RIO NEGRO. 113 



There is a shoal to the westward of Cape Three Points, which 

 Lieutenant-Commandant Long, after anchoring, sent three boats to 

 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, in latitude 48° 38' 44" S., longitude 66° 03' 53" W. ; 

 this last rock was found to correspond in position with the Bellaco Rock 

 of Nodales. 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 Nodales 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 many trials they had made, found it setting in 

 various directions, according as the flood or ebb prevailed. 



At meridian the same day they were off Port St. Julian. Lieu- 

 tenant-Con i.nandant 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 appearance 

 of the weather subsided, and at 1 p. m., they anchored in Good Suc- 

 cess 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 posi- 

 tions, 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 



Vol. i. Ki 15 



