456 TIDES—SOUNDINGS—VIEW. June 1830. 
gradually increases to this coast. From Cape San Diego the 
flood tide sets north and west along the shore, from one knot to 
three knots each hour, as far as twenty miles along shore ; and 
the ebb in a contrary direction, but not so strongly, except in 
San Vicente Bay. The flood in the Strait of Le Maire runs 
about two knots in mid channel, more or less according to the 
wind, and the ebb about one knot an hour. Perhaps, at times, 
when a strong spring tide is retarded in its progress by a 
northerly wind, there will be a dangerous overfall off Cape 
San Diego, like the bores in some parts of the world. 
*‘ The soundings are tolerably regular, and may give notice 
of an approach to Staten Land, or to the N. E. coast, and may 
guide a ship to the fairway of the strait; but I should not 
place much confidence in them, near such a rocky coast as 
that of Staten Land. 
*“* Good Success Bay is an excellent anchorage for vessels of 
any size to stop in for wood or water; but it would not 
answer if a vessel required to lie steady for repair, as a swell 
frequently rolls in. It is quite safe, yet, in the winter season, 
when easterly gales are common, no vessel should anchor so 
near the head of the bay as she might in summer; for heavy 
rollers at times (though rarely) set in. Fish we did not try to 
get, not having spare time, and only a few birds were shot. 
“‘ On the 8th, a very fine day with but little wind, we were 
off the flat-topped hill, called the Table of Orozco; and, from 
the mast-head, I had an extensive view of the adjacent country. 
About Success Bay and Bell Mount the land is high, but 
north of Success Bay it slopes away towards Cape San Diego, 
which is a long, low, projecting point. ‘Thence, as far as I 
could see, the N.E. coast extended, low, excepting a few hills 
here and there, and unbroken by inlets; the country near it 
being a pleasant looking hill and dale land, well wooded and 
quite free from snow. I could distinguish a snow-covered 
chain of mountains which must have lain near Admiralty 
Sound, the country on this side of them appearing to be a con- 
tinued succession of hill and valley, with only a few of the 
hills capped with snow, although this was the depth of winter. 
