[23] WORK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 393 



A successful haul of the trawl was made at 11.27, off Ohapmau Island, 

 Sea Reach, in 369 fathoms, after which we started ahead aud arrived at 

 Nassau Anchorage, Port Churruca, at 2.12 p. in., anchoring in 17 fath- 

 oms, rocky bottom, near the center of the bay. 



The various anchorages in Port Churruca are perfectly land-locked, 

 and surrounded by high and precipitous mountains, down which furious 

 squalls rush whenever it is blowing heavily outside. The interstices 

 of the rocky bottom are filled with tenacious mud, through which the 

 bight of the long scope of chain is dragged before the full strain is 

 taken by the anchor $ otherwise it would be unsafe for vessels to attempt 

 to lay out heavy gales in these small rock-bound basins. 



It was remarkably quiet on the day of our arrival, and, although 

 rapidly flying clouds could be seen overhead, scarcely a breath of air 

 reached us. Fierce and frequent williwaws came down upon us the fol- 

 lowing morning, first from one direction then from another, sheering 

 the vessel about in the most alarming manner, yet, being of momentary 

 duration, they usually passed before the cable was straightened. Snow 

 and ice were seen on the mountains, and on the south side of the Cosmo 

 Arm a beautiful glacier extended far down from the summit. Many 

 fresh-water streams poured down from the height and in the old days of 

 sailing ships would have been convenient watering places. 



A portage about 300 feet in length was found at the head of Lobo 

 Arm leading to a bay of considerable extent, not shown on our charts. 

 It may cross Desolation Island from the vicinity of Beauclerk Islands, 

 or is possibly an extension of Puchachailgua Inlet. There are evidences 

 of its having been used by others than Indians, large trees having 

 been cut away with axes in the hands of experts, and sufficient logs laid 

 to prevent the boats miring in the marshy soil. The naturalists added 

 materially to their collections from land aud water and the photographers 

 obtained some interesting views. 



The charts and sailing directions of the Straits of Magellan furnished 

 by the Hydrographic Office were sufficient for the purposes of naviga- 

 tion, and although we had thick rainy weather much of the time, we 

 found no difficulty in locating the ship, except when making the first 

 narrows, and there we could have found anchorage if desired. 



Port Churruca to Port Otway, Chili, by the inland passage. — We left 

 Fort Churruca at 1.30 p. m. February 3, and, on reaching the channel, 

 found it blowing a moderate gale from WN" W. with a heavy sea. Passing 

 Tamar Island at 3, we kept off for Smyth's Channel, set double reefed 

 lore topsail and fore staysail, and made the passage in good time, con- 

 sidering we were using but one boiler. 



We passed Pearse Rock at 6 and Alert Rock a few minutes later, 

 both showing above water, and easily seen in moderately clear weather. 

 Reaching Otter Bay at 7.10, we anchored for the night in 9 fathoms, 

 mud, and veered to 30 fathoms. It is an excellent harbor for small 

 craft, but is rather cramped for vessels over 250 feet in length. An- 



