Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1873
No. 42.
Mr. Root to Mr. Fish.
Santiago de Chili, December 6, 1872. (Rec’d January 29, 1873.)
Sir: I have the honor herewith to inclose copies of correspondence with officers of the Chilian government relating to the necessity and feasibility of establishing a system of steam tow-boats in the Straits of Magellan; said copies are marked 1, 2, 3, 4.
The incentive to this correspondence on the part of this legation was the recent loss of the American ship Golden Hand, together with the universally-known fact that the loss of life and property in the vicinity of Cape Horn has always been very great, and the navigation in that [Page 105] neighborhood always must be very dangerous in every point of view; and if any means can be adopted whereby said navigation can be avoided, the interests of humanity and commerce will be greatly benefited thereby.
I trust further examination may somewhat modify the views entertained and so kindly given by the governor of Magellan in this matter.
As the shipping interest of the United States has so much to do with the navigation near Gape Horn, I trust I may be excused for laying before my Government the inclosed correspondence bearing upon that subject.
I have, &c.,
Mr. Root to Mr. Ibañez.
Santiago de Chili, September 4, 1872.
Sir: In view of the fact that the navigation of the sea, while doubling Cape Horn, has been and ever will be fraught with great danger to the commercial interests of the world, always causing great anxiety in the minds of all parties interested in the fate of ships of every class whose voyages oblige the traversing of the waters lying south of the bleak and inhospitable shores of Tierra del Fuego, and also in view of the fact that a much shorter and safer route for steamers lies through the Straits of Magellan, and, if the same can be made available for sailing-vessels, an untold advantage would accrue to the commerce of the world, I, therefore, desire, if not inconsistent with the views of your excellency, and if not too much trouble, to learn what, if any, efforts have been made toward placing a line of small steamers, usually called “tugs,” in said straits for the purpose of towing sailing-vessels through from one ocean to the other; also, if it is known what the probable expense of such an enterprise might be, and whether it is supposed that it would be self-sustaining, or whether it would at first require the fostering care of such philanthropic commercial nations as might desire to assist such a most laudable undertaking, which, though at first initiated in the interest of humanity, would speedily, in my opinion, prove a very profitable investment to any parties having it in charge, and of incalculable importance to the commercial interests of the world. I would, also, like an estimate of the time it would take to tow sailing-vessels through the straits, and any facts or suggestions bearing upon this subject which can be readily obtained, my object being to lay this correspondence before my Government, hoping that thereby something may eventuate in the interest of so important a matter. In my opinion, the direct benefit to Chili of this enterprise would be very great, and, when is taken info consideration the vast saving of life, time, insurance, interest on money, wear and tear, and loss of shipping, delay, vexation, annoyance, anxiety, &c., &c., which would result from a successful navigation of the Straits of Magellan by a proper and economical system of steam tow-boats, it would seem that a project so urgently demanded and apparently so feasible should soon be put into operation. I improve this opportunity to offer renewed assurances of the sentiments of distinguished consideration and esteem with which I have, &c.,
Mr. Ibañez to Mr. Root.
Santiago, September 9, 1872.
Sir: I have the pleasure of acknowledging the reception of the very estimable note of your excellency of the 4th instant, in which are solicited from this government several data concerning the navigation of the Straits of Magellan, with the design of promoting the early establishment of a line of steamers for the purpose of towing sailing-vessels [Page 106] of all commercial nations by the route now used by steamboats alone, which not only will be a great advantage to commerce, but also the saving of the lives of the navigators who now suffer all kinds of dangers and hardships while doubling Cape Horn.
I ought to manifest to your excellency, in answering, that my government has for some time been examining this project, and it entertains the same philanthropic sentiments, and realizes the important commercial advantages which are so vividly described in the note of your excellency. Neither has there been a lack of propositions presented to the national Congress and the executive looking toward this matter, but until now none sufficiently solid has ventured alone the execution of a thought so useful, and at the same time so humane, and to which, without any doubt, my government will be disposed to lend all the aid in its power.
With the object of immediately gratifying the desire expressed by your excellency I have hastened to ask my honorable colleague, the minister of marine, if he will be pleased to transmit to me all the hydrographical studies executed upon the Strait or Straits of Magellan, by order of that department, as well as other data to which your excellency refers, which I shall place at your disposition as soon as they arrive to my hands. In the mean time I cannot forbear expressing to your excellency the lively satisfaction with which my government has seen the praiseworthy desire of your excellency in order to promote the early realization of an idea which at once benefits humanity and general commerce, bringing into view once more the noble sentiments which animate your excellency to the end that this and other sister republics of the Pacific, which are those that would obtain an advantage the most immediate of an easy and expeditious communication between the two great oceans.
Be pleased your excellency, to accept, &c.
Mr. Ibañez to Mr. Root.
Santiago, November 27, 1872.
Sir: Referring to the note of your excellency, dated 4th of September last, which was received the 9th of the same month, I have now the honor of remitting to your excellency an authenticated copy of the annexed official letter, which, on the 14th of October, the minister of marine directed to me in answer to a note which, with the object of satisfying the desire expressed by your excellency, was communicated to him by this ministry.
I ought to add, only, to that which is contained in the annexed copy, that the informer, Captain Oscar Viel, now governor of Magellan, is an experienced officer of our national marine, who has resided for some years in that territory, and to whose knowledge my government gives credit, without accepting by that, however, all the conclusions to which he arrives in the inclosed information.
It may not be out of the way also for me to state to your excellency that my government is now occupying itself with all activity in facilitating by every means in its power the navigation of the Straits of Magellan in the interest of the commerce of all nations, and that, perhaps, much time may not transpire before I may have the honor to communicate to your excellency the means adopted for that object.
Please to accept, &c.
