CHAPTER IV. 



Loss of the Thetis— Causes of her wreck — Approach to Rio de Janeiro 

 — Owen Glendower — Disturbance in Rio Harbour — Observations' — 

 Chronometers — Return to Bahia — Deaths — Macacu — Malaria — 

 Return to Rio de Janeiro — Meridian Distances — Regatta — Fuegians 

 — Lightning- — Leave Rio — Equipment — Santa Martha — Weather — 

 8antaCatharina — Santos — River Plata — Pamperoes — Gales off Buenos 

 Ayres — Monte Video — Point Piedras — Cape San Antonio — River 

 Plata — Currents — Tides — Barometer — Absence of trees — Cattle. 



Among the shipwrecks which have taken place during late 

 years, perhaps none excited so much astonishment, or caused 

 so much trouble and discussion, as the loss of that fine frigate 

 the Thetis. 



Had any seaman been asked, on what frequented shore there 

 was least probability of a wreck, I almost think he would 

 have answered on that of Cape Frio. Yet, against the high 

 cliiFs of that bold and well-known coast did she run ' stem 

 on,"* going nine knots. One may conceive the shock and 

 general consternation as she crashed against the rocky cliff, 

 and all her masts fell inboard. 



As some who turn over these pages may not have read the 

 proceedings of the Court-martial held after the return of her 

 officers to England, I will insert a short account, derived 

 chiefly from those of old friends and shipmates, who were on 

 board her at the awful time of her wreck. 



The Thetis sailed from Rio de Janeiro on the 4th of Decem- 

 ber 1830, and worked to the southward all day, against a 

 southei-ly wind and thick foggy w^eather. At Ih. 30m. a.m. 

 on the 5th, she saw Raza Island for the last time, bearing N.W. 

 by W., and distant eight or nine miles. The weather was 

 still hazy, indeed at times very thick, and the wind south- 

 east. She stood off on the larboard tack until seven a.m., 

 and then the wind having increased, and a cross sea getting 

 up, she wore to the eastward. Soon afterwards the wind 

 drew to SS.E., and the ship was kept by the wind on the 



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