392 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [22] 



found him and his family occupying very cramped quarters in a small 

 one-story wooden structure. A large iron hulk was moored off the set- 

 tlement, on board of which they usually kept a stock of coal. We had 

 depended on it for a supply to carry us to Oallao, past the cholera 

 stricken ports of Chili, but for the first time in years they were without 

 a ton, the coal famine on the Pacific coast having caused an unusual 

 demand, while the loss of one vessel, and the non-appearance of an- 

 other, made it impossible to replenish their stock. 



Sandy Point to Port Churruca, Straits of Magellan. — We received a 

 mail on the 31st, and no coal arriving, made preparations to proceed to 

 Lota for our next coaling port. We were under way at 2.40 on the 

 morning of February 1, steaming to the westward through the mist and 

 rain which partially obscured the land ; upon entering Famine Reach 

 it cleared somewhat, and though we had occasional showers, the shore 

 was generally visible. 



Cape Froward, the southern extremity of the continent, was passed 

 at 9 a. m. with the usual accompaniment of rain and sleet, and furious 

 willi waws, which came tearing down the mountain sides with almost the 

 force of a hurricane. 



Passing Fortesque Bay at 11.30 a. m. we entered English Reach, 

 where a strong northwest wind was encountered. Several parties of 

 canoe Indians shoved off from York Point, and waited our approach, 

 clamoring for tobacco and ship's bread. We slowed down and allowed 

 them to come alougside, at the request of the naturalists, who imme- 

 diately struck up a spirited barter for articles destined for the National 

 Museum. They were ready to exchange everything in their possession, 

 except their canoes ; spears, paddles, domestic utensils, clothing, and 

 ornaments belonging to men and women were offered in trade. They 

 even expressed a willingness to sell their children. After a delay of a 

 few minutes the canoes were cast off against the earnest protests of 

 their occupants, and the Albatross proceeded on her course. We arrived 

 at Borja Bay at 2.15 p. m., and anchored, to allow the naturalists to 

 examine the shores. It is a time-honored custom for vessels passing 

 through the straits to leave a signboard in Borja Bay, generally nailed to 

 a tree, giving the ship's name and date of arrival, besides other infor- 

 mation of interest to the mariner. Following this example, the Alba- 

 tross left the usual record nailed to a tree, where it could be read with 

 an ordinary marine glass from the deck of a vessel at the anchorage. 

 We were again visited by canoe Indians, who kept up a lively barter 

 with the naturalists aud others until near night, when they camped on 

 shore. 



We were under way at 4 a. m., February 2, and steaming out of the 

 bay, groped our way through Crooked Reach in a fog and mist so dense 

 that we could not see more than a ship's length. It cleared gradually 

 after passiug Field Anchorage, about 7 a. m., revealing several fine 

 glaciers, Mount Wyndham, Mount Wharton, and Mount Hart Dyke, 

 being among the most impressive. 



