STORM OFF CAPE HORN. 



43 



March 3d. We had fresh breezes from the westward, 

 accompanied with rain and a heavy head sea. The barometer 

 was referred to frequently, but was found very fluctuating, 

 and gave no indications of the weather. 



During the night of the 6 th, the wind increased to such a 

 degree as to oblige us to reduce sail to a close-reefed main- 

 topsail and fore-storm staysail. 



About noon on the 8 th, the gale moderated, and we flattered 

 ourselves we should have fine weather once more ; but a little 

 before sunset it began to increase again. 



During the 10th and 11th, the wind was moderate, but very 

 variable, and accompanied with rain at intervals. In the 

 afternoon of the last mentioned day an albatross was shot, 

 which measured nine feet from the tip of one wing to the tip 

 of the other. We caught several smaller ones with hook 

 and line. To kill these, the region of the brain was pierced 

 with a large sewing needle, which produced instant death. 

 At sunset the coast of Terra del Fuego was reported in sight 

 from aloft. 



On the morning of the 13th an alarm of fire was given ; 

 but it proved to be the igniting of the alcohol of the lamp 

 belonging to the dispensary, and was soon extinguished without 

 doing any damage. 



March 18th. Finding the wind was increasing, wore ship 

 and reduced sail. At 1.30 P. M., descried Noir Island under 

 our lee ; and soon after the Tower Rocks, a short distance 

 ahead, and on our lee bow. The wind continued to increase ; 

 the waves rose in mountains, and the ship was rapidly drifting 

 towards the coast of Terra del Fuego. To avoid, therefore, 

 being wrecked, after passing Tower Rocks, we hauled up for 

 the southeast point of Noir Island, and at 4.45 P. M., came- 

 to in seventeen fathoms water with both bower-anchors, 



