918 LYELL SOUND—KEMPE HARBOUR. April 1829. 
‘«* The night was one of the most beautiful I have ever ‘seen ; 
nearly calm, the sky clear of clouds, excepting a few large 
white masses, which at times passed over the bright full moon : 
whose light striking upon the snow-covered summits of the 
mountains by which we were surrounded, contrasted strongly 
with their dark gloomy bases, and gave an effect to the scene 
which I shall never forget. 
** At daylight, on the 20th, we were close to Lyell Sound, 
and stood along its west side, looking for an anchorage, until 
we found a very good harbour, about a mile inside Mazaredo 
Point. 
‘** I then went away, with two boats, to examine the Sound, 
leaving the master to sound and plan the inner harbour. 
** Kempe Harbour, within Lyell Sound, would hold six large 
ships in security ; but, like most of the harbours hereabouts, 
access is difficult, on account of the squalls off the high land, 
which are so irregular, and often violent. 
“ During the night of the 21st, it blew strong in squalls, 
and the chain-cable kept us awake by rattling very much over 
rocks ; yet when the anchor was hove to the bows next morn- 
ing, it appeared to have been well bedded in stiff clay. ‘To 
these sounds we afterwards became familiarised. 
“ Wednesday, 22d. Strong squalls from the south-eastward 
during the night, and in the morning; when, being anxious to 
reach Cascade Bay, I weighed, though the weather was thick, 
and the wind against us. The flaws were so variable, that we 
were two hours knocking the helm and sails about before we 
could clear the anchorage, and move half a mile in still water. 
I should recommend warping in and out of these harbours, in 
preference to making sail: as it is far easier, if a ship is pro- 
vided with small hawsers and kedges: and the hawsers can 
often be made fast to the rocks, or roots of trees. 
“ The tide rises about four feet in Kempe Harbour; and 
there is a place where a vessel might be grounded or careened 
with perfect safety. 
** Mazaredo Peak (Bougainville’s Sugar Loaf) is an excel- 
lent guide to Kempe Harbour ; the valley-like appearance of 
