April 1830. 



KIRKE NARROW EASTER RAY. 



349 



proceeded towards the Kirke Narrow. We had been unvary- 

 ing in watching and trying the strength of the tides during our 

 stay ; but the observations never accorded with those in the 

 narrow, and our calculations this morning, after all the trouble 

 we had taken, were found to be erroneous. On approaching the 

 place we met a stream of tide setting to the S-W. between two 

 and three knots; the wind was light; we sometimes gained 

 ground — at others were forced back by the strength of the 

 tide — and thus kept hovering near the entrance until eleven 

 o'clock ; when the tide slackened, and we neared the eastern 

 end, which is by far the narrowest part, and where, I appre- 

 hended, every exertion would be required to clear the rocks ; 

 but fortunately it was at the moment of slack water — we passed 

 through easily, and our anticipated difficulty vanished. This 

 eastern entrance is narrowed by two islands, which contract the 

 width, at one part, to a hundred and fifty yards. When clear 

 of this passage. Point Return, Point Desire, and Easter Bay 

 were in sight, and we found ourselves in a channel much wider 

 than those to which we had been lately accustomed. To the 

 south was a deep sound, apparently branching in different 

 directions between high land, but our principal object was the 

 low country to the N.E., and through this we were so sanguine 

 as to make sure of finding a passage. In the evening we anchored 

 in Easter Bay, and moored the schooner in four and six 

 fathoms, over a muddy bottom. 



" Next morning (12th) the boats were prepared for going 

 away to gain a better knowledge of the country around, to find 

 out the best anchorage, and to become acquainted with some of 

 the many advantages that, from the prospect before us, we 

 considered ourselves sure of experiencing. Mr. Kirke went to 

 examine Worsley Sound, and he was desired to examine every 

 opening as he proceeded eastward. As soon as he was gone, I 

 set about measuring a base between Easter Bay and Focus 

 Island ; which, being of moderate height, appeared to be a 

 favourable position for extending the triangulation. This work 

 was soon finished ; but I was greatly disappointed, when on 

 the summit of the island, with the view that presented itself 



