Year 1843 - Chile reaches the strait

Taking possession of the Government of Chile – Year 1843

The presence of Chile in the Strait of Magellan was a primary concern of the Liberator, General Bernardo O'Higgins, who wrote from Peru to President Bulnes recommending that he take possession of Magellan.

The British had recently taken the Malvinas Islands and the Chilean Government feared that foreigners would come to do the same to the Strait. For this reason, General

Manuel Bulnes ordered the Intendant of Chiloé, Don Domingo Espiñeira, to organize an expedition to come and establish a population in the south. The mission was entrusted to the frigate captain Juan Williams, captain of the port of San Carlos de Ancud, who directed the construction of a schooner and selected the crew to carry out this mission.

Goleta Ancud, construida en Chiloé, serán primeros habitantes chilenos en Magallanes

The schooner was baptized with the name of " Ancud" and set sail from Chiloé on May 22, 1843 , with a crew of 22 men and provisions for six months. Among the leaders were the Navy pilot Jorge Mabon, the first lieutenant midshipman, Manuel González Hidalgo, and, as a supernumerary, the German military man and naturalist Bernardo Philippi . In addition, there were two women and a child, the latter, the son of Captain Williams.

*** TOURISM: You can visit the Nao Victoria Museum, full-size replicas of Magellan's ships, Fitz Roy, Ancud, among others. / Nao Victoria Museum

Click link : https://g.co/kgs/2PrdGKa

They were joined on the route by seal hunter Carlos Miller, who served as a pilot in the Strait.

After several months of navigation, with serious setbacks, the schooner "Ancud" arrived at the Strait of Magellan in September. On the 18th the crew celebrated the anniversary of Independence off Cape Froward.

On September 21 , the ship anchored near Punta Santa Ana, where Captain Williams took solemn possession on behalf of the Government of Chile.

Two days later the French ship "Phaeton" arrived in the region, whose crew went ashore, hoisting the French flag. Captain Williams sent them a note of protest.

The French replied that they did not intend to exercise sovereignty and soon after set sail. The "Ancud" continued exploring the Strait of Magellan.