Mr. Pinto to Mr. Ibañez.
Santiago, October 14, 1872.
The governor of the colony of Magellan, with date of the 24th of September last, from Sandy Point, writes me the following:
“In compliance with the wish of your excellency for information relating to the desire expressed by the honorable minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary of the United States of North America upon the possibility of establishing a line of steam tow-boats in the Straits of Magellan, I have the honor of submitting to your excellency my opinion upon the subject.
“Nothing can be more laudable than the idea put forth by the honorable North American minister, since, without doubt, a business of steam tow-boats would give [Page 107] great facilities to the sailing-vessels that cross Cape Horn; it would economize time interest on capital invested in the vessels and merchandise that they transport, and more than all, personal misfortunes, which more than once we have had to lament; but this is not without difficulties; it is nevertheless possible; but will it be practicable to establish it? Under a humanitarian point of view it is excusable to enter into great expenses, since whatever might be the cost, the prevention of the loss of life would more than compensate for it, for, unfortunately, such accidents are very common with vessels that double the stormy Cape Horn. But, considering the economical question, my humble opinion considers it disadvantageous. I do not know but my calculation may be false; in any case the high penetration of your excellency will give it the merit which it deserves.
“Without any knowledge of the amount which the tug-boats would be obliged to charge, and whose number to commence with ought not to be less than four, I will not enter into details to your excellency on this point. The first difficulty which offers itself is the want of ports of waiting in the two mouths of the channel—that in Cape Virgin and Cape Pillar. Though the sea is boisterous in these latitudes, it is not inconvenient for the people of the sea to confront it if there is a free road and an open port always exists that can be reached from the tempest; but the lack of these, as I have said before, will oblige the vessels that desire to be towed to maintain themselves in the high seas at no less than thirty miles distant from the shore. This supposition is not entirely ventured, since, being of the profession, I can assure your excellency of it. The maintenance of the vessels, as I have indicated to your excellency, is not exempt from danger in these ports, especially on the Cape Pillar side; and so much so is this the case that the regular steamers are many times obliged to remain one or two days without being able to approach the mouth of the straits, and many vessels whose captains have desired to pass through have been obliged by the stormy weather to continue their voyage around Cape Horn. Supposing, nevertheless, that vessels can maintain themselves in these places, it would be necessary that the tow-boats should be looking for them thirty miles outside, which would not only lengthen the distance, but also present other inconveniences—as that of towing in the high sea, and especially if there is stormy weather a tow-boat ought to have great power in order to counteract the force of the sea and wind; and this your excellency will be able to understand, since you know that many steam-vessels have been obliged to recede, while looking for a port of refuge, from not having power to conquer the force of the tempestuous waves and strong winds when going out by the west mouth. Nevertheless, other and better judges may not consider these difficulties, and I have only enumerated them with the idea of possibly being more exact.
“I will call your attention to another question, which is that of the time it will take and the expense it will require to perform the towing.
“The straits being three hundred miles long, and supposing the vessels were taken and left only twenty miles away from the coast, it would result that there would be three hundred and forty miles of travel for which to pay the tow-boats. Taking it for half time, the velocity which the tow-boats can make, perhaps five miles per hour, it will require, without counting the time that they will pass anchored on account of weather and dark nights, which in winter are very long, sixty-eight hours of constant towing. What ought to be the cost of towing per ton? Taking the half that vessels pay in the harbor of Constitution to the tow-boat of the state, it would be five dollars per ton for each mile. Suppose a ship of 500 tons register, the common size of the vessels that sail on the Pacific, it would result that each mile will cost $25, and $500 for the three hundred and forty miles, which I have shown your excellency they ought to earn.
“Supposing these figures exaggerated, and considering them only the half, which will reduce the sum to $250, the question presented is, will it be practicable for the vessel to pay for the towing? Certainly if the cargo is valuable, but undoubtedly not if the cargo is not very valuable.
“With the traffic of the steamers, which increases each day, as is well known to your excellency, it is not ventursome to predict that many years will not pass before the steamers will transport the valuable merchandise; leaving the number of sailing-vessels reduced, which will remain solely for transporting articles of little relative value, such as iron, coal, &c.; and will vessels carrying such merchandise be able to pay the sums indicated? It is not possible for me to answer this question, since I am ignorant of facts necessary to this end, but, considered in a general way, I hesitate not to decide in the negative.
“By this exposition your excellency will know that I have referred alone to vessels that ought to be towed, and, fearful of committing errors of judgment in the calculation able to be made upon the probable number of ships that would pass the straits, the cost of the tow-boats, their maintenance, and other things connected with an undertaking of this nature, I leave to others who, with dates more valuable, can lay before your excellency the reasons they entertain.
“It is possible and I desire greatly they may contribute to make the obstacles disappear which I have exposed, and which alone the desire of being exact has influenced me to [Page 108] manifest, obeying thereby the dictates of my conscience, since it imports nothing in this subject to be carried away by the imagination, forming flattering dreams whose realization, if not insuperable, presents, nevertheless, great difficulties; and I believe it is worth more to know the truth, although it deprives us of a pleasant delusion.
“Among the advantages which ought to present themselves for the foundation of such an undertaking not the least that offers itself is the establishment of a coal-yard at Punta Arenas, (Sandy Point,) which will facilitate greatly the movements of the tow-boats, and where they will come in immediate contact with the traffic of the steamers, recourse to which undoubtedly would need the vessels employed in that traffic.
“If the exposition which precedes is not as extensive and precise as it would have been desirable, I expect your excellency will please excuse it in view of the lack of statistics and official informtion which so delicate a business requires.”
For the information and other purposes of your excellency the above has been transcribed.
God guard your excellency.
To The Minister of Foreign Relations.
Correct copy.—Attest:
Chief Clerk.