Jan. 1827. 



PIFFICULTIES. 



75 



" In working to windward we frequently extended our 

 ' boards ' to the south shore (not without risk considering the 

 state of the weather), with the hope of making out Tuesday 

 Bay, or some anchorage thereabout ; but the coast was covered 

 with so thick a mist, that not a single point, mentioned by 

 preceding navigators, could be recognised. 



" About seven in the evening we were assailed by a squall, 

 which burst upon the ship with fury far surpassing all that 

 preceded it; had not sail been shortened in time, not a 

 stick would have been left standing, or she must have capsized. 

 As it was, the squall hove her so much over on her broadside, 

 that the boat which was hanging at the starboard quarter 

 was washed away. I then stood over to the north shore, to 

 look for anchorage under the lee of a cape, about three leagues 

 to the north-west of Cape Tamar. On closing it, the weather 

 became so thick that at times we could scarcely see two ships' 

 lengths a-head. 



" These circumstances were not in favour of exploring 

 unknown bays, and to think of passing such a night as was in 

 prospect, under sail in the Straits, would have been a desperate 

 risk ; I was obliged therefore to yield the hard-gained advan- 

 tage of this day's beat, and run for the anchorage whence we 

 had started in the morning. 



" It was nearly dark ere we reached it ; and in entering^ 

 desirous to keep well up to windward, in order to gain the 

 best anchorage, I went too close to the outer islet, and the ship 

 struck violently on a rocky ledge. However, she did not hang 

 a moment, and was soon anchored in safety.'"* 



Finding so much danger and difficulty, in proceeding with 

 the ship, without first knowing where to run for anchorages, 

 Captain Stokes left her in Tamar Bay, under the charge of 

 Lieutenant Skyring; and, accompanied by Mr.Flinn, set out in 

 the cutter, wdth a week's provisions, to examine the south coast. 



In a very arduous and dangerous cruize he discovered several 

 well-sheltered anchorages, but experienced a " constant heavy 

 gale from W.N.W., with thick weather and incessant drench- 

 ing rain." 



