PASSAGE EASTWARD—NARROW,. 473 
the beaches are strewed with abundance of logs of well-season- 
ed wood, which is very superior to the green wood that must 
otherwise be-used. 
Notwithstanding that the Adventure experienced no current 
in the western part of the Strait, there is generally a set to the 
eastward, which is more or less felt according to circumstances. 
The direction and strength of the currents are caused by the 
duration of the gales. 
The chart will be a sufficient guide for vessels bound 
through from the westward as far as Laredo Bay; after which 
a few directions will be necessary. ‘The land here should be 
kept close on board, to avoid the Reef off the south-west end 
of Santa Magdalena. Being abreast of it, bear away, keeping 
the N.E. extremity of Elizabeth Island on the starboard bow, 
until you see Santa Marta in one with, or a little to the 
southward of, the south trend of the Second Narrow (Cape 
St. Vincent), which is leading mark for the fair channel until 
you pass the spit of shoal soundings, which extends across 
to Santa Magdalena. There are also shoal soundings towards 
the south-west end of Elizabeth Island; at half a mile off we 
had five fathoms,—Cape St. Vincent being then the breadth 
of Santa Marta open to the northward of that island. Keep- 
ing the cape just in sight to the northward of Santa Marta, 
steer on and pass round the low N.E. extremity of Elizabeth 
Island, off which are several tide eddies. The tide here sets 
across the channel. 
Now steer for the Second Narrow, keeping Cape Gregory, 
which will be just discernible as the low projecting extreme of 
the north side of the Second Narrow, on the starboard bow, 
until you are three miles past Santa Marta; the course may 
then be directed for the cape, opening it gradually on the 
larboard bow as you approach it, to avoid the shoal that 
extends off it. 
If you anchor in Gregory Bay, which is advisable, in order to 
have the whole of the tide for running through the First Nar- 
row, haul up and keep at a mile and a half from the shore. When 
