The crew of schooner Ancud, led by John Williams Wilson, takes possession of the Strait of Magellan on behalf of the Chilean government.

Chilean schooner Ancud (1843)

Schooner of the Chilean Navy

The schooner Ancud was the ship sent by Chile in 1843 to claim sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan and establish Fuerte Bulnes, the first Chilean settlement in the strait. It was built for the purpose in the city of San Carlos de Ancud and commanded by John Williams Wilson,…

John Williams Wilson

19th-century English-Chilean sailor and politician

John Williams Wilson (1798–1857), also known as Juan Guillermos, was an English-Chilean sailor and politician. Born in Bristol, he entered the newly founded Chilean navy in 1824 and rose to the rank of commander. He was appointed governor of Talcahuano (1849–1855). He supervised…

Chilean colonization of the Strait of Magellan

The Chilean colonization of the Strait of Magellan began in 1843 when an expedition founded Fuerte Bulnes. In 1848 the settlement of Punta Arenas was established further north in the strait and grew eventually to become the main settlement in the strait, a position it holds to…

Strait of Magellan

Strait in southern Chile between the Atlantic and Pacific

The Strait of Magellan, also called the Straits of Magellan, is a navigable sea route in southern Chile separating mainland South America to the north and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago to the south. Considered the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and…

September 21

Day of the year

September 21 is the 264th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 101 days remain until the end of the year.