Dec. 1829. ADELAIDE AND ADVENTURE SAIL. 301 
shorter staff, with a topmast, was fitted for the flag ; notwith- 
standing which, many unpleasant observations were made, and 
absurd reports circulated, which spread to Chile, and even to 
Peru, that the English were about to take possession of Childe, 
and had already removed the flag-staff of San Carlos. 
By Lieutenant Mitchell’s activity in superintending the 
Adelaide’s repairs, she was got ready for sea at the beginning 
of December, and sailed on the 8th, under the command of 
Lieutenant Skyring, with orders* to survey those parts of the 
Gulf of Penas which had not been examined by the Beagle; 
particularly the River San Tadeo, in San Quintin’s Sound ; the 
openings behind Xavier Island; the Channel’s Mouths; and 
the Guaianeco Islands, where the Wager was wrecked: and 
then to proceed down the Mesier Channel, behind the Island 
Campana, which was supposedto communicate with Concepcion 
Strait, by the Brazo Ancho (or Wide Channel!) of Sarmiento. 
He was then to go to the Ancon sin Salida, examining all 
the openings into the main land, on his way, and search for a 
communication with the large waters, discovered by Captain 
Fitz Roy, through which he was to try to enter the Strait, 
and join the Adventure, at Port Famine, during the month of 
April. 
Lieutenants Skyring and Graves again took with them, by 
Captain Fitz Roy’s permission, Mr. Kirke and Mr. Bynoe, of 
the Beagle; Mr. Alexander Millar and Mr. Parke also accom- 
panied them. 
Having thus despatched our companions, we prepared, on 
board the Adventure, to return to Valparaiso; intending to 
proceed to Rio de Janeiro; by way of Concepcion, Port Famine, 
and Monte Video; for the sake of adding some links to our 
chronometric chain: with a view to which, I had taken the 
opportunity of having the chronometers cleaned at Valparaiso 
by Mr. Roskell, agent for Messrs. Roskell chronometer-makers 
at Liverpool. General Aldunate being on the point of returning 
to Valparaiso, I had an opportunity of obliging him, and show- 
ing my sense of the assistance, and essential kindness we had 
* See orders to Lieut. Skyring, in the Appendix. 
