtao sighted the island. Its appearance from some ninety miles distant is that of an overturned boat, but as the ship drew nearer the serrated and 7 prominent peaks came boldly into view until the aspect was completely changed. The island of Mas-a-Tierra is in the form of a triangle, with an area of ninety square kilometres, In character the island is undoubtedly volcanic; With ito*aba*p-peakspi"»t«ky ravines, rapid and precipitous inclines, there is not the least ddubt that some mighty upheaval of nattirew as the cause of its rising from the oceon bed . In a sense r L the 6 ' type of the most recent age is plainly visible, while strata indications, similiar to thoße fouud in the chain of the Andes on the mainland are prominent. There are no sandy or pebbly beaches, the only landing place at Cumberland Bay being composed of water worn pieces of larva, and sharply pointed, flinty obsidian. „; But on shore,: round the bay, the coating of earthy matter produces luxuriant grass and is excellent for cultivation of various vegetables and some fruits. The highest peaks of the island are named, The Yunque' 1000 metrwj Monte Alto, the Pyramide, the Cordon de las Cab» rbn andthe Salei-Puedes. Frequent rains are climatic features of the ißlaAd^lndM } '.t^^l^;^'^y passes but showers and drizzle fall at intervals ofa few hours. Owing td this abundant rainfall the vegetation is luxuriant. Deep green mosses and fer üb, tall and coarse grasses aod herbage grow in profusion. Numerous springs of clear, cold water are to be met with in different directions.

A topographic examination of the island shows that its principal features or noteworthy landmarks are Putna del N'egrb, where at one time all the island Socks were kept ; a long plain called ' Robinson Crusoe's Walk ;\ English Bay, the rendezvous of Sharp, the Pirate, with Monte 4Jto at the eastern end of Cumberland Bay ; Point San Carlos,; and Point Bacalad, the eastern point of th island. ./' -\ '"' ; ' : ' " :{f: ' ; '' ' '.'

Confronting Cumberland Bay there , rises the bill known as the * Pa*s of the Goats,' across which is a pathway th at affords the only Co mTffu%flfafton 1 by land across J^as 7 %^erra. Fronting Chmberiaiiil is the ridge knbwri as Coidon 1 Sal -a si -Puedes; Easy to ascend, the sharp,, jagged rocks, render the descents extremely difficult and exti^mely; &mgprousi A prominent feature, of the i>iand i» the towering hill El Yunqu^ ('The Anvil ') that, together w ith the Pyramid Mountain, :s a not worthy J landmark in Cumberland Bay; o ; v . j" On the sides of the pyrami I We extensive plantations of r.adishesatid a grove consisting of J^pgal treesi having leaves two and a half to three metres in diameter, sufficient in sfoe and density to shelter a Jarge tin mber of persons from rain. French portl or El Puerto Francesas, is the most 1 picturesque spot on the island, wfer* numerous flocks of sheep, goats? and donkeys are found in a wild jstate brdwamg oh ' the luxuriant/ herbage; Sentry (Centinera) Point is the scene ' of the rookeries where the furl seals haul up in the summer season* v Without doubt that part of the island most interesting to visitors is the site of the old forts and buildings erected by the Spaniards, situated at Port-; ezuelo and Port Ingles, where^Selkirkj lived. The city founded bf the Spanish commander Was called La Oiudad de San Juan Bautista. T^ffoundaJ tions of the fort are still visible^ while , a number of ancient canon He buried amid a dense growth of gigantic ferns I and semi "tropical vegetation. T«ib small forts; Ope £at ;r CodfJsb m gp|fc (Punta Baedlao), the other, under Goat Hill, are still remaining in partial preservation, the smooth and regularly hud masonary| testifying .4 to the careful work of a pa|t age. There were two cities or settlements, onef on the plateau where the cemetry now exists*, the other in the valley leading to the Cordon Sal-a-si-Puedes. Visitors can stillj decipher manjr o,:jb]s epitaphs thai remain ;le^ibi% on tne tombstones erected to the memory of those who died on the island during the last portion of this century. IJpoh the ruins of the fort at the base of Goat Hill the present SubIntendente of the iskndsjhw^arected a flagstaff, upbn wU<<fa the Cfc^lfan \ colours are hoisted whenever a vessel is seen in the off ipg, while at nighty ] lantern is hoisted as soon as the vessel , rounds the point, both day and night ( signals indicating the position of the \ [best harboui^-Camberland Baj^-on \ I the island. ' -„ ., - To the settlement at Cumberlaua' 1 Bay the name of the old eisy has^ein , giyen . At tbo present time there are \ & 'y< f-

only twentyeight inhabitants on the Mind—fear mett, eight women and sixteen children of both sexes. These, people are vigorous aud hardy physically strong aud well built. Oysters, with white shells, are found in abundance clinging to, the rocky shores, and are of delicious flavour. The lobsters are of the largest* size known ib exist in the Pacific Ocean, theif flesh tender and juicy, and there is no- doubt, if brought in a fresh state to Valparaiso, they would meet with a ready sale. '

