56 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Relief made it in latitude 48° 30' south, and longitude 66° 07' 11" 

 west. This I have named Stokes's Bellaco, while that which lies in 

 latitude 48° 38' 44" south, longitude 66° 03' 53" west, about 10 miles 

 distant, I have called Long's Bellaco. The latter was discovered by 

 Lieutenant-Commandant Long, of the Relief, who appears to be the 

 first navigator who saw and verified both rocks. The latter is be- 

 lieved to be the true Bellaco of Nodales. 



Watchman's Cape should be cautiously approached, and if not re- 

 quired to be sighted had better be avoided, in consequence of the 

 strong currents that prevail in its neighborhood. 



To pass through the Straits of Le Maire, I would always recom- 

 mend making the land to the westward with the ebb tide, but Middle 

 Cape on Staten Land, with the flood ; the reason is, that the ebb sets 

 towards the Staten Land shore, and the flood to the Tierra del Fuego 

 side. 



Our passage through the Straits of Le Maire was effected in a few 

 hours, although we were not particularly favored with good weather. 

 We entered the Strait with a fair wind and all sail set, but were re- 

 duced before we left it to close-reefed topsails, in consequence of the 

 squalls that came rushing out of the ravines of Tierra del Fuego, as 

 we passed them. We made the land off Cape St. Diego in the morn- 

 ing about 8 o'clock, and by 3 o'clock we had passed through, and had 

 Cape Good Success bearing to the northward. 



Some navigators have thought proper to caution others against 

 attempting this passage. I have carefully examined the supposed 

 difficulties, and think they are more imaginary than real. The Strait 

 is 12 miles wide, has no hidden dangers, and its coasts are high, and 

 may be closely approached by any class of vessels without fear; there 

 is, in fact, nothing to contend with but the tide, which runs occa- 

 sionally with great velocity, and with a contrary wind produces a 

 short, and sometimes a heavy sea. We were exposed, in the Por- 

 poise, to a strong gale of wind, and passed through what has been 

 reported as " The Dangerous Race," off both Middle Cape and that of 

 St. Anthony, on Staten Land, without difficulty. 



It is high water, at the full and change, off Cape St. Diego, at 4 

 o'clock, p. m. Here again we encountered the " Race," and although 

 we were knocked about with some force while in it, yet we did not 

 apprehend or perceive any danger. I would recommend keeping near 

 the middle of the Strait, as the squalls or " williwaws" do not blow so 



