Feb. 18^9. WATER GALE — DEPARTURE. 



191 



On the night of the 2d of February we experienced another 

 very severe pampero, during which one of the Beagle's boats, 

 hauled up on shore, was blown to atoms. The barometer had 

 previously fallen to 29*39. 



On the 9th of February, we went to Monte Video, and on the 

 17th ran up the north side of the river for water ; but did not 

 find it fresh until we were within four miles of Cape ' Jesus 

 Maria.' The wind was against our return, so that we had to 

 beat down the river, in doing which the Adelaide grounded, 

 but without receiving any injury. We anchored twice in our 

 passage out, and, at the second anchorage,* experienced a 

 very heavy westerly gale. In attempting to weigh at its com- 

 mencement, our windlass was so much injured, that we were 

 obliged to ride the gale out, which we did by veering to one 

 hundred and ten fathoms of chain cable ; and the Beagle, to 

 one hundred and fifty fathoms. Owing to a short heavy sea, in 

 which the Adventure frequently pitched her bowsprit and stern 

 alternately under water, her jolly-boat was washed away. This 

 loss we could ill afford, as we were already three boats short of 

 our establishment, and wants ; and as the Adelaide had suffered 

 severely, by losing her topmast and jib-boom, and carrying 

 away the head of her bowsprit, we were obliged to return, very 

 reluctantly, after the gale had subsided, to Montevideo; whence 

 we finally sailed on the 1st of March. On the 5th a S.S.E. 

 gale separated us from our consorts, our course, therefore, was 

 directed for the first rendezvous, at Port Desire. 



When off Cape Blanco, the high land of Espinosa, in the 

 interior, was clearly distinguished at a distance of sixty miles, 

 and might probably be seen twenty miles further ; so that its 

 height must be, at least, four thousand feet. This range is of 

 irregular form, and has several peaked summits, so very different 

 from the general features of this coast, where the heights are 

 either flat- topped, or of an undulating outline, that I suppose 

 the rock to be of a character unlike that of the porphyry hills 

 common hereabouts. 



* From which the INIount (at Monte Video) bore N. 11°. W., distant 

 eight leagues. 



