254 



ME7.I0RIAL COCKEURN CHANNEL. May 1829- 



formation cannot be traced half the height ; above is an im- 

 mense heap of masses of rock, irregularly and wonderfully 

 thrown together, many huge fragments overhanging, with 

 apparently very little hold. This station was the most com- 

 manding we had chosen during the survey, and answered well 

 for the object we desired ; which being attained, we returned 

 on board, and I rejoiced when all were safe, for it was neither 

 an easy, nor a pleasant enterprise." 



A document, of which the following is a copy, was enclosed 

 in a bottle and a strong outer case, and left at the summit of 

 the mountain. 



(Copy.) 



This Memorial was left by the officers of H.M. Schooner 

 Adelaide, while employed on a survey of the Magdalen, 

 Cockburn, and Barbara Channels ; and any person finding it 

 is requested to leave the original document, and build the 

 pile, under which it is placed, at least six feet higher. 

 Signed this 16th day of May 1829, by 



W. G. Skyring, Lieut, and assist, surveyor of H.M.S. Beagle. 

 Thomas Graves, Lieut, of H.M. Schooner Adelaide. 

 James Kirke, Midshipman H.M.S. Beagle. 

 Alex. Millar, Master assist. H.M.S. Adelaide. 

 Benj. Bynoe, Assist, surgeon H.M.S. Beagle. 

 Jno. Park, Assist, surgeon H.M.S. Adventure. 

 God save the King. 

 " In the Cockburn Channel,"* the flood-tide sets to seaward ; 



* In the old Dutch charts, a passage was laid down near the place, 

 and nearly in the direction of the Cockburn Channel, and named ' Jelou- 

 zelt but until some written authority can be produced to prove that this 

 passage was explored, or, at the least, discovered by the person who gave 

 the name of ' Jelouzelt ' to one of the almost innumerable openings in 

 Tierra del Fuego, it does not appear that the inlet so called has any 

 claim to our consideration, greater than that of the non-existing San 

 Sebastian Channel, — or a number of other imaginary passages which 

 must have been laid down, upon supposition only, in many old charts. 



The first person known to have passed through the Cockburn Channel 

 was the mate of the Prince of Saxe Cobourg, who went in a boat (see 

 page 66). It was afterwards passed by Mr. William Low, master of the 

 Mercury, and has since been used by several vessels. 



