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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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Letter from a young gentleman on HMS Dolphin dated Jan. 20, 1767, at Port Famine, details the ship's voyage from Madeira on Sept. 15, 1766, to St. Jago on Sept. 24, then to Straits of Magellan after three months. Encountered 200 Patagonians near Cape Virgin Mary, measured at seven feet tall; Captain brought five aboard. Arrived Port Famine Dec. 26; desolate but resourced area. Voyage expected to last 2-3 more years.
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I take this opportunity of writing to you, & to inform you that we sailed on the 15th of September last from Madeira, and on the 24th we arrived at St. Jago; on the 28th we sailed for the Straits of Magellan, and arrived there after three months voyage. When we approached the shore, we were followed by great numbers of men on horse back; and in the evening we anchored off Cape Virgin Mary; in the morning there were upon the beach near 200 Patagonians hallooing to us: The Captain went on shore with three boats manned and armed and, to be sure of their height, he carried a standard on shore, and measured several of them, and found them to be about seven feet high. The Captain brought five of them on board, and gave them victuals and drink and gave them ribbons, beads, and other things. They are well proportioned to their height: their horses are about the same size with ours, and they have cane spurs and short whips. Their clothing is the skins of wild beasts. They seemed very much pleased, and hallooed us a great way through the Straits: On the 26th of December we arrived at this place. It is a desolate spot nothing but wood and mountains of snow. It is very cold climate, but plentiful in wood and water, wild fowl and fish, for we had fish every day. I cannot give as yet any further particulars of our voyage, which is expected to last two, if not three years longer.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Straits Of Magellan
Event Date
Jan. 20, 1767
Key Persons
Outcome
arrived at port famine on 26th of december; encountered and interacted with patagonians without conflict; voyage ongoing, expected 2-3 more years.
Event Details
Ship sailed from Madeira on 15th September last, arrived St. Jago 24th, sailed 28th for Straits of Magellan, arrived after three months. Approached shore followed by men on horseback, anchored off Cape Virgin Mary; 200 Patagonians on beach. Captain went ashore with three armed boats, measured Patagonians at seven feet high, brought five aboard, gave them victuals, drink, ribbons, beads. Patagonians well-proportioned, horses same size as ours, cane spurs, short whips, clothed in wild beast skins, pleased and hallooed through Straits. Port Famine desolate with wood, snow mountains, cold but plentiful wood, water, wild fowl, fish.