AN OLD SKIPPER'S REMINISCENCES.

Evening Star, Issue 6261, 10 April 1883, Page 4

AN OLD SKIPPER'S REMINISCENCES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Home is the sweetest sounding word that is heard. Recently I noticed in the 'Daily Times' that a short route could be obtained from the Australasian colonies to England via Valparaiso and Monte Video; but I question if it would be a profitable one, seeing that it would be for passengers only, and, as yet, I am afraid there is not apope enough -or these* Valparaiso lies east a little north from Dunedin, 5,200 miles, -with a clean sea, and KenMaUyafair wind When I ran over there lor: flour in the early days I generally had a good many passengers, whose idea was to take tip J land in the Province of Buenos Ayres. Some of them have done well there. The bay of Valparaiso is a half-moon in shape, and faces the north. Nine months of the year Sfchere is fine clear weather, with southerly winds, then fox months northerly gales, with The capital of Chili is St. lago, which lies 110 miles inland from Valparaiso. The railway from the port'(Valparaiso) to the capital is very finding, and the ascent is great. The city lies «n a vast plain, and the population is 120,000. The country is rich, having many valuable «opper mines. Our passengers had always to procure mules and guides, besides being well armed, when they proceeded over the Andes. We visited the capital a few days after the burning of one of the churches, when ?.200 young ladies <the beauty of Chili) lost their lives. Tho-edifice was consumed in an hour. This great loss of life was owing to the doors dosing-outwards. A terrible gloom hung over the city for months afterwards. On one of our trips we were hailed when about twenty miles to windward of the place by a large sailing boat, the occupants of which informed us that Valparaiso was blockaded by the Spaniards, and that we should be seized if we entered the port. We inquired if there were acy British men-of-war inside at anchor and were told that there were. " Oh, then, here goes," said I. We Jl risk it, We cannot lay out here." So away we treat: but we had not opened out the bay properly when we were boarded by a boat's crew and a lieutenant—in all twenty-four men, Spaniards armed to the teeth—who took charge of us. I had a brother of Mr M'Master's with me at the time, and to him I said " Mac, this is * pretty kettle of fish we have got into. How are we to get out of this ?" " Well," was his reply, "I am an unfortunate fellow. I came away from America to get clear of the war, and here I am in it again." The Spaniards could not handle the vessel, so they begged of me to go and see the Spanish Admiral. Mac volunteered to go with me. When we got alongiride of the flagship—the Ville de Madrid, 220 guns —there was a terrible lot _of ■alaams and a great clashing of musketry. We did not feel over jolly when wo walked up the steps and on to the deck. We were handed fiom one to another, till we got to a cabin where some English was spoken. We had to produce the jbJp's log, and prove that we never knew of tfcebloakade when we left New Zealand. At last the captain came and put us at our ease, saying that it was aU right, and asking us to come to his cabin, where he treated us most handsomely, made particular inquiries about the prosperity of She Australasian colonies, and showed us over his fjWpTwhich was like a street in length. He told tts, tp go seventy miles south, and then drive my passengers overland. So we returned on board Mir vessel, after spending a happy two hours. In giving overland the Chilians were moßt kind, Mtpplyfeg us with grapes and all delicacies of the season. We engaged a coaoh and fifteen fcoises, putting in five of the animals and send4ug the other ten on. Thus wo had three relays. liis a fine country; and a British subject is Kiways respected, owing doubtless to the Chilians' respect for the memory of the great Cochrane, who gave them their independence. %'jp; bombardment of Valparaiso a few weeks *fter we left did a large amount of damage to titei£Ms«rnment Buildings, Customs, railway, etc; but every respect was paid to private Video is generally in a turmoil. It is a CQ^lp^kjbßg^plaoe. TOe; healthy, safe, and pleasant passage to tbttSfodb thi route via Magellan, to be taken by the New Zealand Shipping Company's gteamer. You sail clear of ice, which is the <mly d«ftiirtien : »diindiEg the Horn. There is I fine fair wind, and going through the Strait of J&gcllM} JOtt Ores* tfee monotony of the pa* ' hka »««?? «sc» --■>.■■■/• •, .-./n- - ;<■' : : _

sage. Once through, you come Into a beautiful climate; and, going along the coast of Brazil, generally meet a vessel every day. When you take your tioket and get your state-room, there is no changing of steamers till your arrival at Home. The great aim of the Company should be to have tip-top steamers, and everything Al. —I am. etc, James Duncan. April 10.