1835. 



SHOAL ESCAPE SALT. 



499 



clear the land, but got out of the scrape and were working 

 towards Hood Island when the man looking out aloft reported 

 a breaker, which proved to be on a rock at the west end of 

 MacGowen shoal. When first seen it was on the horizon, and 

 hardly differed from the topping of a sea ; — once only in about 

 ten minutes it showed distinctly. We steered for it, lowered 

 two boats, and employed the rest of the day in examining this 

 very dangerous shoal, and fixing its position. One rock at 

 the west end is just a-wash, but there is another under water, , 

 except in the hollow of a swell, about half-a-mile to the east- 

 ward, which is exceedingly treacherous. We had two narrow 

 escapes this day ; while weighing from Chatham Island, baffling 

 winds sent us a great deal too close to the cliffs before our 

 anchor was up, or the ship under command ; and while 

 sounding along the edge of MacGowen shoal we were drifted 

 so close to the second rock, mentioned above, that I was not 

 sure on which side of us it lay. 



14th. Anchored and examined Hood Harbour, having heard 

 there was a sunken rock in it which our boat had not disco- 

 vered, but we found nothing dangerous for a ship. Shoal 

 water and large blocks of lava lie near the shore in the har- 

 bour ; but a vessel must have stood too close in if she touches 

 thereabouts. Left Hood Island at noon, and steered for the 

 southern part of Charles Island. Having a fine breeze we 

 rounded Saddle Point at eight, and anchored at nine off Black 

 Beach. 



15th. I went to Post-Office Bay and near the best landing 

 place, found some excellent salt, which though but small in 

 quantity gives a hint that more may be got elsewhere. 



16th. Weighed in the afternoon, having obtained the neces- 

 sary observations, and went to Black Beach Road to take in 

 wood, potatoes, and pigs. We there found a small schooner 

 at anchor, just arrived from Guayaquil, and having, among 

 other things, a bag of letters from England, for the Beagle. 

 That very evening we were to leave Charles Island ; not to 

 return ! In the schooner were some emigrants ; who brought 

 cattle, and information that the governor, Villamil, might be 



2 k 9. 



