Monument to the Crew of the Schooner Ancud, Punta Arenas

The Monument to the Crew of the Schooner Ancud (Monumento a Tripulantes Goleta Ancud), located along Punta Arenas’ scenic Costanera del Estrecho, commemorates Chile’s historic claim over the Strait of Magellan. Inaugurated in 2014, this towering 6-meter sculpture by artist Guillermo Merino Pedrero pays tribute to the 1843 expedition that established Chilean sovereignty in this strategic waterway. The centerpiece of the monument is a detailed replica of the schooner Ancud, its bow emerging from a rocky base that symbolizes the rugged Patagonian coast. At the helm stands Captain Juan Williams Wilson, pointing decisively toward Punta Santa Ana—the site of the formal possession—while gripping the Chilean flag, a testament to the enduring national mission begun by Bernardo O’Higgins.

Surrounding the captain are vivid sculptural representations of the 23 expedition members who undertook the perilous voyage from the port of Ancud. Notable figures include naturalist Bernardo Philippi, who holds a map of the region; Benancia Elgele, carrying a chicken as a symbol of new life and sustenance; and young Horacio Williams, the captain’s son, representing the expedition’s hope for a future generation. These human figures are accompanied by livestock—goats and sheep—emblematic of the Chilote culture, and two mythological beings from Chiloé folklore: the Pincoya and Millalobo, bringing an ethereal, cultural layer to the scene. The figures are cast in dynamic poses, each frozen in a moment of resolve, faith, or physical effort, capturing the emotional weight of this foundational episode in Chilean history.

This monument is more than a static memorial—it is a theatrical, open-air tableau that merges history, myth, and national pride. The sculpture honors not only the expedition's logistical success but the collective human spirit of those who braved unknown waters to shape the southernmost frontier of Chile.