STORM OFF CAPE HORN. 43 



On the morning of the 25th, the " Peacock," " Porpoise," 

 and the two schooners sailed on a cruise to the South 

 Pole. Captain Wilkes took passage in the " Porpoise," 

 and the report is that the " Vincennes" will remain here 

 until his return. 



At 8 A. M., on the 26th, we got under-way, and stood out 

 through the southern passage. About 11 passed False Cape 

 Horn, and 00.20' P. M., descried the islands of Ildefonsas. 



March 3d. We had fresh breezes from the westward, 

 accompanied with rain and a heavy head sea. The ba- 

 rometer was referred to frequently, but was found very 

 fluctuating, and gave no indications of the weather. 



During the night of the 6th, the wind increased to such 

 a degree as to oblige us to reduce sail to a close-reefed 

 main-topsail and fore-storm staysail. 



About noon on the 8th, the gale moderated, and we 

 flattered ourselves we should have fine weather once more ; 

 but a little before sunset it began to increase again. 



During the 10th and 11th, the wind was moderate, but 

 very variable, and accompanied with rain at intervals. In 

 the afternoon of the last mentioned day an albatross was 

 shot, which measured nine feet from the tip of one wing 

 to the tip of the other. We caught several smaller ones 

 with hook and line. To kill these, the region of the brain 

 was pierced with a large sewing needle, which produced 

 instant death. At sunset the coast of Terra del Fuego 

 was reported in sight from aloft. 



On the morning of the 13th an alarm of fire was given ; 

 but it proved to be the igniting of the alcohol of the lamp 

 belonging to the dispensary, and was soon extinguished 

 without doing any damage. 



March 18th. Finding the wind was increasing, wore ship 

 and reduced sail. At 1.30 P. M., descried Noir Island 



