Dec. 1829. ADELAIDE AND ADVENTURE SAIL. 



301 



shorter staff, with a topmast, was fitted for the flag ; notwith- 

 standing which, many unpleasant observations were made, and 

 absurd reports circulated, which spread to Chile, and even to 

 Peru, that the English were about to take possession of Chiloe, 

 and had already removed the flag- staff of San Carlos. 



By Lieutenant MitchelPs activity in superintending the 

 Adelaide's repairs, she was got ready for sea at the beginning 

 of December, and sailed on the 8th, under the command of 

 Lieutenant Sky ring, with orders* to survey those parts of the 

 Gulf of Penas which had not been examined by the Beagle; 

 particularly the River San Tadeo, in San Quintin's Sound ; the 

 openings behind Xavier Island; the Channel's Mouths; and 

 the Guaianeco Islands, where the Wager was wrecked : and 

 then to proceed down the Mesier Channel, behind the Island 

 Campana, which was supposed to communicate with Concepcion 

 Strait, by the Brazo Ancho (or Wide Channel) of Sarmiento. 

 He was then to go to the Ancon sin Salida, examining all 

 the openings into the main land, on his way, and search for a 

 communication wixh the large waters, discovered by Captain 

 Fitz Boy, through which he was to try to enter the Strait, 

 and join the Adventure, at Port Famine, during the month of 

 April. 



Lieutenants Skyring and Graves again took with them, by 

 Captain Fitz Roy''s permission, Mr. Kirke and Mr. Bynoe, of 

 the Beagle ; Mr. Alexander Millar and Mr. Parke also accom- 

 panied them. 



Having thus despatched our companions, we prepared, on 

 board the Adventure, to return to Valparaiso; intending to 

 proceed to Rio de Janeiro; by way of Concepcion, Port Famine, 

 and Monte Video ; for the sake of adding some links to our 

 chronometric chain : with a view to which, I had taken the 

 opportunity of having the chronometers cleaned at Valparaiso 

 by Mr. Roskell, agent for Messrs. Roskell chronometer-makers 

 at Liverpool. General Aldunate being on the point of returning 

 to Valparaiso, I had an opportunity of obliging him, and show- 

 ing my sense of the assistance, and essential kindness we had 

 • See orders to Lieut. Skyring-, in the Appendix. 



