Existing comment:
Valparaiso, Chile
by unknown artist, c. 1840
A very rare set of paintings show the principal seaport of Chile about 1840. Founded by the Spanish in 1536, Valparaiso was an important port on the west coast of South America for the US Navy in the 19th century. Captain David Porter's USS Essex used it as a base of operations during the War of 1812 until being captured nearby by HMS Phoebe and HMS Cherub. The US Pacific Squadron used it as a base of operations from 1821 to 1907. |