Feb. 1830. fatal bay — mr. Millar's death. 



333 



work until the 1st of February, (c) On that day we sailed, and 

 entered the Mesier Channel, anchoring in a small open bay, 

 the only stopping-place we could perceive ; which, from the 

 loss we sustained shortly after our arrival, was called Fatal 

 Bay. It is insecure, and the anchorage ground confined : the 

 only convenience was, that wood and fresh-water were 

 near. During our stay we had much rain, which retarded us. 

 Mr. Kirke went away in a boat, whenever the weather per- 

 mitted, and, on the 8th, we sailed for an anchorage, about ten 

 miles to the southward, where he had previously been ; but a 

 sad event happened before our departure. 



" On the afternoon of the 3d, we had the misfortune to lose 

 Mr. Alexander Millar, who died in consequence of a severe 

 attack of inflammation of the bowels, which carried him oW, 

 after an illness of only three days. 



" On Thursday afternoon he was buried, close to the shore, 

 near the anchorage, and just within the edge of the wood. 



" That our progress had been so slow during the last month, 

 was a great disappointment ; but we had had many causes of 

 detention. All the early part of January the weather was 

 stormy: eighteen days we were anchored within the ChanneFs 

 Mouth ; yet during two only could our boats leave the vessel. 



" Among the Guaianeco islands we had moderate v/eather, 

 but also much wet : still the chief cause of our delay, I fear, was 

 my own illness. From the beginning of January, I had been 

 confined to my bed, with a tedious and obstinate disease ; and 

 from that time most of the angles were taken, and all the 

 observations were made, by Mr. Kirke, who was ever exceedingly 

 willing and indefatigable. After the loss of Mr. Millar, not 

 only almost the whole duty of surveying fell upon him, but 

 much of the duty of the vessel. 



At noon this day (8th), we moored in Island Harbour, a 

 small but excellent landlocked anchorage, with good holding 



(^cj During- much of this cruise, Lieutenant Skyring was so ill that he 

 was unable to leave the Adelaide ; and for a month he was confined to bed. 

 His illness was caused by fatigue, and by sitting too long while con- 

 structing charts. — R. F. 



