APPENDIX. 



317 



Capt. King's, Chapt. 24, in Vol. 1, and the following brief remarks, 

 I hope they may prove useful to a stranger to the passage round 

 Cape Horn : but he will doubtless avail himself also of what has been 

 written on this subject by other persons, especially Weddell. 



In going westward. Captain King recommends keeping near the 

 eastern coast of Patagonia, and " after passing Staten Island, if the 

 wind be westerly, the ship should be kept upon the starboard tack, 

 unless it veer to the southward of S.S.W. until she reaches the lati- 

 tude of 60° S." — (vol. i. pp. 464-5.) I do not think keeping near 

 the eastern coast of Patagonia of importance to a large or strong 

 vessel ; smoother water is found near that coast, it is true, but cur- 

 rents set to the northward alongshore more strongly than in the 

 open sea. Icebergs, however, are never found in sight of that land, 

 though they have been met farther eastward, to the north of forty 

 degrees south latitude. Instead of going into sixty, south latitude, I 

 should prefer working to windward, near the shore of Tierra del 

 Fuego ; — through NassauBay ; where anchorages are numerous, and 

 easy of access. 



In Orange Bay, or farther south, a ship may await a favourable time 

 for making a long stretch to the westward : if foiled in one effort, she 

 may return, or seek for anchorage under Noir Island, in Euston 

 Bay, or elsewhere, until a better opportunity occurs. To make 

 westing ought to be the principal object, in my humble opinion, till 

 the meridian of about 82° is reached.* Icebergs are not found near 

 the land of Tierra del Fuego, but they are frequently met with at 

 a distance from it. 



By adopting this plan of passing through Nassau Bay, or near 

 Cape Horn, much labour and damage may be avoided, because a ship 

 may lie quietly at anchor during the worst weather, and be ready to 

 profit by any advantageous change. 



* Eighty degrees will be far enoiig-h west for a fast-saihng ship ; but 

 eighty-five degrees will not be too westerly for a dull sailer. 



