From R. E. Alison   [March – July 1835]¹

The “pretil”² or sea-wall of Valparaiso which runs frm Cruz de Reyes to the Arsenal was built about 1680 and was of very considerable elevation, but the sea during northers broke over it and washed the houses on the opposite side of the way at the foot of an old fort on the present site of the prison, up to the year 1817— An old Spaniard of the name of Jose Padin who at present is master mason to the builder of the Custom House, arrived in Valparaiso in 1785 on board a Spanish 64 and anchored within musket shot of the present high-water mark in 55 fathoms water.³ the spot which he pointed out now has about 6 fathoms at low water— About the same year, viz^t 1785 another Spaniard arrived in a Merchant vessel which anchored off the arsenal in a line with a small ravine which runs through the centre of it. the anchor to the North was in 60 fathoms and the stern one was ashore in the ravine; the deepest part of the Bay close to the arsenal has now only 3$\frac{1}{2}$ fathoms.—

A M^r John Martin⁴ a ship Carpenter of respectability in this place mentions that in 1819 he has walked at the foot of the sea wall on the beach, and has been frequently obliged to climb up to the street to avoid the sea. In 1820 large launches of 10 & 15 tons anchored in-shore of the wreck of the present site of the wreck of the Valdivia—⁵

R E Alison