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[Page 64]
1914
wreck of a large sailing ship. As we proceeded South the weather became perceptibly cooler, which was a welcome change after the many months of tropical heat we had experienced. Due South of Lobos de Tiera lie the islands of Lobos de Afuera, very similar in appearance to the former group when observed from the sea, & these islands we passed a few hours later. The following day we turned in towards Callao. Some 30 miles seaward from Callao stand several formidable rocks or islets, the largest of which, standing some 500 feet above the sea & with a good light on its summit, is pierced by a very large hole at its base, through which daylight can be seen at the other side.
Dec. 18. We dropped anchor in Callao Bay on a Friday at 5 p.m. We were quickly surrounded by boats filled with curious Peruvians. The harbour here is well protected by a long island of some 800 or 900 feet high, about 4 or 5 miles distant from the mainland. Several German merchant ships were lying here until the end of the war, the fact being that they were afraid to go out for fear of being captured. Callao is the headquarters of the Peruvian Navy, & here were stationed a few cruisers, a destroyer, & a submarine, so that salutes were exchanged. A few hours after we had dropped anchor, a very bedraggled looking man came on board & gave himself up, as being a deserted Stoker, he having deserted