West Chile Company

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West Chile Company
Chartered company
IndustryInternational trade, privateering
FateDefunct
Founded1818
FoundersSir James FitzGerald
Defunct1839
Headquarters,
Area served
Magellan Strait

The West Chile Company (WCC), occassionally the West of Chile Company was a short-lived micronational chartered company chartered in 1818. It was primarily established to solidify Sir James FitzGerald's claim to New Shropshire. It conducted trade and privateering through the Magellan Strait.

History

The company was chartered in 1818 with the support of Andrew FitzGerald, Duke of Cotswold, per the request of Sir James FitzGerald. It was used primarily to solidify Sir James' claim to New Shropshire, but also served to increase British presence in the unstable but important trade route of the Strait of Magellan. It had company offices in Cheltenham, England, and Punta Arenas, Chile, as well as Port Geraldine, New Shropshire.

Privateering in South Patagonia had mostly ceased by Chilean independence in 1818, with only some company ships foraying further north to pursue this. Instead, the WCC involved itself in local fishing and whaling, with which it saw some success. Unfortunately, a lack of any oceanworthy vessels suitable for long-distance voyages meant that trade with Europe or Africa was limited, resulting in it having to compete with the already plentiful Chilean fisheries.

As it did not govern much in the way of land, having claimed only a few small islands and settled only one, it did not see any revenue from taxation.

By the late 1830s, the WCC struggled to compete against local fisheries and trading companies. It was wound up in 1839 as chances of further profitability seemed too low.

Symbols

Flag

The WCC used a blue ensign defaced with the company's monogram.

Monogram

The company monogram shows a W with two Cs intertwined underneath.

Arms

The WCC achievement consisted of a mix of the arms of Sir James FitzGerald and Andrew FitzGerald, Duke of Cotswold, with some unique elements such as the crest. This continues to be used by New Shropshire, though it is not normally displayed with mantling.

Ships

The company's ships were mostly generic merchant ships typical of the time. They were rarely prefixed WCCS (West Chilean Company's Ship), and were occasionally known as merchantmen or West Chilemen.

Known Ships

Name Type Service Fate
Arnold Whaler 1824-29 Beached
Durnsley Example 1822-31 Sold
Geoffrey Schooner 1818-27 Sold
Infallible Cutter 1825-36 Beached
Iron Duck Cutter 1826-39 Sold
Royal Fido Sloop-of-War 1825-39 Sold
Yarmouth Whaler 1821-37 Sunk

Governors

Name Service
Sir James FitzGerald 1818-1829
Sir Harold FitzGerald 1829-1839