170 COOK S SECOND VOYAGE DEC. 



Having already completed our water, on the 27th 

 I ordered the wood, tent, and observatory to be got 

 on board ; and, as this was work for the day, a party 

 of us went in two boats to shoot geese, the weather 

 being fine and pleasant. We proceeded round by the 

 south side of Goose Island, and picked up in all thirty- 

 one. On the east side of the island, to the north of the 

 east point, is good anchorage, in seventeen fathoms wa- 

 ter, where it is entirely land-locked. This is a good 

 place for ships to lie in that are bound to the west. 

 On the north side of this isle, I observed three fine 

 coves, in which were both wood and water ; but it 

 being near night, 1 had no time to sound them ; though 

 I doubt not, there is anchorage. The way to come at 

 them is by the west end of the island. 



When I returned on board, I found every thing got 

 off the shore, and the launch in ; so that we now 

 only waited for a wind to put to sea. The festival, 

 which we celebrated at this place, occasioned my 

 giving it the name of Christmas Sound. The en- 

 trance, which is three leagues wide, is situated in 

 the latitude of 55° Wj' S., longitude 70° Hi' W. 5 and 

 in the direction of N. 37° W. from St. Ildefonso Isles, 

 distant ten leagues. These isles are the best land- 

 mark for finding the sound. York Minster, which 

 is the only remarkable land about it, will hardly 

 be known by a stranger from any description 

 that can be given of it, because it alters its appear- 

 ance according to the different situations it is viewed 

 from. Besides the black rock, which lies off the end 

 of Shag Island, there is another about midway be- 

 tween this and the east shore. A copious description 

 of this sound is unnecessary, as few would be bene- 

 fited by it. The sketch which accompanies this jour- 

 nal will be a sufficient guide for such ships as chance 

 may bring hither. Anchorage, tufts of wood, and 

 fresh water, will be found in all the coves and har- 

 bours. I would advise no one to anchor very near 

 the shore for the sake of having a moderate depth 



