1832. NAUTICAL REMARKS — SAIL. 115 



It is not prudent for any vessel drawing more than ten feet 

 water to remain under sail in this part of the river, while it is 

 dark, unless a good pilot is on board ; and even the best prac- 

 tical experience is not always a sure guide, so uncertain and 

 fluctuating are the currents and depths of water. There are 

 a few simple precautions, useful in such circumstances, of 

 which I may be excused for reminding young sailors. A 

 ground-log ought to be hove frequently, and compared with a 

 common log ; there should be a leadsman in each chains, one, 

 at least, of whom should sound constantly : the deep-sea lead* 

 ought to be used now and then, even in shallow water, as a 

 check upon the hand-lead : from the vessel's draught of water 

 to two fathoms more than that depth, the hand-line should be 

 marked to feet, by alternate marks of dark-coloured hair and 

 small line : strong lanterns should be suspended under the 

 chain-wales, near the water, but close to the ship's side ; while 

 a careful person ought to superintend the leadsman, and occa- 

 sionally take a line into his own hand, so that by ' plumbing ' 

 the bottom himself he may ascertain how far reliance is to be 

 placed upon the leadsman's opinion. 



In the Plata, as well as in many other pilot-waters, to 

 feel the ground thus is often more useful than knowing the 

 precise depth of water, or even the colour, or nature, of the 

 bottom. 



27th Nov. Our arrangements and observations being satis- 

 factorily completed, a sufficient quantity of provision on board 

 to last eight months, at full allowance, and an extra sup- 

 ply of iron and coals for the forge, in case of any serious 

 accident, the Beagle sailed from Monte Video ; and, after 

 filling water near Cape Jesu Maria,-|- hastened to look after her 

 little assistants, left near Bahia Blanco. 



In this trip we benefitted by the assistance of Mr. Robert 

 N. Hamond, an early and much esteemed friend of mine, 

 who was lent to the Beagle from H.M.S. Druid, of which he 

 was then a mate. 



• Massey's is preferable . 

 t Above Monte Video, on the north shore. 

 I 2 



