PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 253 



prised us the preceding year by their chart upon the 

 sand. Mr. Elson was hkewise ordered to look into 

 SchismareiF Inlet, and afterwards to meet the ship at 

 Chamisso Island. This little excursion was nearly being 

 frustrated by an accident. In hoisting out the boat the 

 bolt in her keel gave way, in consequence of the cop- 

 per having corroded the iron of the clench ; a circum- 

 stance which should be guarded against in coppered 

 boats. Fortunately she was not far off the deck, or 

 the accident might have been of a very serious nature, 

 as her weight was as much as our yards would bear 

 when shored up. 



As soon as she was equipped, Mr. Elson proceeded 

 in shore ; and a breeze springing up shortly after- 

 wards, the ship weighed, and entered the channel be- 

 tween King's Island and the main. The depth of 

 water from the anchorage oft' Point Rodney decreased 

 gradually as she proceeded, until nearly mid-channel, 

 when the soundings became very irregular ; the alter- 

 nate casts occasionally varying from nine to six 

 fathoms, and vice versa. As it was blowing fresh at 

 the time, the sudden change of soundings occasioned 

 overfalls ; and the channel having been very indiffe- 

 rently explored, it was unpleasant sailing. But 

 although I do not think there is any danger, it would 

 still be advisable in passing through the channel, 

 which is full of ridges, to pay strict attention to the 

 lead, particularly as when Captain Cook passed over 

 the same ground, there was, according to his chart^ 

 nothing less than twelve fathoms. The wind increasing, 

 and a thick fog approaching, the course was continued 

 with some anxiety ; but finding the same irregularity 

 in the soundings, I hauled out due west to the north- 

 ward of King's Island, which speedily brought us into 



