Go) | On the Navigation of Cape Horn 
If driven off the coast before reaching the Islands, it is better to 
beat up to it, to the northward, than to pass down south, to the east- 
ward of them, after the gale abates. ‘There are circumstances under 
which the outside passage would prove the more expeditious, but their 
presence cannot be known by description ; the situation of the vessel, 
the direction of the winds, the appearance of the weather, etc. are 
the guides for pointing out the proper time for the outside passage, and 
they frequently deceive seamen, who have never made a voyage 
around Cape Horn. 
The probability of meeting westerly gales to the south, after 
having passed to the east of the Islands, and the sufferings to which 
the ship’s company is liable in them, are sufficient reasons why pref- 
erence should be given to the passage between the Islands and the 
Main. ‘The coast and the soundings along it, are clear and regular. 
When the wind is fair, Cape St. John’s should be doubled close 
around, and all canvass crowded on the ship, to carry her to the west 
as fast as possible. The difficulty of the passage consists in getting 
from Staten Land to 85° west. 
If on clearing St. John’s, or making Hermit’s Island, a gale be 
met from the westward, the vessel, unless she could clear all danger 
by standing to the northward and westward, should be kept constant- 
ly on the starboard tack, until she either forges out of the range of 
the gale, or arrives in lat. 63°. With the easterly winds to the 
south, she can run to 85° west, whence she can steer north to 40° 
as previously directed. 
If it be necessary to go to 63° south, before the winds will allow 
the vessel to stand to the westward, she should make her westing to 
the southward of 60°; if she gets out of the strength of the gale, be- 
fore she reaches 63°, she can run up her westing on the parallel up- 
on which she may be, or as near it, as the breeze will allow. Itis al- 
ways advisable to be in lon. 85° before attempting to pass to the 
northward of Cape Horn. 
The U.S. S. Falmouth, and H. B. M. S. Volage, doubled Cape 
Horn in Oct. 1831; the latter had thirty eight the former twenty four 
days from the Cape to the lat. of Taleahuana. Both of them took a 
westerly gale off the pitch of the Cape. The Falmouth stood 
down on the starboard tack to 62° 5’ S. and found the winds more 
favorable. The Volage, persisting in the attempt to gain the “in- 
shore” passage, lay to on either tack, to preserve her relative position 
with regard to the lat. of the Cape, and was drifted off to the east- 
