432 VISIT THE SUMMIT OF CAPE HORN. April 1830. 
Cove. I afterwards went in a boat to Horn Island, to ascer- 
tain the nature of the landing, and whether it was practicable 
to carry any instruments to the summit of the Cape. Many 
places were found where a boat might land; and more than 
one spot where she could be hauled ashore: so that taking in- 
struments to the summit did not seem likely to be a very diffi- 
cult task. As the weather continued favourable I returned on 
board that night, and the next morning (19th) arranged for a 
visit to Cape Horn; a memorial having been previously pre- 
pared, and securely enclosed in a stone jar. 
After taking observations at noon for latitude, we set out, 
carrying five days’ provisions, a good chronometer, and other 
instruments. We landed before dark, hauled our boat up in 
safety on the north-east side, and established ourselves for the 
night on Horn Island. 
“ 20th. At daybreak we commenced our walk across the 
island, each carrying his load ; and by the time the sun was 
high enough for observing, were near the summit, and exactly 
in its meridian ; so we stopped while I took two sets of sights 
and a round of angles. Soon afterwards we reached the highest 
point of the Cape, and immediately began our work; I and my 
coxswain, with the instruments; and Lieut. Kempe with the 
boat’s crew raising a pile of stones over the memorial. 
“‘ At first the Diego Ramirez Islands were seen, ‘but before 
I could get the thicadobiée fixed and adjusted, the horizon be- 
came hazy. At noon satisfactory sets of circum-meridional 
altitudes were obtained with two good sextants. A round of 
angles, compass bearings for the variation, and good afternoon 
sights for time completed our success. The pile made over our 
memorial was eight feet high, and in it were stones which 
required the united exertions of all seven men to raise to the 
top. We drank the health of His Majesty King George the 
Fourth, and gave three hearty cheers, standing round the 
Union Jack. Directly all was finished we travelled towards 
our boat as fast as possible : but darkness surrounded us before 
we were more than half-way. Those who had loads which 
would not be hurt by tumbling about among bushes, travelled 
