West Chile Company
 Flag of the WCC | |
 Armorial achievement of the WCC | |
| Chartered company | |
| Industry | International trade, privateering |
| Fate | Defunct |
| Founded | 1818 |
| Founders | Sir James FitzGerald |
| Defunct | 1839 |
| 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 |