Feb. 1830. Christmas sound — york minster. 



407 



and for this we cut up a spare spar, which was intended to 

 supply the place of a defective or injured lower mast or bow- 

 sprit. With reluctance this fine spar, which had been the 

 Dorises main-topmast, was condemned to the teeth of the saw ; 

 but I felt certain that the boat Mr. May would produce from 

 it, would be valuable in any part of the world, and that for our 

 voyage it was indispensable. 



" Profiting by a clear day, I went to a height in the neigh- 

 bourhood, whence I could see to a great distance in-shore, as 

 well as along the coast, and got a view of Mount Sarmiento. 

 While away from the Beagle, in search of the lost boat, we 

 had enjoyed four succeeding days of fine weather, during which 

 that noble mountain had been often seen by our party. The 

 astronomical bearing of its summit was very useful in con- 

 necting this coast survey with that of the Strait of Magal- 

 haens. 



" 25th and 26th. Mr. Murray went to the S. W. part of the 

 island, taking three days^ provisions. Mr. Stokes and I were 

 employed near the ship, while every man who could use car- 

 penter's tools was occupied in preparing materials for our new 

 boat. The rock near here is greenstone, in which are many 

 veins of pyrites. Specimens are deposited in the museum of 

 the Geological Society. 



" 28th. Weighed, warped to windward, and made sail out 

 of Adventure Passage. I was very anxious to reach Christmas 

 Sound, because it seemed to me a good situation for the Beagle, 

 while the boats could go east and west of her, and the new 

 boat might be built. Running along the land, before a fresh 

 breeze, we soon saw York Minster, and in the evening entered 

 Christmas Sound, and anchored in the very spot where the 

 Adventure lay when Cook was here. His sketch of the sound, 

 and description of York Minster, are very good, and quite 

 enough to guide a ship to the anchoring place. I fancied that 

 the high part of the Minster must have crumbled away since 

 he saw it, as it no longer resembled ' two towers,' but had a 

 ragged, notched summit, when seen from the westward. It was 

 some satisfaction to find ourselves at anchor at this spot in 



