APPENDIX. 179 



under the commodore's stern. Asked the commodore for some ballast, 

 a few muskets, and a little powder ; was refused. Thirty minutes past 

 four, received final orders ; made all sail, with the wind fresh from 

 the southward, and ran through the small passage. 

 On board the Carmen were : 



Mr. Wm. Thayer, master of the vessel. 



George Biddlecombe, 2d master of H.M.S. Blonde. 



Alex, B. Usborne, 2d assist, surveyor, ,, Beagle. 



James Bennett, gunner's mate, „ Beagle. 



John Nutcher, boatswain's mate, ,, Blonde. 



John Macintosh, A.B. „ Blonde. 



John Mitchell, A.B. „ Blonde. 



and ten men hired at Talcahuano, who were of very little, indeed 

 almost no use as seamen. 



At about ten, p.m. the wind died away to nearly a calm, which 

 continued throughout the night. 



Thursday, 25th. Dayhght. Saw the Paps of Bio Bio E.S.E. by 

 compass, nine miles distant ; light, variable airs from the northward 

 throughout the day. Sun - set : north end of St. Mary S.b.W. six 

 miles, calm all night. 



Friday, 26th. Daylight. North end of St. Mary S.E. five miles ; light 

 winds from the northward, until four, p.m., when the wind freshened 

 from north-north-west, with heavy squalls of wind and rain ; sun-set, 

 Carnero Head, E. distant five miles. At thirty minutes past six, 

 observed a fire on Tucapel Head, bearing south-east ; burnt a blue 

 light, supposing it might be part of the Challenger's crew on their 

 road to Concepcion ; but finding no alteration in the size of the fire, 

 and it not corresponding with the signal agreed on, continued our 

 course towards the supposed place of the Lebu, or Leiibu. 



Saturday, 27th. Strong winds from the northward, and squally 

 weather, with heavy rain ; stood off and under foresail until two, p.m., 

 when the weather cleared a little ; made all possible sail, and stood 

 in for the point on which the Challenger was lost. At three, Mol- 

 guilla Point E. two miles and a half distant, saw nothing of the 

 wreck; bore up, and stood along the land toward the southward, 

 from one to two miles off shore, in search of the river Lebu. At five, 

 P.M., having run ten miles south of Point Molguilla,, and five miles 

 south of the supposed place of the Lebu, and not seeing any thing of 

 the wreck or crew of the Challenger, hauled off, and hove- to ; at 



