CHAPTER XVIII. 
Adelaide’s last cruise—Port Otway—San Quintin—Marine Tslands— 
Unknown river or passage—San Tadeo—Isthmus of Ofqui—San 
Rafael—Sufferings and route of the Wager’s party—Channel’s Mouth 
—Byron—Cheap—Elliott—Hamilton—Campbell—Indian Cacique— 
Passage of the Desecho—Osorio—Xavier Island—Jesuit Sound— 
Kirke’s report—Night tides—Guaianeco Islands—Site of the Wager’s 
wreck—Bulkeley and Cummings—Speedwell Bay—Indigenous wild 
potato—Mesier Channel—Fatal Bay—Death of Mr. Millar—Fallos 
Channel— Lieutenant Skyring’s illness —English Narrow — Fish— 
Wigwams—Indians—Level Bay——Brazo Ancho—Eyre Sound—Seal 
—Icebergs—Walker Bay—Nature of the country — Habits of the 
natives—Scarcity of population. 
I writ now relate the principal incidents of the Adelaide’s 
last cruise. The following pages contain extracts from Lieu- 
tenant Skyring’s journal, and also notices obtained from other 
sources. 
The Adelaide sailed from Childe on the 8th of December 1829, 
made Cape Tres Montes on the 14th, and anchored in Port 
Otway the same evening. Of this place Lieutenant Skyring 
writes : ‘* Good anchorage, wood, water, and shell-fish (such 
as muscles and clams), Port Otway affords: but no more. 
Excepting in one or two sandy bights, a landing is hardly to 
be effected; walking along shore is impossible, and it is scarcely 
practicable to enter the country, the land being so thickly 
wooded, from the summits of the hills down to the water-side. 
No soil is to be discovered ; the shrubs, and even the trees, which 
are of large growth, rise out of moss, or decomposed vegetable 
substances. The climate is very wet ; none but amphibious 
animals were seen, among which hair-seals were numerous. 
There were very few birds, excepting turkey buzzards; and 
not a trace of human beings ; indeed, I do not believe Indians 
ever go there—(y) theyrarely leave the direct channels; as a proof 
(y) For evidence that Indians have been thereabouts, see Byron’s 
account of the cave entered by the surgeon of the Wager. I believe 
that curious place was either in, or close to, Port Otway.—R. F. 
y 2 
