P. 141. “No species of military force is so expensive as a navy; it cannot,
therefore, be expected that Chili, with a population of a million and a half,
should attempt to support a large establishment of this character. Their entire
navy consists of six vessels ; and though a small force compared with more
important maritime powers, is sufficient to give them the naval supremacy over
all the Spanish American republics, including Mexico and every South American
State except Brazil. The part which the Chilian navy performed in the war of
the Revolution, and subsequently in that with the Peru Bolivian Confederation,
has been already referred to in these pages. Though the crude and impromptu
materiel which existed during war has been much reduced, we have still a
comparatively powerful navy, composed of the following named vessels:
p. 142: Chile, frigate, 46 guns, Janaquio, brigantine, 6 guns, Condor, brig, 4 guns, Magellanes, ketch, 4 guns, Confederation, transport, and Maule, packet. Besides these cruising vessels, there belongs to the naval establishment some fourteen gun boats, which, in the absence of steam Vessels, and especially in the hands of Spaniards or their descendants, render very efficient service in defensive operations on the coast. The frigate “Chile,” at the period of my visit, was disarmed, and in ordinary at Valparaiso. She is quite a handsome vessel and a good sailor, and was built, I believe, during the war with Peru, at Boulogne, in France. She now requires repairs, and the minister of the marine recommends that she should be sent to Europe, where it is estimated she could be put in an effective condition for seventy thousand dollars. Her original cost was two hundred and fifty thousand. The other vessels of the navy, which are in good and effective condition, are employed in guarding the coasts, and keeping up the communications with the naval colony of the Straits of Magellan. In 1845, the Congress appropriated two hundred and thirty thousand dollars for the construction of a steamer of nine hundred tons, three hundred horse power, and two brigs ; but the estimates for the cost of these vessels being much greater in France, where they were ordered to be constructed, than the sum specified in the appropriation, the minister proposes to build a steamer of two hundred and fifty horse power, and seven hundred tons, and one brig. The cost of the steamer, according to estimates sent from France, will be one hundred and seventy seven thousand eight hundred and fifty, while the brig will cost
Original footnote. Since writing the above, I noticed in a newspaper that a sloop of war had been built in Valparaiso, 1851.
p. 143: thirty-seven thousand five hundred. Adding three per cent, as the compensation of the agents employed, and the ten per cent. cost in the exchange, the sum total would be two hundred and forty-nine thousand eight hundred, or nineteen thousand eight hundred dollars above the amount appropriated by Congress for the construction of this additional force.”
p. 144: “As under existing laws compulsory service cannot be required of Chilian seamen, a deficiency is accordingly observed in the naval marine. The remedy which had before been applied by the government -was to enlist boys, who, taught in the navy, are said to be free from many of the vices which characterize those who are drawn from the mercantile marine. Many seamen in the Chilian navy are foreigners, principally English and Americans, who, discharged or deserting at Valparaiso or Talcahuano, readily find employment., as their services are always in demand.”
Source
Lieutenant Isaac G. Strain, U.S.N. Cordillera and pampa, Mountain and plain, Sketches of a journey in Chile, and the Argentine provinces, in 1849. New York, 1853.
p. 142: Chile, frigate, 46 guns, Janaquio, brigantine, 6 guns, Condor, brig, 4 guns, Magellanes, ketch, 4 guns, Confederation, transport, and Maule, packet. Besides these cruising vessels, there belongs to the naval establishment some fourteen gun boats, which, in the absence of steam Vessels, and especially in the hands of Spaniards or their descendants, render very efficient service in defensive operations on the coast. The frigate “Chile,” at the period of my visit, was disarmed, and in ordinary at Valparaiso. She is quite a handsome vessel and a good sailor, and was built, I believe, during the war with Peru, at Boulogne, in France. She now requires repairs, and the minister of the marine recommends that she should be sent to Europe, where it is estimated she could be put in an effective condition for seventy thousand dollars. Her original cost was two hundred and fifty thousand. The other vessels of the navy, which are in good and effective condition, are employed in guarding the coasts, and keeping up the communications with the naval colony of the Straits of Magellan. In 1845, the Congress appropriated two hundred and thirty thousand dollars for the construction of a steamer of nine hundred tons, three hundred horse power, and two brigs ; but the estimates for the cost of these vessels being much greater in France, where they were ordered to be constructed, than the sum specified in the appropriation, the minister proposes to build a steamer of two hundred and fifty horse power, and seven hundred tons, and one brig. The cost of the steamer, according to estimates sent from France, will be one hundred and seventy seven thousand eight hundred and fifty, while the brig will cost
Original footnote. Since writing the above, I noticed in a newspaper that a sloop of war had been built in Valparaiso, 1851.
p. 143: thirty-seven thousand five hundred. Adding three per cent, as the compensation of the agents employed, and the ten per cent. cost in the exchange, the sum total would be two hundred and forty-nine thousand eight hundred, or nineteen thousand eight hundred dollars above the amount appropriated by Congress for the construction of this additional force.”
p. 144: “As under existing laws compulsory service cannot be required of Chilian seamen, a deficiency is accordingly observed in the naval marine. The remedy which had before been applied by the government -was to enlist boys, who, taught in the navy, are said to be free from many of the vices which characterize those who are drawn from the mercantile marine. Many seamen in the Chilian navy are foreigners, principally English and Americans, who, discharged or deserting at Valparaiso or Talcahuano, readily find employment., as their services are always in demand.”
Source
Lieutenant Isaac G. Strain, U.S.N. Cordillera and pampa, Mountain and plain, Sketches of a journey in Chile, and the Argentine provinces, in 1849. New York, 1853.
