Sailing Ships cargo discharge South America

[wayneward]

Researching a novel I have found hardly any data of how sailing ships in the late 1880's discharged their coal cargoes [Chile/ Peru] and loaded their back cargoes of nitrates and guano. These ships discharged at anchor into lighters. Did these vessels utilise their yardarms rigged with purchase, the braces set as guys? I have discovered ballast at some South American anchorages was discharged directly over the side. This was done using a heavy wire strop rigged between the fore and mainmasts, ballast hauled out using a gyn block seized to the strop and slid over the side on hatch boards.
Is there anyone who has a knowledge of this old technology?

Wayne Ward
Wangi Wangi NSW.