72 



beagle's danger. 



Jan. 1827. 



every side by rocks and breakers.''* The Beagle was under 

 similar circumstances, but the land being known to be high 

 and bold, her danger was not considered so imminent. 



Eastward of Cape Upright the water was smooth ; but 

 between it and Cape Providence a heavy breaking sea was 

 caused by the deep swell of the Pacific. Captain Stokes found 

 an anchorage the next night in a bay under Cape Tamar ; and 

 the following evening very nearly reached another under Cape 

 Phillip ; but the darkness of a rainy night, and strong squalls, 

 prevented their attempting to anchor in an unknown place, 

 and the only resource was to bear up for shelter under Cape 

 Tamar, where the previous night had been passed. Even 

 this was a dangerous attempt ; they could hardly discern any 

 part of the high land, and when before the wind could not 

 avoid the ship's going much too fast. While running about 

 eight knots, a violent shock — a lift forward — heel over — and 

 downward plunge — electrified every one ; but before they could 

 look round, she was scudding along, as before, having fairly 

 leaped over the rock. 



It was afterwards found that a great part of the gripe and 

 false keel were knocked away. Captain Stokes's account of 

 this day's beat will give an idea of the difficulties which the 

 Beagle's crew encountered, in working out of the Strait. 



January 31 st. " The hands were turned up at daylight 

 " up anchor ;" but the heavy squalls that came off" the high 

 land of the harbour, rendered it too hazardous to weigh, until 

 a temporary lull enabled us to make sail, and re-commence 

 beating to the westward against a dead foul wind, much rain, 

 hard squalls, and a turbulent cross sea. 



" The squalls became more frequent and more violent 

 after noon ; but they gave, in daylight, sufficient warning, 

 being preceded by dark clouds gradually expanding upwards, 

 until their upper line attained the altitude of about fifty 

 degrees : then came heavy rain, and perhaps hail ; immediately 

 after followed the squall in all its fury, and generally lasted 

 fifteen or twenty minutes. 



* Havvkesworth's Coll. of Voyages, vol. i. p, 7^. 



