WI.XTIJR VoVAdE TIIROVGH STRAITS OF MArH'JJ. AX i:!0 



ling rivulets fall into it at different points. A peculiar feature of 

 the place (which is a favorite post-oHice) is the great number of 

 boards, nailed to the trees, which serve as a rough log of the 

 numerous vessels that in the last fifty years have touched here. 

 A very conspicuous one drew our attention. It read: " T. S. 

 sloop of war Z)(?ca<(//-, Dec'r 11th, 1854. All well." This ship had 

 then been 80 days in the strait, and was finally towed through 

 by the United States steamer M(iss(ichi( sells, Captain R. W. Meade, 

 father of tlie writer. Before leaving, the X((miffnnseU''s board, 

 " 5 days in the straits ; all well," was nailed al)ove the Dcnidn-'s. 



The trees at Borja bay diifer from those at some other points, 

 being of great girtii and gnarled and stunted in their growth. 

 As soon as the moon was U]), the shif) steamed westward past 

 the bold cliff of El Morion (the Helmet), and was at last fairly 

 pointed for the great long reach to the Pacific. 



The lights and shadows reflected by the moon u})on the dark 

 waters of the strait — here almost unfathomable — the dark spots 

 under the overhanging cliffs of the lofty mountains, and the 

 flood of silver moonlight bej'ond rendered the scene one of sur- 

 passing beauty. The night was calm and quiet, the stars over- 

 head shone with the peculiar brillianc}' of the high latitude, and 

 everything promised fair for a quick run to the Pacific. At 10 

 next morning we had passed Glacier bay and the chill, dreary 

 coast between it and the Spanish gulf with the unpronounceable 

 name (Xaultegua), when a change in the weather became ap- 

 parent. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Pacific ocean was only 

 35 miles off, but the long swell we now encountered and the 

 stormy appearance of the weather compelled us to choose "be- 

 tween a port of refuge or a stormy night in the open strait. 

 Port Churruca, on Desolation island, seemed the best harbor, 

 and the ship bore up for the narrow entrance. There being no 

 bridge on the Narragansett, the captain took his place on the 

 forecastle as pilot, the navigating lieutenant* held the chart, and 

 an old sailor held a tarpaulin over it to kee|) it from getting wet. 

 Careful hands were in the chains and at the engine-room l)ell, 

 and all hands were called to " bring ship to anchor." The 

 steamer was heading for two small rocky islets, about 50 yards 

 apart, dimly visible through the sleet and mist of a driving 

 squall. The surf broke furiously all along the rocky shore. 

 "Slowdown!" .says the captain from his lookout on the fore- 

 castle, and slow it is. No .soundings ! In truth none could be 

 found here with 200 fathoms of line. In a few minutes a narrow 



* Now Commandei- Z. L. Tiinner, U. S. M. 



