PASSAGES. 



57 



furiously as near the high land, nor will vessels be subjected to 

 calms as on the western side. Good Success Bay offers a stopping- 

 place for vessels in case the weather should prove bad. The anchor- 

 age is good during gales from the southwest, but when it blows from 

 the southeast, the sea sets in, and it becomes rough and quite danger- 

 ous. The Porpoise and Relief stopped here : the former, on the wind 

 veering to the southeast, was obliged to slip her cable and leave the 

 anchorage, owing to the heavy sea. As at Rio Negro, it is necessary 

 to slip when the windward tide is running strong. 



The survey of this bay by the Beagle we found correct, but the 

 directions are not quite so plain as is desirable. When sailing along 

 the coast from the south, on which 'side it is generally approached, 

 there is little appearance of a bay. The " Broad Road" of Cook, though 

 given as the direction for it, is not sufficient. The first guide is the 

 " Sail Rocks:" they lie 5 miles southwest-by-south from Good Success 

 Bay. The two jagged, rocky heights, resembling a cock's comb, will 

 present themselves when the bay is open to view. The best place to 

 anchor in, is in 10 fathoms, sand and shells, a short distance outside 

 the line of kelp, the " Cock's-comb" bearing southwest-by-west, — a 

 berth convenient for procuring both wood and water. Scurvy-grass 

 and wild celery, with berries, may be obtained in quantities. 



The currents, from Rio de Janeiro to the Rio Negro, we found south 

 39° 30' west, 167 miles. From Rio Negro to the Straits of Le Maire, 

 north 20° east, 126 miles. 



In proceeding from the Straits towards Cape Horn, I would strongly 

 advise vessels to take the route inside of the Hermit Islands, by 

 Nassau Bay. A vessel standing to the westward, for Nassau Bay, 

 by keeping close to New Island, would avoid the currents, which set 

 strong outside a line drawn from Cape Good Success to Cape Deceit, 

 the easternmost land near Cape Horn ; and even if intending to pass 

 to the south of Cape Horn, with a contrary wind, it would be better 

 to pursue this course. All vessels ought to beat up to this Cape 

 within the above line, as they would thereby very much shorten their 

 passage, and be enabled to round the Cape, or to await the first good 

 opportunity that offered, without being subjected to the great wear 

 and tear from an exposure to the heavy seas and strong gales that 

 must be encountered to the south. The dangers are all visible or 

 pointed out by the kelp ; the sea is comparatively smooth, although 

 the squalls are violent and accompanied with hail, rain, and snow ; but 



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