The first attempt Spain made at fortifying their hold in the Strait of Magellan was a settlement in the 1500s, which was named after Rey Don Felipe. Some 300 people settled in the area, and all but one froze or starved to death. The name was changed later to Puerto Hambre (for "hunger" or "famine"). The remains of the settlement are currently being restored.
For weeks, I thought we were going to be visiting Puerto Hombre ("man port") and was embarrassed when I realized that I had misread a word I have known for a very long time. But! When we got there, we discovered that there was a sole survivor, who took his chances at maintaining the settlement by populating with the indigineous people. Maybe "man port" wasn´t that far off...
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| Fuerte Bulnes |
Fuerte Bulnes (only a few miles from Puerto Hambre) was Chile´s first attempt at claiming territory in the Strait. The fort was active for only a few years (1843-1846 or so), due to exposure to the elements, lack of potable water, and rocky terrain to difficult for farming.
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| Sod Houses |
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| Jail and Scaffold, right next to the kitchen |
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| Church |
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| A bell with a view |
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| Cannons. For defending against Antarctic invasion. |
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| View from the kitchen window. Not to shabby. |
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| Quiet on the set, please. |
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