On the Navigation of Cape Horn. 59 



s 



Those who follow the " southern" route, take their* departure from 

 St John's, (Staten Land,) and steer to the southward to lat. 63°, 

 where they expect to find the wind from the eastward, which will 

 carry then as far as 85° or 87° of W. Ion. They make this longi- 

 tude, before they cross the parallel of 61°, whence, as those who go 

 the other route, they steer directly north to lat. 40°. 



Independently of personal observation, other nleans of acquiring in- 

 formation, relative to the navigation around Cape Horn, have been 

 resorted to. Besides access to numerous log books and notes, in- 

 formation has been obtained on the subject, from masters of vessels, 

 who have been sailing to and from the west coast of South America, 

 for many years. The opinions of some, derived from an attentive 

 observation, and strengthened by the experience of twenty voyages, 

 have the highest claims to respect. The advice of these men urges 

 the propriety of yielding to circumstances in doubling Cape Horn, 

 and of being guided by the winds, in giving preference to either the 

 u inshore" or the " southern" passage. 



The former is to be pursued always, when the winds are favora- 

 ble, keeping close into the land, never passing to the southward of 

 Diego Ramirez, more than ten or twelve leagues. It is better to go 

 to the northward of it, when it can be done without loss of time. The 

 "inshore" passage being nearer in point of distance, when the winds 

 are ahead, if the sea be smooth enough to allow a vessel to beat to 

 windward without losing by leeway ; but when this can no longer 

 be done in a breeze that is freshening, the route should immediately 

 be abandoned by standing to the south, until the wind shall be found 

 to be more favorable for getting to the west, which frequently hap- 

 pens by running a few leagues to the southward of Diego Ramirez. 

 The westerly winds, for the most part, come in a sweep around the 

 land, without stretching many degrees in breadth, towards the south. 



The longitude of 85° should be gained, without going to the north- 

 ward of the parallel on which the land is cleared. The latitude of 

 40° S. as in the other route, is made on the meridian of 85°. This is 

 always done to clear the gales and currents, which blow and set on 

 shore in the vicinity of the Island of Mocha, and the outlet to the 

 straits of Magellan. 



Vessels bound from the U. States around Cape Horn, are recom- 

 mended to cross the line, between Ion. 23° and 26°, so that with the 

 south east trades, they can fetch Cape Frio, which should always be 

 done ; then to run the coast down on soundings and to pass between 



the Falklands and the Main. 



