394 APPENDIX. 



When clear of Terra del Fuego, I should recommend 

 stretching to the westward as far as the meridian of 82° or 

 83o, about the parallel of Cape Pillar, before shaping a 

 course along the coast of Chili. 



From Chili to the Atlantic ships should pass outside Massa 

 Fuera, and if opportunity offered, get as far west as 85° or 

 90°, in order that the south-westerly winds, which they will 

 afterwards be certain to meet, and generally blowing strong, 

 may be turned to advantage. I would even recommend 

 keeping to the westward of 83o until past the parallel of 53o 

 S- This precaution appears to be the only one necessary, as 

 the remainder of the passage from that situation is in general 

 very *?asily performed. With regard to passing inside or 

 outside the Falkland Islands, I think the latter preferable, 

 especially in winter, as the winds sometimes hang in the 

 eastern quarter at that period, and are apt to run a ship in 

 with the River Plate. 



From the Falkland Islands to Rio Janeiro the winds are 

 very uncertain. Ships may, however, generally reckon upon 

 encountering at least one pampero between 33o and 37o N.,* 

 and on meeting with northerly or north-north-easterly winds 

 when within two hundred or three hundred miles of Cape 

 Frio. It is better, in the latter instance, to stand out to the 

 eastward in preference to the other tack, as it will almost 

 always happen that they will there meet an easterly wind to 

 carry them up to the Cape. It has been found very difficult 

 to get up near the shore from Ha Grande and St. Catherine's. 



* These winds appear to be of frequent occurrence off the River Plate ; 

 they are generally preceded by strong N.W. winds, and a low altitude of 

 the barometer. Care is necessary to avoid being taken aback by the 

 wind shifting suddenly to the S.W., which it sometimes does after a 

 heavy squall. In deep laden ships it would be prudent to lie to with the 

 head to the N.E., as they would then bow the sea, which often runs 

 very high on the shift of wind ; whereas on the other tack they would 

 have their stern exposed to it. 



