IN THE PACIFIC. 25 



with a waterfall at the head of the harbour. 

 The entrance is exceedingly narrow, and is 

 difficult to distinguish. 



On the 26th of November, four days from 

 entering the Straits, we sighted the Pacific Ocean 

 for the first time. The ocean looked anything 

 but pacific just then, for it was blowing a gale 

 from the westward, sending in a heavy sea. 



The advantage of the route by Smyth's 

 Channel was now manifest, for had we put to 

 sea at Cape Pillar, the western entrance to the 

 Straits of Magellan, we should have placed a 

 very dangerous, iron-bound coast under our 

 lee, whereas by proceeding up Smyth's Channel 

 we insured smooth water for another 400 miles 

 or so, with the advantage of being so much 

 nearer to our destination when we emerged 

 from it into the open sea. 



We anchored for the night in Sholl Harbour, 

 a desolate, miserable place, and a bad anchorage, 

 but conveniently situated for putting to sea, or 

 going up Smyth's Channel, according to the 

 judgment of the commander. 