As ihe ship approached the island toward dusk, the dark green vegetation, tinted here and there with whitish marks, due to the decayed and faded grasses, with the waning sunlight' touching portions of the sombre rocky background, and glinting the slopes of the ravines, afforded a picturesque and novel scene. Anchoring in Cumberland Bay Senor Alfredo de Kodt (a Swiss. ]>y v birth, but, jk CJuJiak citizen) came on board. -For several years this man has enjoyed the privilege of taking sealskins and acts as a general lescee of the of the island ftom thei Government. : Another visitor was< Pelro Arredondo, a ? Qh^enp, whor prefers^ the* compajra-^ tryely solitary life afforded to the more civilised' surrbvjidings of tlie main land. Anedondo has resided on "Mas-a-Tierra since 1868, and has' no desire to return to Valparaiso. The other two male inhabitants of the I island are a Portuguese deserter from a whaling vessel, and a Chileno named Vera, both supporting their families by catching fish and cultivating the land. In the proper season .these men, heretofore, T have earned m6i%jrLS)s kil|^<|ur seals*. 'But as their destruction has been suspended by order of the Government, they will /bo deprived of this source of revenue. . ,„, ... ... 1 p;M|eiy SrSre tha& vea|e^|call at the^isiaaidi Biips r go^ast, %ulnig over the oc^aii within, the of all the resideiits, bul^ul^essWWa^ Gorertt | ment vessel on its annual visit from Valparaiso, no sound of cable rattling i%wugh?thp;hawseplp«ai Meet* to eafl f the few i^deAt^ ftothing of all Inl? the simple luxuries ofSft, such as tea, coffee, sugar, salt beef and tobacco l itre e%ge# sought fo^b^r these people in exohamgefo^vflsk sealskins, pieces of ea^dal woo^ ana other products of the islands / IL' peculito/BiMciyß 'of the palm family, called in Spanish La Gho^ta, is found on the The £3^aii |||bvs?gJ&eujU But in some cases the residents dispose of walkhu? CB^es ma^efrofti the trees. The wood is very hard, yeined: with running black streaks intermingled with alternate binds of oli^e tints. It

gro^s on the /feoM ofthe most inaccessible cliifs, and seems to be partial to^yb^e^^^X^^^^th its isroaoT l^esf^arlf gieM ihlriie,

) drooping gracefully, is a ?prel^y ; aspect I among the dense fern growth of the , »mB -r . y-'-.A.'yX ''•■-, :. „* -.*•* ■ Tv-\t igpandal wood) too, in former w§.s found growing on both Mas-a---j Me^ra w tmd-Mas-a-Fuei?^ but the f rapacity of the itre'der caused its ex- ; tinctiou. oJ!%fada/y*|o J!%fada/y*| pec|s; f Q£ihe i wood are dug up iri a semi-foefeibeed , sfa^e or petrified^, but still retaining an I c frdgmnoe/ s • In the morning after the Abtao [ arrived in Cumbenand a y» Captain , Beaugericejf ■ gam?' i r^H|in^ston to a I party tb law. (suite*a *number of ■ cadets availed > ; Jkcmselves of the j privilege^ and, giuded by one^ pf %c , resident/ ploceeiaM^rJ elimb^to*tne ; pals'^i^ep^es^ioh-tliat^es between the Anvil Hill and the * ridge of the , goafs^ f|bWai|> s^ I the*m*>Btt}fia^rini£ yiew4f%lilland, ; both seacard and to the interior, is td ;be obtained. ; s ; \ Z -(;;.■ ... . ; t Tho summit is called the Portezuelo J and has an elevation of pit' loa^ two thousand feet abov^ tbe sea level. It I :fj" C^ebrated^as the point where Selkirk maintained a look-out. The I officers of the British warship Topaze • erected api ircm tablet y hei^ in 18681 ' with the following inscription: — . j | In Memory of Alexander - Selkirk, ■■ ■■*•-■■ = ■ - ■■ n^/U.vvlA^vCl j , A Native of Largo, in jthe County of I ■ vSifFtfe^ 3 s t ..,..,.,.;- ■ f. "i yy t vy ■ ■*&■-*• ; \ Who Lived on this Island "ri^lOdm-; • lete Solitude for FourT Years and |> > y *v\v Four Months.' : ' - " *- : ■ ■'- '. : He was Landed from the Cinque Ports, Galley; 96 toris, 16 guns, a.d., , 1704, and was taken off in . VtbJ Du^PliyjMieer/l^th'! 1 Feb., 1709. „. ,, ■ t " * ' ' ■> < ' » * .* A f\ A. HCf f 7 Hedie*fcieutenantof H.k:^}WeJrl mouth, A.D., 1728, aged 47 years. *■% r-i -tv vl" " ">-■-- ■•♦* v,T*'T' This, Tablet is erected Hear Selkirk's look outfby Commodore Powell and the officers of H.M.B. Topare A.D., 1868;— - - Lava blocks of various sizes strew the roadway built by the Spanish settlers, but a soft, velvety covering of emerald tinted grass lines the way ' on either side. ;- ? v, ;K . v'w ■ . ■' 1 As far as the eye could reach the wild- "rhnbarW ana* J tfetise yegi&ltion. wjfi)tfiifistfce: Bi(ftati# herds of wild ! goits were seen jumping from cliff to ] cliff' and across ravines in spots where ' no man could ever attempt to climb, j I .Flocks of pigeons and humming j birds flitted to and fro in the air, ! circling over our heads, twittering and ! cooing as if astonished to find so numerous a party of strange beings ( In proximity to their homes. - y After descending the Portezuelo, a ? visit was made to the proton grotto, a aeries of artificial caves constructed 1 by tbe Spaniards atthe base of the J

