72 BEAGLE’S DANGER. Jan. 1827. 
every side by rocks and breakers.”* The Beagle was under 
similar circumstances, but the land being known to be high 
and bold, her danger was not considered so imminent. 
Eastward of Cape Upright the water was smooth; but 
between it and Cape Providence a heavy breaking sea was 
caused by the deep swell of the Pacific. Captain Stokes found 
an anchorage the next night in a bay under Cape Tamar; and 
the following evening very nearly reached another under Cape 
Phillip ; but the darkness of a rainy night, and strong squalls, 
prevented their attempting to anchor in an unknown place, 
and the only resource was to bear up for shelter under Cape 
Tamar, where the previous night had been passed. Even 
this was a dangerous attempt; they could hardly discern any 
part of the high land, and when before the wind could not 
avoid the ship’s going much too fast. While running about 
eight knots, a violent shock—a lift forward—heel over—and 
downward plunge—electrified every one ; but before they could 
look round, she was scudding along, as before, having fairly 
leaped over the rock. 
It was afterwards found that a great part of the gripe and 
false keel were knocked away. Captain Stokes’s account of 
this day’s beat will give an idea of the difficulties which the 
Beagle’s crew encountered, in working out of the Strait. 
January 31st. “The hands were turned up at daylight 
“up anchor ;” but the heavy squalls that came off the high 
land of the harbour, rendered it too hazardous to weigh, until 
a temporary lull enabled us to make sail, and re-commence 
beating to the westward against a dead foul wind, much_ rain, 
hard squalls, and a turbulent cross sea. 
“The squalls became more frequent and more violent 
after noon; but they gave, in daylight, sufficient warning, 
being preceded by dark clouds gradually expanding upwards, 
until their upper line attained the altitude of about fifty 
degrees: then came heavy rain, and perhaps hail ; immediately 
after followed the squall in all its fury, and generally lasted 
fifteen or twenty minutes. 
* Hawkesworth’s Coll. of Voyages, vol. i. p, 76. 
