First my humble apologies for a lapse in the frequency of the instalments and the lateness in delivering this particular one.
I have been on leave and I also had some “technical issues” with my home computer which prevented me from filing this instalment.
Punta Arenas, Chile
This is a panoramic picture of Punta Arenas.
The Fleet arrived at Punta Arenas on 1 February and departed on 7 February.
Initially, there were no formal visits planned for Chile.
Instead Punta Arenas was planned as one of the necessary coaling stops on the West Coast.
As Punta Arenas was the southern most city in the world and was located in the Straits of Magellan, the climate and terrain do not make for hospitable living conditions.
For many years Punta Arenas had been established as a penal colony collecting the criminals, fugitives, ranchers, and sheep herders (much like Australia soori I could not resist that small dig) who made their money from smuggling goods into the port such goods being destined for northern cities.
Nevertheless, despite this heritage the Great White Fleet found a safe harbour and dropped anchor.
To the US Sailors the city itself must have appeared as something built out of mud and scrap metal.
With little wood for construction most houses and business were built from mortar, rock and corrugated iron for the roof. This was not to say that the inhabitants were necessarily poor, on the contrary, many had made good fortunes in trade importing creature comforts and maintaining the lifestyle of Punta Arenas.
Sailors ashore found only one extreme example of fortune where a wealth business owner had imported the necessary building materials to build a home of American wealth and style in Punta Arenas
The sailors did find high prices. Signs at the landing had indicated special prices for American sailors, and indeed, prices on many of the items had been “adjusted” in anticipation of their arrival. The most popular item amongst the sailors was the sheep skins in the local shops which were now priced at twice their normal price to greet the liberty parties.
Punta Arenas was also considered a home for the spies of the world. Due to its strategic location to shipping various nations of the world maintained spies to observe the comings-and-goings of the various navies of the world.
During the Fleets visit it was noted that there were four Japanese spies observing the Fleet from high positions in the hills and two Russian spies who were incensed that they were not allowed aboard the ships to examine the design. Additionally, Britain had sent a cruiser HMS Sappho to the harbour to observe the condition of the Fleet at this point in their transit.
This stop was marred by only one incident. A Marine struck an officer of the Chilean Navy while onboard the cruiser Chacabuco. He was locked up aboard the USS Louisiana and apologies extended by the Admiral were accepted.
Regards
Sean