,HUI ofthe Goats.* These ca?*s were iupposed to have beea toe residence! of exiles from tbe mainland wheq it was under Spanish rule, and again during tbe excitement under tfie hsim§ of O'Higgins, Carrera and the Balnea Government. In one of the ships, beats a party visited Selkirk's cave, in 'English Bay, where the exile kept his tame goats and dogs. The beach is composed of small stones and 'pebbles, while the pathway tothewvejT|istant one quarter of a mile from tbjr beach, ia painful aad tiring te traverse. Here we found several sandal wood trees, with sweet scented mint perfuming the air. -«.is^ , the cave is a natural on-f^fi^e side of a hillock three metres in "height by two and a half metres in < length. Former visitors had built an endomrre of planks around the cave, On the walls of the cave are many inscriptions and names of officers of war ships of various nationalities; A small bench outsj.de the enclosure servea as a restplace for weary pilgrima. A Returning to the Abtao |f| ? j»w a drove of wild horses, driven % some of the residents, travelling from Port F^c©J^ ? the,jvaiwp atqumWand *f^islss $*$*& areiafcflor their "Hides and grease, the hides serving to make footgear for the people, the grease beintf utilised jtt the manufacture of improvised candles for lighting the rujje Kpna^^ l THE U3E OF CAMELS IN THE Z l 'v C0I&NIE8. f £jffH * Some inter es^ng pwtic^laMl |es pecting camels were givenbr a correspondent in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 18th ult. After advocating ihat white men miphtwell*ake to camel driving, the writer says :— '• For the rum that a good wajnpa and wduld 6Dii%! m««an bay, say, 10 camels. The cow camels work. The cows breed till the age of sreW^Wir caaisli Winding from £80 to £40 each, it wiUte seen that a few cpw^i^els^M^ T rore a good investment in ttrirtways than oae. On downs of occasions mw^oubJsi !aji;;|eeii: 'g^||'^^. rf 3pi(«fli arid Huojterjpif (^rf^hg heavy loads, whilst peeping out of a bag strapped on top of ill is ecalfsbai a few hours old. It ffimlMm that there are qualities of loading which camels cannot' carry, This assertion <Ibe^ lie*« to be untrue. The usual bid is from 6tiwt to Bcwt. In a string going through Wanaaring a few days since; one camel WMloadetl with caaes of whisky on one side, And on the other with bar iron, a total ef 8 cwt. Another had on nine bags of chaff, wbiU another W bar* tap on one side and\ 200-gftllon ironlank on the other. At Tenapagee station they show you a 3,000 gallon gml* vanised iron tank, which was carried from Bourke on one camel ih sections. Lastly, when a camel carries i 3 cwt of timber in pieces loft long and alio 6in. tubing for artesian bores each ; tube being , some 19£t long, it certainly seems as if they will carry almost anything* Many of Ifcjam carry three bales of wool, trarelling 20 miles a day.'