April 1828. PORT HENRY—SITUATION. 159 
to the north by low land, and fronted by many islands. This 
high mountain, which appears to be an island from the offing, 
was called ‘Cabo Primero.’ ** 
“The following night was clear, and the wind moderate 
from S.E., but in the course of next morning it shifted to N.E., 
with squalls, rain, and thick weather ; we worked into the inlet 
notwithstanding, and by noon had reached three miles within 
its S.W. head-land, Cape William, and were abreast of a bay, 
into which I sent a boat to look for anchorage. On her return 
we stood into it, and anchored in the excellent harbour, after- 
wards named Port Henry, where we remained from the 2d to 
the 5th of April, employed in making a correct survey of the 
harbour and its adjacencies, and determining the latitude and 
longitude.+ 
‘< The inner harbour, distinguished in the plan by the name 
of * Aid Basin,’ is perfectly land-locked, and sufficiently spa- 
cious to contain a numerous squadron of the largest ships in 
twenty fathoms water, over a mud bottom, and as completely 
sheltered from the effects of wind and sea as in wet-docks. At 
the south-west side of the basin is a fresh-water lake, which dis- 
charges itself by a small stream, whence casks might be con-- 
veniently filled by means of canvas hoses, and the shores 
around have wood for fuel in abundance; but, from the lofty 
surrounding mountains, ‘some rising almost perpendicularly to 
an elevation of two thousand feet, the thick clouds with which 
this basin was generally overhung, and the dense exhalations 
that arose from it during the rare intervals of sunshine, together 
with the exceeding prevalence of heavy rain on this coast, this 
place must be disagreeable and unhealthy. Such objections do 
not apply to the outer harbour, for while its shores afford 
shelter, they do not obstruct a free circulation of air. It is 
sufficiently large to afford convenient and secure anchorage for 
five or six frigates. 
**We hauled the seine with very poor success, as a few smelt 
only were taken; we had no better luck with our fishing-lines ; 
*“ (Sarmiento, p. 65.) 
+ The description of Port Henry is given in our Sailing Directions. 
