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80 PASSAGE ROUND CAPE HORN. [1823. 



west, which often comes on very suddenly, scarcely allowing sufficient 

 time to take in the light sails, and close-reef the topsails. 



When the wind sets in from the north and east, it generally increases 

 to a smart single-reef breeze ; at which it remains, unless it hauls to 

 the south-east, from which quarter it will blow a moderate gale, and 

 then die away to a perfect calm. But if it haul to the north, you 

 may depend upon two or three days of pleasant weather ; until it hauls 

 gently round to the north-west, where it will remain from twelve to 

 eighteen hours. It will then commence raining, and finally shift gently 

 to the south-west, when the weather will become clear. 



A northerly gale likewise comes on gradually, until it blows a double 

 or close-reef breeze, and lasts about twelve or eighteen hours, and then 

 draws to the north-west, which brings on rain. Presently it shifts 

 into the south-west, without relaxing its force, and continues in that 

 point for twelve or sixteen hours, when it dies away to a perfect calm. 



Such is the general course of the wind and weather in the vicinity 

 of Cape Horn, for the season round. 



The islands of Diego Ramirez, mentioned above, are in latitude 

 56° 27' S., long. 68° 38' 45" W. They are, in fact, a cluster of 

 barren rocks, frequented by seals of the fur kind, and various oceanic 

 birds. The westernmost rock is the highest, and is surrounded by 

 several small rocks, sufficiently elevated for birds and seals to resort 

 to. These rocks are sixteen leagues from Horn Island, between which 

 and them the passage is open, and entirely free from danger. Around 

 these rocks the water is bold within a cable's length of them ; and in 

 clear weather a ship may safely run for them in the night, by keeping 

 a good look-out. 



West of Hermit's are Udefonso's Islands, in latitude 55° 50' 30" 

 S., long. 69° 18' W. This is a group of rocky isles lying twenty 

 miles distant from the nearest land. The passage between them and 

 Diego Ramirez is thirty-five miles in width, and entirely free from dan- 

 ger. From Ildefonso to the entrance of Christmas Sound, the course 

 is north-west-by-vvest-half-west, distant twenty-eight or thirty miles. 



Christmas Sound lies to the westward of Cape Horn, about ninety- 

 five miles. It was visited in 1774 by the celebrated Cook, who ob- 

 serves that it affords good anchorage in various parts. At the head 

 of the sound is a sandy beach, with a run of fresh water. Fish are 

 scarce here, and fowls not very abundant. There are plenty of muscles 

 and good celery. Wood and water can be had in all the various coves 

 and harbours. The inhabitants live on the low islands in the bay, and 

 are a short, miserable race of savage beings. At the west entrance 

 of Christmas Sound is a lofty promontory, called York-minster, in 

 latitude 55° 25' S., long. 69° 58' W. The adjacent country, both 

 east and west, has an inhospitable and dreary appearance. The coast 

 is broken, and forms a chain of islands. 



Ten leagues to the westward of Christmas Sound are Gilbert's 

 Islands ; and about the same distance west-north-west of them is 

 Cape Desolation, in latitude 54° 55' S., long 71° 42' W. Fifteen 

 leagues west-by-north of this cape is the entrance to St. Barbara's 

 Channel, which leads into the Strait of Magellan. Cape Noir forms 



