160 SOUTHERN CRUISE. 



On the 17th April, the time having expired for the return of the 

 Relief, I concluded to leave Orange Harbour with the Vincennes and 

 Porpoise. Believing the Relief had been detained, the Flying-Fish and 

 Sea-Gull tenders were both left to await her arrival, for ten days, to 

 take the scientific gentlemen on board, and join us at Valparaiso, in 

 order to prevent detention by the slow sailing of that ship. 



We got under way; but the wind drawing ahead, with appearances 

 of bad weather, we anchored in Scapenham Bay. The weather 

 becoming stormy, and thinking the place in which we were anchored 

 too much exposed, we again got under way, ran back, and anchored 

 in Orange Bay. 



Before leaving these desolate and stormy regions, it may be expected 

 that I should say a few words relative to the passage round the Cape. 

 There are so many opinions relative to the best manner of proceeding 

 in this navigation, that one in consulting them derives but little 

 satisfaction, no two authorities agreeing in their views upon the 

 subject. I am inclined to believe that as much depends upon the 

 vessel, and the manner in which she is navigated, as the route pursued, 

 whether the Cape is passed close to, or given a good berth : the object 

 of all is to pass it as quickly as possible, and taking into consideration 

 the difficulties to be incurred from boisterous weather, heavy seas, and 

 ice, it is impossible to lay down any precise rule : that course which 

 appears most feasible at the time ought to be adopted, keeping, how- 

 ever, in view, that there is no danger to be apprehended in navigating 

 on the western coast of Terra del Fuego, as the current sets along its 

 coast, and it is perfectly safe and practicable to navigate it as far as 

 Cape Pillar. The great difficulty exists in passing the pitch of the 

 Cape ; there is none afterwards in getting to the westward. On the 

 coast, the wind seldom blows long from the same quarter, but veers 

 from southwest to northwest : the gales generally begin at the former 

 quarter and end at the latter. Previous to the southwest gales, it 

 would, therefore, in all cases, be advisable, when indications of their 

 occurrence are visible, (which are known by the banks of cumuli in 

 that quarter, some twenty-four hours previously,) to stand to the south- 

 ward and westward in preference, with as much sail as well can be 

 carried, that when the change occurs, you may be ready to stand on 

 the other tack to the northward. One thing every navigator ought to 

 bear in mind, that it requires all the activity and perseverance he may 

 be possessed of, to accomplish it quickly. 



On the 20th we took our final leave of these waters, and on the 

 21st lost sight of land, passing to the northward of the island of Diego 

 Ramieres. 



