ABSTRACT

March jth, 1835. We staid only three days at Concepcion, and then sailed for Valparaiso. The wind being northerly, we only reached the mouth o f the harbour o f Concepcion before it was dark. Being very near the land, and a fog coming on, the anchor was dropped. Presently a large American whaler appeared close alongside o f us; and we heard the Yankee swearing at his men, to make them keep quiet, while he listened where the breakers were. Captain FitzRoy hailed him in a loud clear voice, to anchor where he then was. The poor man must have thought the voice came from the shore: such a Babel o f cries issued at once from the ship - every one hallooing out, ‘Let go the anchor! veer cable! shorten sail!’ It was the most laughable thing I ever heard. If the ship’s crew had been all captains, and no men, there could not have been a greater uproar o f orders. We afterwards found that the mate stuttered. I suppose all hands were assisting him in giving his orders.