TOWNSHEND HARBOUR—DESOLATION. 389 
carried us through Pratt Passage, which separates London 
Island from Sydney Island, to an anchorage in a good harbour, 
under a high peaked hill (Horace Peaks), which is a good 
mark for it. Finding no soundings in the Passage as we 
approached, gave us reason to be anxious; but in the har- 
bour, the bottom proved to be excellent, and the water only of a 
moderate depth. As soon as we anchored, I tried to ascend 
Horace Peaks, but returned without having reached their sum- 
mits before dark ; however, I saw enough to give me a general 
idea of the distribution of the land and water near us. I thought 
that this anchorage would be favourable for ascertaining the 
latitude of Cape Schomberg* with exactness: having found a 
considerable difference between our chart and that of Lieute- 
nant Skyring, respecting the latitude of that promontory. 
** Meanwhile I contemplated sending the master to a head- 
land called by Cook, Cape Desolation, and which well deserves 
the name, being a high, craggy, barren range of land. I was 
not sorry to find myself in a safe anchorage, for the weather 
seemed lowering ; and after being favoured with some moderate 
days, we could not but expect a share of wind and rain. 
“ 29th. This morning the weather looked as if we should be 
repaid for the few fine days which we had enjoyed ; but as we 
felt it necessary to work in bad weather as well as in good, it 
did not prevent the master from setting out on his way to 
Cape Desolation; near which, as a conspicuous headland, whose 
position would be of great consequence, he was to search for a 
harbour, and obtain observations for connecting the survey. 
He could not have been in a finer boat (a whale-boat built by 
Mr. May, at San Carlos) ; and as he well knew what to do with 
her, I did not feel uneasy for his safety, although after his 
departure the wind increased rapidly, and towards evening 
blew a hard gale. The barometer had not given so much warn- 
ing as usual; but it had been falling gradually since our arrival 
in this harbour, and continued to fall. The sympiesometer had 
been more on the alert, and had fallen more rapidly. 
**(30th.) A continued gale, with rain and thick weather 
* A high mountain at'the N.W. end of London Island. 
