116 RIO NEGRO. 
examine. The least water found upon it was seven fathoms; this 
was believed to be a continuation of the Byron Shoal. 
The Bellaco Rock was seen in latitude 48° 30' S., longitude 66° 07' 
11" W. ; there is another rock, bearing S. 17° E. (true), about nine 
or ten miles distant, latitude 48° 38' 44" S., longitude 66° 03' 53" W. ; 
this last rock was found to correspond in position with the Bellaco 
Rock of Nodaies. It would seem, therefore, that there are two rocks, 
and that the one given by Captain Stokes is not the true Bellaco, but 
that it lies in the place assigned it by Nodaies in 1619 ; it is probable 
that the Relief is the first vessel that has verified the existence of both. 
To account for this discrepancy, it is possible that the true Bellaco 
was covered with the tide when Captain Stokes passed that part of 
the coast. At their anchorage the tide was sweeping past them at a 
furious rate ; they had been much affected by it for the last few days, 
and had, on the various trials they had made, found it setting in 
various directions, according as the flood or ebb prevailed. 
At meridian the same day they were oif Port St. Julian. Lieu- 
tenant-Commandant Long thinks the vicinity of Watchman's Cape 
ought to be avoided, from the strong currents that exist near it. 
On the 19th they made Cape Virgins, having kept along the coast 
until then, in from forty to sixty fathoms water, with bottom the same 
as before described. 
On the 21st they passed Cape St. Diego with a strong northwest 
wind, which gradually moderated and fell calm off Good Success 
Bay. It was deemed prudent to wait until the threatening appear- 
ance of the weather subsided, and at 1 p. m., they anchored in Good 
Success Bay. 
The Relief had an opportunity of proving the positions and sailing- 
directions of Captain King, R. N., and it affords me great pleasure to 
say that all his observations tend to show the accuracy of the positions 
and the care with which that officer has compiled his sailing directions. 
No navigator frequenting this coast, or passing round Cape Horn, 
should be without the sailing directions for East and West Patagonia, 
and he will prize them as highly valuable after he has once used 
them. The admirable surveys and exertions of this officer and those 
under him on this coast entitle him to the rewards of his country, as 
well as the thanks of the civilized world. 
The day they landed, no natives were seen, but many marks of 
a recent visit were evident on the beach and in the deserted huts. 
On the morning of the 22d, at daylight, the natives appeared on the 
