44 . STORM OFF CAPE HORN. 



under our lee ; and soon after the Tower Rocks, a short 

 distance ahead, and on our lee bow. The wind continued 

 to increase ; the waves rose in mountains, and the ship 

 was rapidly drifting towards the coast of Terra del Fuego. 

 To avoid, therefore, being wrecked, after passing Tower 

 Rocks, we hauled up for the southeast point of iSToir Island, 

 and at 4.45 P. M., came-to in seventeen fathoms water 

 with both bower-anchors, veering on one cable to 105 

 fathoms, and on the other to 120 fathoms. 



The following morning, the gale moderating, we began 

 to hope for a favorable change of weather ; but towards 

 sunset the wind shifting to the southward, all hope of such 

 change vanished. The wind now freshened again, and by 

 midnight blew with such force that we let-go our last an- 

 chor, in the hope of keeping the ship off shore till day- 

 light, when perhaps we might make sail and stand out to 

 sea. It was so uncommonly dark, that there was quite as 

 much, and perhaps more danger in attempting to get to 

 sea, than in holding on. 



At daylight w r e found that the larboard bower-chain 

 had parted, and the larboard sheet become unshackled at 

 forty-five fathoms ; we also found the ship had dragged so 

 as to be much nearer the reef off Penguin Point. 



The sky grew more angry as the day declined ; — 



" The settiqg orb in crimson ' seemed to mourn,' 

 Denouncing greater woes at his return ; 

 And adds new horrors to the present doom, 

 By certain fears of evils yet to come." 



After the sun went down the storm raged with greater 

 violence than at any previous time. Never had we seen 

 it blow so hard before, nor ever beheld such billows. A 

 little after 8 o'clock the ship commenced dragging, and a 

 tremendous wave came over the bows, which dashed a 



