APPENDIX. 391 



XXIV. 



SAILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE RELIEF, NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL AT SEA. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Rio de Janeiro, December 18th, 1838. 

 Sir — 



You will sail from this harbour, and follow strictly the following 

 instructions, which are intended for your government. 



1st. You will proceed with all possible despatch with the Relief, 

 under your command, to Orange Harbour, and there await my 

 arrival. 



2d. Orange Harbour is situated in latitude 55° 30' 50" S., and 

 longitude 68° 00' 23" W. 



3d. You will pursue such a course as will take you on soundings 

 about latitude 45° S., and continue on them all the way to Terra del 

 Fuego, as near as you can to the land, westerly winds prevailing most 

 of the way. 



4th. You will pass through the Straits of Le Maire, and double close 

 around the southeast point of Terra del Fuego, keeping in with the 

 land until you are up with the Hermit Islands ; you will then have 

 your port open to you clear of hidden dangers. 



5th. A plan of Orange Harbour is among your Book of Charts, No. 

 1079. 



6th. On your arrival there, you will set up tide-staves, similar to 

 those now in use by us on the Island of Enxados, and keep an hourly 

 register of the rise and fall. 



7th. At Orange Harbour, you will employ your crew in cutting fifty 

 cords of the best wood, and deposit the same at the most convenient 

 landings, for the use of the squadron on its arrival. 



8th. You will fill up with water, and have your stores and provisions 

 ready for any delivery. 



9th. Your anchorage will be within Burnt Island, where you will 

 establish the light sent you, which you will place in charge of some 

 careful person, to be kept lighted during the night. In the event of 

 its failing, you will keep a bonfire on shore, as a night-signal for the 

 squadron. 



10th. You will carefully preserve all the soundings brought up by 

 your deep-sea lead, in papers, with the positions where they were had. 



11th. On your route you will make repeated trials of the current, 

 and while on soundings you will anchor your boat with the deep-sea 



