836 CHARLES WILKES. 



Having completed the objects of the expedition in 

 this portion of the globe, Captain "Wilkes steered 

 northward toward the coast of Chili. Of this por- 

 tion of -his labors he thus speaks : 



"Before leaving these desolate and stormy re- 

 gions, it may be expected that I should say a few 

 words relative to the passage round the Cape. 

 There are so many opinions relative to the best 

 manner of proceeding in this navigation, that one 

 in consulting them derives but little satisfaction, no 

 two authorities agreeing in their views upon the 

 subject. I am inclined to believe that as much de- 

 pends upon the vessel and the manner in which she 

 is navigated, as the route pursued, whether the Cape 

 is passed close to, or given a good berth : the object 

 of all is to pass it as quickly as possible, and, taking 

 into consideration the difficulties to be incurred 

 from boisterous weather, heavy seas, and ice, it is 

 impossible to lay down any precise rule : that course 

 which appears most feasible at the time ought to be 

 adopted, keeping, however, in view, that there is no 

 danger to be apprehended in navigating on the west- 

 ern coast of Terra del Fuego, as the current sets 

 along its coast, and it is perfectly safe and practi- 

 cable to navigate it as far as Cape Pillar. The great 

 difficulty exists in passing the pitch of the Cape ; 

 there is none afterward in getting to the westward. 



