Sl8 LYELL SOUND KEMPE HAllBOUK. April 1829. 



" The night was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen ; 

 nearly calm, the sky clear of clouds, excepting a few large 

 white masses, which at times passed over the bright full moon : 

 whose light striking upon the snow-covered summits of the 

 mountains by which we were surrounded, contrasted strongly 

 with their dark gloomy bases, and gave an effect to the scene 

 which I shall never forget. 



" At daylight, on the 20th, we were close to Lyell Sound, 

 and stood along its west side, looking for an anchorage, until 

 we found a very good harbour, about a mile inside Mazaredo 

 Point. 



I then went away, with two boats, to examine the Sound, 

 leaving the master to sound and plan the inner harbour. 



" Kempe Harbour, within Lyell Sound, would hold six large 

 ships in security ; but, like most of the harbours hereabouts, 

 access is difficult, on account of the squalls off the high land, 

 which are so irregular, and often violent. 



" During the night of the 21st, it blew strong in squalls, 

 and the chain-cable kept us awake by rattling very much over 

 rocks ; yet when the anchor was hove to the bows next morn- 

 ing, it appeared to have been well bedded in stiff clay. To 

 these sounds we afterwards became familiarised. 



" Wednesday, 22d. Strong squalls from the south-eastward 

 during the night, and in the morning; when, being anxious to 

 reach Cascade Bay, I weighed, though the weather was thick, 

 and the wind against us. The flaws were so variable, that we 

 were two hours knocking the helm and sails about before we 

 could clear the anchorage, and move half a mile in still water. 

 I should recommend warping in and out of these harbours, in 

 preference to making sail : as it is far easier, if a ship is pro- 

 vided with small hawsers and kedges: and the hawsers can 

 often be made fast to the rocks, or roots of trees. 



" The tide rises about four feet in Kempe Harbour; and 

 there is a place where a vessel might be grounded or careened 

 with perfect safety. 



" Mazaredo Peak (Bougainville's Sugar Loaf) is an excel- 

 lent guide to Kempe Harbour ; the valley-like appearance of 



